Back from the field, this session will talk about Best Practices about using SharePoint lists as a backend for your PowerApps and PowerBI applications. Based on real situations, we will see what are the impacts of prototyping and releasing Business applications that are using SharePoint and how you will have to organize your items if you don’t want to get in huge troubles. Step by step, we will analyze what are the different options and the risks in using a platform where people can change the data model and how to avoid that risks.

1. 1
aMS Delhi 2022
June 25th
Are you thinking about building
PowerApps on to of SharePoint?
Seriously?
Nicolas Georgeault

2. Thanks to our SPONSORS
2
GOLD
sponsor
Organizing sponsor

3. About me
• Founder and PPM @MuBrain Inc.
• 25 years of experience in KM
• 13 years with Microsoft SharePoint
• Microsoft Specialist and Partner
• MVP for 8 years
• Machine Leaning certificate from
Stanford University
• Co-author of books about SharePoint
• Mad about Jazz music and HorseBall

4. I don’t always test my code
But when I do,
I do it in production

5. 1: Data source
Where is your data source? Cloud? On Prem?

6. 1. Data source
• Is there only one data source?
• Are you using SharePoint Online or OnPrem?
• Do you need Data Gateway?
• Does the Data Gateway already setup?
• Do you need to mix with others sources types?
• Do you have an existing data governance?
• Are you planning to set DLP strategy?

7. SharePoint as a Data source
• Is there any lookup column?
• Are you working on the destination site or site collection?
• Is it a subsite?
• What are the sharing settings of this site?
• Is it a custom list?
• Are you using multiple SharePoint lists and requests?
• Will you use SharePoint to store pictures, videos, etc.?

8. Adapt your SharePoint hierarchy
/Applications
Communicatio
n Topic site
HUB
/App1
Communicatio
n Showcase
site
/App2
Communicatio
n Showcase
site
/App…
Communicatio
n Showcase
site
-> 50 sites limitation
Introduce application purpose
Manage corporate repository
Define the App governance
Could be dedicated to HR, OPE,
etc…

9. SharePoint recommendations
• Do not use app full name as the title for your sites
• Think about permissions on PowerApps vs SharePoint site/lists
• Build sites using PnP Framework for SharePoint
• Build your test set and publish it using PnP Framework
• Use the Showcase Communication template to announce updates
• Use centralized Personas from Corporate Repo
• Use the Showcase site to store app related content and Links to
Stream channel
• Try to avoid Delegation as more as possible

10. Data Gateway
• What is the network latency between sources and PApps service?
• Are you using a dedicated gateway?
• Do you need Gateway Clustering?

11. 2: Data model
Is the source schema stable?

12. 2: Data model
• Do you have a Data Model?
• Do you already have a Naming convention?
• Do you plan to manipulate BLOBs like images, videos, audios, … etc?
• Are you reviewing regularly the Data model?
• Do you need a Common Data Model between apps?
• How to maintain and keep consistent the Data Model?

13. Dataverse
Customers
Only one
application
connection
Only one
dashboard
connection
CRM
Support
Marketing
…
Billing system
Invoices
Payments
…
Delivery system
Timesheets
Expenses
…
Communication
system
Emails
Phones
…
Collaboration
system
Documents
Sites
…
Customer

14. Dataverse
Customers
Only one
application
connection
Only one
dashboard
connection
CRM
Support
Marketing
…
Billing system
Invoices
Payments
…
Delivery system
Timesheets
Expenses
…
Communication
system
Emails
Phones
…
Collaboration
system
Documents
Sites
…
Customer
This is the idea of the Common Data Service

15. 3: Licensing
Per App or Per User?! What version fits for me?

16. 3: Licensing
https://powerapps
.microsoft.com/en
-us/pricing

17. 4: Environment
How to setup your Dev, PreProd and Prod environment?

18. 4: Environment
• Are you planning to segregate environments?
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/administrator/environments-overview

19. 5: Documentation
How and where to keep documentation?

20. 5: Documentation
• Do you have your User Stories defined?
• Are you commenting your code in your code?
• How are you maintaining Data model, App, etc. consistency?
• Are you already using a Source Control solution?
• Where are you keeping all this information stored?
• Are you reviewing this documentation?

21. 6: Source control
How to keep a trace of your development steps?

22. 6: Source control
• Do you have a corporate repository for your code?
• Do you have a governance for this repository?
• Are you keeping all versions of used code?
• Are you using a corporate convention about naming and others?
• Is there any rules concerning updates on code or piece of code?

23. 7: Connections
How to set users authentication to your data sources?

24. 7: Connections
• Do you have multiple connections in your application?
• Are you really using these connections?
• Are you using some PREMIUM connections?
• Do you need custom connectors?
• Are your users familiar with connections concept?
• Is there any connections to external services?
• What is the regulation about used services?
• Who is responsible about data storage and regulation?

25. 8: Automation
Do I need Flow or Logic Apps? Azure Automation?

26. 8: Automation
• Are you using flow in your application?
• What are the requirements about permissions?
• Do you need to run any PowerShell scripts?
• Do you need to manage flow globally?
• Are your users comfortable with tools?
• Are you reviewing regularly processes and automation requirements?
• Are you measuring automation efficiency?
• Can you learn from automation scripts?

27. 9: Regions
Which region should I use?

28. 9: Regions
• Are your applications stored in the same Region than data?
• Is there any specific regulation constrain?
• In which Region your application will be used?
• Is there any difference between developers and users Regions?
• Are you measuring performance at data, network or app level?
• Do you need to segregate Data Groups?
• Is there any specific requirements about DLP?

29. 10: Migration
How should I move and deploy my Apps?

30. 10: Migration
• Where will you store your exported artifacts?
• Who will be in charge of extraction?
• Who will be in charge of importation?
• Are you using Custom connectors?
• Are you using CDS with customizations?
• Do you need Data Gateways?

31. Takeaways

32. Takeaways
• Document all changes
• Do not forget to specify User stories
• Keep all information in a source control solution
• Use Teams to organize collaboration around App creation
• Think globally about your App, versioning and scenario
• Include the Data Model and evolutions
• Always think to the guys that will modify this app in the next 6
months…

33. aMS Delhi
June 25 2022

34. 34
THANK YOU!