cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Reply
mrtimo1
Frequent Visitor

Best alternative to CDS for small app

Hi,

I'm moving an ACCESS Desktop App to PowerApps. The ACCESS DB had 7-8 tables, a few tables had 3,000+ records. 

 

I'm thinking I should use Azure SQL DB. Is there something else I should be using or think about?

 

Thanks,

Tim

20 REPLIES 20
v-xida-msft
Community Support
Community Support

Hi @mrtimo1,

 

Could you please share more details about your scenario?

Do you want to use PowerApps or Microsoft Flow within your scenario?

 

If you want to use Azure SQL DB, there are some Known issues and limitations about it. More details about Known Issues and Limitations about Azure SQL Server connector, please check the following article:

Known issues and Limitations in SQL Server Connector

 

More details about using SQL Server connector in PowerApps, please check the following article:

Using SQL Server connector in PowerApps

 

If you could provide more details about your scenario, we would provide a proper workaround for you.

 

 

Best regards,

Kris

Community Support Team _ Kris Dai
If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

The app is for a small non-profit that gives baby diapers to needy families. Parents register then return every 30 days for more diapers. The database ensures is useful for tracking and grant writing purposes, as well as making sure that parents do not abuse the system by coming back in less than 30 days.

The principle tables in the database are CHILD <-- FAMILY--> PARENT and TRANSACTIONS (When a parent picks up diapers for a child). The Transactions table has 15k+ records, Family and Child have around 4-5k records.

Azure SQL DB is a good choice, right? What other issues will I encounter?

I'm sorry. This should be posted in the PowerApps forum not Flow. Can this be moved?

Anonymous
Not applicable

Hi @mrtimo1

 

Yes Azure SQL Server will work for your app.

 

I use it for all my apps and I think it provides the most flexibility and customization with PowerApps.

 

The only thing I do not like is that you have to grant users (not the app itself) access to all your database data, but this problem with all data sources connected to PowerApps. So if you work with confidential data be careful.

 

Here is the idea to solve this problem for PowerApps, give it a vote:

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/PowerApps-Ideas/Removing-user-ability-to-access-data-source-with...

 

 

CWesener
Power Apps
Power Apps

Hi @mrtimo1 - is there a particular reason CDS won't be suitable for your needs? I'd like to understand if I can help.

Thanks,
Clay.

The work is for a small non-profit. I think CDS is out of their budget. 

Also, In my mind I assume that moving their data from MS Access to Azure SQL will be easier.

Also, PowerBI will likely work better with Azure SQL than CDS. Or maybe there is no difference?

It is mostly the price issue. There is also probably a paradigm issue. I understand Azure SQL, but I'm not sure how I would approach data modeling in CDS.

 

Thanks for the reply, @mrtimo1 - I understand the licence may be prohibitive, if it helps here is some more information : https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/

 

Regarding creating the entities - hopefully this is easy for you to get your head around. We also have options for you to create schema and import your data directly from Access, you can read more here : https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/

Thanks,
Clay.
Anonymous
Not applicable

Hi @CWesener

 

Even for-profit organizations have better incentives to use Azure SQL Server than CDS.

 

Here is why:

1. All my people are on enterprise plan so we get the basic PowerApps for free. It also comes with bunch of free connectors (like SQL Server connector). There is no need to manage special licenses and everyone can just access PowerApps as soon as we develop them because everyone has access to basic plan.

If we developed PowerApps with premium connectors that means we would need to know beforehand everyone in the company who will be using this app and give him/her Plan 1 license so they could access the app. This also means that we will need to constantly manage the licenses for new employees or people who no longer will need access to it. In my organization I do not even know who uses the apps since I release them to whole company. This allows the app to spread very fast kinda like mouth-to-mouth advertising because people can just open it and use it. With licenses they would all need to contact someone in IT department to give them licenses. In my mind this would slow down the spread of the app and create resistance from end user.

 

2. Azure SQL Server handles delegation a lot better than CDS and has more delegatable functions. From this article: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/canvas-apps/delegation-list it seems that it is a lot easier to manipulate large amounts of data with SQL Server than CDS. Since all our databases are larger than 500 records using CDS would mean we cannot manipulate the data as easy as we can with SQL due to delegation limitations with CDS and PowerApps.

 

3. From pure cost perspective I have around 300 users who use my apps. If I went with CDS I need Plan 2 license for me ($40/month) and 300 Plan 1 licenses (300 * $7 = $2100/Month) for current app users.
Right now I have 2 Basic plan Azure SQL Server which cost $6.68/month so total of around $14/month.
Very huge difference between Azure SQL $14/month and CDS $2140/month while Azure SQL is able to easily scale and support more users at no additional cost while if I use CDS my cost increases with every single user. (The plan costs are in Canadian Dollars since this is where I am located)

 

Let me know if I have some misunderstandings of how it works because all the research I did led me to believe that CDS is not worth it. What was Microsoft planning with CDS? Because right now it seems that it is being pushed as this super awesome data management utility when it seems to be lacking in my eyes.

