AJ Zafar
Power Platform Solution Architect
Birmingham, United Kingdom
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I am a total Geek for Technology, especially for Microsoft Technologies 🤖!
I love to share my knowledge, zest and passion for Microsoft Technologies with the wider community 🤝. I utilize Power Platform on a daily basis to develop solutions for organizations and support them by providing training and establishing Citizen Developer Frameworks.
I am passionate about Fusion Teams and love to combine Low-Code Solutions with some Pro-Code enhancements and customizations. The synergy of both allows for incredibly powerful and fit-for-purpose solutions.
When I am not designing and developing solutions 💻 you will find me at conferences and user groups as I love to meet up in person with other community members and build connections 🔗.
Let's connect on LinkedIn and If you have any Power Apps questions feel free tag me @AJ_Z (in the Community Forums: https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/303195)
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Area of Expertise
Topics
Vibe Coding in Action: Your Peer‑Powered Build Experience
In this relaxed interactive 'mentoring ring' session, you’ll step into a collaborative, peer‑to‑peer learning space where you can design and build your own Code App or Vibe‑coded solution with the support of a recognised expert.
You’ll work alongside other attendees, sharing ideas, solving problems together, and exploring the development patterns that bring engineering discipline, rapid delivery, and AI‑assisted build techniques to life.
You’ll experiment, iterate, and test your thinking in real time, gaining practical confidence as you apply Code Apps concepts to your own scenario. You’ll see how others approach similar challenges, pick up new techniques, and leave with clearer patterns, stronger skills, and a noticeable acceleration in your learning journey.
Whether you arrive with a rough idea or a half‑formed app, you’ll walk away with meaningful progress and a deeper understanding of how to bring Code Apps and Vibe Coding into your everyday practice.
Letting the Chaos Cook: Tales of the Spicy Brain Tech Renaissance
What happens when neurodivergent minds meet agentic AI, automation, and a refusal to suffer through soul-crushing admin? You get Copilots born from vibes, bots that battle executive dysfunction, and automations strung together with hyperfocus and hope.
This panel brings together neurodivergent creators, thinkers, and technologists in the midst of a spicy brain tech renaissance—where automation isn’t just about productivity, but survival, accessibility, and joy. Through candid storytelling and lived experience, panelists will share how they’ve harnessed AI, Copilots, custom agents, and automations to offload boring stuff, reduce cognitive friction, and finally do the things that light their brains up.
Whether you’re ADHD, autistic, AuDHD, chronically overwhelmed, or know someone that is, this session invites you to embrace chaos as the feature it is—not a bug—and walk away with ideas (and maybe a bot or two) that could change the way you approach the mundane.
First‑Party vs. Code‑First: The Great Microsoft App Debate
In a fast‑paced Harvard Business School–style debate, two expert teams go head‑to‑head to determine the future of Microsoft business applications. One side defends the strength and strategic importance of Microsoft’s First‑Party Apps—Dynamics 365 and the Model‑Driven foundations that underpin them. The other champions the rise of Microsoft Code Apps and Vibe Coding, unlocking delivery speed not seen before through engineering discipline and AI‑assisted development.
With the community questioning whether Canvas Apps are “dead,” this debate asks the bigger question: does the same threat apply to Dynamics 365, or does Microsoft’s own reliance on its First‑Party suite make it uniquely resilient?
Through structured arguments and sharp rebuttals, the teams will explore whether enterprises should double down on Dynamics 365 or prepare for a code‑driven future—and what this shift means for architects, developers, and digital leaders navigating the next wave of Microsoft innovation.
Copilot Studio - Chrono Hackathon
This isn’t your ordinary hackathon. Yes, you’ll build epic Copilot Studio solutions. Yes, you’ll join an awesome team. And yes, there will be prizes.
But here, time itself is your most valuable currency.
Each team begins with the same time budget; yet, through clever strategy, collaboration, and a bit of chaos, you can borrow, steal, or gift minutes to other teams. How you manage time will be just as important as how you build your solution.
This event is open to all skill levels and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to Copilot Studio or already an experienced builder, you’ll gain hands-on experience across:
• Agentic AI fundamentals
• Advanced design principles
• Testing, validation, and red teaming techniques
So, come not just to hack, but to learn, collaborate, and outsmart the clock.
