Power Apps: Build Long-Lived Canvas Apps

Key insights

• Savio Fernandes moved from a business role to a Power Platform advocate by following curiosity and solving real problems.
  He emphasizes learning by doing and building tools that teams will actually use.
• Power Apps, Excel, and SharePoint formed the core toolkit he used to streamline processes.
  These tools reduced friction, automated routine tasks, and empowered front-line teams.
• He focuses on building a long-lasting Canvas app with a mobile-first and user-driven design.
  That approach keeps the app simple, accessible on iPad and phones, and aligned with real business workflows.
• The show highlights low-code + pro-code collaboration to scale apps like the career processing application.
  Citizen developers handle faster changes while pro developers tackle complex integrations.
• Savio measures business impact with practical apps such as project and quotation systems and a value add record app.
  He recommends focusing on solutions that save time and improve records or decisions.
• Key advice centers on the right mindset: start small, iterate with users, and tap the wider community to learn fast.
  Involve users early, track outcomes, and free pro developers for high-value work.

Video overview

The Microsoft YouTube episode titled "Building a long-lasting Canvas app with Savio Fernandes | EP06 | Keeping It Real" features host Leon Welicki and guest Savio Fernandes. In this conversation, Savio describes how he moved from business roles into a Power Platform advocate, sharing practical steps and lessons learned along the way. The video highlights real-world use of Power Apps, Excel, and SharePoint to reduce friction and streamline processes across teams. Consequently, viewers get a grounded look at how low-code tools solve everyday operational problems.

Journey from business user to app builder

Savio’s story begins with curiosity and frequent problem-solving in his day-to-day work, which gradually led him to build solutions rather than just request them. As he explains, early wins with simple automations encouraged him to explore more capable tools, and he eventually embraced the Power Platform to scale those wins. Moreover, he emphasizes mindset shifts: moving from asking “who can build this for me?” to “how can I prototype and involve users?” This transition influenced how his team collaborated and how they prioritized user feedback.

Design focus and user-driven approach

The episode stresses a user-first design, particularly by adopting a mobile  and iPad-first approach for many business scenarios. Savio shows that designing for the device users actually carry reduces friction and increases adoption, and therefore survey results and usage metrics improved after such changes. Additionally, he outlines practical UI choices in Canvas app design that favor clarity over complexity, which helps citizen developers maintain and iterate the app. Consequently, the app remains relevant as business needs change.

Low-code and pro-code collaboration

Another important theme is collaboration between citizen developers and professional developers. Savio explains that low-code empowers non-developers to solve many problems quickly, yet some scenarios still require pro-code support for integration, security, or performance. Thus, he advocates a partnership model where citizen teams build and iterate while pro developers provide scaffolding, governance, and advanced components. This balance speeds delivery while preserving long-term maintainability.

Real-world applications and scalability

The episode showcases two main apps: a Career Processing App and a Projects & Quotations application, each chosen for different business needs. These examples demonstrate how Power Apps can handle both simple record management and more complex processes that integrate with other systems. Furthermore, Savio explains how design decisions—like choosing data sources and dividing app responsibilities—affect scalability and performance. As a result, viewers gain practical guidance for growing a prototype into a reliable business application.

Tradeoffs when choosing tools

Choosing between rapid low-code solutions and traditional development carries tradeoffs in speed, control, and long-term support. On one hand, low-code reduces time-to-value and lets teams iterate with real users; on the other hand, it may introduce limits around customization, complex integrations, and enterprise-level performance. Therefore, Savio recommends evaluating requirements early and planning where pro-code investment will avoid future rework. In short, the right mix depends on expected scale, security needs, and the team’s skill sets.

Governance and maintainability

The video also deals with governance: establishing standards, naming conventions, and version control helps maintain long-lasting apps. Savio points out that without lightweight governance, many citizen-created apps become brittle as teams change and feature sets expand. Additionally, implementing testing practices and documentation reduces risk and makes handoffs smoother when pro developers step in. Thus, a modest investment in governance pays off by extending an app’s useful life.

Challenges and organizational change

Despite clear benefits, the adoption of low-code platforms faces cultural and practical challenges. Training, change management, and aligning stakeholders often take more time than the technical build itself, and resistance can slow rollout. Moreover, integration complexity and data governance requirements demand coordination with IT teams, which sometimes conflicts with rapid delivery expectations. Therefore, successful projects attend equally to people, processes, and technology.

Practical recommendations

Savio offers advice for teams starting their own Power Platform journeys: begin with high-impact problems, prototype quickly, involve real users, and plan for scale. He also suggests partnering with experienced developers for complex integrations and establishing simple governance early. By iterating in small cycles and gathering user feedback, teams can reduce rework and improve adoption. Consequently, organizations maximize value while keeping technical debt manageable.

Final thoughts and takeaway

Overall, the Microsoft episode provides a pragmatic view of building durable Canvas apps by combining user-driven design, thoughtful governance, and a balanced mix of low-code and pro-code. Savio’s experience underscores that technology alone does not guarantee success; instead, sustained value comes from engaging users, planning for scale, and managing tradeoffs deliberately. For readers and practitioners, the key lesson is to prioritize practical outcomes while preparing for the challenges of growth and governance.

Keywords

Power Apps Canvas app, Canvas app best practices, long-lasting app design, maintainable Power Apps, Savio Fernandes Power Apps, Power Platform development, low-code app architecture, Canvas app performance optimization