Off-the-shelf software never fits perfectly. There’s always a workflow it doesn’t quite support, a field it doesn’t include, or an integration it doesn’t offer. Organizations end up with spreadsheets filling the gaps, manual processes working around limitations, and frustration with tools that almost-but-not-quite meet their needs.
Power Apps changes this equation. Microsoft’s low-code platform lets organizations build custom applications tailored to their exact requirements—without the cost and timeline of traditional software development. But “low-code” doesn’t mean “no skill required.” Complex apps need thoughtful design, proper data architecture, and development expertise.
Power Apps consultants bring that expertise. They help organizations identify where custom apps make sense, design solutions that work, and build applications that employees actually use.
What Power Apps Consultants Deliver
Power Apps consultants specialize in designing and building custom applications on Microsoft’s low-code platform. Their work typically includes:
Requirements analysis. Understanding what you need the app to accomplish, who will use it, and how it fits into existing processes and systems.
Solution architecture. Designing how the app will work—data structure, user interface, integration points, security model—before building begins.
App development. Building the application—screens, forms, business logic, connections to data sources, and user experience elements.
Data layer design. Structuring data in SharePoint, Dataverse, or other sources to support the application effectively.
Integration work. Connecting Power Apps to other systems—Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, third-party services, or custom APIs.
Testing and deployment. Ensuring the app works correctly across devices and deploying it to users.
Training and documentation. Helping users adopt the app and enabling your team to maintain it.
Types of Power Apps
Power Apps offers different app types for different needs:
Canvas apps provide maximum design flexibility. You start with a blank canvas and build the interface exactly as you want—positioning controls, defining navigation, customizing appearance. Canvas apps work well for task-specific applications with tailored user experiences.
Model-driven apps generate interfaces automatically based on your data model. They’re built on Dataverse and follow consistent patterns for forms, views, and navigation. Model-driven apps suit data-heavy applications where consistency matters more than custom design.
Power Pages (formerly Portals) extend Power Apps to external users. Build web portals for customers, partners, or vendors that connect to your internal data while controlling exactly what external users can see and do.
Most consulting engagements involve canvas apps, as they’re the most common choice for custom business applications. Model-driven apps appear more often in Dynamics 365 environments or when Dataverse is already central to your data strategy.
Common Power Apps Use Cases
Power Apps consultants build applications across many business functions:
Data collection and forms. Replace paper forms, spreadsheets, and email with structured apps that capture information consistently and route it appropriately.
Approval workflows. Applications for submitting and approving requests—purchases, time off, expenses, project changes—with proper routing and tracking.
Field service apps. Mobile applications for employees working away from desks—inspections, service calls, inventory checks, delivery confirmation.
Inventory and asset tracking. Applications for managing equipment, supplies, or other assets with check-in/check-out, location tracking, and maintenance schedules.
Customer-facing portals. Self-service applications for customers to submit requests, check status, access documents, or update information.
Process automation interfaces. Apps that give users control over automated processes—triggering workflows, reviewing exceptions, approving batches.
Reporting dashboards. Applications that surface key metrics and data visualizations, often integrated with Power BI.
For project-based organizations, Power Apps can create interfaces for project information management that fit specific project types and workflows.
When Custom Apps Make Sense
Not every need requires a custom application. Consider Power Apps when:
Off-the-shelf software doesn’t fit. Your process is unique enough that standard tools require excessive workarounds or don’t address key requirements.
You need mobile access. Power Apps work on phones and tablets out of the box, making them ideal for field workers or anyone who needs data access away from their desk.
Integration with Microsoft 365 matters. Power Apps connect naturally to SharePoint, Teams, Outlook, and other Microsoft services your organization already uses.
Speed-to-solution is important. Custom apps in Power Apps can be built in weeks rather than months, getting solutions into users’ hands faster than traditional development.
Requirements may evolve. Low-code platforms make iteration easier than traditional code. Apps can adapt as needs become clearer or requirements change.
Budget is constrained. Power Apps development typically costs significantly less than equivalent custom software development, though costs depend heavily on complexity.
