While the idea of building your own app may seem like the quickest and least expensive option, it’s very possible the effort will cost you more in the long run. With tools like PowerApps, businesses of all sizes have the potential to build an app that can increase customer engagement or help drive productivity.
PowerApps consulting is one of the best ways to ensure your app is designed and built correctly the first time and that your team starts off on the right foot.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Getting Started With a PowerApps Consultant
Whether you’re hiring a Microsoft PowerApps partner or you’re working with an independent consulting company, you want to ensure you find the right fit.
The best way to do this is by choosing a partner that has experience. If you’re new to using Microsoft technologies, you will want to be especially discerning about who you work with. The technologies are user-friendly on the front end but require knowledge and experience to get working properly.
The consulting process requires consultants who can display their knowledge with proven and time-tested efforts. However, it takes time to build up that expertise and experience.
To get started, choose a consulting firm who is willing to discuss your organization, your team and your needs. It’s important that all of them are understood to provide proper consultation.
Understanding PowerApps
Understanding what PowerApps is and how it can benefit your business is the key to getting the most out of consulting. You’ll need strategic and technical guidance from trained professionals. You also need to know whether or not PowerApps can meet the needs of your team.
If you want to build custom business apps, PowerApps is the tool for you. However, have you done the research to learn whether or not the apps you’re looking for already exist? Have you tried solutions and had them fail?
Sometimes, it’s easier to train your team on an existing app before you start building one from the ground up. However, you might not know that you’ve wasted your time going down the wrong path until you’re too far to turn around.
PowerApps consultants can help tremendously by helping you avoid these pitfalls.
Using PowerApps consulting ensures that your tool is responsive from day one. No matter whether you’re using a browser or a mobile device, you can get the same experience. You can even have a basic business app with no code that still offers rich features.
Using the Canvas-App connectors allows you to have your app integrate with other Microsoft tools. Whether you’re using SharePoint, Office 365, or Excel, you’ll have the same data across all connected platforms. You can have custom features, custom connectors, and the integration you need when you need it.
What To Expect
PowerApps consulting starts with working alongside a trained and expert consultant. They’ll take your team through the process step by step, ensuring they have a robust understanding of how things work before taking the next step.
They’ll gather your requirements along with help and feedback from your team. Then they’ll create an app to help your business process with any required integrations to ensure it’s as useful as possible.
Working with a consultant means working with someone who has experience working across a wide range of industries. Whether in the legal, manufacturing, financial, insurance, or non-profit sectors, they can get your team to make the most of current software and new apps.
Using simple end-user training, they’ll show people how to use the finished app. They can even train your team to create their own apps. On top of that, they’ll train the trainers on your own team so that the knowledge spreads like the best kind of productivity virus.
Assess Your Needs
Many PowerApps consulting firms provided limited options for accessing their consulting services. Typically, you are required to purchase a large number of hours and they come with limited flexibility.
Over the last 19+ years, we’ve worked hard to provide access to our experts in a variety of ways. You can achieve your PowerApps goals with consulting services, support services, and even get small-scale one-on-one help from a professional.
Do You Need Consulting?
Consulting is best when you have a specific need in mind. You may want to design and build a custom tool with PowerApps. The effort begins with understanding your goals and determining whether or not you’re using the right tool.
While PowerApps works in most situations, it’s not always perfect for every situation. Understanding its limitations is as important as a complete understanding of its full potential.
Do You Need Ongoing Support?
Ongoing support services are vital for the way that they can empower your employees and organization beyond a single project need or issue. You get ongoing access to experts who know how to diagnose and fix any potential issues with your apps.
Consider managed services for long-term support. You’ll get a quote that you can depend on along with flexible ways to pay. Expect accuracy and results that are consistent with the initial assessment.
Whether you prefer an annual or month-to-month contract, you can customize your support to your needs. You can rely on US-based support with a web-based ticketing system to help you keep track of your support needs. Live phone and email support are available around the clock as well.
Do You Need Just A Little Help?
Consulting doesn’t have to be a huge ordeal.
If you are experienced with development and using Microsoft tools, having a second set of eyes may be all you need.
You can get consulting that lasts anywhere from just two hours up to 40 hours with additional commitment. It offers the opportunity to troubleshoot your issues, get direction on your design or complete a small request. It’s a small investment with huge returns.
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PowerApps Consulting Is… Powerful
Utilizing PowerApps consulting will allow you to stay focused on growing your business while providing your users access to the expertise they need to get and stay productive.
For more information on how to get started, reach out today.