What has become much easier in the past decade is building bespoke products, and this isn’t necessarily a result of AI. instead, it’s ecosystems like Microsoft Power Platform, which is a suite of tools that helps businesses create custom applications, dashboards, websites, automate repetitive workflows, and much more with low-code solutions.
The issue with building products from scratch using AI has been to fall into vibe coding, building up technical debt, and getting products over the line. Low-code solutions have a more linear path to development.
However, they still require a high level of strategic architectural design, which is something that many underestimate. While they’re easier to maintain and iterate, they still require expertise to lay the groundwork, and this is where the field of Power Platform consulting has grown in demand.
The scope of Power Platform consulting
Power Platform consulting is a service that helps organizations extract the most from their investment in Microsoft’s ecosystem. It’s not so much about writing code or building dashboards – after all, these are low-code – but it’s instead about aligning the technology and project with your business objectives from the very start.
A consultant will help accurately assess the existing legacy systems and find bottlenecks in the processes, then help design a governance framework that remains secure and compliant. By prioritizing data architecture over just the interface design, the lifespan of the apps are extended while maintenance decreases.
There are usually five main pillars that consulting services covers here:
- Power BI for data visualization
- Power Apps for custom application development
- Power Automate for process orchestration
- Power Pages for secure web portals
- Microsoft Copilot and AI integration
Why external expertise is in demand
The low-code is precisely what entices companies into trying DIY builds, and it also leads them to believe that using a consultancy for low-code builds is like using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut. But without professional oversight, you can soon encounter a shadow IT, which is a situation where unsupported apps are built by employees without central IT’s knowledge. It creates security risks and data silos.
On the one hand, consultants helps set up environments so that teams can build upon them – things like API connections and integrations. But it’s also about cost minimization, because licensing costs are complex in Microsoft, and there is room for overspending.
Leading consulting firms to consider for your project
While there are no single best partners, there are specialists and experts that suit different requirements.
- Avanade
A joint venture between Accenture and Microsoft, Avanade is clearly the heavy hitter. They are built for massive, global enterprises that need thousands of seats and complex rollouts, usually across many countries. If your project is large and needs a total overhaul of a global infrastructure, a partner with the largest pool of Microsoft-certified professionals in the world may be a reliable but expensive choice.
- Power GI
Power GI focuses on an agile, ROI-driven methodology and are particularly useful for firms looking to keep costs down (in other words, avoid using a massive global agency). They’re more boutique, and collaborative, and focus on building solutions that provide immediate value in Power BI and Power Apps.
- Catapult Systems
Catapult Systems is highly regarded for its “Solution as a Service” model. It leans into managed services, meaning it’s not just about building then leaving, but offering ongoing support for a subscription fee. They’re perfect for keeping your IT department lean and minimal, but you will become seriously dependent on them and their subscription.
- Slalom
Slalom is a very modern consulting firm that focuses on people and strategy, at least just as much as they do on the tech. They are a good choice for organizations needing cultural shifts because their experts work closely with change management teams to make sure that when a new app is deployed, the employees actually adopt it.
- RSM US
RSM is unique because of its deep roots in accounting and financial consulting. So, this is more for firms where the Power Platform is being used mostly to automate financial reporting, ERP integrations and/or tax workflows. Their industry-specific knowledge is invaluable here, and they speak the language of the CFO as fluently as the language of the developer.
Choose the right partner
Power Platform consulting is all about turning the potential of your data into the utility of a business tool – one that achieves your business goals.
The foremost question to ask before going ahead with a consultant is about governance, not the app itself. Can they build a sustainable environment where your team can build their own apps safely, and actually adopt and maintain it easily? You want case study evidence.
Sometimes you want builders, sometimes you want teachers. Often, companies fall somewhere between, needing both. Be wary of firms that want to keep their cards close, as they monetize your dependency on them.