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To use the ALM Accelerator for Power Platform, you need to have all of your Power Platform components in a solution. Solutions are the basis of all ALM in the Power Platform and will be going forward. To learn more about solutions and ALM in the Power Platform, see Develop an Application Lifecycle Management strategy.
License requirements for users of ALM Accelerator for Power Platform
ALM Accelerator for Power Platform uses the following premium Power Platform features:
- Dataverse
- Custom Connector
- HTTP with Azure Active Directory (AD) connector
For makers to use the features of the ALM Accelerator they need the following licenses:
- Power Apps Per User or Per App license
- Azure DevOps Basic Plan
Demo: ALM Accelerator for Power Platform
Watch the demo videos to see how to use the ALM Accelerator for Power Platform.
Who should use the ALM Accelerator for Power Platform?
Makers and maker teams can use the ALM Accelerator for Power Platform to implement source control and deploy solutions. With the ALM Accelerator for Power Platform app, makers can perform source control, enable version history, and deploy their solutions in Power Platform. The combination of Azure pipelines and the maker and administrator focused apps are what makes up the ALM Accelerator.
While an advanced knowledge of ALM isn't required to use the accelerator, it's important that makers understand how to use solutions in Power Platform. To use the ALM Accelerator, all of your components—including apps, flows, customizations, and other components—must be contained in a solution. To learn more about solutions, see Manage solutions in Power Apps and Power Automate.
Target users
The target users for the ALM Accelerator app include:
- Power Platform makers who are unfamiliar with ALM concepts, but want to be able to save their work along with a history of changes, and share those changes with other users.
- Makers who are comfortable with the advanced concepts of using Git—such as pull requests, branching, and merging—to work in a familiar way with source control and deployment automation.
The target user for setting up and configuring the ALM Accelerator is an administrator with a deeper understanding of Power Platform environments, solutions, Azure pipelines, and familiarity with Azure AD and Dataverse administration.
The following image shows how target users for the ALM Acceleratior start the process.
Makers work in isolation in their personal development environments. Their interaction with the ALM process is via the ALM Accelerator canvas app.
Makers use the ALM Accelerator canvas app for their ALM tasks such as import solution from source control, export changes to source control, and create pull request to merge changes. ALM Accelerator templates for Azure DevOps pipelines facilitate the automation of ALM tasks based on the makers interaction with the ALM Accelerator canvas app.
ALM Accelerator includes pipeline templates to support a three-stage deployment to production. Templates can be customized to fit specific needs and scenarios.
The ALM Accelerator is a canvas app that sits on top of Azure DevOps pipelines to provide a simplified interface for makers to regularly commit and create pull requests for their development work in the Power Platform. The combination of the Azure DevOps pipelines and the canvas app are what make up the full ALM Accelerator solution. The pipelines and the app are reference implementations. They were developed for use by the development team for the COE Starter Kit internally but have been open sourced and released in order to demonstrate how healthy ALM can be achieved in the Power Platform. They can be used as is or customized for specific business scenarios.
What are my options for ALM in the Power Platform?
Today there are many options for ALM in the Power Platform. The ALM Accelerator is one of the options. The ALM Accelerator is a solution that is built as a reference implementation of ALM patterns and practices using other in-built platform capabilities. The ALM Accelerator is built using a combination of low-code solutions and Azure DevOps pipeline templates (YAML and PowerShell). It's designed to help you get started with ALM in the Power Platform.
There are, however, other options for getting started with ALM in the Power Platform including the following tools:
Pipelines for Power Platform - Pipelines for Power Platform aim to democratize ALM for Power Platform and Dynamics 365 customers by bringing ALM automation capabilities into the service in a manner that's more approachable for all makers, admins, and developers.
Power Platform Build Tools for Azure DevOps - Power Platform Build Tools tasks can be used along with any other available Azure DevOps tasks to compose your build and release pipelines. Pipelines that teams commonly put in place include Initiate, Export from Dev, Build, and Release.
(Video) Stabilize Your Power Apps Development Process with ALM AcceleratorGitHub Actions for Power Platform - GitHub Actions enable developers to build automated software development lifecycle workflows. With GitHub Actions for Power Platform, you can create workflows in your repository to build, test, package, release, and deploy apps; perform automation; and manage bots and other components built on Power Platform.
What's the right choice for my organization?
