cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Reply
R3dKap
Community Champion
Community Champion

PowerApps production environment with no CDS is pointless ?

Hi all,

Is there any interest in creating a production environment in PowerApps using a PowerApps Plan 2 licence if my customer doesn't plan to use CDS but only SharePoint lists ?

Can it be relevant for customer not using CDS ? To what end ?

Thanks,

Emmanuel

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions
iAm_ManCat
Most Valuable Professional
Most Valuable Professional

Think I can answer this - you need to think of your default environment as production. You could buy one Plan 2 license to create a dev environment and one testing(validation) environment, then push to default once they are ready.

When a user logs into and opens up PowerApps, they will see their default environment and apps, if you create your apps in another environment the users will have to switch to that every time in order to open their apps (unless using PowerApps for mobile)

 

The export/import process is really not that much of a hassle if you aren't producing hundreds of apps and takes +- 5mins tops per commit-to-live.

What I've opted for is:

  • On the initial commit we do export / import.
  • For any subsequent updates, we:
  1. Save a local copy of the validated app,
  2. Click Edit on any app within your default environment,
  3. Click File>Open>Browse Files,
  4. Open the local file,
  5. Check all connectors etc ok,
  6. Save as and overwrite the production app (as you are opening that local file within default env)

 

We use SharePoint as a backend, so I'm in a similar situation - we only have 1x P2 license (my admin account) and the rest of the org has E3/F1 licenses. If you aren't going to use on-prem yet or premium connectors, then don't bother with P1's

https://flow.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/ - if you have 500 users with E3 licenses (or other office licenses which include flow/powerapps), the flow runs are pooled, so you'll have 2000runs x 500 users = 1 million flow runs - unlikely you'll hit that monthly run rate of 2000 per user initially, and if by some miracle you do - you can buy an additional 50k runs for USD40

 

I'm going to go on record saying that it's too much hassle to do all of this dev/prod environment with PowerApps, (even though I do it because we require it) and the easiest way to handle dev/prod would be to name your apps DEV-Appname and VAL-Appname and Appname within the default environment and control access through App permissions. That way once you have done validation, you can just choose Save As and type Appname and that is then considered a push to live.

 

Sorry if I rambled on a bit there!

ManCat


@iAm_ManCat
My blog


Please 'Mark as Solution' if someone's post answered your question and always 'Thumbs Up' the posts you like or that helped you!


Thanks!
You and everyone else in the community make it the awesome and welcoming place it is, keep your questions coming and make sure to 'like' anything that makes you 'Appy
Sancho Harker, MVP


View solution in original post

7 REPLIES 7
wyotim
Resident Rockstar
Resident Rockstar

There are a couple reasons that a PowerApps 1 or 2 licence without CDS would make sense in my mind. The first would be premium connectors. The second is on-premises gateways. With just a standard Office 365 license, these items aren't available so using custom connectors or on-prem SQL servers would be out of the question.

 

Now, between a PowerApps 1 and 2, the only real non-CDS difference as far as I can tell is that you would get many more Flow runs per month (4,500 with PA1 compared to 15,000 with PA2). As to whether a PowerApps 2 plan is worth $33 more a month (or your equivalent currency) than a PowerApps 1 plan, I would have to say no considering adding an equivalent Flow 2 plan is only $15/month, so that's $18/month of unused CDS ability. 

R3dKap
Community Champion
Community Champion

Thank you @wyotim for your interesting reply...

 

One other thing though... What about having a production environment (in addition to the default one) so that I can use the default one for developpement and the production one as a real production environment ?

 

Do you think that using various environments used for DEVELOPMENT, VALIDATION and PRODUCTION phases of apps could justify a PowerApps Plan 2 licence (my customer doesn't mind paying for it) ?

 

If so, are there any simple way to publish an app from one environment to the other without going through the extraction process ?

iAm_ManCat
Most Valuable Professional
Most Valuable Professional

Think I can answer this - you need to think of your default environment as production. You could buy one Plan 2 license to create a dev environment and one testing(validation) environment, then push to default once they are ready.

When a user logs into and opens up PowerApps, they will see their default environment and apps, if you create your apps in another environment the users will have to switch to that every time in order to open their apps (unless using PowerApps for mobile)

 

The export/import process is really not that much of a hassle if you aren't producing hundreds of apps and takes +- 5mins tops per commit-to-live.