 

Thanks @Anonymous - appreciate your feedback and I've passed it on to our business planning team. Regarding the technical limitations, like delagation, these are all under review by our team at the moment to ensure we can remove these limitations in upcoming releases.

Thanks,
Clay.

Helpful resources

Announcements

Exclusive LIVE Community Event: Power Apps Copilot Coffee Chat with Copilot Studio Product Team

  It's time for the SECOND Power Apps Copilot Coffee Chat featuring the Copilot Studio product team, which will be held LIVE on April 3, 2024 at 9:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time (PDT).     This is an incredible opportunity to connect with members of the Copilot Studio product team and ask them anything about Copilot Studio. We'll share our special guests with you shortly--but we want to encourage to mark your calendars now because you will not want to miss the conversation.   This live event will give you the unique opportunity to learn more about Copilot Studio plans, where we’ll focus, and get insight into upcoming features. We’re looking forward to hearing from the community, so bring your questions!   TO GET ACCESS TO THIS EXCLUSIVE AMA: Kudo this post to reserve your spot! Reserve your spot now by kudoing this post.  Reservations will be prioritized on when your kudo for the post comes through, so don't wait! Click that "kudo button" today.   Invitations will be sent on April 2nd.Users posting Kudos after April 2nd. at 9AM PDT may not receive an invitation but will be able to view the session online after conclusion of the event. Give your "kudo" today and mark your calendars for April 3rd, 2024 at 9:30 AM PDT and join us for an engaging and informative session!

Tuesday Tip: Unlocking Community Achievements and Earning Badges

TUESDAY TIPS are our way of communicating helpful things we've learned or shared that have helped members of the Community. Whether you're just getting started or you're a seasoned pro, Tuesday Tips will help you know where to go, what to look for, and navigate your way through the ever-growing--and ever-changing--world of the Power Platform Community! We cover basics about the Community, provide a few "insider tips" to make your experience even better, and share best practices gleaned from our most active community members and Super Users.   With so many new Community members joining us each week, we'll also review a few of our "best practices" so you know just "how" the Community works, so make sure to watch the News & Announcements each week for the latest and greatest Tuesday Tips!     THIS WEEK'S TIP: Unlocking Achievements and Earning BadgesAcross the Communities, you'll see badges on users profile that recognize and reward their engagement and contributions. These badges each signify a different achievement--and all of those achievements are available to any Community member! If you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, you too can earn badges for the great work you do. Check out some details on Community badges below--and find out more in the detailed link at the end of the article!       A Diverse Range of Badges to Collect The badges you can earn in the Community cover a wide array of activities, including: Kudos Received: Acknowledges the number of times a user’s post has been appreciated with a “Kudo.”Kudos Given: Highlights the user’s generosity in recognizing others’ contributions.Topics Created: Tracks the number of discussions initiated by a user.Solutions Provided: Celebrates the instances where a user’s response is marked as the correct solution.Reply: Counts the number of times a user has engaged with community discussions.Blog Contributor: Honors those who contribute valuable content and are invited to write for the community blog.       A Community Evolving Together Badges are not only a great way to recognize outstanding contributions of our amazing Community members--they are also a way to continue fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. As you continue to share your knowledge and assist each other these badges serve as a visual representation of your valuable contributions.   Find out more about badges in these Community Support pages in each Community: All About Community Badges - Power Apps CommunityAll About Community Badges - Power Automate CommunityAll About Community Badges - Copilot Studio CommunityAll About Community Badges - Power Pages Community

Tuesday Tips: Powering Up Your Community Profile

TUESDAY TIPS are our way of communicating helpful things we've learned or shared that have helped members of the Community. Whether you're just getting started or you're a seasoned pro, Tuesday Tips will help you know where to go, what to look for, and navigate your way through the ever-growing--and ever-changing--world of the Power Platform Community! We cover basics about the Community, provide a few "insider tips" to make your experience even better, and share best practices gleaned from our most active community members and Super Users.   With so many new Community members joining us each week, we'll also review a few of our "best practices" so you know just "how" the Community works, so make sure to watch the News & Announcements each week for the latest and greatest Tuesday Tips!   This Week's Tip: Power Up Your Profile!  🚀 It's where every Community member gets their start, and it's essential that you keep it updated! Your Community User Profile is how you're able to get messages, post solutions, ask questions--and as you rank up, it's where your badges will appear and how you'll be known when you start blogging in the Community Blog. Your Community User Profile is how the Community knows you--so it's essential that it works the way you need it to! From changing your username to updating contact information, this Knowledge Base Article is your best resource for powering up your profile.     Password Puzzles? No Problem! Find out how to sync your Azure AD password with your community account, ensuring a seamless sign-in. No separate passwords to remember! Job Jumps & Email Swaps Changed jobs? Got a new email? Fear not! You'll find out how to link your shiny new email to your existing community account, keeping your contributions and connections intact. Username Uncertainties Unraveled Picking the perfect username is crucial--and sometimes the original choice you signed up with doesn't fit as well as you may have thought. There's a quick way to request an update here--but remember, your username is your community identity, so choose wisely. "Need Admin Approval" Warning Window? If you see this error message while using the community, don't worry. A simple process will help you get where you need to go. If you still need assistance, find out how to contact your Community Support team. Whatever you're looking for, when it comes to your profile, the Community Account Support Knowledge Base article is your treasure trove of tips as you navigate the nuances of your Community Profile. It’s the ultimate resource for keeping your digital identity in tip-top shape while engaging with the Power Platform Community. So, dive in and power up your profile today!  💪🚀   Community Account Support | Power Apps Community Account Support | Power AutomateCommunity Account Support | Copilot Studio  Community Account Support | Power Pages

