Microsoft Power Automate
Task automation software
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Microsoft Power Automate, previously known as Microsoft Flow until November 2019,[7] is a SaaS platform by Microsoft for optimizing and automating workflows and business processes. It is part of the Microsoft Power Platform line of products, which include Power Apps and Power BI.[8]
| Microsoft Power Automate | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Developer | Microsoft | ||||||||
| Initial release | November 2016 (as Microsoft Flow) | ||||||||
| Stable release(s) [±] | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Operating system | Windows, Android, iOS | ||||||||
| Type | Task automation | ||||||||
| License | Proprietary software | ||||||||
| Website | www | ||||||||
History
On November 1, 2016, Microsoft Flow (now Microsoft Power Automate) became generally available.[9] Similar to services like IFTTT and Zapier, users could connect between cloud apps and services with automated workflows known as flows.
On November 4, 2019, Microsoft announced a rebranding of Microsoft Flow to Microsoft Power Automate and its inclusion in Microsoft Power Platform with a shift from solely workflows to also include business processes. At the same time, a number of new functions were announced, including robotic process automation (RPA) capabilities.[10]
In 2020, Microsoft acquired Softomotive,[11] the makers of ProcessRobot and WinAutomation, to further expand the capabilities in Power Automate.
In 2022, Microsoft acquired Minit[12] to further expand its process mining capabilities in Power Automate.
Flows
Power Automate allows users to create automated workflows, called "flows", that connect multiple applications and services. Flows can be triggered via events, they can run on a schedule or can be manually started, enabling tasks such as data collection, notifications, emailing and synchronization between services. It is possible to create flows using a graphical interface without coding or customize them using advanced expressions and logic for complex automation.[13]
Types of flows
- Automated flows: Triggered by events in connected applications, such as receiving an email or updating a record.
- Instant flows: Manually triggered by a user, often via a button in the Power Automate interface or mobile app.
- Scheduled flows: Run at predefined times or intervals to automate repetitive tasks.
- Business process flows: Guide users through a series of steps to ensure consistency in business processes.
- Desktop flows: Use robotic process automation (RPA) to automate tasks on local machines or virtual environments.
Integrations
Microsoft Power Automate supports a wide range of integrations with cloud and on-premises applications. It connects to services such as Microsoft 365, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Microsoft SQL Server, SharePoint and third-party apps, enabling users to automate workflows across multiple platforms.[14]
