Low Code Approach

In this episode we chat with Wendy Haddad and Jon Butler to dive deep into the practical realities of adopting Microsoft Copilot across organizations. Drawing from their field experience with Microsoft customers, they discuss what actually works when helping your organization adopt Microsoft Copilot and common pitfalls to avoid. Listeners will gain insights into: How to teach others to use Copilot/AI The role that executive sponsors play in Copilot adoption How to think like a prompt-engineer and best practices to get more from Copilot How to troubleshoot when you don't get the result you expect Adoption resources for a successful rollout.

Yay! The whole gang is here for this one! Wendy is back. Where was she? What was she doing? How did we ever manage without Wendy? This episode is special as it relates to workers learning how to incorporate generative AI into their workflows. This time, Wendy explains how she kept up and managed to get ahead with Microsoft Copilot and agents while she was away. 

Want to make your data more meaningful with Copilot and agents? What are some of the patterns that organizations are using to find success when using agents? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Julie Koesmarno, Groups Program/Project(?) Manager as Julie joins the show to talk about why Dataverse is the one of the major keys to getting the most out of your agents going forward. 

Data is a key component to the agentic future of organizations and there is so much learn and understand in order for solution developers, admins, CIOs, CEOs, and CTOs, to have a successful deployment. Luckily, Nirav Shah, CVP of BAC (the org formerly known as Dataverse) joins the podcast to talk about how agents play a critical role in how organizations run, how customers can solve their business problems with Microsoft Copilot and agents, and what is an expert agent.  Nirav and former guest, James Olenik, spoke at Microsoft Build about this very topic! Check it out here: https://build.microsoft.com/en-US/sessions/BRK129?source=sessions   Also check out:  aka.ms/2025brk132 aka.ms/2025od817 aka.ms/2025brk125 aka.ms/2025brk159

Microsoft Build is right around the corner and is the best place to learn about all the news around professional development. But the title of this show doesn't really scream 'PRO CODE', so what does Microsoft Power Platform have to offer pro code developers? Dave Milton joins the show to talk about the pro code development and the shift in mindset for developers to take on low code. 

In this episode of The Low Code Approach, hosts Sean Fiene and Jocelyn Panchal sit down with Christy Jefson to explore the evolving landscape of automation through desktop flows and the integration of generative AI. Together, they unpack how Power Automate is transforming repetitive tasks, what's new in the world of RPA, and how generative AI is reshaping the way we build and optimize low-code solutions. Whether you're a seasoned maker or just getting started, this conversation offers practical insights and forward-looking perspectives on building smarter, faster, and more intuitive automation experiences.

In this episode, Ken, Sean, and Jocelyn sit down with industry expert Mark Smith, the NZ365 guy, to explore the current state of AI agents in the real world. They delve into the practical applications, challenges, and innovations surrounding AI agents, discussing how these intelligent systems are transforming various industries. From personal productivity autonomous agents to enterprise solutions, this episode provides a comprehensive overview of how AI agents are being utilized today and what the future holds. Tune in to hear firsthand experiences, expert opinions, and engaging discussions on the evolving landscape of AI agents  Want to listen to more Mark? Check him out here: https://www.nz365guy.com/

Copilot and agent news is coming out all the time. How does one keep track? What's new? What's happening? Thomas Abel, Director of Product Marketing for Microsoft Copilot Studio joins Ken and Sean for a must listen episode on all the news for agents and Microsoft Copilot Studio. 

In this episode of The Low Code Approach, we are joined by Mihaela Blendea and Shawn Nandi to dive into the transformative world of Managed Security for Microsoft Power Platform. Discover how this suite of advanced security features is revolutionizing the way organizations protect their data, manage access, and ensure compliance in an AI-driven era.

In this dreamy episode of The Low Code Approach, we invite you to drift into a peaceful slumber with Power Naps. Let the soothing cadence of Microsoft Learn documentation lull you into a restful night and tuck you in securely. As the moonlight dances on your window, our gentle narration will guide you through the serene landscapes of low-code development, where every line of text is a step closer to tranquility.   Close your eyes and imagine the soft rustle of pages as we explore the wonders of managed security. Each word is a whisper, each sentence a lullaby, designed to ease your mind and cradle you into a deep, rejuvenating sleep.   So, snuggle up, relax, and let the gentle flow of knowledge carry you away on a cloud of dreams. Sweet dreams, dear listener, and may your night be filled with restful Power Naps.

