Microsoft 365 Power Apps: The Low Code solution to building web-based Construction Forms
The day has arrived where you no longer need to be a serious IT developer to create easy to use web-based forms for construction. If your company is already on Microsoft 365 and supports the Microsoft Power Platform, you can leverage Power Apps to build robust, feature-rich construction forms quickly.
If you are unfamiliar with Power Apps, here is a brief introduction: It is a “low-code” or “citizen developer” platform for building web-based applications in Microsoft 365. It provides power users with an intuitive interface to drag and drop form controls onto a canvas and then easily connect to different data sources. Power Apps has a similar feel as Excel, in that logic expressions are entered into a formula bar. In addition to an intuitive developer UI, users can choose which back-end database will store their data, such as Excel, SQL, or SharePoint.
One of the most impressive features of Power Apps is its ability to integrate data. There are hundreds of pre-built data connectors available, out of the box, to get you on your way. You can connect to SharePoint Online and On-Premise (using a gateway), SQL, NoSql, SAP, and even Excel. Power Apps puts data integration in the hands of a power user without having to build custom APIs.
Power Apps is a powerful tool for realizing greater workforce efficiencies. Its “low code” nature makes it perfect for developing solutions specific to how your construction project/program works. Power Apps is one leg of the Microsoft 365 Power Platform, which also includes Power Automate (workflow management) and Power BI (reporting).
Lydon Solutions is here to help. Request our Free RFI Power App!
To get you started in your journey with Power Apps, we have made a custom Request for Information (RFI) application done entirely in Power Apps, and we are giving it away FREE. The solution includes a Microsoft Excel back-end, providing easy installation into your Microsoft 365 tenant, and the ability to share with project team members.
The RFI Power App has a navigation menu for a contractor and a manager. The contractor completes a simple data entry screen, selects the project and a manager, and clicks submit, saving the form to the RFI log. The Power App will notify the manager through an automated email that an RFI is in their cue and is available for review. The manager can then open the RFI to review and respond and have visibility to all of the RFIs assigned to them. Once the manager responds to the RFI, an automated email generated to the contractor, notifying them of the update.
The RFI App is configurable, so power users can customize the RFI App to extend the functionality to their needs:
- Add additional custom fields and navigation to the app;
- Add automated emails on form save;
- Add to a SharePoint list;
- Integrate with your company databases by setting up a gateway;
To find out more about building an RFI Power App, Andrew Much, Product Manager at Lydon Solutions, will be delivering a CMAA Training Webinar “Microsoft 365 Power Apps: Building Construction Solutions” on November 19th. You can register from Lydon Solutions Events or from CMAA directly here: Register
If you would like a copy of our FREE RFI Power App, go to LydonSolutions.com and fill out the Contact Form. Make sure to add a note in the comments that you would like the free RFI App, and we will email it to you with instructions on how to set it up in your own Microsoft 365 tenant.
We at Lydon Solutions have been providing Construction Owners, CM Firms, and Contractors with Microsoft 365/SharePoint solutions and services centered around how you work and delivered on the software you use every day. Please keep us in mind if you need help implementing Power Apps or looking to establish a Center of Excellence (CoE) for your construction organization. And if you are looking for a turnkey Project Management Information (PMIS) system for Microsoft 365, visit ConstructionViz.com.
Good luck!