Before we jump into the differences between managed and unmanaged solutions, let’s have a brief overview of what solutions are in the Microsoft Power Platform context. Essentially, a solution is a container that holds a collection of components that you can transport from one environment to another, or manage collectively. Examples of these components could be anything from entities, dashboards, workflows, business rule, etc.
Unmanaged Solutions
Unmanaged solutions are typically used during the development stage, serving as a container for defining and testing components. Importantly, when an unmanaged solution is imported, the components can be edited and customized in the target environment. In simple terms, we can say that unmanaged solutions behave like a ZIP file for various components, enabling you to simply unpackage them in a new environment.
The table below outlines some key attributes of unmanaged solutions:
| Unmanaged Solutions |
|---|
| Used during the development stages |
| Once imported, components can be edited |
| Easy to move components between environments |
| Changes are not tracked, potentially causing version control problems |
Managed Solutions
In contrast, managed solutions are more controlled and are usually the finalized version of the solution. These are suitable for deployment and distribution, rather than developmental tasks. When a managed solution is imported, the components cannot be altered, ensuring a level of stability and control over the end product. In essence, managed solutions could be seen as comparable to EXE files, which can’t be further modified or easily tampered with.
Here are some of the key attributes of managed solutions:
| Managed Solutions |
|---|
| Ideal for final deployment or distribution |
| Components cannot be altered after import |
| Provides more control and stability |
| Changes can be tracked, ensuring better version control |
Key Differences: Managed vs Unmanaged Solutions
The main differential point between managed and unmanaged solutions lies in their respective use cases and their varying levels of flexibility. Unmanaged solutions are more fluid, offering the ability to alter and customize individual components. On the other hand, managed solutions offer a more rigid and stable setup ideal for final deployments.
Another critical difference comes in the form of solution deletion. When you delete an unmanaged solution, only the solution container is removed, with the components still available in the default solution. In contrast, if you delete a managed solution, both the solution and its components will be removed.
Knowing the use cases and the aspects of each of these solution types is vital in passing your PL-200 Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant exam, and for being effective in the real-world deployment of the Microsoft Power Platform.
Overall, whether you choose managed or unmanaged solutions largely depends on your specific business needs. In development stages, the flexibility of unmanaged solutions may be more beneficial, but the control and stability provided by managed solutions may be more suitable for final deployments.
Practice Test
True or False: Managed solutions cannot be modified by the receiving organization.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Managed solutions are locked, and the receiving organization cannot modify the components of the solution directly.
In Unmanaged solutions, the individual components can be edited and deleted. True or False?
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: An unmanaged solution allows full access to modify, add, or delete its components.
Which of the following are characteristics of Managed Solutions?
- A. Can be directly edited once implemented.
- B. Changes don’t impact the original solution.
- C. Suitable for deployment.
- D. Easy to remove or update.
Answer: B, C, and D
Explanation: Once implemented, managed solutions cannot be directly edited. Any changes or modifications won’t affect the original solution, and they are appropriate for deployment. Managed solutions are easy to remove or update without affecting other solutions.
Managed solutions can be distributed and sold by an organization. True or False?
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Managed solutions are intended to be distributed and sold as they are locked down and the original developer maintains control over the design and functionality.
If you want to keep the control over the occurrence of the individual components, what kind of solution would you choose?
- A. Managed
- B. Unmanaged
Answer: A. Managed
Explanation: In managed solutions, the developers maintain the authority and can prevent any occurrence of the components.
Which of the following are characteristics of Unmanaged Solutions?
- A. Ideal for development.
- B. Changes impact the original solution.
- C. Can be directly edited once implemented.
- D. Difficult to remove or update.
Answer: A, B, and C
Explanation: Unmanaged solutions are typically used in the development phase. They can be directly edited and changes do impact the original solution.
Unmanaged solutions are intended to be the final product for distribution. True or False?
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Unmanaged solutions are typically used during the development and are not meant to be the final product for distribution.
True or False: Managed solutions do not allow the addition of components.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Managed solutions are locked down, and new components cannot be directly added once the solution is implemented.
Which of the following solutions will you recommend for testing purposes?
