Microsoft Power Automate
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Microsoft Power Platform low-code iPaaS / RPA.
Definition
Cloud Flows: 1000+ connectors (Office 365, Dynamics, SharePoint, SAP, Salesforce, Oracle, Workday). Desktop Flows: RPA UI automation (ex-WinAutomation). Process Advisor: process mining. AI Builder: pre-built ML (form processing, sentiment analysis, OCR). Copilot Power Automate 2024: flow generation by natural prompt.
The platform also offers Business Process Flows.
Origin
Microsoft Flow launched in April 2016 and was renamed Power Automate in November 2019, at Microsoft Ignite. Microsoft announced the acquisition of Softomotive (Desktop Flows) in May 2020, then acquired the process-mining specialist Minit in 2022.
Usage
Bundled with Microsoft 365 E3/E5 licenses. Enterprise IT + business users strength. Competes with UiPath, Automation Anywhere (RPA), Zapier (low-code).