The deployment process can be handled either manually or through automation. Automation is highly recommended for all customer projects, typically using CI/CD pipelines. Traditionally, Azure DevOps has been the go-to tool for deployment automation, but it can be cumbersome and resource-intensive for Power Platform-based projects. A more streamlined alternative is the new Power Platform pipelines, which offer a more user-friendly experience.

When Power Platform pipelines does not do the trick what is needed, I always suggest using Azure DevOps pipelines.

Advantages and Disadvantages

AdvantagesDisadvantages
Azure DevOps Pipelines– Suitable for complex projects with many developers.
– Extensive integration options.
– Complex setup and maintenance.
– Requires technical expertise for configuration and updates.
Power Platform Pipelines– Easy to set up and maintain.
– User-friendly interface for installation and configuration.
– Limited capabilities for complex workflows and large organizations.

Number of development environments is key factor

The main point is the number of development environments. If there are multiple development environments, the only tool for creating proper CI/CD pipelines is Azure DevOps. Below picture demonstrates when multiple development environments deploy to shared dev or staging, there is no problem of unfinished resources ending up in the next environment.

Multiple development environments in Power Platform or Dynamics 365 project
Multiple development environments in Power Platform or Dynamics 365 project

Communication is the cornerstone of teamwork.

When there is only one development environment, Azure DevOps pipelines does not give anything more. Then it does the same as Power Platform pipelines – moving solution package from environment to another. This needs communication between developers or consultants before installing solution package to next environment. This kind of communication is always very welcome no matter pipeline tool, since communication is the cornerstone of teamwork.

One development environment in Power Platform or Dynamics 365 project
One development environment in Power Platform or Dynamics 365 project

Feature comparison

I end up comparing different features and discussing this topic internally in my organization and also publicly in LinkedIn. Main opinions / facts were, that how could Power Platform pipelines save the source code. New integration feature gives the up-to-date source codes all the time or there could be extension for unzipping the sources to repository ( Azure DevOps | GitHub ). Another thing was the expenses since Power Platform pipelines requires target environments to be managed environments meaning that users needs to have Dynamics 365 or other Premium licenses in environments where these packages are installed.

FeaturePower PlatformAzure DevOps
Multiple developersOne package at timeMultiple possibility
IntegrationLimited possibilitiesAll possible
Automated testingNot Integrated to PP PipelinesPossibility integrate other projects
Version controlDataverse source code integration feature (preview)OOB version control in DevOps repos
Solution Version number incrementAutomatedManual or automated
ManpowerEasy to setup and maintainNeeds technical persons and tenant admin support
Expertise levelConsultantDeveloper
ScalabilityLimitedYes
PriceManaged environmentsIncluded in MSDN 6$ user / month
(5 stake holders free)
Multiple package installationOnly one a time per clickCombine and configure

Choosing between Power Platform pipelines and Azure DevOps pipelines depends on the project’s complexity and the team’s needs. For simpler projects with managed environments, Power Platform pipelines offer a more efficient and user-friendly solution. For larger, more complex projects requiring extensive integration and scalability, Azure DevOps pipelines are the better choice.

Time savings

In a consultant-led project I made comparison about time savings. Based on a project where there is three consultants and one architect the time saving could be 30 workdays in a year when using Power Platform pipelines instead of Azure DevOps.

Save 10 work days a year per consultant

Main points were that consultants are not technical persons and they need to wait to get installation errors with Azure DevOps. There would be always need for architect work when new connection reference or environment variable is added to solution with Azure DevOps. Power Platfrom pipelines offers UI where to create those clicking a button in user interface.

Consultants installs solution package from dev to test 3-4 times a week, so the time saving for the reference project could be 4-5 hours a week. If you calculate the average time saving year level, it would be around 10 work days. This calculation was for people who blindly states that Azure DevOps is the only CI/CD pipelines tool because it is “more professional”.

Easy is not unprofessional :=)