Share machines and machine groups

Share Machines: Collaborative Automation in Microsoft Power Automate RPA Developer

Microsoft Power Automate RPA Developer enables users to automate tasks and streamline business processes through the use of robotic process automation (RPA). One powerful feature of Power Automate is the ability to share machines and machine groups, allowing multiple developers and users to collaborate on automation projects. In this article, we will explore the concept of sharing machines and machine groups and how it can enhance the productivity and efficiency of your automation initiatives.

Sharing Machines

In Power Automate, a machine represents a computer or a virtual machine (VM) where your automation processes run. When you create an RPA project, you can specify the machine where the automation will be executed. By default, the machine is associated with the user who created the project. However, there are scenarios where you may want to share a machine with other developers or users.

To share a machine, you need to be a member of an environment with the appropriate roles and permissions. Once you have the necessary access, follow these steps:

1. In the Power Automate portal, navigate to the Automation tab and select your RPA project.
2. Click on the “Settings” option in the left navigation pane.
3. Under the “General” tab, locate the “Machine assignment” section.
4. Click on the “Manage” button next to the assigned machine.

From the “Machine assignment” dialog, you can share the machine by adding other users or groups. Simply enter the email address or select the desired user or group from the directory. Once shared, the selected users or groups will have access to the machine and can collaborate on the automation project.

Machine Groups

In addition to sharing individual machines, Power Automate allows you to group multiple machines together. Machine groups provide a convenient way to manage and organize machines based on their purpose, location, or any other criteria that suits your automation needs.

To create a machine group, follow these steps:

1. In the Power Automate portal, navigate to the Automation tab and select your RPA project.
2. Click on the “Settings” option in the left navigation pane.
3. Under the “General” tab, locate the “Machine group” section.
4. Click on the “Manage” button next to the assigned machine group.

From the “Machine group” dialog, you can create a new group or select an existing group to associate with your project. By default, the machine group is assigned to the user who created the project. Similar to sharing machines, you can share machine groups with other users or groups by adding their email address or selecting them from the directory.

Benefits of Sharing Machines and Machine Groups

Sharing machines and machine groups in Power Automate RPA Developer brings several benefits to your automation initiatives:

1. Collaboration: By sharing machines, multiple developers can work on the same automation project simultaneously. This promotes collaboration, allowing teams to divide the work effectively and increase productivity.
2. Reusability: Shared machines and machine groups can be used across different automation projects. This saves time and effort by eliminating the need to configure machines from scratch for each project.
3. Flexibility: Sharing machines enables seamless integration between different users or groups, regardless of their physical location. This flexibility is particularly useful for distributed teams and organizations with remote employees.
4. Centralized Management: Machine groups provide a centralized way to manage and organize machines based on logical criteria. This simplifies administration and enables efficient resource allocation across automation projects.

It’s worth noting that sharing machines and machine groups should be done with caution to ensure data security and privacy. Understand the permissions associated with shared machines and groups and grant access only to trusted individuals or teams.

In conclusion, sharing machines and machine groups in Microsoft Power Automate RPA Developer enhances collaboration, reusability, flexibility, and centralized management. By leveraging these features, you can accelerate your automation initiatives and drive digital transformation within your organization.