Power Platform Default Environment: 5 Key Insights you must know

In this “Power Platform Default Environment” article, we will learn what the default environment is, what is the usage of the default environment, what we shouldn’t do in the default environment, etc. Many Power Automate and Power Apps developers initially struggle to understand the usage of the default environment in Power Platform. Why has Microsoft provided the environment in the tenant by default?

What is the default environment?

One kind of production environment is the default environment. Every tenant has an automatically generated default environment. Power Apps automatically creates a shared default environment for each tenant that is accessible to all users. A new user is immediately added to the Maker role in the default environment when signing up for Power Apps. Thus, it is regarded as your tenant’s public space.

Read Also: You may also read the following articles for a better understanding of power platform environments.

• Security Roles and Groups in Power Platform Environment
• Power Platform Environment Limitations: What You Need to Know
• Quickly create Power Platform Development Environment: Overview view of PowerApps development environment in Power Platform
• Sandbox vs Production Environment in Power Platform: Unleashing the Power of Choice

Power Platform Default Environment: Key Insights you must know

Following are a few key points about the default environment in Power Platform that we must know:

The Hub of Innovation

The Default Environment in Power Platform serves as the hub of innovation, offering a centralized space for users to create, customize, and deploy applications. It provides a canvas for Power Apps, Power Automate flows, and more, making it the nucleus of your digital transformation endeavors.

Out-of-the-Box Functionality

Upon entering the Power Platform arena, users are greeted by the “Default Environment,” pre-configured and ready for action. It comes equipped with essential connectors, services, and resources, allowing users to dive into app creation and automation without the need for extensive setup.

Security and Access Control

Security is paramount, and the Default Environment comes fortified with robust access controls. Administrators can manage permissions, define roles, and tailor security settings to ensure that sensitive information is safeguarded. Understanding these security features is pivotal for maintaining data integrity and compliance.

Common Data Service (CDS)

The Power Platform Default Environment seamlessly integrates with the Common Data Service, offering a unified and standardized data storage solution. This enables users to create data models, define relationships, and build scalable applications with ease. A grasp of CDS functionality enhances your ability to create robust, interconnected solutions.

Best Practices for Customization

As users embark on customizing their default environment, it’s imperative to adhere to best practices. From naming conventions to version control, understanding how to customize the environment effectively ensures a smooth and efficient development process. Leverage features like solutions to package and deploy your customizations seamlessly.

Integration with Other Environments

While the Default Environment is a powerful starting point, organizations often require multiple environments to cater to diverse needs. Understanding how to integrate the default environment with others in a coherent and synchronized manner is vital for managing the entire lifecycle of your applications.

Lifecycle Management

The Power Platform Default Environment is not static; it evolves with your organization’s needs. Familiarize yourself with lifecycle management practices, including development, testing, staging, and production phases. This knowledge ensures a systematic approach to deploying applications without disrupting critical processes.

Why should we not use the default environment for production?

Using the default environment for production in the Power Platform may not be the best practice due to various reasons. Here are some key bullet points explaining why it’s advisable to avoid using the default environment for production:

Limited Customization Control

• The default environment is often the initial workspace for experimentation and development.
• Using it for production limits the level of customization control, making it challenging to manage and maintain a stable and tailored production environment.

Risk of Unintended Changes

• The default environment is shared across users and developers, increasing the risk of unintended changes or disruptions.
• Production environments demand a higher level of stability and control to avoid any unforeseen issues that might arise from concurrent development activities.

Security Concerns

• Production data often contains sensitive information, and using the default environment can pose security risks as it may lack the necessary isolation required for production-grade security.
• Security configurations in the default environment may not be optimized for the stringent requirements of a production environment.

Scalability and Performance

• Production environments typically experience higher volumes of data and transactions.
• The default environment may not be optimized for scalability and performance, potentially leading to bottlenecks and degraded performance in a production setting.

Versioning and Release Management

• Managing versioning and release processes is critical in a production environment.
• The default environment may lack the necessary version control and release management features required for a systematic deployment of updates and changes.

Governance Challenges

• Production environments often require strict governance policies to ensure compliance with organizational standards and regulations.
• The default environment may lack the governance controls necessary for adhering to these policies in a production scenario.

Collaboration Constraints

• The default environment is designed for collaborative development and testing rather than for the continuous and collaborative efforts that a production environment demands.
• Using the default environment for production may lead to collaboration constraints and hinder the scalability of your application.

Resource Contention

• As the default environment is shared, resource contention may occur when multiple users or applications are concurrently accessing or modifying data.
• Production environments necessitate dedicated resources to ensure consistent performance and responsiveness.

5 Key Points to remember

1. It is not possible to backup and restore the default setting.
2. There is a 32 GB storage limit on the basic setup. You can set up a production environment if you need to store additional data.
3. Helps in data and app segregation so they are not accessible from other settings.
4. By default, all tenants have the ability to develop apps and flows. As of right now, the Environment Maker role assignment in the Default environment cannot be prevented.
5. Environments that are not default provide greater control over permissions.

So what is the use of the default environment, then?

Despite the above disadvantages of default environments, the following are the usages or benefits of default environments:

• Not mission-critical or business-important programmes, but rather a user and team productivity environment for business organisations is how it is employed. Therefore, renaming the environment through the admin centre is advised in order to make its purpose obvious.
• First-party integrations, such as building an app from a SharePoint list, take place in this environment. Find out more: the environment by default. Thus, This environment can’t be disabled or deleted because it hosts integration with products like SharePoint and Project.

Summary:  Power Platform Default Environment

Thus, in this article, we have learned what the default environment is in Power Platform and what the advantages and disadvantages of the default environment are.

While the default environment serves as an excellent starting point for development and testing, its shared nature and limited customization options make it less suitable for the demands of a production environment. Establishing dedicated production environments allows for better control, security, and scalability, ensuring a more reliable and efficient operation of your Power Platform applications.

See Also: Power Platform Articles

If you found this article helpful and enjoyed it, please consider sharing it with your friends and colleagues. Please don’t forget to subscribe to our site to receive our latest articles directly in your inbox. 🙂

If you’ve found value in my articles and want to support the growth of this tech knowledge hub, consider buying me a virtual coffee. Every coffee you buy is a vote for the continuation of quality tech content. Your contribution goes a long way in covering hosting fees, acquiring new tools, and maintaining the site for everyone’s benefit.

About Post Author

SP Doctor

I am your SharePoint and Power Platform doctor and guide. Sharing knowledge with my fellow colleagues, friends, and the tech community makes me utmost happy in my job.

See author's posts