Power Automate (previously "Flow") is Microsoft’s no-code/low-code process automation tool. It allows you to automate routine tasks that involve interactions between multiple applications. Power Automate has "Connectors", or automation apps, for many of the applications you use every day, such as Gmail, Excel, Google Drive, Box, LinkedIn, and many more. Connectors can be combined together so that an action in one application automatically makes an update in another, even if the services are not from the same provider. For example, an email received in Gmail can result in an action being taken in Excel Online.
Benefits
Power Automate can be used to save time by automating routine tasks that have previously required human intervention. Approvals can be a part of the "flows", or routines, that are created so that a step will not commence without the approval of the appropriate person.
Technical Details
Cloud Flows (automations of major cloud services such as Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 applications) and desktop (local computer automations) are both available with Power Automate. Flows can be triggered automatically (e.g. when an email is received or an event is created), with the push of a button, or on a schedule. Many templates are available for common automation needs.
The standard version of Power Automate is available to the campus community at no charge. Power Automate Premium provides additional connections, such as ones that interact with common databases such as Microsoft SQL Server, and is available for purchase (approximately $60 per year). See the list of standard and premium connectors at us.flow.microsoft.com/en-us/connectors/.
Power Automate is a community supported service. Power Automate is sufficiently technically sophisticated that the UTech Service Desk and the service administrators are unable to be familiar enough with it to provide support. This type of service is best supported by the people who use it. As a result, technical inquiries or issues should be directed to the support communities identified under "Informational and Training Documents". A LinkedIn Learning training path is also provided to get new users started.
Customers
Case Western Reserve University Faculty and Staff
Get The Service
Contact the UTech Service Desk at (216) 368-HELP (4357) or help@case.edu to request access to Power Automate. Indicate if you need the Premium version and arrangement for purchase will be made.
Once granted, Power Automate is available at office.com by logging in with your university email address (ex abc123@case.edu) and passphrase.