Keith Atherton's Journey from Pro-Code Development to Embracing the Power Platform

FULL SHOW NOTES
https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/614

Join us for an insightful conversation with Keith Atherton, a Power Platform Solution Architect from Edinburgh, as he shares his transformative journey from a traditional .NET and C# developer to embracing the world of low-code solutions. Discover how Keith's passion for solving complex problems led him to appreciate the unique capabilities of Microsoft's Power Platform despite initial reservations. Throughout our chat, Keith also opens up about his life beyond coding, revealing his creative side, his love for culinary delights, and the vibrant cultural experiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Our discussion takes a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities that come with transitioning from pro-code environments to incorporating the Power Platform into your toolkit. Keith sheds light on the initial skepticism surrounding Power Fx's formula-based approach and how it eventually revealed its potential as a powerful problem-solving tool. We also discuss how the Power Platform integrates with .NET through Dataverse plugins and Azure Functions, providing a flexible environment for developers to navigate enterprise-level implementations while balancing traditional and new technologies.

In the latter part of the episode, we explore the complexities of using FetchXML versus traditional querying methods in Power Automate Cloud Flows and Dataverse. Keith shares insights on the necessity of pro-code development even in a predominantly low-code landscape, highlighting the evolution of Canvas apps as replacements for InfoPath in specific tech stack projects. To wrap up, our returning guest, Business Application MVP Mark, enriches the conversation with his valuable experiences and insights, inviting listeners to contribute guest suggestions and support the show as we continue to explore the fascinating world of business applications.

Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoption

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Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith