Welcome to the May edition of Logic Apps Aviators Newsletter
In this issue:
Ace Aviator of the Month
May’s Ace Aviator: Calle Andersson
Head of Security – Integration & Cloud at ConticaWhat's your role and title? What are your responsibilities?
I’m an IT Security Expert, integration security enthusiast, and full-time breaker of bad security defaults. I'm spending my days at Contica where I serve as Head of Security – Integration & Cloud.
My day job involves helping customers secure their Azure environments, focusing on Logic Apps, Function Apps, API Management, and the rest of the Azure Integration Services family. I’m also working on building managed services focused on security posture and threat detection making secure delivery of integration platforms the default, not the exception.
I’m trying to make “secure by design” feel less like a personal hobby for the one paranoid person on the team, and more like something the entire delivery process just quietly gets right.
Can you give us some insights into your day-to-day activities and what a typical day in your role looks like?
A big part of my day revolves around helping customers design secure patterns and infrastructure in Azure. That includes everything from shaping network boundaries and authentication flows, to figuring out how to make security practical and scalable.
I spend a lot of time reviewing architecture, reading documentation, and testing different configurations, always looking for ways to improve how security is built into the platform itself, not just added on top. It’s part deep technical work, part strategy, and part translating complex security concepts into something teams can actually use.
I also work closely with our developers, supporting them in security related questions and helping them navigate things like identity, permissions, and secure machine-to-machine communication. There is also many meetings with different stakeholders to raise awareness, guide decisions, and provide better insight into the actual security posture of their integration platforms.
What motivates and inspires you to be an active member of the Aviators/Microsoft community?
I genuinely enjoy learning and mastering new skills, and writing technical blog posts or sharing insights is a great way for me to reflect on what I’ve learned, while hopefully making someone else’s day a bit easier.
I’ve also met a lot of brilliant people through the community, and it’s incredibly motivating to be surrounded by others who are just as nerdy passionate about secure design in Azure as I am.
Looking back, what advice do you wish you had been given earlier that you'd now share with those looking to get into STEM/technology?
You don’t need to know everything, just be curious, ask thoughtful questions, and don’t be afraid to break things in a lab environment. The best learning often happens when something goes wrong, and you dig your way out. Also, just ask that stupid question you've been thinking about.
What has helped you grow professionally?
If I had to mention one thing, it’s consistently challenging my comfort zone and putting myself in situations that push me in the right direction, even when it feels uncomfortable or a bit scary. Growth rarely happens when things are easy and cozy.
I also believe that prioritizing your health has an amazing ROI. Getting enough sleep, eating well, and staying active might not sound groundbreaking, but if you want to do extraordinary things, you need the energy and persistence to match.
If you had a magic wand that could create a feature in Logic Apps, what would it be and why?
This one is really hard. I have three features that i really would love to see. So if i had a magic wand, id wish for a genie that could grant me three wishes!
- Private Endpoint support for Consumption: This would enable private invocations HTTP triggers and prevent unnecessary exposure. Some workflows might fit better in Consumption, but security requirements force customers to Standard.
- VNET Integration support for Consumption: Same benefits as above but applies when the Logic App needs to communicate with other internal resources over the VNET.
- Managed Identity support for WEBSITE_ CONTENTAZUREFILECONNECTIONSTRING in Logic App Standard: Right now, this is in many cases the only access key left that is preventing customers from fully transitioning to Managed Identity and disabling the possibility to use access keys to their Storage Accounts.