Trade wisely. Build boldly. Win brilliantly.
Click Less, Do More: Unlocking Robotic Process Automation (RPA) in Power Automate
Tired of repetitive, manual tasks eating up your time? Discover how Robotic Process Automation (RPA) with Power Automate can help you streamline processes, eliminate errors, and free up valuable hours!
In this 60-minute introductory session, you’ll learn how to use Power Automate Desktop (PAD) to automate repetitive workflows across web and desktop applications. We’ll cover what RPA is, when to use it, and how to create your first automation, including capturing user actions, automating data entry, and triggering flows.
Key Takeaways:
• Understand RPA Basics – Learn what RPA is and how it differs from other automation methods.
• Power Automate Desktop Overview – Get familiar with the tool, interface, and key actions.
• Building Your First RPA Flow – Hands-on demonstration of automating a simple manual process.
• Best Practices & Use Cases – Explore real-world examples of RPA improving efficiency.
This session is perfect for business users, IT professionals, and Power Platform newcomers looking to boost productivity with automation. Walk away with a clear understanding of RPA, when to use it and the confidence to start automating your own tasks!
Building Your First Proper Power Platform Solution
Most “first” Power Platform solutions work brilliantly right up until the moment someone else has to maintain them. Then the cracks appear: messy data, duplicate logic, unpredictable security, and changes that feel risky.
In this session we’ll build a small but properly structured solution from scratch. You’ll see how to design a clean Dataverse model, create a canvas app that is simple to extend, add automation with Power Automate, dive into security practices and package everything using solutions so it is ready for real users. This is not enterprise theatre. It is the practical minimum that makes your work easier to support, safer to change, and far more professional.
What you’ll learn:
- How to structure a solution using environments, solutions, and components
- A simple Dataverse data model that stays clean as requirements grow
- Where logic should live, and when to use the app vs Power Automate
- How to implement security best practices in Dataverse?
- A lightweight ALM approach you can actually stick to
What we’ll do in the session:
- Define what “proper” means in Power Platform and why it matters
- Build a minimum viable Dataverse model with the right relationships
- Create a Power App with forms, validation, and sensible UX patterns
- Add an approval or notification flow that updates Dataverse correctly
- Package the work into a solution and walk through deployment basics
Demo concept:
A “Requests” solution with Requests, Comments, and Approvals, including a flow that handles approvals and updates status back in Dataverse.
"Where’s Me Rum?!" – Building Agentic Bots That Know the Ropes
Ever wondered if a chatbot could run a bar? In this lively session, we take a pirate-themed tavern and turn it into a testbed for serious AI. Using Microsoft Copilot Studio, we’ll build an agentic chatbot that helps our fictional bar crew restock rum, track gold (ahem, revenue), and keep customers happy – all while showcasing real-world business value.
We’ll walk through designing actions, injecting knowledge, and demonstrating reasoning across tasks – proving that Copilot Studio can handle more than just office work. Whether you’re in retail, hospitality, or logistics, you’ll leave with ideas on how to bring intelligent, responsive AI into your workflows with swagger and smarts.
Colour the Future: Agents Assemble!
Got 20 minutes? We’ll show you how to bring the future to life with Microsoft's shiny new upgrades to Agents and Copilot. Expect a live build of an AI agent that solves a real-world problem (trust us, it’s a fun one—but no spoilers yet).
This isn’t just tech for the sake of it—we’re all about making life simpler, smarter, and way cooler. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just curious about what Copilot can actually do, you’ll leave with a bunch of ideas and a few new tricks up your sleeve.
It’s fast, it’s fun, and it’s definitely not PowerPoint heavy. Come along for the Agent Adventure—you won’t regret it!
From Standard to Standout: Supercharge Your Model-Driven Apps with Custom Pages & YAML Magic ✨️
Join this session for some custom page and MDA fun! We'll dive into the power of custom pages in model-driven apps (MDA). Discover how to build and style user interfaces that seamlessly align with Microsoft's Fluent UI, enhancing the overall aesthetics and functionality of your apps. 🎨
We'll explore the magic of YAML for rapid configuration of page templates, making your development process quicker and more efficient. 🚀 I am personally loving theis epic update from our Microsoft friends.
