Power Automate: How it works and why you need it

Our dev-ops team is filled with Microsoft Power Platform wizards and one of their most trusty tools when making their solutions is Power Automate. So just what is Power Automate and how can it make your business better? 

What is Power Automate?

Power Automate is one of the core services within Microsoft’s Power Platform suite that specializes in streamlining organisational processes, automating repetitive tasks and enhancing workflows with artificial intelligence. It automates workflows through an API-based approach that exchanges data with legacy software and integrates AI models with workflows with a low-code approach. 

One of Power Automate’s key functions is its ability to tap into one of the hottest artificial intelligence technologies, Robotic Process Automation (RPA). As the fastest growing segment in enterprise software market, RPA is a pivotal asset for any future-oriented business and Microsoft has positioned themselves as a key RPA leader with its robust platform and extensive benefits when combined with the broader Microsoft Power Platform and ecosystem.

How does Power Automate work?

Though its results may feel like wizardry, Power Automates works by managing 5 core types of ‘flows’.

1. Automated Flows

Automated flows are process flows that perform one or more tasks automatically after an event has triggered it. For example, you can create a flow that triggers an email notification when someone makes a purchase with a particular discount code. Its main purpose is to use connectors to integrate on-premise and external data source for peak automation

2. Button Flows

These flows aim to automate repetitive tasks at a tap of a button. For example, build a button that automatically reminds your team to join a meeting or make an update. Though this may seem miniscule, it makes extensive time savings in the long-term.

3. Scheduled Flows

Scheduled flows are built specifically for pre-planned automated processes. For example, your team may need an hourly update on sales figures across multiple stores. You can easily schedule one or more tasks to occur on a consistent basis.

4. Business Process Flows

These are catered towards automating more human-centric processes. This flow ensures teams have a defined set of steps they have to follow to reach a desired outcome. This is particularly useful for compliance and governance management. 

5. UI Flows

UI flows are the key to bringing RPA into workflows. It aims to automate repetitive tasks in Windows and Web applications by recording and playing back user interface actions. This is particularly useful for applications that do not have APIs available for automation.

Top Benefits of Power Automate

Streamline everyday activities

Just thinking about the endless messages for approvals and updates in a project managers inbox is enough to give nightmares. With Power Automate, all those tedious tasks are handled automatically so your team members can focus on more important value-adding activities.

Take full advantage of integration and connectivity

Power Automate allows you to connect and automate tasks not only within the Microsoft ecosystem, but extensive external data sources too. From Outlook to MailChimp, the full integrative capabilities means there are minimal limits to the tasks you can automate. Have a look at some of the many external data sources you can connect with Microsoft Power Automate here.

Improves productivity

With all that new-found efficiency, your teams will be saving valuable time, improve their productivity and work more effectively. We all know the pains of reporting and approvals, so make your employees work faster, better and happier by automating all their tedious tasks.

Reduce human errors

Never underestimate the risks of human error. One employee failure to update a software patch at Equifax led to a145 million person data breach. Never miss an necessary update with automatic priority notification and also ensure your team is meeting compliance requirements with defined business process flows.

Tap into Power Automate with pmo365

Our PPM experts are Power Automate wizards. At pmo365, we’re all about making the right solution catered specifically to your needs. So make sure to book in a chat with our PPM experts to see how we can take your PPM activities to the next level. If you want to learn more about Power Automate and the amazing Microsoft Power Platforms apps, make sure to check our comprehensive guide to Microsoft Power Platform.