- A. Managed
- B. Unmanaged
Answer: B. Unmanaged
Explanation: The components of unmanaged solutions can be modified, which makes it ideal for testing purposes.
True or False: In a managed solution, the changes made always reflect in the original solution.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The changes made to a managed solution do not affect or reflect in the original solution.
Which solution type provides the safeguard that nothing is deleted which is being used elsewhere in the system?
- A. Managed
- B. Unmanaged
Answer: A. Managed
Explanation: Managed solutions provide a safeguard mechanism that prevents the deletion of components that are being used elsewhere in the system.
The removal of an unmanaged solution can cause data loss. True or False?
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Unmanaged solutions do not track dependencies; hence, their removal might cause loss of data as it can remove dependencies as well.
Dependent components are not removed when you delete a managed solution. True or False?
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Managed solutions keep track of dependencies, and these dependent components are not removed when you delete a managed solution.
Which solution allows for more flexibility in terms of customization?
- A. Managed
- B. Unmanaged
Answer: B. Unmanaged
Explanation: Unmanaged solutions allow for greater flexibility in customization as they can be modified more freely than managed solutions.
Managed solutions are used for distribution to other development environments. True or False?
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Managed solutions are not typically used for distribution to other development environments, but rather for distribution as finished products.
Interview Questions
What is a managed solution in the context of Microsoft Power Platform?
A managed solution is a complete package that can be distributed and installed. They are used to install major applications, application updates, or ongoing customizations. They can’t be directly edited and are ideal for production environments.
How does an unmanaged solution differ from a managed solution?
An unmanaged solution is like a set of drafts that can be directly edited. These solutions can be altered and customized and are ideal for development environments.
How are managed and unmanaged solutions distributed in Microsoft Power Platform?
Managed solutions are distributed by exporting them as a managed solution, whereas unmanaged solutions are shared as an exported unmanaged solution.
Can customizations be done directly on a managed solution?
No, modifications can not be done directly on a managed solution. Any desired customizations must be applied on the unmanaged solutions first, then those changes can be reflected in the managed solution after exporting it.
Are changes made on unmanaged solutions reflected automatically on the corresponding managed solution?
No, changes made on unmanaged solutions are not automatically reflected on the managed solutions. After making changes on unmanaged solutions, you have to re-export it as a managed solution to apply those changes to the managed solution.
Which type of solution is ideal for a development environment?
Unmanaged solutions are ideal for a development environment because they allow direct customizations and alterations.
Can you delete an unmanaged solution?
Yes, but deleting an unmanaged solution will result in all components associated with that solution also being deleted.
What happens when a managed solution is deleted?
When a managed solution is deleted, all components that are unique to this solution are removed. However, any components that were customized in the solution, but are also part of the base application or other solutions, aren’t deleted.
Can you convert a managed solution into an unmanaged solution?
No, once a solution is exported as a managed solution, it can not be converted back into an unmanaged solution.
How does the process of updating solutions differ between managed and unmanaged solutions?
For managed solutions, a new version of the solution must be imported to apply the updates. For unmanaged solutions, updates can be applied directly on the solution.
Can you convert an unmanaged solution into a managed solution?
Yes, you can export an unmanaged solution as a managed solution.
What is the difference in installation of managed and unmanaged solutions?
Managed solutions can be simply installed to apply the changes whereas installing unmanaged solutions requires the solution to be customized and configured according to the requirements before applying the changes.
Why are managed solutions irreversible in Microsoft Power Platform?
Managed solutions are irreversible to ensure that once they are installed, they could not be tampered or directly modified. This also makes sure they do not affect the performance or functioning of other solutions.
What type of solutions are not recommended in a production environment?
Unmanaged solutions are not recommended in a production environment because they can be directly modified or altered, which can lead to issues or conflicts with other solutions.
How does deletion of solutions impact the system for both managed and unmanaged solutions?
In case of managed solutions, deleting a solution would remove the solution and all the components that are exclusive to that solution. However, for unmanaged solutions, deleting a solution would mean deleting the solution and all the components associated with that solution, regardless if they are part of any other solutions.
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