[CoE Starter Kit - QUESTION] Can I extend the starter kit with managed solutions

[medicineshow]

Does this question already exist in our backlog?

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What is your question?

I have created a couple of flows that use two tables from the starter kit. Environment and Flow. I have created the customisations in a managed solution and that solution sits on top of the starter kit.

Is there any issue with upgrading the starter kit if I use a managed solution for our customisations? Your documentation says to use an unmanaged solution but I have just upgraded the CoE and there were no errors.

What solution are you experiencing the issue with?

Core

What solution version are you using?

June 2024

What app or flow are you having the issue with?

Customised

What method are you using to get inventory and telemetry?

None

AB#3600

[DominicMeznik]

Hi, yes it´s possible. You can find instructions and best practices here:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/guidance/coe/modify-components

[medicineshow]

Hi, thanks but that hasn't answered my question. I have read that and it is in that document that it says use unmanaged solutions but does not state why. I want to know if I use a managed solution that includes the two tables, will that impact on any future upgrades to the CoE?

[DominicMeznik]

You should use unmanaged solutions on your dev system but the deployment to your production system should be as managed solution.

[Jenefer-Monroe]

I'm not an ALM expert and have never tested this personally, so I really don't know the consequences you would face.
My own extensions in my personal tenant are built in an unmanaged solution as suggested so I've never tested this.

Here is a starter link to get you the information you may need to explore. https://learn.microsoft.com/power-platform/alm/solution-concepts-alm

And perhaps, let us know why you would want to build in a managed one instead of unmanaged?

[medicineshow]

Ok so perhaps misunderstanding. Yes the Dev work is done in an unmanaged solution, but then deployed as a managed solution. However, the documentation for extending the CoE words it as if you have to apply any customisations as an unmanaged solution in order to still get your upgrades.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/guidance/coe/modify-components#what-components-can-i-customize

"Tables and model-driven apps support merging. These resources can easily be extended by creating your own unmanaged solution and making changes there (for example, adding new fields). During an upgrade, you'll receive our changes and also keep your changes."

[Jenefer-Monroe]

I think you can deploy both as managed to your prod envt, that is fine. Is that what you mean?

[medicineshow]

Yes that is what I mean. I want to confirm that I can deploy a managed solution on top of the CoE managed solution that uses two of the tables from the CoE solution and that it will not affect any future CoE updates.

[Jenefer-Monroe]

I have not tested this so I cant say for sure if that will work. However it is similar to what we do all the time (deploy managed gov on top of managed core) so I think it should work.

[medicineshow]

Thanks