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Welcome to the world of Microsoft Power Platform solution architecture. In this book, we aim to equip you with a hands-on approach so that you can apply best practices, tackle challenges, uncover opportunities, and maximize the value of Microsoft solutions for your customers.

The focus of this first chapter is to explore the role of the solution architect and Power Platform, along with the broader Microsoft stack.

In this chapter, we'll cover the following main topics:

• Laying the foundations for great solution architecture
• Understanding the solution architect's role
• Power Platform architecture overview
• Microsoft's cloud-based ecosystem
• A hands-on approach to solution architecture

By the end of this chapter, you'll have an understanding of the tools and frameworks that will be used throughout the...

Laying the foundations for great solution architecture

The advent of cloud-based solutions has ushered in an era of scalable, highly performant, and secure business applications. Planning, designing, and building a robust Power Platform solution architecture requires applying a set of principles consistently. Each organization and solution is unique, and while a single solution design pattern doesn't exist, the following nine concepts will help you lay the foundations for a great Power Platform solution architecture:

Let's delve into these nine key concepts, all of which will guide you in creating a solid Power Platform solution architecture.

Understanding your role as a Power Platform solution architect

As a Power Platform solution architect, you'll leverage your technical knowledge and functional expertise to guide the implementation teams, navigating risks, issues, and changes to make the implementation a success. Successful solution architects maintain an ongoing dialog with stakeholders, project managers, and implementation team members to ensure the project's vision is realized.

The following diagram illustrates the key activities that a solution architect engages in during a typical Power Platform implementation:

Power Platform architecture overview

The Power Platform architecture comprises four key components: the environments and tenants that host these components and the security capabilities that are used for access control.

Before delving into the intricacies of these Power Platform components, it's important to understand the foundation that underpins the majority of Power Platform implementations. This is the first topic for our architecture overview: Dataverse.

Dataverse – the backbone of Power Platform data-based applications

Dataverse is a configurable business application data store with advanced processing capabilities that acts as the foundation of most Power Apps-based solutions. Previously known as the Common Data Service, it consists of a relational database comprising tables and fields. Dataverse is configured using a graphical user interface made available via make.powerapps.com. Beyond data storage, Dataverse provides an extensive range of integration, security, and business process logic features.

The following diagram illustrates the key Dataverse components and their interactions:

The flexible and configurable nature of Dataverse, combined with the wider Power Platform capabilities, provides a unique opportunity to solve business problems for virtually unlimited use cases. In the chapters that follow...

Microsoft's cloud-based ecosystem

Microsoft's cloud-based ecosystem offers a broad range of business applications and resources that empower solution architects with an extensive toolkit for developing and implementing powerful, scalable solutions. In this section, we'll explore the key components of the Microsoft ecosystem, including Dynamics 365, Microsoft 365, Azure, and AppSource.

A hands-on approach to Power Platform solution architecture

By providing best practice guidance and laying the foundations for the implementation, solution architects lead by example. They complement and enhance the technical capabilities of the entire project team, resulting in a collective output that surpasses individual efforts.

The following diagram illustrates the support, documentation, and tools a solution architect provides to various teams, stakeholders, and external partners involved in a Power Platform project:

During a Power Platform implementation, solution architects interact with various teams and provide hands-on support for the following individuals and groups:

• Stakeholders: Solution architects align with stakeholders by delivering architectural blueprints and Power Platform visions. They ensure...

Lessons learned

This experience reinforced several key principles:

• Question assumptions: Never take inherited work at face value without verification
• Collaborative design: Actively involving stakeholders in the design process leads to solutions that truly meet business needs
• Visual communication: Real-time diagramming can bridge gaps in understanding and align teams quickly

Now, let's summarize the key concepts that were covered in this chapter and set the stage for exploration in the chapters ahead.