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Power Platform FAQ
What is Power Platform
Microsoft Power Automate (formerly known as Microsoft Flow) is a cloud-based service that allows users to automate workflows between apps and services. It integrates different applications, services, and data sources, allowing businesses and individuals to create automated processes without needing extensive programming knowledge. Power Automate is part of the broader Microsoft Power Platform, which also includes Power BI (for analytics) and Power Apps (for low-code app development).
Key Components of Power Automate
Flows: The core building blocks of Power Automate. A flow defines the process or workflow being automated. There are several types of flows:
Automated Flows: Triggered automatically based on events, such as when a new email arrives or when a file is updated.
Button Flows: Manual flows triggered by the user, typically through a button in the Power Automate mobile app or web portal.
Scheduled Flows: These run at a set time, such as daily or weekly, to carry out routine tasks.
Business Process Flows: Used to guide users through defined stages in business processes, ensuring consistency and compliance in data collection and task execution.
UI Flows: Robotic process automation (RPA) flows that allow automation of tasks on legacy systems or web applications that don't support APIs by simulating user actions.
Triggers: Each flow begins with a trigger. Triggers initiate the flow when a certain event occurs. Power Automate offers a wide variety of triggers, such as:
Receiving an email in Outlook
Adding a new row in an Excel file
Submitting a form in Microsoft Forms
Creating a new record in a SharePoint list
A user clicks a button or a schedule is reached
Actions: After a flow is triggered, it performs one or more actions. Actions define what happens after the trigger. These can include:
Sending an email
Creating or updating a record in a database
Posting a message to Microsoft Teams
Saving files to cloud storage (like OneDrive or SharePoint)
Starting an approval process
Connectors: Power Automate can integrate with many third-party applications and Microsoft services via connectors. These connectors enable Power Automate to communicate with various applications (e.g., Google Drive, Salesforce, Twitter, Dropbox) and cloud services (Azure, Dynamics 365).
Standard Connectors: These include services like Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Excel, SharePoint, etc.) and social media platforms.
Premium Connectors: These are specialized connectors for more complex services such as Azure services, third-party CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), and more.
Templates: Power Automate provides pre-built templates to help users create common workflows without starting from scratch. These templates range from simple tasks like sending a notification when a specific email arrives to more complex scenarios like multi-step approval processes.
Integration with Other Microsoft Tools: Power Automate is tightly integrated with other Microsoft tools, such as:
Power BI: Users can automate data refreshes and other reporting tasks.
Power Apps: Power Automate can trigger workflows from custom apps built using Power Apps.
Microsoft Teams: Teams can be used as a collaboration hub where notifications from automated workflows are posted.
Use Cases for Microsoft Power Automate
Email Automation: Automate responses, forward important emails, or extract information from incoming emails and save it elsewhere.
Document Management: Automatically move, rename, or organize files across OneDrive, SharePoint, and other cloud storage platforms.
Approval Processes: Implement multi-step approval processes, where documents or requests can be approved by different stakeholders.
Task Management: Automatically create tasks in apps like Microsoft To Do or Planner when certain events occur (e.g., a new email arrives, a form is submitted).
Notifications: Receive alerts or notifications when specific events happen, such as a new CRM lead or a low stock alert in inventory management software.
Data Collection: Automate the collection of data from surveys, forms, or emails, and store it in databases or Excel files.
Benefits of Using Microsoft Power Automate
Efficiency: Automating repetitive tasks saves time and reduces human error, freeing employees to focus on more complex and value-added activities.
Integration Across Platforms: Power Automate can seamlessly integrate Microsoft applications and third-party services, providing a unified workflow across different platforms.
Low-Code/No-Code Development: Users with little to no programming experience can create sophisticated workflows thanks to its user-friendly, drag-and-drop interface.
Scalability: Power Automate can scale with the needs of the business. Whether automating simple personal tasks or complex enterprise-wide workflows, it adapts to different use cases.
Accessibility: Power Automate can be accessed from the web, mobile devices, or even integrated into existing Microsoft applications like Teams and SharePoint.
Types of Power Automate Plans
Microsoft offers different plans based on business needs, such as:
Free and Basic Plans: Ideal for small businesses or individuals looking to automate simple workflows.
