Power Platform is a suite of tools that allows businesses to build applications and workflows with minimal coding. With its wide range of functionalities, Power Platform provides businesses with the ability to automate processes, create custom apps, and integrate data seamlessly. However, when it comes to Power Platform solutions, there is an important distinction between managed and unmanaged solutions that organizations need to understand.
In this guide, we will break down these two types of solutions, their key differences, and their uses during the development and deployment stages. Understanding this distinction will help businesses make more informed decisions when developing and setting up Power Platform solutions.
Power Platform Solution: Basics
Power Platform solutions are containers that organize apps, flows, tables, and other components into a cohesive structure. These solutions act as a framework for creating, maintaining, and deploying applications. By using solutions, businesses can simplify the management of their custom Power Platform solution development processes.
Solutions are critical for aligning development efforts and managing Power Platform automating workflows with Power Automate for businesses. It keeps track of updates, dependencies, and changes. Whether you are working on a small project or a complex organizational initiative, solutions make the process more structured and organized.
Before starting with comparisons and differences between managed and unmanaged solutions in the Power platform. First, understand the definition and fundamentals of managed and unmanaged solutions.
What is Managed Solution?
Managed solutions are the finalized, locked versions of an application. These solutions are typically ready for deployment and are used in production environments. Once imported into an environment, managed solutions cannot be edited. This ensures that the solution remains intact and stable, avoiding any unintended changes.
These solutions are ideal for businesses that want to distribute or implement solutions in production without risking modifications to the core application. Especially useful when working with external stakeholders or customers, ensuring consistency and reliability across all environments.
Key Features:
- Locked Components: Managed solutions are fixed after being imported. This means no further edits can be made, which provides a high level of control over the final version of the application.
- Stable and Reliable: Managed solutions are ideal for production environments because they ensure stability. Once the solution is finalized, businesses can integrate it with confidence.
- Best for Distribution: Managed solutions are typically used when distributing apps to clients or end-users in production environments. They are ready for external use and meet the necessary standards for deployment.
What is Unmanaged Solution?
Unmanaged solutions serve as editable versions of an application during the development phase. They are flexible, providing developers with the ability to modify, customize, and test the various components as part of the ongoing development process. These solutions are typically used to build custom solutions before they are finalized for deployment.
In the case of custom Power Platform solution development, unmanaged solutions are where most of the customization and feature-building takes place. Teams can experiment, troubleshoot, and refine their designs within an unmanaged solution until they are ready to move to the next stage.
Key Features:
- Editable Components: Unmanaged solutions allow for full access to modify components directly in the environment. This flexibility is essential during development, where changes are frequent and necessary.
- Customization: Developers have full control over the customization process. Whether adjusting business rules, adding new tables, or modifying workflows, all components remain fully customizable.
- Iterative Testing: With an unmanaged solution, developers can test individual components and their interactions, ensuring that the solution meets specific requirements before packaging it as a final product.
Managed vs. Unmanaged Solutions in Power Platform: Key Differences
Power platform solutions are divided into two categories: managed solutions and unmanaged solutions. Understanding the differences between these two types of solutions is critical to successfully managing the development lifecycle of an app, flow, or any Power Platform component.
| Feature | Managed Solutions | Unmanaged Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Finalized, ready for production deployment. | Used during development and testing phases. |
| Modifiability | Cannot be modified directly after import; requires adding to an unmanaged solution to edit. | Fully editable within the environment. |
| Distribution | Intended for deployment to production or client environments. | Primarily used in development environments. |
| Component Locking | Components are locked; and cannot be edited without creating dependencies. | Components are unlocked; and can be edited freely. |
| Environment Use | Deployed in production, test, UAT, and SIT environments. | Used in development environments. |
| Export Process | Cannot be exported; once imported, they cannot be exported again. | Can be exported as either unmanaged or managed. |
| Version Control | Supports versioning; updates require importing a new managed solution. | Does not inherently support versioning; manual tracking is necessary. |
| Customization | No customization is allowed after deployment; must be done in an unmanaged solution. | Customization and configuration are allowed at any time. |
| Common Use Case | Final deployment in production environments. | Internal development, testing, and prototyping. |
| Update Handling | Updates require importing a new managed solution; cannot be edited directly. | Updates can be made directly within the solution. |
| Error Handling & Testing | Requires thorough testing before deployment; cannot be edited post-deployment. | Errors can be tested and fixed quickly in development environments. |
| Integration | More suitable for integrating into production environments. | More flexible for integration in development and testing environments. |
# Which Solution is Preferrable for Your Project: Managed vs. Unmanaged Solutions
The decision between managed and unmanaged solutions depends on the stage of the project and the intended use. Here’s a breakdown of when to choose each type:
When to Choose Unmanaged Solutions:
- During the early stages of development and testing.
