Microsoft Power Platform 2024 Release Wave 2 Plan: A Comprehensive Guide

The Microsoft Power Platform rolls out two significant updates each year, in April and October, introducing a variety of new features and enhancements. The 2024 Release Wave 2 Plan is an important event, bringing a suite of new capabilities and improvements designed to enhance productivity and user experience. This blog provides a detailed overview of what to expect, including key dates, early access information, and essential resources to get started.

Key Dates for the 2024 Release Wave 2

Understanding the timeline for the 2024 Release Wave 2 is crucial for preparing and maximizing the benefits of the new features. Here are the key dates to mark on your calendar:

• July 15, 2024: Release plans available for review. Read more
• August 5, 2024: Early access period begins. Read more
• September 2024: General availability for the new release wave.

These dates signify when you can start exploring the new features and preparing for their full deployment.

Getting Started with the 2024 Release Wave 2

To make the most out of the new updates, it is essential to start engaging with the resources provided by Microsoft. Here’s how you can get started:

Watch the Latest Demos

Microsoft provides detailed demos for the key capabilities included in the release wave. These demos offer a practical view of how the new features can be utilized and integrated into your workflows. Watching these demos is a great way to familiarize yourself with the new functionalities early on. Watch the demos

Review Release Plans

The release plans provide an in-depth look at all the new features and enhancements, including expected release dates and detailed descriptions of each functionality. Reviewing these plans will help you identify which updates are most relevant to your needs and prepare for their implementation. Review the release plans

Opt-In for Early Access

Early access to the new features begins approximately two months before their general availability. This period allows you to test and validate the new functionalities in your environment, ensuring a smooth transition when the updates are fully deployed. Here are the early access specifics for 2024:

• Early Access: Begins on the second Monday of August (August 12, 2024).
• Sovereign Early Access: Also begins on the second Monday of August (August 12, 2024).

Opting in for early access can be crucial for staying ahead and ensuring that your team is well-prepared for the changes. Learn more about early access

General Availability Deployment Schedule

The general availability deployment of the release wave updates will be rolled out as part of the Dataverse weekly updates. The deployment schedule varies by region, with updates beginning as early as the Friday dark hours before the listed date. Here is the detailed deployment schedule for different regions:

• North America: Deployment begins on October 4, 2024.
• Europe: Deployment begins on October 11, 2024.
• Asia Pacific: Deployment begins on October 18, 2024.
• Japan: Deployment begins on October 25, 2024.
• Australia: Deployment begins on November 1, 2024

Knowing the deployment schedule for your region will help you plan and prepare for the updates accordingly.

Notable Features and Enhancements

While the full release plans provide exhaustive details on all new features, here are some of the most notable updates expected in the 2024 Release Wave 2:

Power BI

Power BI is no longer covered under the Power Platform release plan. It now falls under Microsoft Fabric and has its own separate release plan.

Power Apps

• New Power Platform Environment Settings App: This new app is designed to replace the legacy advanced settings pages of Dynamics 365, offering a modern and intuitive way to access and modify underlying environment settings.
• Improved Grid Functionality: Enhancements include grouping and aggregation capabilities, easy column reordering, and improved styling to highlight important fields, all directly from your record lists.
• Customizable Columns for Mobile Devices: Users can now select specific columns for offline use on mobile devices, improving data download speed and reducing mobile data consumption.

Power Automate

• AI Flows: A new method for creating flows where users simply provide a description of their desired outcome, and AI generates the action plan. Users can then review and adjust inputs and outputs before deployment.
• Create Cloud Flows from Excel: Ready-made Cloud Flow templates will be accessible from the Automate tab in Excel, allowing users to build automations without leaving the application.
• Extended Cloud Flow Runtime: The 30-day runtime limit for Cloud Flows can now be extended, making it easier to manage longer processes without breaking them into multiple elements.

Copilot Studio

• Suggested Prompts: Copilot makers can add suggested prompts to their extensions, enhancing the support provided by the copilot.
• Copilot Analytics: Makers can use analytics in Copilot Studio to monitor performance, view common user queries, gain insights into user satisfaction, and see how Microsoft moderates and blocks toxic queries.

AI Builder

• Improved Access Control: Admins will have enhanced control over who can access AI capabilities across their tenant via the Power Platform Admin Center.
• AI Builder in Developer Environments: Users can trial AI Builder capabilities in developer environments before committing to AI capacity, with 20,000 credits available monthly for use within these environments.

Microsoft Dataverse

• Power Platform Catalog Enhancements: Organizations can now publish and acquire more specific templates from the catalog, extending beyond Power Apps and Power Automate, with embedded experiences in Copilot Studio and Power Pages.
• Bypass Business Logic on Data Imports: New configuration options on API headers will allow organizations to import data in bulk without triggering plugins or workflows, simplifying the process.

Preparing for the Release

To ensure a smooth transition and maximize the benefits of the new features, follow these preparation steps:

Stay Informed

Regularly check the Microsoft documentation and release plan updates to stay informed about any changes or new information. Keeping up to date will ensure you have the latest details.

Test Early and Often

Take advantage of the early access period to test the new features in your environment. This will help you identify potential issues and understand the impact of the updates on your workflows. Early testing is crucial for a seamless transition.

Train Your Team

Provide your team with training sessions and resources to familiarize them with the new features and functionalities. Ensuring that your team is well-prepared will maximize the impact of the updates on your operations.

Plan for Deployment

Review the general availability deployment schedule and plan accordingly. Ensure that your IT infrastructure is ready for the updates and make any necessary adjustments in advance.

Conclusion

The Microsoft Power Platform 2024 Release Wave 2 brings significant enhancements and new capabilities designed to empower users and drive innovation. By staying informed, utilizing early access, and preparing adequately, you can ensure a smooth transition and fully leverage the benefits of the new features. Embrace the upcoming updates and harness the power of the Microsoft Power Platform to enhance productivity and efficiency in your organization.

For more details and to start exploring the new features, visit the Microsoft Power Platform Release Plan 2024 Wave 2 page.