Build a simple but powerful App (without being a developer!)

We’re living in a time where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing everything around us. There’s a lot of buzz about AI, but not enough real talk about how to actually use it to make our daily work easier.

In this blog, I want to share a simple idea I turned into a helpful app—without writing code or hiring developers. This app not only saved me time and money but also showed me how powerful tools like Microsoft’s Power Platform can be when used creatively.

The Problem: A Simple App That Felt Too Small (and Too Expensive)

As a Dynamics 365 Business Central user, I needed a small app for employee onboarding. The goal was simple: give new employees easy access to training videos so they can quickly learn how to use Business Central.

It seemed like a small need, but I didn’t want to spend weeks waiting for a developer—or spend thousands of dollars on a custom app. It just didn’t seem worth it.

The Discovery: Microsoft Power Platform + CoPilot

While researching, I discovered that Microsoft offers a solution called the Power Platform, which includes Power Apps—a tool that lets anyone build apps using a low-code/no-code approach. Even better, with Microsoft CoPilot, you can describe in plain English what you want the app to do, and it helps you build it!

No need to be a developer. You just explain your logic and ideas, and CoPilot does the heavy lifting.

The Result: An App Built in 10 Minutes!

I gave it a try. I opened Power Apps, used Microsoft CoPilot, and described the app I wanted:
“I want to build an employee onboarding app that shows Business Central training videos and tracks what videos employees have watched.”

Within 10 minutes, I had a working proof of concept—and it blew my mind. I didn’t need to wait, and I didn’t need help from a partner or developer.

Microsoft PowerApps canvas   Microsoft PowerApps Demo Employee onboarding app

Why This Matters

This experience changed the way I look at technology. With tools like Power Apps and CoPilot, you can solve real business problems fast. It’s perfect for:

  • Small but important tasks

  • Saving time and money

  • Testing ideas quickly without big investments

Need Help?

If you’re curious about building your own apps—or stuck trying to figure something out—we’d be happy to help. You don’t need to be a developer to get started. Sometimes, all it takes is a little imagination.