Microsoft Power Platform | Build Apps, Automate Processes, and Visualize Data Without Writing Code

Microsoft Power Platform is a suite of four low-code and no-code tools: Power BI for data visualization and business intelligence, Power Apps for building custom business applications, Power Automate for automating workflows across applications, and Microsoft Copilot Studio for building AI-powered chatbots. All four products connect natively to Dynamics 365, Microsoft 365, Azure, and hundreds of third-party systems through prebuilt data connectors. Power Platform is designed to let business users build solutions without writing code or waiting on IT.

Power Apps is used to build custom applications, while Power Automate handles the workflows and processes that run behind the scenes. Together, they allow organizations to collect data, automate approvals, connect systems, and trigger actions across Dynamics 365 and Microsoft 365. Western Computer implements both as part of connected Dynamics 365 solutions for manufacturers and distributors.

Yes. Power Platform connects natively to Dynamics 365 Business Central through Microsoft Dataverse and prebuilt connectors. Common use cases for Business Central customers include Power BI dashboards that visualize inventory, financials, and purchasing data; Power Apps for warehouse staff to scan items and update inventory records from a mobile device; and Power Automate flows for approval routing, vendor invoice processing, and customer notification. Western Computer builds Power Platform extensions for Business Central customers as part of ERP implementations and as standalone projects.

Power Apps Premium starts at $20 per user per month and includes unlimited apps. Power Automate starts at $15 per user per month. Power BI Pro starts at $14 per user per month. Microsoft Copilot Studio licensing is based on message consumption and Copilot Credits. Many Power Platform capabilities are already included with Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365 licenses, so it's important to review your existing licensing before purchasing standalone subscriptions

Power Platform can replace many custom development projects for internal business tools, reporting dashboards, approval workflows, and customer portals. It is particularly effective for automating manual processes, building department-specific apps, and extending Dynamics 365 with custom functionality. For highly complex or externally facing applications requiring deep integrations or advanced security, custom development may still be appropriate. Western Computer helps manufacturers and distributors assess which requirements Power Platform can address and which require custom development.

Microsoft has built Copilot capabilities into all four Power Platform products. In Power Apps, Copilot helps you describe what you want to build and generates an app structure automatically. In Power Automate, Copilot helps you describe a workflow in plain language and generates the flow steps. In Power BI, Copilot generates reports and answers natural language questions about your data. Microsoft Copilot Studio lets you build AI-powered chatbots that can connect to your business data and answer customer or employee questions without human intervention.

Western Computer has been implementing Microsoft solutions for manufacturers and distributors since 1987. We are a Microsoft Inner Circle member and a G2 Leader in Microsoft Consulting Services for 9 consecutive quarters. We implement Power Platform as part of Dynamics 365 deployments, connecting it to your ERP data from day one rather than deploying it as a standalone tool. We also provide Power Platform development, integration, and ongoing support as standalone services.