Microsoft Power Platform_

Power Platform is priced per tool. You can choose which tools you want out of Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI and Power Pages and you will need to pay a licence for each.

Licence costs are as follows:

• Power Automate – £12.30 per user, per month
• Power Apps – from £9.90 per user, per month
• Power BI – from £8.20 per user, per month
• Power Pages – £164.40 per month for up to 100 authenticated users or £61.60 per month for up to 500 anonymous users

These tools are available as part of a Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 licence.

Power Platform is included only in Microsoft 365 Enterprise plans, including E3 and E5. This will give users access to Power Apps, Power Automate and Power BI.

As the solutions are customisable, it can be applied to any role and any type of business. There are multiple examples, ranging across different business functions and industries.

As it is low-code and easy to use, it also means anyone can create using the available tools, regardless of their development expertise. In short, it’s a platform for everyone!

Low code is a software development approach that uses visual tools and pre-built components to create applications with minimal manual coding. Instead of writing lines of code, developers (or even non-technical users) can drag and drop elements to design the app’s interface and functionality.

Key characteristics of low code include:

• Visual development: Building apps through a graphical interface rather than text-based code.
• Rapid development: Faster app creation compared to traditional coding methods.
• Accessibility: Enables users with varying technical skills to contribute to app development.
• Flexibility: Often allows for custom code integration when needed.

It’s like pre-made building blocks you can use to create solutions.

Power Platform and Azure complement each other effectively. Power Platform offers rapid application development through a low-code interface, enabling businesses to quickly build custom solutions. Azure provides the underlying infrastructure, including scalable computing, vast storage and advanced AI services.

This combination allows organizations to leverage data, automate processes and create intelligent applications more efficiently. By combining the strengths of both platforms, businesses can accelerate digital transformation and gain a competitive edge.