Enterprise Plans: These plans offer advanced features, premium connectors, and additional capabilities, including RPA and AI-based automation.
Example Scenarios
Marketing: A flow can automatically upload new leads from a web form to a CRM system, send a welcome email to the lead, and notify the marketing team on Microsoft Teams.
IT Management: Automate the creation of user accounts in Active Directory when a new employee starts or send automatic system alerts when servers go down.
Sales: Automate the process of sending quotes to customers and logging the interaction in the company’s CRM system.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) in Power Automate
With UI Flows, Power Automate also supports RPA, which enables automation of tasks in legacy or web applications that do not have available APIs. By recording and playing back manual steps, UI Flows can automate repetitive tasks across applications where traditional integration is not possible.
AI Builder Integration
Power Automate includes AI Builder, which allows users to incorporate artificial intelligence into their flows, such as recognizing objects in images, processing forms, and analyzing sentiment in customer feedback.
Microsoft Power Automate Certifications Available in 2024
In 2024, there are several key certifications for Microsoft Power Automate:
1. Microsoft Certified: Power Automate RPA Developer Associate
This certification is for professionals who specialize in robotic process automation (RPA) using Power Automate. To earn this certification, you need to pass the PL-500 exam, which tests your ability to automate repetitive tasks using a variety of automation tools like desktop flows, cloud flows, and integration with APIs and databases. It covers designing, developing, and managing automations. This certification is ideal for developers experienced in using scripting languages like VBScript and JavaScript and tools like Microsoft Dataverse and Power Platform components.
2. Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Functional Consultant
This certification focuses on using Microsoft Power Platform to design and create solutions for process automation, including Power Automate flows. It emphasizes skills like configuring Dataverse, developing apps, and managing environments. The associated exam is PL-200.
3. Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Developer Associate
This certification is more advanced and covers designing, developing, and troubleshooting complex Power Automate solutions alongside other Power Platform components like Power Apps and Dataverse. It is geared toward developers who can integrate various systems and handle advanced business logic.
Microsoft Power Automate is widely used in various industries to automate workflows, streamline business processes, and integrate systems. Here are some job roles that commonly require or benefit from proficiency with Microsoft Power Automate:
1. Business Analyst
Responsibilities: Analyze business processes and design automation solutions using Power Automate to optimize workflows and improve efficiency.
Power Automate Use: Automating repetitive tasks, integrating different business applications, and generating reports.
2. Process Automation Specialist
Responsibilities: Design and implement process automation solutions across departments to enhance operational efficiency.
Power Automate Use: Creating complex workflows to automate end-to-end business processes, approvals, and notifications.
3. IT Support Specialist
Responsibilities: Provide support for IT systems and automate common IT processes such as ticketing, onboarding, and incident management.
Power Automate Use: Automating routine IT tasks like user account management, resetting passwords, or sending automated notifications.
4. SharePoint Administrator
Responsibilities: Manage and optimize SharePoint environments for document management and collaboration.
Power Automate Use: Automating document approvals, notifications, and integrating SharePoint with other apps like Teams, Outlook, and OneDrive.
5. Data Analyst
Responsibilities: Collect, process, and analyze data to drive business decisions.
Power Automate Use: Automating data extraction, report generation, and integrating data workflows between various applications like Excel, Power BI, and CRM systems.
6. HR Specialist
Responsibilities: Manage recruitment, employee onboarding, and HR compliance tasks.
Power Automate Use: Automating onboarding processes, leave requests, performance reviews, and document generation.
7. Sales Operations Specialist
Responsibilities: Streamline sales processes, manage CRM, and support the sales team.
Power Automate Use: Automating CRM updates, lead tracking, sending notifications, and sales reporting.
8. Project Manager
Responsibilities: Manage projects, track progress, and ensure timely completion of tasks.
Power Automate Use: Automating task assignments, progress tracking, and project reporting.
9. Marketing Specialist
Responsibilities: Manage marketing campaigns, track engagement, and analyze data.
Power Automate Use: Automating email marketing workflows, social media posts, and customer feedback collection.
10. Finance/Accounting Professional
Responsibilities: Manage financial operations, accounting, and reporting.