What is the Microsoft Graph? How can organizations use it in Microsoft Power Platform? Most likely, you're already using it and didn't know. It's a good thing we had Amit 'The Admiral' Panchal, Principal Product Manager at Microsoft, join the podcast to give us all the details on the importance of the graph, where you can use it in low code solutions, and how to get started using it. 

Microsoft Power Platform releases new features and tools all the time. And with a constant flow of news and updates, sometimes content gets lost. What this often leads to is misconceptions of Power Platform and governance offerings. Ken, Jocelyn, and Sean chime in on how to break free from the noise, get the information you need, and debunk some misconceptions.  

In this exciting episode, we sit down with Oleg Ovanesyan, Principal Product Manager, and Prithvi Khosla, Product Manager, to discuss the recently announced data workspace feature in Microsoft Dataverse.  Oleg and Prithvi delve into the key aspects of the Data Workspace, including its AI-assisted mapping capabilities, seamless integration with external data sources, and enhanced data management processes. They will also share insights on how this feature simplifies data migration, maintains security role privileges, and supports a no ETL-no copy approach for data import and export. Learn more about data workspace here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/release-plan/2024wave2/data-platform/data-workspace

In this exciting episode of the Low Code Approach, Sean, Ken, and Jocelyn are joined by special guests Patrick and Adam from Guy in a Cube. Together, they dive deep into all the latest and greatest news about Microsoft Fabric from Ignite and European FabricCon. Tune in to hear Patrick and Adam share their insights and expertise on the newest features, updates, and innovations in Microsoft Fabric. Read up on all the Ignite highlights here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-fabric/blog/2024/11/19/accelerate-app-innovation-with-an-ai-powered-data-platform/

2024 was a big year for Microsoft Power Platform and the story is even bigger in 2025. Who better to shepherd us into the new year than Ryan Cunningham, VP Power Platform Applications, to answer all of our questions on how agents are changing the landscape of low code solutions, how do organizations approach governance at the pace of innovation, and what was the news that may have been missed pertaining to governance licensing!  Check out Ryan and Clay's session at Microsoft Ignite here: https://ignite.microsoft.com/en-US/sessions/BRK171?source=sessions

Microsoft Power Platform has incredible security features, but it only gets better when the rest of the Microsoft Security stack gets included. In this example, Scott Magee joins the podcast to go over why Microsoft Purview and Microsoft Power Platform is a better together story to reduce risk and increase security.  Learn more about protecting your data with Microsoft Purview and Microsoft Power Platform: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/release-plan/2023wave2/power-platform-governance-administration/monitor-protect-data-purview

Agents are everywhere and so is Microsoft Copilot, but what does that actually mean? Luckily, Richard Riley, GM Product Marketing for Business Applications, joins the podcast to talk the difference between agents and Copilot, who gets the most out of agents, and what's next for agents. This episode is jam packed with information and value and we're excited to hear how Richard helps shape your thoughts on what's possible with Microsoft Copilot and agents.

Customer success is a big topic and there are many paths to success for organizations using Microsoft Power Platform. In the first episode of the new year, Nick Miller, Senior Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft talks about how to build proofs of concept, modernizing solutions, and incorporating agents and Microsoft Copilot into Power Platform solutions. Nick gives some great examples of what's possible with Microsoft Power Platform and provides tips on how to get successful solutions built quickly!

At Microsoft Ignite 2024 we announced managed security, managed governance, and managed operations. These three pillars show the breadth of governance and security features available across Microsoft Power Platform. Let's take a dive into the new experience with Mik Ferland, who joins us again to get us ready to utilize all these amazing new features! 

