PowerApps Promises Rapid Mobile App Development

PowerApps is an Azure-hosted service that lets users quickly create simple applications for desktop and mobile platforms without writing code. Currently in preview, PowerApps could be an attractive way for information workers in business units to automate parts of business processes without relying on an organization’s IT department and professional developers. However, the preview lacks some administrative controls, and some features that are free in the preview could eventually be moved to a paid offering. Like previous offerings promoting simple application creation, PowerApps could also lead to poorly crafted and maintained applications that IT departments find hard to support.

Prototyping Without Coding

PowerApps is a graphical application development environment that lets users create applications that can present data for viewing and editing, without writing code. Sample applications provided by Microsoft include budget trackers and cost estimator tools. PowerApps could make simple line-of-business applications easier to create and distribute to teams within an organization.