Microsoft releases Enterprise App Development Platform

At the Convergence EMEA conference in Barcelona, Spain, Microsoft released a new enterprise application development platform aimed at modernizing enterprises. Called PowerApps, codenamed Project Kratos, it allows developers and business users create custom native, mobile and web-based applications which can be shared across an organization with ease. Demonstrating PowerApps on iOS, Android, Windows and Web, Microsoft also released Dynamics CRM 2016 and enhanced Office 365 for business users.

Microsoft has realized that business users have a lot of trouble using data to derive results without the knowledge of programming. This forces them to turn to outsourcing companies to develop enterprise apps for the business. Enterprise applications, unlike apps available in major app stores like Google Play Store, Apple App Store and Windows Store, need to use corporate data and be device-independent.

"People are using all kinds of devices to get work done, yet a lot of the apps we use haven't been mobilized as quickly in business as they have in the consumer space," said Bill Staples, Corporate VP, Azure.

PowerApps harnesses the power of data throughout an organization in SaaS and local apps without knowing the need to program. The project is based on Project Siena business development toolset introduced by Microsoft some years ago.

Running on the Azure app platform, PowerApps integrates with the Azure Active Directory, Azure App Service and Azure Media Services. It packs the ability to connect to Office 365 via the Microsoft Graph API, and can access data stored in other applications (like Dropbox) through their API connectors.

In essence, a PowerApp is a native application users can install on their Android, iOS and Windows devices. Users can develop and open a PowerApp inside another PowerApp, and can save locally, and to the cloud. Access is given the same way as given in Office 365. Any user having knowledge of Office can create business applications using templates and a WYSIWYG designer.

PowerApps allows easy access into SharePoint, SQL Server, Dynamics CRM, Salesforce, Dropbox, OneDrive, Oracle SAP, among others. PowerApps can be shared using email. The free version allows unlimited apps with two cloud sources per user. The unlimited version allows unlimited cloud services and data sources like Office 365, Dropbox, Salesforce, etc. The Enterprise version allows all of the above features plus app governance, access control and reporting.

Microsoft says PowerApps can be used to access inventory systems, pushing information instantaneously and screening job applications. They are working with a number of application developers and service providers to build connectors for their data stores and apps.

Although access is limited, signups are available at www.powerapps.com. More information is available on Channel 9.