Plus, we'll showcase a few cool examples to illustrate the value of custom pages. Whether you're looking to refine user experience or boost your app’s capabilities, this session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to elevate your model-driven applications to new heights! 🌈🔝
Looking forward to seeing you all!
AI Integration Playbook: Adopt, Extend, and Build to Drive Organisational Value
Unlock the transformative potential of AI within your organisation through three strategic approaches: Adopt, Extend, and Build Your Own. This session will guide executives on how to seamlessly integrate AI technologies to enhance operational efficiency, drive insightful analytics, and free up valuable time for strategic thinking.
Learn how each approach can be tailored to fit your organisational needs and propel your business forward, ensuring you not only keep pace with technological advances but also harness them to create measurable value.
Embrace the future of tech intensity with AI at the forefront of your business strategy.
AI in Action: Practical Approaches to Adopt, Extend, and Innovate in Your Projects
Step into the world of AI with a hands-on guide to implementing artificial intelligence in your projects. Whether you're looking to adopt existing AI tools, extend their capabilities, or build custom solutions from scratch, this session offers practical insights and actionable steps for each approach. Discover how AI can streamline your processes, enhance efficiency, and provide deep insights that drive decision-making. We'll cover real-world examples, toolkits for makers, and strategies to ensure your AI implementations deliver tangible benefits. Equip yourself with the knowledge to turn AI concepts into valuable assets for your projects.
Harnessing Tech Intensity: A Leadership Guide to Organisational Agility.
Discover the strategic dimensions of Organisational Enablement through our exploration of four critical tiers of tech intensity that can solidify your business foundations to take on the ever increasing tech waves. This session is tailored for executives and leaders eager to harness rapid technological advancements, including emerging trends like GenAI. Gain essential insights and practical strategies to not merely adapt, but to lead and excel in the evolving technological landscape.
Join us to move beyond conventional enablement discussions towards genuine, impactful organisational empowerment, positioning your business for resilience and innovative growth.
We will show you a framework of adoption to enable exactly this.
AI Unboxed: Everything You Wanted to Know
Step into the world of artificial intelligence like never before with "AI Unboxed: Everything You Wanted to Know" at ColorCloud. Hosted by AJ Zafar, this session features a dynamic panel of AI Wizards, including Andrew Welch, Ana Inés Urrutia de Souza, Ana Welch, Chris Huntingford, Nick Doelman, and Will Dorrington.
Designed for audience interaction, this panel invites you to submit your most curious, challenging, or fun questions about AI or ask them live.
Whether you’re interested in the technical depths, ethical implications, or future trends of AI, our experts are ready to dive into a dialogue driven by your inquiries. This engaging session promises to demystify AI, providing clear insights and shedding light on the most intricate aspects of the technology.
Join us for a lively discussion that unpacks the big questions about AI, guided by the best in the field. Bring your questions, and prepare to be enlightened!
If you want to submit some questions, Please use this link:
https://forms.office.com/e/vPvGCnJ0C5
Tiny Controllers, Vast Opportunities: Blending Microcontrollers with Power Platform
Welcome to a journey where size doesn't limit potential, and the cloud isn't just in the sky! In our session, we'll embark on an exciting exploration of how tiny microcontrollers are opening up vast new realms of possibilities, especially when enhanced by the versatility of Microsoft's Power Platform.
Dive into the world of IoT where we demonstrate the might of microcontrollers, not just in their size but in their capacity to integrate seamlessly with the Microsoft Tech Stack. Discover how these tiny but powerful devices can communicate effectively with Microsoft’s Power Platform, transforming how we interact with everything from personal gadgets to complex systems.
We’ll guide you through practical examples, showcasing real-world applications where microcontrollers, combined with the robust capabilities of Power Platform, lead to innovative solutions. Experience the ease of customizing IoT solutions using Power Platform, transforming complex tasks into approachable and enjoyable experiences.
Join us for an electrifying session where learning is infused with excitement. Together, we’ll explore how the combination of microcontrollers with the Power Platform opens not just vast, but infinite possibilities. Let's redefine what's possible in the IoT world together – where small controllers meet powerful platforms!
So You Think You Can Take on Copilot Mwhahahaha: Unleashing AI's Power in the Power Platform
Session Overview:
Are you ready to embark on an electrifying journey through the world of AI and Microsoft Power Platform? Buckle up for "So You Think You Can Take on Copilot Mwhahahaha," a session where the AI excitement meets education, and innovation collides with imagination!
