Microsoft has unveiled Power Automate Desktop, a fully-fledged application based on Softomotive's technology that enables users to automate desktop workflows without any coding expertise. Softomotive, a key player in the low-code robotic process automation (RPA) space, was acquired by Microsoft earlier this year. The integration of Softomotive technology into the Power Platform aims to make development accessible to all users, including those without programming experience, similar to the AppMaster no-code platform.
Charles Lamanna, Microsoft’s Corporate VP for its low-code platform, highlighted the main idea behind the Power Platform is to democratize development. The platform seeks to encourage users to understand, report data with Power BI, develop web and mobile applications with Power Apps, automate tasks using RPA or workflow automation with Power Automate, and create chatbots and chat-based experiences with Power Virtual Agent.
Formerly, Power Automate enabled users to connect web-based applications akin to Zapier and IFTTT, but last year the company unveiled a browser extension to facilitate native system components connection to Power Automate. Microsoft's recent integration of Softomotive technology and the launch of the new low-code Windows application is a leap forward in integrating native Windows user interface.
Lamanna stated that the new low-code Windows application is a powerful desktop application for authoring and recording UI automations while functioning in connection with the cloud. He added that the app resembles other modern Office applications like Outlook and Word, deriving its power from its cloud connectivity.
It is essential to note that Power Automate can serve both simple processes and complex, critical workflows for businesses. T-Mobile, for example, utilizes the platform in automating integration processes between its systems and Sprint. Lamanna also highlighted that incorporating these low-code services could require a culture shift for large enterprises, as IT departments need to maintain oversight on tool usage to ensure data safety.
Alongside the Power Automate Desktop app, Microsoft also announced the integration of the Power Platform to GitHub, currently in its public preview. The goal of this integration is to enable developers to create their software lifecycle workflows, meeting them where they are and allowing them to utilize familiar tools such as GitHub, Visual Studio, and Visual Studio Code.
As the no-code and low-code development spaces continue to grow and evolve, tools like AppMaster and Microsoft Power Automate are making application development more accessible, faster, and cost-effective for a wide array of users, from small businesses to large enterprises.