I really want that magic wand! 🙂
News from our product group
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Logic Apps Live April 2025Missed Logic Apps Live in April? You can watch it here. We focused on the Public Preview of Logic Apps Standrad Automated Testing Framework and on the new Logic Apps Lab initiative! You will not regret checking those out! |
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Announcement: Azure Logic Apps (Standard) Automated Testing Public PreviewWe are excited to announce the public preview of the Azure Logic Apps (Standard) Automated Testing Framework! This new framework is designed to simplify and enhance the testing process for your Logic Apps workflows, ensuring that your integrations are robust, reliable, and ready for production. |
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Hybrid deployment model for Logic Apps - Performance Analysis and Optimization recommendationsThis document offers an in-depth performance evaluation of Azure Logic Apps within a hybrid deployment framework. It examines, several key factors such as CPU and memory allocation and scaling mechanisms, providing valuable insights aimed at maximizing the application’s efficiency and performance. |
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Summing it up: Aggregating repeating nodes in Logic Apps Data MapperLogic Apps Data Mapper makes it easy to define visual, code-free transformations across structured JSON data. One pattern that's both powerful and clean: using built-in collection functions to compute summary values from arrays. This post walks through an end-to-end example: calculating a total from a list of items using just two functions — `Multiply` and `Sum`. driving efficiency, agility, and fueling business growth in the AI-powered era. |
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Use Index + Direct Access to pull data across loops in Data MapperWhen working with repeating structures in Logic Apps Data Mapper, you may run into situations where two sibling loops exist under the same parent. What if you need to access data from one loop while you’re inside the other? This is where the Direct Access function, used in combination with Index, can save the day. |
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Beyond the Basics: Using Minimum, Maximum, and Average Functions in Logic Apps Data MapperIn this blog, we walk through real-world scenarios and provide downloadable samples so you can try it yourself and accelerate your integration workflows. |
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Demystifying Logic App Standard workflow deploymentsAs Logic App Standard is built on the App Services runtime, it requires a different approach to automation than the consumption tier. |
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AI Procurement assistant using prompt templates in Standard Logic AppsAnswering procurement-related questions doesn't have to be a manual process. With the new Chat Completions using Prompt Template action in Logic Apps (Standard), you can build an AI-powered assistant that understands context, reads structured data, and responds like a knowledgeable teammate. |
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Q1’2025: Azure Integration Services Quarterly Highlights and InsightsFrom reinventing hybrid integration to unlocking AI-powered productivity and simplifying API management across ecosystems, the first quarter of 2025 was all about making integration smarter, faster, and more accessible for everyone. Whether you're a developer modernizing legacy workflows, an IT pro securing mission-critical APIs, or a business technologist building intelligent automations, Azure Integration Services and Azure API Management are moving at the speed of innovation. Here’s what stood out this quarter and how these updates can help accelerate your next move. |
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Unleash Innovation with a Modern Integration Platform and an API-First StrategyJoin us for a two-day global virtual event where you’ll discover how to unlock the full potential of your data and APIs to drive intelligent, agile growth with Azure Integration Services and an API-first strategy (this event happened in the past, but you should have access to the on-demand videos after registering) |
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How to get JWT token of certificate-based SPN in logic app HTTP actionWhen working with Azure Logic Apps and needing to call an API secured with Azure AD, you might use a Service Principal Name (SPN) with certificate-based authentication to obtain a JSON Web Token (JWT). This article shows a brief guide on how to set this up and use it in an HTTP action within a Logic App Standard |
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How to send Excel file via HTTP in Logic AppDue to logic app content transfer mechanism, sending an Excel file (XLSX) in HTTP will corrupt original content format by default. This article will help you to workaround this issue by sending binary data in HTTP body instead.
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Using Graph API to assign roles to logic app managed identityIn this article, we will use the Graph API to assign roles to logic app managed identity. Previous document are mostly use powershell, here is a simply guide with Graph API |
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AI Gateway Enhancements: LLM policies, Real-Time API support, Content Safety, and moreAs AI becomes more deeply integrated into applications, managing and governing Large Language Models (LLMs) is more important than ever. Today, we’re excited to announce several major updates to AI Gateway in Azure API Management, including the general availability of LLM policies, expanded real-time API support, new integrations for semantic caching and content safety, and a streamlined UI experience to make it even easier to get started. Plus, you can now opt in to early access for the latest AI Gateway features. Let’s dive into what’s new! |
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Enhancing AI Integrations with MCP and Azure API ManagementAs AI Agents and assistants become increasingly central to modern applications and experiences, the need for seamless, secure integration with external tools and data sources is more critical than ever. The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is emerging as a key open standard enabling these integrations - allowing AI models to interact with APIs, Databases and other services in a consistent, scalable way. |
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Azure API Management Your Auth Gateway For MCP ServersAzure API Management is at the forefront, ready to support the open-source Model Context Protocol (MCP). APIM provides an enterprise-ready solution that helps you securely expose your MCP servers while evolving with the latest technology. |
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Announcing "Service updates" for Azure API managementConfigure service update settings to manage when you receive updates and select maintenance window |
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Announcing open public preview of inbound private endpoint for Standard v2 tier of API ManagementToday, we are excited to announce the open public preview of inbound private endpoint for Azure API management Standard v2 tier. |
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Announcing General Availability of Authoring API Management Policies with Microsoft Copilot in AzureMicrosoft announced the general availability of Microsoft Copilot in Azure. The API Management team is excited to share that authoring Azure API Management policies with Microsoft Copilot in Azure is also generally available, featuring localization, responsible AI, and enhancements to availability, performance, and capabilities. |
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Announcing the Microsoft Azure API Management + Apiboost PartnershipTo help organizations build scalable, tailored API portals, we are thrilled to announce our partnership with Apiboost. A leader in SaaS and On-prem API portals, Apiboost, paired with Microsoft Azure API Management, enables businesses to create powerful, fully integrated API portals. This partnership allows customers to leverage Azure's secure, scalable platform, simplifying API consumption and enhancing business value. Available on Azure Marketplace. |
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Announcing the Microsoft Azure API Management + Pronovix PartnershipWe are excited to announce our partnership with Pronovix, a leader in developer portals and API documentation. Pronovix has spent nearly a decade helping enterprises worldwide build business-aligned developer portals, and together, we’re making it faster and easier for Azure API Management customers to launch and scale their own API portals. |
Logic Apps Aviators Community Playbook
We are excited to announce the latest articles from the Logic Apps Aviators Community Playbook. Interested in contributing? We have made it easy for you to get involved. Simply fill out our call for content sign-up link with the required details and wait for our team to review your proposal. And we will contact you with more details on how to contribute.