👨💻 Why You Can't Miss This:
🪄 - Witness AI Magic in Action:
Dive into live demos showcasing Copilot battling it out with real-world challenges Spoiler: Expect some magical moments!
💪 - Uncover the Superpowers of AI:
From crafting smarter apps to automating the mundane, discover how AI is revolutionizing the Power Platform/Dynamics experience.
🚀 - Beyond the Buzzwords - Understanding AI:
Dive deep into the world of Generative AI and Large Language Models. We'll demystify these technologies, going beyond the buzzwords to truly understand their mechanics and capabilities.
📊 - It's All About That Data:
Discover the pivotal role of data in powering AI. We'll unravel how quality data is the backbone of AI accuracy and effectiveness, especially in context to Power Platform.
🔮 - Future Gazing:
Get a sneak peek into the crystal ball of AI and Power Platform. What wonders (or blunders) await us in this techy-tale?
❓ - Interactive Extravaganza:
Engage in a lively Q&A session, share your experiences, and connect with fellow tech adventurers.
🌟 Who Should Attend:
- Code Wizards and New Adventurers: Whether you’re a seasoned developer or a curious newbie, this session is for everyone.
- Power Platform/Dynamics Enthusiasts
- AI Skeptics and Fans: Believe in AI or not, let’s discuss and demystify.
- Anyone Who Loves a Good Tech Tale: Stories, laughs, and learnings guaranteed!
🥇 What You’ll Leave With:
- A brain buzzing with new ideas and insights into AI, Power Platform and Dynamics.
- A toolkit of tips and tricks to harness the power of AI in your projects.
- A network of fellow tech enthusiasts and potential collaborators.
- And, of course, a smile from an engaging and fun session!
🎉 Join Us:
Mark your calendars, set reminders, and tell your friends. "So You Think You Can Take on Copilot Mwhahahaha" is not just a session; it’s a tech celebration! Be there or be square!
How to Supercharge your Browser with Power Platform Extensions!
Are you tired of flicking between tabs to access the Power of Power Apps 🥱? Perhaps you want to connect and pass values from the webpage you are on into a Power App 🖇️?
If that's the case, it is time to consider Supercharging 🦸♂️ your browser with extensions powered by Power Platform 💪.
In this session, I will be demonstrating how you can embed power apps into chrome extensions and pass parameters to them. I will be showing off three use cases for this.
This will be a demo-focused session and we will be using:
- Power Platform (focusing on Power Apps)
- A little bit of HTML
- A touch of JavaScript
- Google Chrome/Microsoft Edge
Unleashing Innovation: Dive into the Latest Power Platform Marvels!
🔥 Are you ready to ignite your creativity and supercharge your workflow? Join us for an electrifying session at the Microsoft Power Platform Conference, where we'll explore the platform's newest and most exciting features!
Examples of just some of what's in store:
- Low Code Dataverse Plugins: Unleash the power of low-code plugins and infuse your solutions with the server side logic.
- Named Formulas Magic: Discover the art of creating, reusable formulas that make your apps smarter and your life easier!
AI-Powered CoPilot: Step into the future with AI integration that's changing the game.
Offline First Apps: Learn to build resilient apps that keep the business engine running, no matter where you are!
But wait, there's more! We've got live demos, real-world examples, and interactive discussions that will not only inspire but also empower you to harness these cutting-edge tools.
Why Attend?
🧠 Gain valuable insights from real-world applications and success stories.
🎨 See these features in action through engaging live demonstrations.
🤝 Connect with fellow enthusiasts and experts in an interactive setting.
💡 Spark ideas for leveraging these features in your own projects.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, this session is your ticket to becoming a Power Platform wizard! 🧙♂️✨
🌈 Join us and transform the way you think about innovation in the digital workspace. Let's shape the future, one amazing feature at a time! 🌈
3 Key Takeaways:
🧠 Gain valuable insights from real-world applications and success stories.
🎨 See new features in action through engaging live demonstrations.
💡 Spark ideas for leveraging these features in your own projects.
Level:
Level 200 Intermediate
Type:
Session
Topic:
Power Platform
Audience:
IT Professional
ColorCloud Hamburg 2024 Sessionize Event
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How to Supercharge your Browser with Power Platform Extensions!
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