Microsoft Power Platform is a suite of low-code tools that lets businesses build custom apps, automate workflows, analyse data and create websites without extensive software development. It comprises four main products: Power Apps for building applications, Power Automate for workflow automation, Power BI for business intelligence, and Power Pages for external-facing websites. All four share the same underlying data platform, Microsoft Dataverse.
How Power Platform works
Power Platform tools are designed for business users to build solutions visually, using drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-built templates, while still allowing professional developers to extend solutions with custom code where needed. Because all four products share Dataverse, an app built in Power Apps can trigger a Power Automate workflow, surface data through a Power BI dashboard and be published externally through Power Pages, all using the same underlying records.
How UK businesses use Power Platform
- A logistics company builds a custom Power Apps application for drivers to log delivery confirmations on a mobile device, replacing a paper-based process.
- A finance team uses Power Automate to automatically route expense approvals to the right manager based on amount and department, removing manual chasing.
- An operations director uses Power BI dashboards connected to Business Central to monitor KPIs in real time across the business.
- A membership organisation builds a self-service portal using Power Pages, allowing members to update their details and view invoices without contacting the office.
How Advantage implements Power Platform
Advantage designs and builds Power Platform solutions for specific business processes, from simple approval workflows through to full custom applications integrated with Business Central and Dynamics 365. We also provide governance frameworks to keep citizen-developed apps secure and maintainable as adoption grows.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be a developer to use Power Platform?
No. Power Platform is designed as a low-code or no-code platform, meaning business users without formal development training can build apps, automate workflows and create reports through visual, drag-and-drop interfaces. More complex scenarios benefit from professional development support, which Advantage provides.
Is Power Platform included in Microsoft 365?
Some Power Platform capabilities are included with Microsoft 365 licences, such as basic Power Automate flows and limited Power Apps usage. Higher usage volumes, premium connectors and Dataverse storage typically require separate Power Platform licensing.
How does Power Platform connect to Business Central and Dynamics 365?
Power Platform shares its data layer, Microsoft Dataverse, with Dynamics 365 applications, giving native two-way access to records. Business Central connects through standard and custom connectors, allowing Power Apps and Power Automate to read and write Business Central data directly.
