Create low-code websites for external users using PowerApps Portals

September 24th, 2020 Mikita Shah Microsoft Power, Microsoft PowerApps

Delivering the low-code apps to the employees across the organizations using PowerApps, therefore, has shown incredible growth in the last few years.
Being, Dynamics Service Provider, our customers have continuously asked us: what about the people outside our organization? Sharing the app with the outside world has been the #1 priority for them.
Microsoft introduced the PowerApps Portals, which promotes the ability to build low-code responsive websites that allow external users to interact with the data stored in the Common Data Service, or even browse content anonymously.

Below are the capabilities of PowerApps Portals:

• Minimal code solution for creating multi-language, responsive websites for users external, as well as internal employees
• Allow external service providers like Microsoft Account, Linkedin, Facebook, Azure AD B2C, etc. or even allow anonymous access
• Use WYSIWYG designer to create website content and enrich with CDS/Dynamics data using familiar constructs like forms, views, charts, dashboards
• Pro dev extensibility and templating capabilities to design complex business processes
• Use pre-built templates like Customer Self Service, Partner Management, Event Management, Community Self Service, or Create your portal

Quick and easy setup experience

• Configure a new App type called “Portal” from PowerApps home
• Create a portal CDS or Dynamics database
• Use a prebuilt Dynamics application template like customer self-service, partner management, event management, etc. or create your portal

Easy to use portal Designer experience

• Simplified Portal Designer to customize the content of your website
• Create and manage pages in few clicks that increases your productivity multifold
• Select predefined layouts or create your templates (web templates)

Expose your CDS/Dynamics data in few clicks!

• Create/Update new form/view in just one click
• Advanced form/view capabilities like geolocation, custom actions, workflow, etc.

Extend to multiple audiences using PowerApps Portals

• Create Portals for users outside of your organization as well as internal employees
• Allow a variety of login providers like Microsoft, Facebook, LinkedIn, Azure AD B2C, etc
• Let Self Service Registration for end-users or extend it to select users
• Support Anonymous access for select content

Create a user-friendly, responsive, and multi-language website

• Design Pixel-perfect websites using your CSS
• Use bootstrap themes to build a responsive site
• Supports language variations like English, French, etc.

Profile Management and Security Model

• All Portal users are modeled as contacts in the CDS database
• Self Service Profile Management right within the portal
• Allow users to link identities from multiple identity providers

Integrate with other Microsoft Services

• Unite PowerBI embed Components like reports, dashboards, and titles
• Integrate SharePoint, Azure Blob Storage as document storage
• CRM Charts embed in the portal
• Ability to access CDS data and enable personalization using a liquid templating language
• Use CDS server-side constructs like code plugins, workflows in addition to Microsoft flow to extend business logic
• Display Bing map on the portal
• Ability to display Image Gallery of event celebration in your organization
• Display the working hours of your organization

PowerApps Portals += Dynamics 365 portals

Previously, Dynamics 365 Portals were offered as an add-on to customer engagement apps. However, now available as a standalone in PowerApps.
Moreover, PowerApps Portals is the platform on which Dynamics 365 portals works.

Capabilities:

• Extends Portals beyond Dynamics 365 Applications and allows you to create a portal on CDS
• Provide a simplified low code/ no-code designer experience to create portals
• All the capabilities of Dynamics 365 portals will be available and will work as it is

In conclusion, portals  are more attractive for small and medium-sized companies. The creation of a portal has become simpler and more intuitive, and at the same time, the pricing model has become more cost-effective with less usage. If you wish to learn more about creating low-code apps you can contact us at sales@intech-systems.com.

About Intech

Intech Systems is a three-cloud Microsoft-certified partner that boasts deep expertise in providing digital transformation solutions for organizations by leveraging the Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and Azure solution stack. Intech is recognized as a top-tier Microsoft implementation partner globally and specializes in transformative technology solutions such as ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), CRM (Customer Relationship Management), Business Process Automation, Business Intelligence, Cloud Infrastructure, Data Management, Productivity & Collaboration and Generative AI (Gen-AI) solutions. As a trusted Microsoft Solutions Partner, we are capable of doing complex technology implementations catered to an organization’s specific needs & also rapid solution implementation such as our Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central implementation packages. We pair our implementations with end-to-end customer support, offshore development & 3rd party integrations. With offices in India, USA (United States of America), and Singapore, we work with clients across globe to empower businesses with cutting-edge technology solutions. Our latest services aim at delivering business ready AI solutions to the customer, like our  Microsoft Copilot Consulting Services & Solutions for small, medium & large enterprises. Intech’s expertise lies in building software solutions for Manufacturing, Professional Services & Healthcare.  Our Dealer Management System, Sales and Service CRM for Manufacturing, Field Force Automation for Pharmaceuticals and Manufacturing Central are some of our leading industry solutions. Intech’s vision is to catalyze digital futures for operation-centric industries globally, we are at the forefront of innovation, helping organizations drive growth and innovation like never before. Contact Us to learn more.