Depending on the needs of your organization, you may decide to use one or more of these options, including the ALM Accelerator as an option. While there's no one right answer for every organization, the following table and descriptions of each option can help you decide which option is right for you based on current capabilities and future plans. This table isn't exhaustive and is meant to help you make an informed decision. It's also going to evolve with time as more capabilities are added to the ALM Accelerator and to the built-in Power Platform ALM capabilities.
| Capability | Pipelines | ALM Accelerator | DevOps/GitHub |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT / Developer involvement | Not required | Up-front set up | Required for every project |
| Source Code integration | No, but planned | Yes | Yes |
| Maker requires elevated privileges in target environment | Yes, but service principal support planned | No, service principal supported | No, service principal Supported |
| Quality Control | Minimal | Best practices | Unlimited |
| Democratized for Citizen Development | Yes | Yes | No |
| In-Product Experience | Yes | Canvas app provided, but not in maker experience | No |
| Support | Microsoft supported | Power CAT support via GitHub Issues and Discussions | Microsoft supported and GitHub Issues |
| Customization | No | Yes | Yes |
| Code-first development | No | Yes | Yes |
Pipelines for Power Platform (Pipelines)
Pipelines for Power Platform are intended to simplify ALM for makers, and is the strategic, in-product experience for maker-initiated ALM in the Power Platform. Today Pipelines provide similar capabilities to manual export and import functionality available in Power Platform for moving solutions from one environment to another. Users are required to have elevated permissions to perform these actions today, however, service principal support is planned soon to remove the need for those permissions going forward. The ability to introduce pre/post deployment customization is planned to allow organizations to add their business processes on top of Pipelines. However, more advanced customization is limited. Generally, an organization that doesn’t have a requirement for controlling their solution’s source code files is looking to get started quickly with ALM and don’t require specific business processes in their ALM process, would choose to use Pipelines.
Power Platform Build Tools/GitHub Actions and Power Platform CLI (Build Tools)
The Build Tools provided by Microsoft for Power Platform are intended to provide IT administrators and developers with tools to expedite the automation of Power Platform ALM in organizations that have highly-customized ALM requirements. The current limitations in Pipelines for Power Platform can be addressed using these tools, including controlling solution code, enabling code-first scenarios, removing the need for makers to have elevated permissions in downstream environments, and including specific organization, business processes into their overall ALM process. Generally, an organization with DevOps and developer resources available and requires granular control over their ALM processes, would choose to use Build Tools for setting up their own custom, ALM process.
ALM Accelerator for Power Platform (ALM Accelerator)
The ALM Accelerator is intended to simplify ALM for makers and more advanced, code-first makers. The ALM Accelerator is built on top of the Build Tools and therefore serves as an accelerator to getting started with the Build Tools, rather than requiring organizations to start from scratch. The ALM Accelerator pipelines and the related, canvas app are open source and intended to be used as is, or as a reference implementation that an organization can customize to suit their specific needs. Generally, an organization that has similar requirements as one who would use Build Tools, doesn't have the resources to build their own ALM processes from scratch, and wants to provide a maker experience on top of the Azure DevOps processes that drive ALM, would choose to use the ALM Accelerator.
Set up the ALM Accelerator
FAQs
What is the accelerator for Power Platform? ›
The ALM accelerator for Microsoft Power Platform components enable makers to apply source-control strategies with Azure DevOps, and use automated builds and deployment of solutions to their environments without the need for manual intervention by the maker, administrator, developer, or tester.
How do I set up ALM accelerator? ›- Go to Power Platform admin center.
- Select your environment, and then select Settings.
- Select Users + permissions > Application users.
- Select New app user to add a new application user.
- Select the Azure app registration you created, Business Unit, and Security Role. Note.
- What are the components of the Microsoft Power Platform? ...
- List some benefits of Microsoft Power Platform. ...
- Mention some major companies that use Power Platform tools. ...
- Tell us about the licensing model of Microsoft Power Platform.
Power platform has 4 primary components - Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate and Power Virtual Agents. The other components that are often used with Power Platform are - Dataflex Pro (Common Data Services), AI Builder, and UI Flow (part of Automate).
What is alm in Power Apps? ›What is ALM, Exactly? ALM is short for “Application Lifecycle Management.” It refers to how you maintain and manage all of the work done on your custom app-from when development to deployment and maintenance. While AML is synonymous with many other disciplines, it's a more common term in the Power Platform ecosystem.
What is accelerator and how it works? ›Their job is to speed up and increase the energy of a beam of particles by generating electric fields that accelerate the particles, and magnetic fields that steer and focus them.
How does ALM tool work? ›ALM processes and tools help development and testing teams to plan and implement their project strategy. They can estimate project requirements more accurately and better map out the application's future. They can also make real-time decisions and adjust the plan effectively as situations change.
How do you use ALM? ›- Start ALM.
