The choice of the data structure must be taken into account right from the development of the basic concept of an application. There are different data processing possibilities if the application is developed on the Microsoft Power platform. What options are available and what are their pros and cons? And what is better to take into account? Find out in this blog with SharePoint Development Company.
.jpg)
Find out more about it in our podcast
Would you rather listen to a fun discussion than read this blog post? Then we have good news for you! This blog post summarizes the fourth episode of our new podcast series, Power Lab Podcast. Two of our friendliest experts explore the possibilities of the platform every month and come up with new insights.
Lennert's experience
Due to endless vehicle delivery times, Lennert is one of the many motorists eagerly awaiting his new car. This is what gave him the idea to create the application he developed this month. The app harnesses the magic of Mixed Reality on Power Apps to place the new car as a virtual 3D object in various spaces. Practical, for example to check whether the dimensions of the vehicle will allow it to enter the garage. Using your smartphone camera, scan the spot and place the item there. You can then move around the object with your smartphone and even take pictures of it. “This application still belongs to the low code category, since it only requires an existing 3D model and its dimensions. This type of application can also be very useful for companies, think for example of IKEA, which uses this technology to help its customers to visualize the furniture in their living spaces. »
Criteria for choosing an appropriate data structure
A well-thought-out data structure is essential to all solutions, no matter how big or small. It is therefore very important to focus on it beforehand. But what should you think about?
How big is the application's target group? How many users will there be? One team, several teams, an entire organization with SharePoint Development Chicago.
What data volumes will the application need to support?
- What features do you plan to include?
- How will the application evolve in the future? Is scalability important?
- How critical is the application to the business? How much security is needed?
- What are your performance expectations?
- What knowledge do (internal) developers have?
- Once these criteria are clearly defined, the appropriate option can be associated with them.
Data structure options on the Microsoft Power platform
SharePoint
Many teams use SharePoint-lists to view, share, and work on structured data together. It is therefore an excellent source of data for creating applications with PowerApps. This is the simplest option, but not the most scalable or the most powerful. The SharePoint list is a perfect starting point for very small applications. The big advantage is that this option is included in the Microsoft 365 license.
Microsoft Dataverse for Teams
As the name suggests, Microsoft Dataverse for Teams is a data platform through which users can build apps, bots, and flows in Microsoft Teams. This option can effectively be considered a sort of free trial version of Dataverse. Dataverse for Teams is indeed included in the Microsoft 365 license, but with some restrictions, for example regarding the amount of data that can be stored there. This is an ideal starting point, since it is possible to upgrade very easily to the full version of Dataverse if the application grows in scale not initially planned.
Dataverse
Note that Dataverse originated in the Dynamics universe, but the system continued to be developed for use on the Microsoft Power platform. Dataverse enables secure storage and management of data used by enterprise applications. Dataverse data is stored in a series of tables. This data structure is the right option if you want a high-performance application and are sure that it will grow in the future. You receive part of the storage space and must purchase the rest. Also, all users need a Premium license, which costs €4.20 per user per month.
If you want to use certain products from Microsoft like AI Builder and Virtual Agents, you will need to use Dataverse anyway. Its most important advantages are the availability of offline data, the user-friendly way to define a hierarchy of roles at the level of rights and the fields configured in plug-and-play.
Azure SQL
If you find yourself faced with a large application that contains many connections to various systems outside of the Microsoft Power platform or if the company's employees already have extensive knowledge of SQL, Azure SQL is " the way to go " . SQL is the "full option" system that allows complex operations to be performed. A Premium license is required, and volume and usage are also priced separately, for example through an Azure subscription.