PowerApps Database Performance

[ILoveSP]

Hi,

I am planning to create an enterprise application I am expecting to have around 8k-15k worth of data inside it but I am not sure about performance though, does PowerApps would be enough for the job with CDS involved(Because I am planning to connect powerBI to it) vs Azure SQL/API. Initially my data was in SharePoint list but its becoming bigger and bigger so I decide to move it to sql instead. 

[Shanescows]

Hi @ILoveSP

I think the long story short is Yes, CDS would be the best performance you could get. SQL would be better than SharePoint but thing I have been cautioned on is that with Azure SQL it is real easy to run out of DTUs on the low-end databases based on how you design your data calls. So then you either have an app that doesn't work all of the time or you have to buy a database that costs $1,000s of dollars to get enough DTUs. 

Also, CDS should become the home of all of your apps as you move forward. So don't think of this investment in CDS as a one-time thing just for this App. It will become your default for all apps. Most exciting part will be getting away from all of the nuances of SharePoint lists as a data source. 🙂 

CDS is the future of the platform and I think now would be a great time for you to take that plunge. 

[ILoveSP]

Hi @Shanescows,

Thanks for responding I still can't find out what are the limitation of this database from CDS. I wanted to make sure that CDs is the right database for me. And can you access CDS data using javascript?

[ILoveSP]

And one more thing, can you create a cds database outside PowerApps? What if the client doesnt have powerapps yet but have powerBI can you create a database without powerapps?

[ILoveSP]

Sorry for being too cautious. Microsoft products always got me at the back. They will give you the feature but once your into it, the limitation will run you over

[Shanescows]

Let me see if I can get a smarter person to answer your questions. 🙂 

[ILoveSP]

😞 nobody answering my other questions

[timl]

Hi @ILoveSP

In order to create CDS databases, I think it's necessary to have access to PowerApps because as far I know, the only way to manage databases is through the data section of the PowerApps web portal.  @CWesener would be a good person to confirm whether I'm correct.

It's not possible to access the CDS database via JavaScript. The programmatic way to access the CDS is through a .NET API. I suppose it's possible for you to build your own web service endpoint ontop of this API if you want to access the CDS through JavaScript.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/developer/common-data-service/overview

[CWesener]

Hi @ILoveSP - thanks for posting! I'll try and answer your questions - let me know if I've missed anything.

Common Data Service for Apps is the same platform that Dynamics 365 for Sales is run on, so there is no concern with the data volumes you're mentioning.

For metadata changes there is a portal as Tim mentions, through web.powerapps.com, but you can also use the SDK and the OData endpoint to interact with the service.

Let me know if you have a specific question regarding the endpoint, and I can pull in our developer experience team.

Thanks,

Clay.