Power Platform Development for SMEs: Where to Start and What to Expect
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are under constant pressure to improve efficiency, reduce manual work, and make better use of their data, all without increasing costs. Microsoft Power Platform offers SMEs a practical way to build applications, automate workflows, and gain insights using tools they may already own within Microsoft 365.
But where should SMEs start, and what should they realistically expect from Power Platform development?
Why Power Platform Is a Smart Choice for SMEs
For SMEs, Power Platform provides a balance between flexibility and affordability. It enables faster delivery of business solutions without the complexity of traditional software development.
Key benefits include:
- Faster implementation with low-code development
- Seamless integration with Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Teams, and Outlook
- Reduced reliance on spreadsheets and emails
- Scalable solutions that grow with the business
- Improved visibility across operations
Where SMEs Should Start with Power Platform Development
- Identify High-Impact Business Processes
Start with processes that consume time and rely heavily on manual steps. These areas usually deliver the quickest return on investment.
Typical starting points include:
- Approval workflows
- Leave and expense requests
- Purchase orders
- Client or staff onboarding
- Build Practical Power Apps
Power Apps allow SMEs to replace disconnected tools with simple, purpose-built applications.
Common SME use cases:
- Internal request and approval apps
- Asset and inventory tracking
- HR onboarding systems
- Sales and customer management tools
These apps are user-friendly, mobile-ready, and fully integrated with Microsoft 365.
- Automate Everyday Tasks with Power Automate
Once data is captured through apps or forms, workflows can be automated to reduce delays and manual effort.
Examples include:
- Automated approvals
- Notifications in Teams or email
- Data synchronisation between systems
- Scheduled processes and reminders
Automation ensures consistency and saves valuable staff time.
- Turn Data into Actionable Insights with Power BI
SMEs often have data spread across multiple tools but lack visibility.
Power BI helps by:
- Creating real-time dashboards
- Tracking performance metrics
- Identifying trends and bottlenecks
- Supporting better decision-making
When built correctly, dashboards stay accurate, secure, and easy to maintain.
- Prepare for AI and Copilot Capabilities
Power Platform now includes AI-assisted features and Copilot experiences. To benefit from these, SMEs need clean, well-structured, and governed data.
By setting up apps, automation, and reporting properly today, businesses position themselves to adopt AI safely and effectively in the future.
What SMEs Can Expect from Power Platform Development
When implemented correctly, SMEs can expect:
- Faster delivery compared to traditional development
- Lower development and maintenance costs
- Improved productivity across teams
- Better data visibility and control
- Solutions that scale as the business grows
Common Challenges SMEs Should Plan For
Without the right guidance, SMEs may face:
- Poorly designed apps that don’t scale
- Oversharing of data
- Inconsistent automation logic
- Low user adoption
- Governance and security gaps
These challenges are avoidable with expert planning.
Why Work with a Power Platform Consultant?
Although Power Platform is low-code, strategy and experience are critical.
A Power Platform consultant helps SMEs:
- Design solutions aligned with business goals
- Apply security and governance best practices
- Avoid rework and technical debt
- Ensure integrations work seamlessly
- Support user adoption and training
This ensures long-term success, not just quick builds.
Get Started with Power Platform the Right Way
Power Platform development is not just about building apps; it’s about improving how your business operates every day.
At ThreeSixFive, we help SMEs design and deliver Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI solutions that are secure, scalable, and aligned with real business needs.
📞 Call us today: 020 3907 7749
👉 Speak to our Power Platform specialists and get started with confidence
