The answer is the On-premises data gateway with the SQL Server connector. This combination is correct because the gateway creates a secure, encrypted channel between Power Apps and your on-premises SQL Server, enabling live data queries and updates without migrating any data to the cloud. On the PL-900 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of hybrid integration patterns—specifically how to bridge cloud services with legacy on-premises systems while respecting data residency requirements. A common trap is choosing a cloud-only connector like SQL Azure, which would require moving the data. Remember the memory tip: “Gateway guards the ground” — the gateway stays on-premises to guard your local data while allowing Power Apps to reach through it securely.
PL-900 Practice Question: Describe the business value of Microsoft Power Platform
This PL-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe the business value of microsoft power platform. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company has a legacy on-premises SQL Server database and wants to integrate it with a Power App without moving data to the cloud. Which connector should they use?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
On-premises data gateway with SQL Server connector
The On-premises data gateway acts as a secure bridge between cloud services like Power Apps and on-premises data sources such as SQL Server. When combined with the SQL Server connector, it allows live queries and updates to the on-premises database without requiring data migration to the cloud, fulfilling the requirement to keep data on-premises.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
SQL Server connector directly
Why it's wrong here
Direct SQL Server connector works only for cloud-hosted databases.
✗
Power Automate on-premises agent
Why it's wrong here
Power Automate uses the same gateway, but the question asks for a connector for Power App.
✗
Dataverse
Why it's wrong here
Dataverse is a cloud data store, not for on-premises integration.
✓
On-premises data gateway with SQL Server connector
Why this is correct
The gateway securely connects Power Apps to on-premises SQL Server.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the On-premises data gateway with the Power Automate on-premises agent, mistakenly thinking the agent can serve as a general data connector, when in fact it is only for desktop flow automation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The On-premises data gateway uses Azure Service Bus to establish a secure outbound connection from the on-premises network to the cloud, eliminating the need to open inbound firewall ports. It supports Kerberos constrained delegation for single sign-on (SSO) and can handle both import and direct query modes, though direct query is preferred for real-time access without data movement.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Describe the business value of Microsoft Power Platform — This question tests Describe the business value of Microsoft Power Platform — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: On-premises data gateway with SQL Server connector — The On-premises data gateway acts as a secure bridge between cloud services like Power Apps and on-premises data sources such as SQL Server. When combined with the SQL Server connector, it allows live queries and updates to the on-premises database without requiring data migration to the cloud, fulfilling the requirement to keep data on-premises.
What should I do if I get this PL-900 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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