A Solution is used to transfer canvas apps and components from one environment to another or to update existing canvas apps with their components such as flows, connectors, gateways, component libraries etc.
Solution Types
There are two types of solutions: Managed and Unmanaged
Let us see the differencies between those two types of solutions
Managed
Managed solutions cannot be exported and it doesn’t allow editing and development. Managed solutions are getting deployed into production environments.
Managed solutions cannot be converted from unmanaged solutions; they can be created by exporting an unmanaged solution and selecting the managed solution as the package type.
Unmanaged
Unmanaged solutions can be exported and permit editing and development of the solution contents (canvas apps, flows, connection references, model driven apps etc.). It is used for development environments.
Import/Export Solutions
It is important to make sure that a dataverse exists on the target environment before using solutions to store and transfer your apps/flows between environments.
Otherwise, you will receive a message like the image below depicts.
After creating a database you will be able to see the solution tasks buttons and some default solutions.
In fact, you can do the tasks below
- New solution : Create a new solution and add all the necessary components to be used in your project.
- Import solution : Imports a solution into an environment
- Open AppSource: At Microsoft AppSource, you can get solutions that have been developed from Microsoft or other organizations. You can also publish your solutions, but to do this there is a specific process to follow.
- Publish all customizations : Publish all the active customizations in your environment.
- See history : Details of the solution’s operations over time.
Solution Publisher
Each solution has a publisher. When you develop a solution you have to specify a Publisher that declares who developed the Apps/Flows that are included in the solution.
Create a new solution publisher
To create a new custom solution publisher, follow the steps below:
On the top-right menu, select Solution Settings
Select + New publisher
Type the required information, such as Display name, Name, Prefix, Choice value prefix and Save
After completing the above steps, you should be able to see a new publisher, the custom one you created.