Ignite brought a bunch of great news around Microsoft Power Platform and a huge part of that was through managed security, managed governance, and managed operations. So why were these announcements so important? Hear it from the man leading the charge, Ryan Jones, Partner PM Director, Scale, at Microsoft who will go over the state of Power Platform governance, how integrated governance is across the Microsoft-stack, and how do we graduate makers from building personal productivity to enterprise-grade.  Unlock innovation through governance! Watch Ryan and Shawn Nandi's Ignite session here: https://ignite.microsoft.com/en-US/sessions/BRK180?source=sessions

With Microsoft Power Platform, there is strength in numbers. To get the most out of Power Platform, organizations need to build a community of champions, educators, and innovators. But how do you do this and where do you start? Uday Adhikari, Microsoft MVP, drops by the podcast to discuss his experiences and how to grow a successful Power Platform community in your organization. 

There is so much news at Ignite, we had to have a second episode this week! Microsoft Dataverse has been showing up in all of Microsoft Power Platform and Mike Bassani is back to let us know what is new, what users can expect, and how get the most out of the newest Microsoft Dataverse announcements at Microsoft Ignite 2024.  Watch Mike Bassani and Jenn Cockrell's session here: https://ignite.microsoft.com/en-US/sessions/BRK275?source=sessions    

It is Ignite week and there is so much happening! Leon Welicki, VP & CPO of Microsoft Power Apps joins the show to talk about all the amazing announcements for Power Apps. Learn about what's new and how get your hands on all the cool features! Want to watch Leon's session at Ignite, check it out here:  https://ignite.microsoft.com/en-US/sessions/BRK172?source=sessions

What can help you design application workloads for current needs and future challenges? What will help you asses what areas of your Microsoft Power Platform needs attention and resources? What even is a workload? Robert Standefer and Manuela Pichler, creators of Power Platform Well-Architected joins the podcast to go over who is this for and how it can help your organization improve. 

What happens when two podcasts meetup? Well, turns out it's an awesome experience! Kenneth Johnson (KJ) and Kevin Galang from the Digestible Dynamics podcast join us to drop some knowledge on Dynamics 365, why should Power Platform customers look to Dynamics 365 and how both products are integrated and complimentary of each other. We had so much fun with this one! Check out the Digestible Dynamics podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/68i94lqxovOfq2weg9VKYd

Knowledge is power, and Power Platform knowledge is extra powerful. So how do share the knowledge of using Microsoft Power Platform? Training is the key, and we are lucky to have the legend, Laura Rogers join the podcast to discuss training strategies, how generative AI has changed training, and what is the best platform for delivering training content. Laura is such a wealth of information, and we highly recommend you check out the Information Worker Mentor content here: https://www.iwmentor.com/.

We love Power Platform and know that it makes a huge impact on our customers, but how can we actually measure that impact? Our good friend, Ricardo Duncan is back on the podcast to talk about the 2024 Total Economic Impact report commissioned by Microsoft with Forrester. The numbers are incredible, and Ricardo explains it all!  Want to check it out yourself? 2024 TEI of Power Platform | Microsoft Read Richard Riley's blog too:  Reduce development times and increase ROI with Microsoft Power Platform  - Microsoft Power Platform Blog

When building solutions, when should you use Microsoft Dataverse? Why would you choose Dataverse over SharePoint or SQL for your solutions? To understand the reason why your organization would benefit by using Dataverse, IT admins and solution developers need to have a better understanding of Dataverse offers. Luckily, Oleg Ovanesyan joins the podcast to give us the low down in what will become a series of demystifying Dataverse.

NOTE: This episode was recorded prior to the September 16th moment when Microsoft rebranded copilots to agents.  Jeremy Thake joins the LCA crew to talk about extensibility in Microsoft Copilot. What does this mean for pro code developers using Visual Studio Code and makers using Microsoft Copilot Studio? What is the difference with Graph connectors and how do they extend knowledge and agents? And with so many options for extensibility with agents, who is the owner of ensuring security of that data? Check out https://adoption.microsoft.com

Microsoft Copilot has some amazing extensibility features and great customizations to take your agents further. Find out from the brains of the operation, Sabin Nair and Nathan Helgren, both from the Microsoft Dataverse team, as they talk to us about what does it mean to connect to third-party sources, how you can customize your agents with connectors, and what is the scope of these connectors! 

