Identify opportunities for component reuse

Introduction

Microsoft Power Platform App Maker allows users to create custom applications without the need for extensive coding knowledge. This low-code development platform empowers users to build powerful solutions using pre-built components, reducing development time and effort. One of the key advantages of Power Platform is the ability to reuse components, resulting in increased efficiency and effectiveness. In this article, we will explore the various opportunities for component reuse in Power Platform App Maker and how it can benefit application development.

1. Understanding Component Reuse

Component reuse refers to the practice of leveraging existing components or building blocks within the Power Platform ecosystem for creating new applications. These components can include canvas apps, model-driven apps, connectors, and other resources available in the Power Platform universe. Component reuse ensures that developers and citizen developers can maximize the value of their existing assets and create applications rapidly by leveraging pre-existing functionalities.

2. Reusing Canvas Apps

Canvas apps are a type of app in the Power Platform that allows users to create custom user interfaces with a “drag-and-drop” approach. These apps can be built from scratch or by reusing existing components. Some opportunities for reusing canvas apps include:

• Templates: Power Platform provides a variety of templates that can be used as a starting point for app development. These templates include functionality for common scenarios such as project management, expense tracking, or inventory management. Leveraging these pre-built templates saves time and effort in building similar functionality from scratch.
• Custom Components: Canvas apps allow developers to create and package custom components. These components can be reused across multiple apps, promoting consistency and reducing duplication. Examples of reusable components can be custom UI controls, data visualization components, or integration modules that connect to external systems.
• Sharing within the Organization: Power Platform enables app creators to share their canvas apps with others in their organization. This allows different teams or departments to reuse and modify existing apps for their specific needs, promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing.

3. Reusing Model-Driven Apps

Model-driven apps within Power Platform are built on top of the Common Data Service (CDS) and provide a user interface based on data schema configuration. Some opportunities for reusing model-driven apps include:

• Common Data Service Entities: The Common Data Service (CDS) allows users to define custom data entities, fields, and relationships. Reusing existing CDS entities across multiple apps ensures consistency and data integrity. For example, if an organization has a “Customer” entity defined in one app, it can be reused in other apps to avoid redundant data definition and maintenance.
• App Templates: Power Platform provides app templates that include pre-built model-driven apps for specific business scenarios like customer service, project management, or sales automation. These templates offer a great starting point for new application development. Users can customize these templates to match their requirements while saving time and effort.
• App Components: Power Platform enables developers to create and package reusable components, such as dashboards, forms, or business process flows. These components can be shared across multiple model-driven apps, reducing development time and ensuring consistency in the user experience.

4. Reusing Connectors and APIs

Power Platform provides a wide range of connectors that allow integration with external systems, such as Office 365, Dynamics 365, SharePoint, and more. Leveraging existing connectors and APIs provides several opportunities for component reuse, including:

• Standard Connectors: Power Platform offers a library of standard connectors for various services. These connectors enable users to interact with external systems without the need for custom code. Reusing standard connectors ensures consistent integration across multiple apps and eliminates the effort required to build custom integrations.
• Custom Connectors: Power Platform allows users to create custom connectors using the OpenAPI specification or by building connectors using Azure Logic Apps. Reusing custom connectors across different apps allows for consistent interactions with the same external system. It also promotes central management and easier maintenance of integrations.
• Power Automate Flows: Power Automate, an integral part of the Power Platform ecosystem, enables users to create automated workflows. These flows can be reused across different canvas and model-driven apps, reducing the effort required to recreate similar workflows.

Conclusion

Component reuse is a key aspect of Microsoft Power Platform App Maker. Leveraging reusable components, such as canvas apps, model-driven apps, connectors, and other resources, offers numerous benefits, including accelerated development timelines, consistency in functionality and user experience, and reduced effort in maintaining similar applications. By identifying opportunities for component reuse within the Power Platform ecosystem, developers and citizen developers can streamline their application development processes and maximize their return on investment.