Secure Standard workflows in Azure Logic Apps with Azure API Management
Author: Andrew Wilson
Everything that we build requires security as a fundamental requirement. Through every stage in the software development lifecycle, starting with requirements and design to how our solutions evolve over time, we should keep a "security first" mindset so we can focus and deliberate on security's importance.
In this article, Andrew outlines methods to secure Azure Logic Apps workflows using Azure API Management, focusing on Shared Access Signature (SAS) keys and Easy Auth for authentication and authorization, emphasizing best practices for security and integration.
News from our community
Building a Complete RAG Application in Azure with No Code
Post by Dan Toomey
Learn to build Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), a pattern a useful pattern for building LLM-based chat applications against an easily updateable knowledge store, without the expense of re-training the LLM. The pattern provides a base for AI generated responses that are as reliable, context-bounded, and current as the data in the knowledge store (which can be as simple as a collection of documents).
Debatching in Logic Apps with Performance in Mind
Post by Prashant Singh
When working with Azure Logic Apps, handling large arrays efficiently is critical for performance and cost control. It is almost a routine need, but many implementations either slow down over time or rack up unnecessary costs. The solution isn’t just debatching, it’s smart debatching. Let’s break it down using a realistic use case and explore different techniques to handle it effectively.
Unlocking the Power of Azure Logic Apps Standard with Azure App Service Environment v3
Post by Kritika Singh
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline operations, automate workflows, and enhance productivity. Azure Logic Apps Standard, especially when deployed in an Azure App Service Environment v3 (ASEv3), offers a powerful solution for building and orchestrating workflows in a secure and scalable manner. In this blog, we will explore what Azure Logic Apps Standard is, the benefits of using it in ASEv3, and how to get started.
Setting Up Azure API Management (APIM) for Logic Apps Standard
Video by Stephen W Thomas
Learn how to set up Azure API Management (APIM) with Logic Apps Standard to manage, secure, and expose your HTTP-based workflows as APIs.
You can use Flat File Schemas in Logic Apps to parse CSV
Post by Sandro Pereira
There’s a clean and native way to handle csv files: Flat File Schemas. We can use them with an Integration Account inside Logic App Consumption, or they are available inside Logic App Standard by default. Learn more on this Friday Fact from Sandro!
Logic App Parameters naming size limits and restrictions
Post by Sandro Pereira
Learn about parameter naming conventions and best practices when creating Azure Logic Apps parameters, in this Friday Fact from Sandro Pereira.
Logic App Variables naming size limits and restrictions
Post by Sandro Pereira
And since we are talking about naming conventions and best practices – how about learn about those details when creating Azure Logic Apps variables! Another Friday Fact from Sandro Pereira.
The Ultimate Azure Logic Apps Handbook: 50 Expert Tips & Best Practices [Free] released
Post by Sandro Pereira
That Sandro Pereira is one of most prolific authors of our community, that is no news – you just need to look a this month’s community session… But did you know that he put together and Azure Logic Apps Handbook as e-book that can be downloaded for free? Take a look at his announcement on this blog post.
Updated May 04, 2025
Version 1.0WSilveira
Microsoft
Joined February 03, 2022
Azure Integration Services Blog
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