Microsoft Power Apps allows makers to rapidly build and deploy applications to help organizations modernize their business processes. But how do makers and admins ensure that their applications run efficiently and provide a great experience? We have Austin Laugesen, Principal Program Manager at Microsoft join us to discuss the ways that the Power Platform Product team is building features to make the low code approach the right approach for your organization with Power Apps. 

Pipelines in Microsoft Power Platform has had a slew of new features released and we got the best person to tell us all about them! Casey Burke joins the podcast to talk about how Application Lifecycle Management is shaping up in Power Platform, how organizations should apply ALM, and what is the future of ALM. 

Microsoft Build provided a slew of news announcements for product and feature improvements. Some of the coolest features announced were in Microsoft Power Apps Studio. Luckily, we got the man with the plan, Clay Wesener, Partner Group Product Manager, at Microsoft to tell us all about what the features are, why organizations should care, and how to utilize them to the fullest! Listen in while Clay breaks it down for the hosts!

Get ready to elevate your AI game! Your AI experience is only as good as your data, and with Microsoft Dataverse, it gets a whole lot better! What do we mean by ‘a whole lot better'? We've got Robert Bruckner, CTO and VP of Microsoft Dataverse, here to break it all down. If you're eager to supercharge your organization's success with generative AI, this is the episode you can't miss!

You may have heard the term 'Project Sophia' before or maybe not yet, but this amazing new business application technology from Microsoft is going to be a game changer for organizations. Julie Strauss, VP of Project Sophia joins the podcast to tell us how Project Sophia is going to take your data and knowledge further and deliver insights to move faster and smarter in your business decisions.  Learn more about Project Sophia here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/project-sophia/overview and here: https://adoption.microsoft.com/en-us/project-sophia/  

In this episode, Derek Kwan joins us as we dive deep into the innovative catalog feature in Power Platform. Join us as we explore how this powerful tool is revolutionizing the way organizations manage and distribute approved artifacts such as apps, flows, and bots. We'll discuss how the catalog enables makers to access reusable components right when they need them, speeding up development cycles and enhancing productivity.   We'll cover key aspects of the catalog, including: How organizations can share and find artifacts that follow best practices and are organization-approved   The role of the Catalog Manager in administering catalogs, managing access and security, and approving catalog items   The benefits of using the catalog with Power Platform CLI, including crowd-sourcing templates and components, and ensuring access to the latest versions. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting with Power Platform, this episode will provide valuable insights into how the catalog feature can help you streamline your development process and improve collaboration within your organization.

Copilot can respond with some fantastic answers to your questions, but sometimes the hardest part is asking the right questions. Well, this is where Erik Olsson and Stuart Ridout, the creators of Prompt Buddy come in to help you (and the rest of the hosts, let's be honest) build the best prompts to get the most out of Copilot. Join us as Erik and Stuart give us the what, the why, and the how to Prompt Buddy!  Wanna give Prompt Buddy a shot, try it here: GitHub - stuartridout/promptbuddy: Prompt Buddy is a free Microsoft Teams Power App using Dataverse for Teams. It is a space where your team can share their favourite AI prompts and upvote prompts from others. It is preloaded with Copilot categories but others can be added. - https://github.com/stuartridout/promptbuddy

We often get asked how newly announced features are received in the real world. How are they being used, what are the improvements that are needed, and how much does John Landgrave love the work that marketing is doing for him and his peers? In this post-Build episode, Principal Technical Specialists John Landgrave and Chris Simmons join us to discuss how customers are approaching the newest feature announcements and what that means for governance and security! 

Still waiting on approval for something? Sounds like that process needs to be digitized. Check out this episode where Grant Archibald, Sr. Program Manager at Microsoft walks us through the business approval kit for Microsoft Power Platform. What it is, why you need it, and what it enables your organization to do once deployed. It must be a summer cookout, because we are doing some grilling on this episode!  Learn more about the business approval kit here: Setup of the business approvals kit - Power Automate | Microsoft Learn  https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-automate/guidance/business-approvals-templates/setup

Microsoft Copilot Studio provides so many amazing features to help bring generative AI into your applications. Sometimes it feels like we've only scratched the surface of what we can do, but Gwen Bego, GPM Power Automate/AI Builder at Microsoft, joins the podcast to talk to us about prompt plugins, adding knowledge to your copilots, and what that means for the future of applications! 

