Selecting the right tool

With the implementation of Project OakDale, we are spending more time on establishing a better governance strategy for the PowerApps toolset. One of the first things that we need to define is when each of the different toolsets fits a business scenario. Here is a quick start on a breakdown and this will change as we learn more about the capabilities.

Canvas Applications

The key limitation with Canvas Applications is that they do not work with relational data in the default licensing setup. This means that complex data cannot be designed without a lot of workarounds. This makes these applications more suited to simple tasks that users need to perform. They can also be integrated into more complex business processes using PowerAutomate.

Project OakDale

This is basically Canvas Applications that are integrated into MS Teams and has access to a lightweight relational database. This overcomes the issue on relational data and allows for solutions that can meet more business needs. The database allows for the addition of reporting and BI as well as less workarounds needed in the Canvas Applications.

Limitations:

• Only 500 instances in an organization
• Database can only store 2 GB
• Security Roles can only be the three roles in Teams.

Model Driven Applications

This is the Enterprise version that allows for:

• Properly structured data
• Different user interface which is stronger when dealing with larger data sets
• Integrated Charts on data
• Stronger security capabilities
• Auditing

We will work to expand these out into a decision tree that determines when to select one solution vs. the other. The important point to note is that you cannot easily change from one solution to another; there is some commonality but many things would need to change.

Thanks for reading.