Power Automate Use: Automating invoice processing, financial approvals, and report generation.
We offer live-instructor group training classes for your team.
Upskill your team from the comfort of your office or online.
Benefits of Group Training Include:
Experienced Professional Instructor Trains Your Team
Content Focused On Your Team's Needs
Convenient Scheduling and Class Setup
Significant Per/Student Cost Savings
Online, On-Site and Blended Options Available
Virtual Live Instructor
Free Training Manual
Free Repeat
Need Power Platform Group Training?
We offer private Power Platform group training services for organizations looking to upskill their team members with a live-instructor.
Microsoft Forms with Power Automate Course Format: Virtual Live Instructor Course Location: Available Nationwide and Online Class Date(s): 12/30/2024 - 12/30/2024 Course Fee : $299
Power Fx: Introduction Course Format: Virtual Live Instructor Course Location: Available Nationwide and Online Class Date(s): 12/31/2024 - 12/31/2024 Course Fee : $395
Power Automate: Introduction for End Users Course Format: Virtual Live Instructor Course Location: Available Nationwide and Online Class Date(s): 1/2/2025 - 1/3/2025 Course Fee : $795
PL-500: Microsoft Power Automate RPA Developer Course Format: Virtual Live Instructor Course Location: Available Nationwide and Online Class Date(s): 1/6/2025 - 1/10/2025 Course Fee : $2995
Power Apps: Introduction for End Users Course Format: Virtual Live Instructor Course Location: Available Nationwide and Online Class Date(s): 1/13/2025 - 1/14/2025 Course Fee : $795
PL-900: Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals Course Format: Virtual Live Instructor Course Location: Available Nationwide and Online Class Date(s): 1/17/2025 - 1/17/2025 Course Fee : $595
PL-400: Microsoft Power Platform Developer Course Format: Virtual Live Instructor Course Location: Available Nationwide and Online Class Date(s): 1/20/2025 - 1/24/2025 Course Fee : $2795
Microsoft Forms with Power Automate Course Format: Virtual Live Instructor Course Location: Available Nationwide and Online Class Date(s): 1/28/2025 - 1/28/2025 Course Fee : $299
Power Fx: Introduction Course Format: Virtual Live Instructor Course Location: Available Nationwide and Online Class Date(s): 1/29/2025 - 1/29/2025 Course Fee : $395
Power Automate: Introduction for End Users Course Format: Virtual Live Instructor Course Location: Available Nationwide and Online Class Date(s): 1/30/2025 - 1/31/2025 Course Fee : $795
PL-500: Microsoft Power Automate RPA Developer Course Format: Virtual Live Instructor Course Location: Available Nationwide and Online Class Date(s): 2/3/2025 - 2/7/2025 Course Fee : $2995
While a large number of people today use Power Platform products in some capacity, and are familiar with its general usage, many of them just scratch the surface of knowing what this diverse suite of software and services can do, and how it can help them do their jobs more efficiently.
Business Computer Skills offers Power Platform Training in a variety of formats to help users build their Power Platform skills:
Microsoft Power Automate (formerly known as Microsoft Flow) is a cloud-based service that allows users to automate workflows between apps and services. It integrates different applications, services, and data sources, allowing businesses and individuals to create automated processes without needing extensive programming knowledge. Power Automate is part of the broader Microsoft Power Platform, which also includes Power BI (for analytics) and Power Apps (for low-code app development).
Below are links to our available Power Platform Training courses, Power Platform Tutorials, and other great resources to help you learn all the available topics for Power Platform.
Free Power Platform Tutorials and Resources
As a service to our customers, we are actively developing a library of free Power Platform tutorials for you to use. We know that sometimes you may not need an entire course to learn what you need in Power Platform, so we wanted to provide some good resources that can help you accomplish some common tasks in Power Platform.
Below are some links to free Power Platform tutorials from Business Computer Skills and other sources:
No Tutorials are currently available.
Power Platform Certifications
Getting a Certifcation in Power Platform will demonstrate a proficiency in using Power Platform. These certifications can be beneficial to your career and can be obtained by getting the appropriate training and passing a certification exam from microsoft.