- When you need to experiment with new features, customize workflows, or iterate on a design.
- For internal development environments or prototype applications that aren’t yet ready for production.
When to Choose Managed Solutions:
- Once the solution has been thoroughly tested and is ready for production deployment.
- This is needed when distributing the solution to external clients or in environments, where the solution’s components require strict control.
- When you need to ensure that no changes are made to the solution after its deployment.
Some differences are to be understood between a managed and unmanaged solution that can help efficiently manage the application development and deployment lifecycle in the Power Platform. Based on the project phase and requirements, an organization needs to select an appropriate solution type so that they have a well-structured application lifecycle.
How to Convert Unmanaged Solutions to Managed Solutions
Converting an unmanaged solution to a managed one is a vital step when preparing for deployment in Power Platform. This conversion ensures that your application is secure, stable, and no longer editable, aligning with best practices for Application Lifecycle Management (ALM).
# When You Need to Convert Unmanaged Solutions to Managed Solutions
It’s necessary to convert an unmanaged solution to a managed one when the application is ready for deployment to a live environment or clients. This step locks down the solution, ensuring it is stable and secure, and prevents any further modifications after the final version has been confirmed.
# Steps to Convert Unmanaged Solutions to Managed Solutions
To convert an unmanaged solution into a managed solution, follow these steps:
1. Complete Development: Make sure that all development and customization work is finished before beginning the conversion.
2. Test the Solution: Conduct thorough testing to catch any issues that could affect functionality or performance.
3. Export the Solution: Export the unmanaged solution from your development environment.
4. Convert to Managed: During the export process, select the option to export the solution as managed. This step ensures that the solution becomes locked, with no further changes allowed.
5. Import to Production: Import the managed solution into the production environment. It is highly recommended to first use a test environment to validate the solution before moving it to production.
# Common challenges while converting Unmanaged Solutions to Managed Solutions
- Incomplete Testing: Ensure the solution is fully tested before converting it. Failing to test thoroughly can result in undetected errors affecting the live version.
- Unintended Modifications: Avoid making any changes once the solution is finalized for conversion to prevent accidental updates after the solution has been locked.
- Versioning Issues: Confirm that you are exporting the correct version of the solution. This helps avoid confusion with different versions during the deployment process.
By following these steps and staying aware of the potential pitfalls, you can efficiently convert your unmanaged solutions to managed ones and ensure smooth deployment in production.
Why Choose Shiv Technolabs to Empower Enterprise Solutions with Microsoft Power Platform
Shiv Technolabs helps businesses harness the full capabilities of Microsoft Power Platform to generate efficiency and innovate. Our expert team specializes in building bespoke applications, automating workflows, and integrating data between business systems.
We manage the whole range of services from developing unmanaged solutions to deploying managed solutions in production, we provide end-to-end services that ensure a flawless transition and run at an optimum level. Our services include:
- Custom Power Platform Solutions: Tailored apps and workflows for specific business needs.
- Power Platform Implementation: Smooth deployment and integration of both managed and unmanaged solutions.
- Digital Transformation Consulting: Expert guidance for integrating Power Platform with existing systems.
With Shiv Technolabs, businesses get scalable and reliable solutions for enhancing operational efficiency and further growth of business.
Conclusion
Understanding the differences between managed and unmanaged solutions in Power Platform is crucial for businesses looking to build and deploy custom applications and workflows. By choosing the right solution for each stage of the development lifecycle, organizations can ensure that their solutions are stable, secure, and effective.
By following the steps in converting unmanaged solutions to managed ones, handling updates, and troubleshooting common issues, businesses can streamline their application lifecycle, and the transition from development to production will be quite smooth.
At Shiv Technolabs, Power Platform Consulting company helps businesses navigate the complexities of Power Platform, offering expert guidance on implementing both managed and unmanaged solutions. Whether you’re starting from scratch with custom Power Platform solutions or looking to optimize your existing applications, our team ensures your solutions are robust, scalable, and ready for deployment. Contact us now to build power platform solutions that work for your organizations.
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