Solutions are essentially packages that allow you to bundle related elements, such as apps, flows, tables, charts, forms, and more, in a single container that can be exported or imported across environments. This is a crucial area of knowledge for Functional Consultants preparing for the PL-200 exam.
I. Understanding Solutions:
Solutions in Power Platform enable the efficient sharing and maintenance of components between apps. When a solution component is shared, the system ensures that all dependencies are included while transferring. There are two types of solutions:
- a) Managed Solutions: These cannot be modified and are used by the customers/end users who receive the solutions.
- b) Unmanaged Solutions: These are a group of unmanaged customizations. They can be edited and fully tested to cater to unique business requirements.
Understanding the difference between these types is crucial for the PL-200 exam.
II. Creating Solutions:
To create a solution in Power Platform, follow these steps:
- Go to make.powerapps.com and then to Solutions.
- Click on
New Solution. Fill in the required information like the Name, Publisher, and Version. - Click
Create. Your solution is now available under the Solutions tab.
III. Adding and Managing Components:
In a solution, you can add various components like Tables, Forms, Business Processes, and more. You can add a component by selecting Add Existing under the solution, and choosing the component you want to insert.
If you need to modify an item in the solution, follow the below steps:
- Navigate to Solutions, and select the solution where the component resides.
- Click on the component to open its properties.
- Make your desired changes, and don’t forget to save when you finish.
IV. Exporting and Importing Solutions:
After finalizing a solution, you may need to export it and perhaps import it into another environment. Here’s how to do these:
- Go to Solutions, then select the solution that you want to export.
- Click
Exporton the command bar. Follow the instructions on the screen. - To import a solution, go to
Solutionsand click onImporton the command bar. You then should select your file and follow the prompts.
Remember, for unmanaged solutions, these can be modified after import. But if it’s a managed solution, the components cannot be changed post-import.
V. Security in Solutions:
Security roles define the access level that users with that role have on solution components. To assign or modify a security role, navigate to Security Roles in the desired solution, then assign or edit roles as needed.
The understanding of creating and managing solutions is fundamental for any Power Platform Functional Consultant. As you practice for the PL-200 exam, make sure to get hands-on experience with these tasks to efficiently leverage the Power Platform capabilities. The Power Platform’s robust solution system allows you to handle complex scenarios while maintaining a manageable structure and organization.
Practice Test
True or False. A solution can contain both managed and unmanaged components.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: A solution can contain both managed and unmanaged components. It aids in the packaging and distribution of changes and customizations.
In managing solutions, the use of environment variables can be skipped.
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: Environment variables are useful in managing solutions as they define parameters that vary across different environments, enhancing the portability and configurability of solutions.
What type of solution is locked and can’t be modified?
- A. Managed Solution
- B. Unmanaged Solution
- C. Both Managed and Unmanaged
- D. None of the above
Answer: A. Managed Solution
Explanation: Managed Solutions cannot be altered as all of the components are read-only. They are intended to be distributed and installed into other environments to remain intact.
True or False. Patching allows the updates in a non-destructive manner to the managed solution.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: Patching is designed to deploy updates to a managed solution in a non-destructive fashion, without modifying the original solution.
When you delete a managed solution, what happens to its components?
- A. All components are deleted
- B. Nothing happens to the components
- C. The components become unmanaged
- D. Depends on the solution
Answer: A. All components are deleted
Explanation: When a managed solution is deleted, all the components of that solution are deleted and this action can’t be undone.
True or False. A solution containing other solutions is called a parent solution.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: A parent solution includes other solutions, while those included solutions are referred to as child solutions.
In Power Platform, which tool is used for creating a new solution?
- A. Power BI
- B. Power Automate
- C. Power Apps Studio
- D. Microsoft Dynamics 365
Answer: C. Power Apps Studio
Explanation: A solution is created in Power Apps within a specific environment as per the needs of the project.
True or False. Configuration data can be moved manually from one environment to another.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: Configuration data can be moved manually between environments, but this method is prone to human errors and management difficulties.
Solutions in Microsoft Power Platform can be classified into how many types?