What I've opted for is:

  • On the initial commit we do export / import.
  • For any subsequent updates, we:
  1. Save a local copy of the validated app,
  2. Click Edit on any app within your default environment,
  3. Click File>Open>Browse Files,
  4. Open the local file,
  5. Check all connectors etc ok,
  6. Save as and overwrite the production app (as you are opening that local file within default env)

 

We use SharePoint as a backend, so I'm in a similar situation - we only have 1x P2 license (my admin account) and the rest of the org has E3/F1 licenses. If you aren't going to use on-prem yet or premium connectors, then don't bother with P1's

https://flow.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/ - if you have 500 users with E3 licenses (or other office licenses which include flow/powerapps), the flow runs are pooled, so you'll have 2000runs x 500 users = 1 million flow runs - unlikely you'll hit that monthly run rate of 2000 per user initially, and if by some miracle you do - you can buy an additional 50k runs for USD40

 

I'm going to go on record saying that it's too much hassle to do all of this dev/prod environment with PowerApps, (even though I do it because we require it) and the easiest way to handle dev/prod would be to name your apps DEV-Appname and VAL-Appname and Appname within the default environment and control access through App permissions. That way once you have done validation, you can just choose Save As and type Appname and that is then considered a push to live.

 

Sorry if I rambled on a bit there!

ManCat


@iAm_ManCat
My blog


Please 'Mark as Solution' if someone's post answered your question and always 'Thumbs Up' the posts you like or that helped you!


Thanks!
You and everyone else in the community make it the awesome and welcoming place it is, keep your questions coming and make sure to 'like' anything that makes you 'Appy
Sancho Harker, MVP


Thank you @iAm_ManCat for your reply... Very interesting as well...

Indeed, I thought also of the solution to name my applications (and SharePoint forms) with different names but I'm scared it's going to become a mess very quickly.

So I'll stick to the use of multiples environments...

Thank you both for your suggestions, ideas and opinions.

Emmanuel

wyotim
Resident Rockstar
Resident Rockstar

If I may add a little to @iAm_ManCat's awesome comments, I use the "Save As" technique suggested at the bottom of his post and I really enjoy it. It is the most streamlined way I have found to move from development/test to production and has the benefit of keeping the production versions easy to sort through.

 

To help keep things organized (besides a naming convention) I chose an icon background color for all development versions, in my case yellow. Then I have set colors for different departments/levels of access (dark red for field supervisors, medium blue for general office apps, etc.). That way I always know which apps are development versions and who the target audience is of the release app based on the icon color. The app permissions should line up with the icon color and vice versa. Just thought I would share that tidbit in case it was helpful. 

iAm_ManCat
Most Valuable Professional
Most Valuable Professional

Thanks @wyotim - I hadn't thought of using the background colours as an indicator, that's a really good idea 🙂


@iAm_ManCat
My blog


Please 'Mark as Solution' if someone's post answered your question and always 'Thumbs Up' the posts you like or that helped you!


Thanks!
You and everyone else in the community make it the awesome and welcoming place it is, keep your questions coming and make sure to 'like' anything that makes you 'Appy
Sancho Harker, MVP


R3dKap
Community Champion
Community Champion

Very interesting @wyotim... Thanks for sharing your technique with us... 

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! 💪🌠

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)

March User Group Update: New Groups and Upcoming Events!

  Welcome to this month’s celebration of our Community User Groups and exciting User Group events. We’re thrilled to introduce some brand-new user groups that have recently joined our vibrant community. Plus, we’ve got a lineup of engaging events you won’t want to miss. Let’s jump right in: New User Groups   Sacramento Power Platform GroupANZ Power Platform COE User GroupPower Platform MongoliaPower Platform User Group OmanPower Platform User Group Delta StateMid Michigan Power Platform Upcoming Events  DUG4MFG - Quarterly Meetup - Microsoft Demand PlanningDate: 19 Mar 2024 | 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM Central America Standard TimeDescription: Dive into the world of manufacturing with a focus on Demand Planning. Learn from industry experts and share your insights. Dynamics User Group HoustonDate: 07 Mar 2024 | 11:00 AM to 01:00 PM Central America Standard TimeDescription: Houston, get ready for an immersive session on Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform. Connect with fellow professionals and expand your knowledge. Reading Dynamics 365 & Power Platform User Group (Q1)Date: 05 Mar 2024 | 06:00 PM to 09:00 PM GMT Standard TimeDescription: Join our virtual meetup for insightful discussions, demos, and community updates. Let’s kick off Q1 with a bang! Leaders, Create Your Events!    Leaders of existing User Groups, don’t forget to create your events within the Community platform. By doing so, you’ll enable us to share them in future posts and newsletters. Let’s spread the word and make these gatherings even more impactful! Stay tuned for more updates, inspiring stories, and collaborative opportunities from and for our Community User Groups.   P.S. Have an event or success story to share? Reach out to us – we’d love to feature you!

Top Solution Authors
Top Kudoed Authors
Users online (5,457)