- Specify releases and cycles.
- Specifying Requirements Specifying Requirements.
- Planning Tests Planning Tests.
- Running Tests Running Tests.
- Adding and Tracking Defects Adding and Tracking Defects.
- Alerting on Changes Alerting on Changes.
- Analyzing ALM Data Analyzing ALM Data.
The Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant PL-200 exam is considered a moderate to difficult level exam. It covers various aspects of the Microsoft Power Platform such as data modeling, automation, and customization of Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI.
Is Power Platform hard? ›The Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals exam was, in my opinion, the most difficult of all the Fundamentals I have ever taken. The topics of this exam are about a kilometer wide and 1mm deep.
What are the 3 key steps to prepare for user interview? ›
- Set goals and objectives. First and foremost, you need to set clear research objectives. ...
- Recruit interview participants. With a clear objective in mind, the next step is to recruit some interview participants. ...
- Choose your location. ...
- Write your interview questions.
Powerapps Developer Salary. $108,000 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $142,000 is the 75th percentile.
What is the difference between Power Apps and Power Platform? ›PowerApps is a part of the Office 365 suite of products. Power Automate is a part of the Azure cloud platform. If you need a platform that is a part of the Office 365 suite of products, then PowerApps is the right platform for you.
Why do we need ALM tool? ›Why is ALM important? ALM helps companies set and meet appropriate requirements for projects. ALM also improves the development process by incorporating frequent, thorough testing. It also helps developers adjust development processes and goals during the software lifecycle.
Is ALM an automation tool? ›HP ALM is a tool which is the most reliable and most popular in the industry. It does provide complete alignment with the testing process and it is very easy to manage and use. It is a web-based test automation tool and can be launched using Internet Explorer.
What kind of tool is ALM? ›ALM tools essentially function as project management tools that help you bring people and processes together. Look for a tool that includes version control, the ability for teams to communicate in real time, requirements management features, estimation and project planning, source code management, and test management.
What are examples of an accelerator? ›- Example 1. Programs with a start and finish date.
- Example 2. A cohesive group of participants.
- Example 3. Mentors on-demand to support startups.
- Example 4. Transferring startup knowledge to companies.
- Example 5. The selection process to ensure maximum synergy.
An accelerator can identify the risks within your concept and help you work on minimizing them. Also, those within the program can provide you with direction in proactively taking on risk and managing it effectively.
What is accelerator in simple words? ›: one that accelerates: such as. : a muscle or nerve that speeds the performance of an action. : a device (such as a gas pedal) for increasing the speed of a motor vehicle engine. : a substance that speeds a chemical reaction.
Is ALM manual or automation? ›Helix ALM now enables teams to manage both manual and automated testing in a single tool for better control, improved visibility, and comprehensive test coverage.
How do I connect Excel to ALM? ›
- Open Microsoft Excel. Go to the Micro Focus ALM Upload Add-in tab, and click Login. The ALM Login dialog box opens.
- Enter your domain and project.
- To set your proxy settings, click Show Proxy Settings. By default, the connection is done via the system proxy settings. ...
- Click Login.
Download the ALM Microsoft Excel add-in from Marketplace. Follow the on-screen installation instructions. After you install the Excel add-in, configure your Microsoft Excel security settings. For more information on configuring Excel security settings, refer to the Microsoft Excel documentation.
How do I run an ALM script? ›How to Execute Test Cases Using ALM/QC. Step #1: In the Test lab tab, choose the test set that you would like to run and click on “Run Test” or “Run Test Set”. Run Test- will execute the test set selected and the “Run test set” will run the entire set one test after the other until the end. Click on “Being Run”.
Is ALM a project management tool? ›ALM tools are often thought of as project management tools that bring people and processes together. These tools support functionality that enables effective governance, development, maintenance, and decommissioning of software.
What database does ALM use? ›By default, Helix ALM uses SQLite as the native backend database, which does not require any additional configuration before or after installation. Oracle, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server are also supported, but a qualified database administrator (DBA) must manually install and configure these databases.
How do I create a project in ALM? ›- (Optional) Create a project domain. ...
- Create project administrator users. ...
- Create a new project. ...
- (Optional) Assign more project administrators to the project. ...
- Define the project's settings. ...
- Add and customize the project users.
Power Apps Developer salary in India ranges between ₹ 3.2 Lakhs to ₹ 10.0 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 5.5 Lakhs.
What skills do you need for Power Platform developer? ›You need a strong applied knowledge of Microsoft Power Platform services and a basic understanding of DevOps practices for Microsoft Power Platform. Plus, your background should include development experience using JavaScript, JSON, TypeScript, C#, HTML, .