Consider alternatives when you need capabilities Power Apps doesn’t support well, when a commercial product genuinely fits, or when the app would be simpler than the platform overhead justifies.
Canvas Apps vs. Model-Driven Apps
Choosing between canvas and model-driven apps is a key architectural decision:
Choose canvas apps when:
- You need a highly customized user interface
- The app serves a specific task or workflow
- Data comes from SharePoint or external sources
- Users expect a mobile-first experience
- Design flexibility matters more than standardization
Choose model-driven apps when:
- You’re already using Dataverse or Dynamics 365
- The app is data-centric with many related entities
- You want consistent, automatically generated interfaces
- Role-based security needs are complex
- You prefer configuration over custom development
Some organizations use both—model-driven apps for data management and administration, canvas apps for specific user-facing functions.
Integration Capabilities
Power Apps become more valuable through integration. The platform connects to:
Microsoft 365. SharePoint lists and libraries, Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, Excel—Power Apps work seamlessly with the tools organizations already use.
Dataverse. Microsoft’s database platform provides robust data storage with built-in security, relationships, and business logic.
Dynamics 365. Deep integration with Microsoft’s business applications for sales, service, finance, and operations.
Third-party services. Hundreds of connectors link Power Apps to services like Salesforce, DocuSign, Dropbox, Slack, and many others.
Custom APIs. For systems without standard connectors, custom connectors can link Power Apps to any API-enabled application.
On-premises systems. Data gateways enable secure connections to on-premises databases and applications.
Integration architecture significantly impacts app complexity and cost. Simple apps using SharePoint data are straightforward. Apps integrating multiple systems with real-time synchronization require more sophisticated design.
Cost Considerations
Power Apps costs include platform licensing and development effort:
Licensing. Power Apps is included in some Microsoft 365 plans with limitations. Premium features—custom connectors, Dataverse, certain connectors—require Power Apps per-user or per-app licenses. Licensing strategy affects both cost and capabilities.
Development costs. Consultant rates for Power Apps development typically range from $125 to $250+ per hour. Simple apps might require 20-40 hours; complex applications can require hundreds of hours.
Ongoing costs. Apps require maintenance—bug fixes, enhancements, updates as requirements change. Budget for ongoing effort, whether internal or consultant support.
Total cost of ownership. Factor licensing, development, training, and maintenance over the expected app lifetime. Compare against alternatives including commercial software, custom development on other platforms, or manual processes.
Despite costs, Power Apps often delivers significant savings compared to traditional custom development or the hidden costs of inadequate tools.
Making Power Apps Projects Successful
Based on common project experiences, several factors predict Power Apps success:
Clear requirements. Vague goals produce disappointing results. Define what the app should accomplish, who uses it, and how success will be measured.
Executive sponsorship. Apps need organizational support for adoption. Someone with authority should champion the project and drive usage.
User involvement. Include actual users in design and testing. Apps built in isolation often miss important requirements or create frustrating experiences.
Data foundation. Apps are only as good as their data. Ensure data sources are reliable, accessible, and properly structured.
Realistic scope. Start with a focused first version rather than trying to include everything. Iterate based on real usage.
Change management. New apps require adoption effort. Plan for training, communication, and support during rollout.
Nexinite’s Power Apps Services
At Nexinite, we build Power Apps that solve real business problems, not just demonstrate platform capabilities. Our approach includes:
Business-first discovery. Understanding your processes and pain points before discussing technology. The app should serve the business, not the other way around.
User-centered design. Creating interfaces that make sense to the people who’ll use them daily. Clean, intuitive apps drive adoption.
Solid architecture. Designing data models and integration patterns that scale and perform well as usage grows.
Integration with your ecosystem. Connecting apps to SharePoint, Teams, and other systems to create seamless workflows rather than isolated tools.
Knowledge transfer. Building your team’s ability to maintain and extend applications after initial development.
We work across the Power Platform—Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI—to create integrated solutions that address end-to-end business needs.
Have a process that deserves a better tool? Reach out to discuss how Power Apps might fit your needs.