Case Studies
Building a Custom Version Control System for Complex Research Files with Power Platform
A major energy provider needed a better way to manage collections of research files used across multiple power stations. Traditional source control tools like Git or GitHub weren’t a fit for their specialized workflows or the types of files they handled, particularly CAD files. They partnered with IncWorx to build a proof of concept. It demonstrated how the Power Platform could support a custom collection-based version control system.
Technologies Supported
- Power Automate
- Power Apps
- SharePoint
The Challenge
Managing Complex, Collection-Based Version Control
The client’s research teams worked with large sets of interconnected files that needed to be versioned as a unified collection rather than as individual documents. Traditional tools like SharePoint’s built‑in versioning weren’t designed to handle this type of grouped version control, where relationships between files are just as important as the files themselves. Each collection represented a complete snapshot of research work, and any change, no matter how small, needed to trigger a new version of the entire set. This required a system that could preserve the hierarchy between projects, collections, and files while ensuring consistent, accurate versioning.
Beyond versioning, the client needed a platform that supported real‑world collaboration and operational workflows. Their teams needed to manage metadata at the collection level and collaborate through comments. They also had to perform role specific actions such as requesting updates or initiating approvals. The solution needed to be intuitive, flexible for evolving research needs, and robust enough to maintain authoritative version records. Together, these requirements shaped the foundation for a custom, collection‑based version control system built specifically for their environment.
The Solution
A Custom Power Platform Version Control System
IncWorx developed, a custom source control platform built using Power Apps, Power Automate, and SharePoint. A canvas app provides the user interface, while SharePoint lists and libraries store project data, index information, and file collections. Power Automate handles automation, including the creation of manifest files, authoritative records that define exactly which files belong to each version of a collection. Any change to a file triggers the creation of a new version and a new manifest.
The solution lets users easily view, upload, and download files, apply metadata to collections, and collaborate through comments. It also supports role specific actions like requesting changes or starting approvals, ensuring it fits real world workflows.
This approach allowed the client to automate version creation, centralize complex file collections, and streamline collaboration in a way that aligned with their real word research workflows.
The Outcome
A Proven Path Toward Modernized Version Control
The solution clearly demonstrated that the Power Platform is capable of supporting a sophisticated, collection‑based version control system tailored to the unique demands of the energy industry. By validating the core architecture, the project confirmed that the Power Platform could support the client’s needs.
Power Apps provided the interface, SharePoint handled structured storage, and Power Automate managed orchestration. Together, these components showed that Microsoft’s low code ecosystem could manage complex relationships between projects, collections, and individual files. The automated creation of manifests and version tracking proved the platform could maintain authoritative records without manual work. This solved one of the client’s biggest operational challenges.
Beyond proving technical feasibility, the solution provided a strategic roadmap for what a full production system could become. The client now has a strong foundation for expanding into advanced capabilities. These include approval workflows, file‑to‑file comparison, automated project provisioning, and enhanced collaboration features. With this groundwork in place, the organization is positioned to modernize how research files are managed across power stations, reduce operational friction, and create a more scalable, future‑ready approach to version control.
The Conclusion
A Clear Path Forward
This solution showed that the Power Platform can successfully support a highly specialized, collection-based version control system that traditional tools were not equipped to handle. By combining Power Apps, SharePoint, and Power Automate, IncWorx delivered a flexible, reliable framework that manages complex file relationships and automates version creation. It also supports real world collaboration needs.
With this foundation in place, the client now has a clear path toward a full production solution that can scale with their operations. The project confirmed the technical approach and enabled the organization to modernize research file management. It also reduced manual work and laid the foundation for a more efficient, future ready version control ecosystem.