We recently had a need to perform an online form submission and we wanted to schedule it to be submitted every day.
So, being all things Power Platform, we immediately thought this was a perfect opportunity to use an UI Flow. UI Flow is Microsoft’s user-friendly tool to automate user input on websites or even desktop applications. The steps to get up and running were simple: we installed the UI Flow application, a web browser extension, hit the record button and performed the steps to accomplish our task.
As we wanted the task to be done outside office hours, we followed Microsoft’s instructions and set up a cloud hosted virtual machine that allows the flow to run unattended. The UI Flow runs from Power Automate (Microsoft’s sophisticated workflow engine). In order to save cloud hosting costs, this flow was configured to turn on the virtual machine at a scheduled time, perform the automated task, and then turn off the machine afterwards.
The turning on and off of the machines made it strike home to me that there is something for everyone in the Power Platform – there is a subset of connectors such as the Azure Automation for the technical staff and sets of tools for the less technically minded that can be used for performing actions triggered off emails coming into your inbox.
If you would like more of an introduction, get in touch and we will be pleased to help.
If you have any specific questions, feel free to comment below.
Written By: Paul Le Herissier
Paul is an accomplished team leader and software developer, committed to utilising his diverse skill set to drive business value. Over the last two years, he has honed his expertise in PowerApps Portals, enhancing his already robust knowledge in Dynamics 365, software development, systems integration, and database management. His proficiency in PowerApps Portals is built on a foundation of comprehensive skills, enabling him to deliver solutions that seamlessly integrate with existing infrastructures and meet unique business needs. Always seeking to augment his professional capabilities, Paul is currently pursuing a Chartered Management Institute Level 5 Diploma, exemplifying his commitment to continuous learning and leadership development. His combined technical mastery, leadership abilities, and dedication to growth position him as an invaluable asset in any business setting.
