1. C# Plugins – Background Automation

Power Apps are not just about what you see on the screen. The real strength lies in plugins – code written in C# that runs in the background to ensure your data and processes work exactly according to your rules. 

2. Power Automate – The Glue Between Systems

Power Automate is often compared to automated workflows, which it has essentially replaced. In practice, it’s a tool that even a consultant without deep technical knowledge can configure. But when it comes to more complex scenarios or integration with external systems, that’s where a developer steps in. It’s not a replacement for synchronization services but rather a smart way to connect Power Apps with other applications – for example, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.

3. PCF Components – Custom UI Elements

Power Apps are quick to deploy, and in many scenarios, the built-in components are sufficient. But not always. That’s why Microsoft introduced the Power Apps Component Framework (PCF), which lets us develop our own elements. At Essence, we build things like:

• maps with plotted routes – typically for salespeople with scheduled meetings in the field,
• calendar timelines to track projects and vacations,
• timesheet entry and display directly into Business Central through Power Apps – users don’t even realize the data doesn’t live in Power Apps,
• custom lists, buttons (open map, export to Excel), timers, and other smart add-ons that make work more convenient.

4. Copilot Studio – Your Own Chatbot

AI is finding its way into every area, and Power Platform is no exception. In Copilot Studio, you can “click together” or code your own chatbot that lives, for example, right inside Teams. Our chatbot learns from our internal SharePoint and, in addition to answering questions (from the SharePoint knowledge base), it can also handle practical tasks – like submitting a vacation request into an internal Power App. That means I no longer need to fill out a form, I just “instruct” the bot. And that’s only the beginning.

5. Power BI – The Icing on the Cake

Data without visualization is just numbers. Power Apps do offer basic charts and dashboards, but if you want interactive views, advanced calculations, or to combine multiple data sources, that’s where Power BI comes in. Reports can then be embedded directly into Power Apps or elevated to a standalone solution within the Fabric platform. The result? Clear visualizations that give meaning to data and show the real outcomes of your work.

Whether it’s plugins, automation, custom components, chatbots, or visualizations, the point is always the same: Power Apps are not limited to what you get “out of the box” – you can shape them exactly to your needs.