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Automating repetitive tasks

A Kind of Magic

Article from ADMIN 89/2025

By Philip Lorenz

We provide an overview of the features, fields of application, and pricing of Microsoft Power Automate, highlighting the pros and cons of the SaaS platform for optimizing and automating workflows and business processes.

Microsoft Power Automate (MSPA, previously Microsoft Flow) enables automated processes between apps and services, which greatly simplifies tasks such as synchronizing data, sending notifications, and capturing information. Processes can be optimized and recurring tasks automated without manual intervention by connecting different services.

Power Automate is intended for M365 admins, specialist departments, and business analysts, as well as users without in-depth programming knowledge. The user-friendly interface helps normal users independently create workflows to reduce the load on the IT department. Admins retain control, of course, and can enforce security policies and compliance standards.

MSPA is not a direct alternative to scripting languages (e.g., Bash, PowerShell, or Python) but focuses on integrating a variety of services and applications by means of connectors. MSPA is ideal for automating business processes that span multiple systems and platforms without the need to write code; instead, it acts as the glue between the applications where processes are designed in a modular way across the web user interface (UI) [1].

Power Platform Ecosystem

Power Automate is a central component of the Microsoft Power Platform and provides low-code tools. In combination with other tools, MSPA offers a comprehensive system that covers the entire process optimization cycle, from data collection and analysis, through process automation and the development of customized applications, to communication with external users. Power Automate is the automation engine that links the various components and enables an exchange of information and workflow automation.

Besides MSPA, the Power Platform includes Power Apps for creating custom applications without in-depth programming skills. Power BI provides data-driven insights and enables

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