- A. 1
- B. 2
- C. 3
- D. 4
Answer: B. 2
Explanation: Solutions in the Microsoft Power Platform can be classified into two types: Managed and Unmanaged.
In which stage of the solution lifecycle the components of the solution are done (coding, configuration)?
- A. Release stage
- B. Development stage
- C. Import stage
- D. Deploy stage
Answer: B. Development stage
Explanation: The development stage involves writing code and configuring solution components.
True or False: Unmanaged solutions should be imported into production environments.
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: Unmanaged solutions are generally used for application development and they are not recommended for importing into production environments. Managed solutions are designed for this purpose.
Unmanaged solutions are:
- A. Read-Only
- B. Editable
- C. Non-Editable
- D. Can’t be deleted
Answer: B. Editable
Explanation: Unmanaged solutions are editable and allow developers to alter the components as per the requirements.
In Power Apps, which solution type is best for distributing applications?
- A. Unmanaged Solution
- B. Managed Solution
Answer: B. Managed Solution
Explanation: Managed solutions are intended to be distributed and installed into other environments, ensuring that the exact components and configurations are installed as intended.
True or False. The lifecycle of a solution includes the stages: Development, Test, Release, and Production.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: The solution lifecycle represents the stages a solution goes through from initial development to final delivery in the production environment.
Can a managed solution be exported?
- A. Yes
- B. No
Answer: B. No
Explanation: A managed solution cannot be exported. Once a solution is exported as managed, it cannot be reversed back to unmanaged.
Interview Questions
How are solutions used in Microsoft Power Platform?
Solutions are used in Microsoft Power Platform as a container for transporting apps and components from one environment to another or for managing the customizations in your system.
What are the two types of solutions in Microsoft Power Platform?
The two types of solutions in Microsoft Power Platform are Managed and Unmanaged. Managed solutions are for distribution while unmanaged solutions are for development.
What disadvantage does unmanaged solutions have in Power Platform?
Unmanaged solutions cannot be exported and imported into another environment, as opposed to managed solutions that can be moved across different environments.
What are the elements of a solution in Microsoft Power Platform?
A solution can include multiple components like apps, flows, tables, charts, dashboards, forms, views, business processes, and more.
How can solutions improve the efficiency of application development in Microsoft Power Platform?
Solutions enable developers to bundle all the related components together, which not only ensure all elements are moved together but also boosts reusability as the same solution can be imported into other environments.
What happens when you delete an unmanaged solution in Power Platform?
When an unmanaged solution is deleted, only the solution container is removed, but the components remain in the system.
Can you import an unmanaged solution as a managed solution in Microsoft Power Platform?
Yes, when you export an unmanaged solution, you can choose to package it as a managed solution. This makes it easier to move it into other environments.
When should you use a managed solution in Microsoft Power Platform?
Managed solutions are used when you want to distribute and install the package to other environments, such as going from development to production, or when distributing a solution to customers.
How does a managed solution relate to a publisher in Microsoft Power Platform?
A publisher defines and manages what entities and applications get included in a solution. Every solution has a publisher that can help manage solution customization.
Can multiple managed solutions modify the same component in Power Platform?
Yes, multiple managed solutions can modify the same component, but the last installed solution’s customizations will prevail.
What is solution layering in Microsoft Power Platform?
Solution layering is a feature that allows Microsoft Power Platform to manage how multiple managed solutions modify the same component. This is why the customizations from the last installed solution take precedence.
What is the function of the solution checker in Microsoft Power Platform?
The solution checker in Microsoft Power Platform is used to validate your solutions to ensure they are of high quality and meet best practices, improving the overall performance and stability of the solutions.
Can a component belong to more than one solution in Power Platform?
Yes, a component can belong to more than one solution. However, changes to the component in one solution will affect the component in every solution it belongs to.
How does versioning work in solutions of Microsoft Power Platform?
Each solution in Microsoft Power Platform has a version number in the format of Major.Minor.Build.Revision. Whenever changes are made in the solution, you should increment the appropriate part of the version number.
Can I remove a component from a managed solution in Microsoft Power Platform?
No, once a component is part of a managed solution, it can’t be removed. However, you can remove it from an unmanaged solution.
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