Dataverse to store images from PowerApps

[Sam4]

Hi, apologies for the silly question but I've been looking into the documentation but still a little but confused. I have an scenario where a user will use a canvas app, take some pictures, fill in a form and store the data+images in a database. I'm trying to understand which once is the best place to store the information + the images files.

Initially I would have though in solution using Azure SQL + Blob Storage, but I think this is achievable using the Dataverse only. My biggest concern is about the limitations of the solution in terms of storage. 

Can anyone confirm if there would be any limitation using Dataverse only for this solution? Biggest concern is the storage capacity for files as not sure how it would work.

Kind Regards

[dpoggemann]

Hi @Sam4 ,

The allocation for files (where attachments like images) are stored has been increased about a year ago.  With the first Power Apps Per App or Power Apps Per User license you will be allocated 20GB of storage for files stored in the Dataverse.   This is a per tenant allocation and each Per App or Per User license above this allocates more space as shown.

This is pulled from the December 2020 licensing guide.

Our guidance has always been to customers if they have a lot of storage needs for files / attachments that SharePoint or using things like Blob storage are a better approach but with 20GB you get some room.

Hope this helps!

Thanks,

Drew

[Sam4]

Thanks @dpoggemann , so If I understand correctly and my maths are good enough, using a per user plan and having 10 users I'd have 20GB+10*2GB = 40 GB capacity in total for files. Yeah it gives some room but not sure if it would be enough. 

Do you know if image compression is enabled when taking images with a camera in a canvas app?

[dpoggemann · Accepted solution]

Hi @Sam4 ,

Your math is correct.  There is a device setting that will reduce image sizes when uploading, yes.  https://blog.encodian.com/2019/09/reduce-the-size-of-images-generated-by-powerapps-with-flow/

If this helped, please accept the solution.

Thanks much!

Drew

[dpoggemann]

Option in the Mobile App for PowerApps has the following as well under Settings...

[Sam4]

Thanks @dpoggemann , appreciate it.