How can customers spark adoption and innovation in their organizations? Alan Chai joins the podcast to share his inspirational and insightful story of how he utilized Microsoft Power Platform to change his organization, innovate applications, deliver business outcomes quickly, and grow adoption. T

Automation is one of the core components of Microsoft Power Platform and as organizations move from automation to hyperautomation, what does that mean for end users, admins, and makers? We are extremely lucky to have Sangya Singh, VP of Power Platform Automations join the podcast to discuss all things automation, how Microsoft Power Platform and Microsoft Power Automate are enabling enterprises to think of new ways to implement automation, and how Microsoft Copilot is changing the way we work with automation.  We couldn't have asked for a better guest for our 50th episode!

Desktop flows are a major component of hyper automation and Microsoft Power Platform. Bill Ryan, Director of Business Programs at Microsoft, joins the show to talk about the role of Power Automate desktop flows (RPA), how Microsoft Copilot is used, and what organizations should think about when implementing Copilot in their desktop flows and how governance needs to be addressed.  

We LOVE listener requested topics, and this one is great! Juliet Helms, Senior Business Outcomes Specialist at Microsoft, joins the crew to talk about finding the return on investment of Microsoft Power Platform and how her team helps organizations realize value. Oh, and if you're wondering about the title, there is a fantastic story from Juliet on finding and measuring the value of Microsoft Copilot. 

With Build wrapping up, we were able to sync with Rahul Ranjit, Principal Program Manager at Microsoft, to chat about how a pro developer approaches low code development and what that means to their skillset and career progression. We cover how low code and pro code tooling work together and where does low code fit in enterprise solution development. 

Carsten and Daniel are back for part two of our Microsoft Copilot Studio and Azure AI Studio podcast episode. Learn how to navigate the decision tree of what copilot tool to use when building custom copilots, which will help you get greater ROI faster, and what teams are going to have to get involved when choosing the right tool!

Microsoft Copilot Studio and Azure AI Studio provide ways for developers to build custom copilots. But what tool should you use and when? Carsten and Daniel join the podcast to share their thoughts on how organizations should approach Copilot Studio and Azure AI Studio to build amazing custom copilot solutions! This episode is so great we had to break it into two parts!  The Power Platform Talks blog: Power Platform | UPD: Copilot Governance Power Platform | Copilot Studio, Azure AI Studio or Both? Microsoft Customer Stories: How early adopters are transforming their organizations with copilots  

Security is paramount to Microsoft. Mihaela Blendea, Principal Program Manager at Microsoft, joins the podcast to talk about security in Low Code. The difference between governance and security and what that means for large and small organizations. For more information on some of the 'projects' Mihaela discusses on the show check out the Secure and govern Copilot within enterprise-grade low code solutions breakout session hosted by Mihaela and Rahul Dey at Microsoft Build!  

In this week's episode, Eric Denton, Global Black Belt - Dynamics, and Tara Mason, Power Platform Specialist join the podcast to discuss how to find the value of Microsoft Power Platform. From understanding business readiness and how organizations can snap to patterns of value, to increase to how organizations solve the solution development problems that already exist, this episode is jammed packed with great advice and steps to take!

Dataverse is big, I mean really big. It is the foundational data layer in Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365. But what does this mean for Microsoft Copilot Studio, Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365, and how does AI Builder fit into this? James Oleinik, Partner PM Director for Microsoft Dataverse, joins the podcast to teach all of us about how Microsoft Dataverse and AI Builder are helping organizations bring AI-enabled modern enterprise solutions forward with first-party and third-party data from different systems of record. 

Yup, the title gives this one away. Mansi Malik, Senior Program Manager at Microsoft, comes on the podcast to teach Ken, Sean, and Wendy about the Known Issues feature for Power Platform admins. Learn more about how Microsoft communicates what issues are known with the platform and how they are working on a fix, estimated time to fix, and potential workarounds if needed. Check it out in the Known issues tab in the Power Platform admin center.