Super User of the Month | Chris Piasecki

In our 2nd installment of this new ongoing feature in the Community, we're thrilled to announce that Chris Piasecki is our Super User of the Month for March 2024. If you've been in the Community for a while, we're sure you've seen a comment or marked one of Chris' helpful tips as a solution--he's been a Super User for SEVEN consecutive seasons!       Since authoring his first reply in April 2020 to his most recent achievement organizing the Canadian Power Platform Summit this month, Chris has helped countless Community members with his insights and expertise. In addition to being a Super User, Chris is also a User Group leader, Microsoft MVP, and a featured speaker at the Microsoft Power Platform Conference. His contributions to the new SUIT program, along with his joyous personality and willingness to jump in and help so many members has made Chris a fixture in the Power Platform Community.   When Chris isn't authoring solutions or organizing events, he's actively leading Piasecki Consulting, specializing in solution architecture, integration, DevOps, and more--helping clients discover how to strategize and implement Microsoft's technology platforms. We are grateful for Chris' insightful help in the Community and look forward to even more amazing milestones as he continues to assist so many with his great tips, solutions--always with a smile and a great sense of humor.You can find Chris in the Community and on LinkedIn. Thanks for being such a SUPER user, Chris! 💪🌠

Tuesday Tips: Community Ranks and YOU

TUESDAY TIPS are our way of communicating helpful things we've learned or shared that have helped members of the Community. Whether you're just getting started or you're a seasoned pro, Tuesday Tips will help you know where to go, what to look for, and navigate your way through the ever-growing--and ever-changing--world of the Power Platform Community! We cover basics about the Community, provide a few "insider tips" to make your experience even better, and share best practices gleaned from our most active community members and Super Users.   With so many new Community members joining us each week, we'll also review a few of our "best practices" so you know just "how" the Community works, so make sure to watch the News & Announcements each week for the latest and greatest Tuesday Tips!This Week: Community Ranks--Moving from "Member" to "Community Champion"   Have you ever wondered how your fellow community members ascend the ranks within our community? What sets apart an Advocate from a Helper, or a Solution Sage from a Community Champion? In today’s #TuesdayTip, we’re unveiling the secrets and sharing tips to help YOU elevate your ranking—and why it matters to our vibrant communities. Community ranks serve as a window into a member’s role and activity. They celebrate your accomplishments and reveal whether someone has been actively contributing and assisting others. For instance, a Super User is someone who has been exceptionally helpful and engaged. Some ranks even come with special permissions, especially those related to community management. As you actively participate—whether by creating new topics, providing solutions, or earning kudos—your rank can climb. Each time you achieve a new rank, you’ll receive an email notification. Look out for the icon and rank name displayed next to your username—it’s a badge of honor! Fun fact: Your Community Engagement Team keeps an eye on these ranks, recognizing the most passionate and active community members. So shine brightly with valuable content, and you might just earn well-deserved recognition! Where can you see someone’s rank? When viewing a post, you’ll find a member’s rank to the left of their name.Click on a username to explore their profile, where their rank is prominently displayed. What about the ranks themselves? New members start as New Members, progressing to Regular Visitors, and then Frequent Visitors.Beyond that, we have a categorized system: Kudo Ranks: Earned through kudos (teal icons).Post Ranks: Based on your posts (purple icons).Solution Ranks: Reflecting your solutions (green icons).Combo Ranks: These orange icons combine kudos, solutions, and posts. The top ranks have unique names, making your journey even more exciting! So dive in, collect those kudos, share solutions, and let’s see how high you can rank! 🌟 🚀   Check out the Using the Community boards in each of the communities for more helpful information!  Power Apps, Power Automate, Copilot Studio & Power Pages

Find Out What Makes Super Users So Super

We know many of you visit the Power Platform Communities to ask questions and receive answers. But do you know that many of our best answers and solutions come from Community members who are super active, helping anyone who needs a little help getting unstuck with Business Applications products? We call these dedicated Community members Super Users because they are the real heroes in the Community, willing to jump in whenever they can to help! Maybe you've encountered them yourself and they've solved some of your biggest questions. Have you ever wondered, "Why?"We interviewed several of our Super Users to understand what drives them to help in the Community--and discover the difference it has made in their lives as well! Take a look in our gallery today: What Motivates a Super User? - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com)

Users online (4,748)