What language is used in Power Platform? ›Power Fx is the low-code language that will be used across Microsoft Power Platform. It's a general-purpose, strong-typed, declarative, and functional programming language. Power Fx is expressed in human-friendly text.
Is Microsoft Power Platform worth learning? ›Power Platform provides a high degree of flexibility for employees to build bespoke solutions that meet their requirements. Integrations with Microsoft Teams, among others, allow employees and teams to improve their business processes and efficiency by creating a seamless work experience.
How many days it will take to learn Power Apps? ›
Mindmajix's Power Apps training program offers 18 hours of practical either Live online training or Self-paced Video learning in building and managing cross-platform applications for B2B businesses.
Is Power Apps the future? ›The Future of PowerApps
The ready-made templates enhance the experience of coding making it much simpler for the average user. Microsoft out did themselves with the function of PowerApps. Encouraging creativity and influencing users to innovate! Welcome to the future of PowerApps.
When it comes to interviewing, confidence, competence, and credibility are essential tools for success and often elude even the most experienced investigators.
What is the rule of 5 user interviews? ›The best results come from testing no more than 5 users and running as many small tests as you can afford. The most striking truth of the curve is that zero users give zero insights.
How much do user interviews pay? ›The amount you can earn from User Interviews is actually pretty decent. The site pays relatively way. Typically, you can earn around $10 to $50 per paid research study you complete. It's not surprising, really, because most of their paid research studies require a bit of effort to complete.
What is the hourly rate for a Power Platform consultant? ›$32-$73/hr Power Platform Consultant Jobs (NOW HIRING)
What is the highest salary for platform engineer? ›Highest salary that a Platform Engineer can earn is ₹26.9 Lakhs per year (₹2.2L per month).
What is the entry level salary for Power Apps? ›$39,500 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $118,000 is the 75th percentile.
What are the two types of Power Apps? ›There are two main types of Power Apps: Canvas apps and Model-driven apps.
How many types of solutions are there in Power Apps? ›Two types of solutions (managed and unmanaged) Solution components.
What are the different types of Power Apps? ›
Using Power Apps, you can create Three types of apps: Canvas apps, Model-driven apps, and Portal Apps.
What is the disadvantage of PowerApps? ›Multiple users can not use the app at the same time
Currently, Microsoft Power Apps does not support more than one user to edit an app at the same time. However if you connect your app to a Github repository, you will be able to have multiple users edit the app.
Based on Microsoft's official documentation, mentioned that Power Apps is a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform.
Is Power Platform an ERP? ›The Power Platform allows for seamless integration with many common ERP systems thanks to pre-built connectors. These include Dynamics 365 Business Central, Salesforce, SAP, and more!
What is a project accelerator? ›The Project Accelerator installs a pre-configured PPM instance of Power Apps and Project for the web that supports industry-specific standards and best practices.
How does Power Platform work? ›The Power Platform is a layer on top of various data sources, which allows anyone of any technical ability to work that data. The no-code/low-code approach gives non-developers (citizen developers) the tools to build apps, create workflows, or leverage AI to solve problems.
What is the accelerator connected with? ›On many cars, the accelerator pedal motion is communicated via the throttle cable, which is mechanically connected to the throttle linkages, which, in turn, rotate the throttle plate.
What is Power Platform flow? ›A cloud-based platform called Microsoft Flow allows you to build automated workflows. Power automate, formally known as Microsoft flow, helps streamline your data processes.
What are accelerators examples? ›- Example 1. Programs with a start and finish date.
- Example 2. A cohesive group of participants.
- Example 3. Mentors on-demand to support startups.
- Example 4. Transferring startup knowledge to companies.
- Example 5. The selection process to ensure maximum synergy.
An accelerator propels charged particles, such as protons or electrons, at high speeds, close to the speed of light.
How do you manage a Power Platform? ›
- Sign in to the Power Platform admin center.
- In the navigation pane, select Environments, select an environment with resources, and then select the Power Apps resource.
- Select an app to manage.
- Select your desired action.
Main components of the accelerator include target, flattening filter, ion chamber, mirror, Jaws X and Jaws Y, and mica.
What are the parts of the accelerator? ›- Radiofrequency (RF) cavities and electric fields – these provide acceleration to a beam of particles. ...
- Vacuum chamber – this is a metal pipe (also known as the beam pipe) inside which a beam of particles travels.
Microsoft Power Fx language borrows heavily from the Excel formula language. We seek to take advantage of Excel knowledge and experience from the many makers who also use Excel. Types, operators, and function semantics are as close to Excel as possible.