Package, deploy, and consume a component

Introduction

As a Microsoft Power Platform Developer, you have the ability to create and customize components to extend and enhance the platform’s capabilities. Once you’ve built a component, it’s crucial to understand the process of packaging, deploying, and consuming it within the Power Platform ecosystem. This article will guide you through the essential steps to ensure seamless integration of your component.

Package your Component

Packaging your component is the first step towards making it portable and shareable within the Power Platform. Follow the steps below to package your component effectively:

1. Create a Solution: Start by creating a new solution or adding your component to an existing one. A solution acts as a container for your component and enables easy management and deployment.
2. Add your Component: Within the solution, add your component project by selecting “Add Existing” or “Create New” depending on the type of component you are working with. This step ensures your component is associated with the solution.
3. Configure Dependencies: If your component relies on other components or solutions, ensure that you configure the necessary dependencies. This ensures that all required resources are available when deploying the package.
4. Create Package: Once your component is added to the solution, navigate to the Solution explorer, right-click on the solution, and select “Packaging” > “Package.” This action creates a package file that encapsulates your component.

Deploy your Component

After packaging your component, it’s time to deploy it to the target environment where it will be consumed. Follow these steps to deploy your component successfully:

1. Choose the Target Environment: Determine the target environment based on your deployment requirements. It could be a sandbox environment for testing or a production environment for the end-users.
2. Import the Solution: In the Dynamics 365 / Power Apps maker portal, navigate to the target environment and select “Solutions.” Click on “Import,” locate the package file you created earlier, and start the import process.
3. Resolve Issues: During the import process, the Power Platform checks for any potential conflicts or dependency issues. Resolve these issues by following the recommended steps provided.
4. Validate the Deployment: Once the import is successful, validate that your component has been deployed correctly in the target environment. Test its functionality and ensure it meets the desired requirements.

Consume your Component

Now that your component is deployed, it’s important to understand how it can be consumed by other users within the Power Platform. Follow these steps to enable others to leverage your component effectively:

1. Publish your Component: Before others can consume your component, publish it to make it available in the Power Platform ecosystem. Only published components can be discovered by other users.
2. Share the Solution: Share the solution containing your component with the intended users or teams. This grants them access to the component and ensures its availability within their environment.
3. Grant Appropriate Permissions: Configure relevant security roles and permissions for the component to ensure that only authorized individuals can access and utilize it.
4. Promote to Marketplace (Optional): If you intend to make your component available to a wider audience, you can consider promoting it to the Power Apps or Microsoft AppSource marketplace. This allows users outside your organization to discover and install your component.

Conclusion

Package, deploy, and consume a component successfully is vital to make your creations accessible and valuable to the Power Platform ecosystem. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure your components are packaged correctly, seamlessly deployed, and effectively consumed by other users. Take advantage of the powerful capabilities of the Microsoft Power Platform and unleash the true potential of your custom components.