Case Study: Enhancing Operational Efficiency with PowerApps

Ardent Mills, a leading flour-milling and ingredient company operating across North America leveraged Microsoft Power Platform to navigate some of their operational challenges. Manual processes and lack of real-time reporting capabilities posed issues to operational efficiency and quality control across multiple plants.

The Challenges:

• Manual data entry tasks were burdening quality managers and lab technicians, leading to inefficiencies in quality control processes.
• Lack of real-time reporting capabilities hindered data-driven decision-making, impacting the company’s ability to optimize processes swiftly.

The Solution:

• Development of the “Cross Check” app using PowerApps to streamline data entry processes for quality control.
• Seamless integration with SharePoint Online lists ensured data accuracy and reliability, enhancing overall data management.
• Utilization of Microsoft Power BI for insightful reporting on product testing results, empowering quality managers with actionable insights.
• Creation of additional apps, such as “Bulk Carrier Feedback” and “Vehicle Inspection,” to streamline processes in transportation and logistics departments.

Business Impact:

• Increased efficiency by reducing time spent on manual data entry tasks, allowing employees to focus on value-added activities.
• Real-time insights facilitated proactive decision-making and process optimization, resulting in improved operational efficiency.
• Enhanced collaboration among employees through a community of citizen developers, fostering innovation and continuous improvement.
• Preparation for future growth by transitioning to Dataverse as the primary data source and exploring advanced technologies like Lobe and AI Builder, positioning Ardent Mills for scalability and innovation.

Case Study: Automating Invoice Fixing Processes with Power Automate

Komatsu Australia, a renowned Australian manufacturer and supplier of equipment and services for various industries, faced challenges in processing high volumes of invoices manually. With over 52,000 invoices annually, the parts department struggled with the tedious and error-prone task of fixing invoices, impacting efficiency and productivity.

The Challenges:

• High volume of invoices requiring manual processing by a small team.
• Pressure on the team to handle invoices accurately and promptly.
• Delays in processing invoices could lead to purchase order variances and disrupt downstream processes.
• Prone to human errors in data entry and processing, impacting accuracy and reliability.

The Solution:

• Utilization of Microsoft Power Automate and AI Builder to develop an RPA solution for automating invoice fixing processes.
• Implementation of unattended automation to eliminate manual monitoring of emails and validation against purchase orders.
• Development of Microsoft Power Automate cloud flows for retrieving and processing invoices, along with AI Builder document processing for data extraction.
• Integration with their mainframe system for invoice processing and archiving.

Business Impact:

• Automated processing of 1,200 invoices annually, resulting in efficiency gains of 300 hours per year for a single supplier.
• Reduction in errors by eliminating manual data entry tasks, ensuring data accuracy and reliability.
• 24/7 invoice processing capability, including weekends, improving responsiveness to overseas suppliers.
• Capacity freed up for the processing team, enabling them to focus on monitoring and managing exceptions effectively.

Case Study: Streamlining Business Processes with Microsoft Power Platform

Hexion, a global chemical company has been leveraging Microsoft Power Platform to enhance its core business processes. The company focuses on creating innovative materials for various industries, contributing to a safer and cleaner world.

The Challenges:

• Need to streamline and automate core business processes.
• Desire for efficient solutions to capture and manage customer information.
• Transition from Salesforce to Dynamics 365 Sales.
• Requirement for a cost-effective, customizable, and integrated solution.

The Solution:

• Utilization of Microsoft Power Apps and AI Builder to develop solutions for capturing and managing customer information.
• Adoption of canvas apps and Microsoft Power Automate flows for process automation.
• Integration of Dynamics 365 with Power Platform for seamless data flow and automation.
• Development of custom apps for IT-governed processes such as document sharing and team setup.

Business Impact:

• Efficient scanning of business cards and capturing of customer information directly into Dynamics 365 Sales.
• Reduction in reliance on third-party solutions, resulting in cost savings and increased flexibility.
• Quality and consistency of data improved, leading to better classification of leads and opportunities.
• Enhanced user experience with the use of canvas components in Microsoft Power Apps.
• Automation of IT-governed processes, including user access requests and team provisioning.
• Orchestration of core business processes across various departments, improving operational efficiency and performance monitoring.

Case Study: Streamlining Inventory Management with Microsoft Power Platform

Electrolock, a leading provider of insulation products sought to enhance inventory management processes for themselves and their customers. Facing competition with digital solutions, the company aimed to win bids by offering a user-friendly inventory tracking system.

The Challenges:

• Cumbersome process of tracking inventory using Excel spreadsheets via email.
• Need for a digital solution to compete effectively against competitors.
• Requirement to track inventory usage, create purchase orders, reconcile inventory, and record revenue accurately.

The Solution:

• Utilized PowerApps canvas app with data stored in Microsoft Dataverse for Inventory Management.
• Designed a user-friendly mobile app for customers to track and pick inventory items on manufacturing floors.
• Integrated with their ERP system for accurate recording of revenue and seamless communication of purchase orders.

Business Impact:

• Simplified and automated the inventory recording process for floor technicians using mobile devices.
• Enhanced accuracy and timeliness of inventory data, reducing manual entry and rework.
• Streamlined the reconciliation process, from listing inventory to drafting purchase orders and sending invoices.
• Improved tracking of inventory sent to customers, facilitating better inventory management.
• Enabled reporting functionalities for insights into purchase orders, inventory usage, and replenishment needs.

Embracing Tomorrow: A Glimpse into the Future with Microsoft Power Platform

Businesses, including those in manufacturing, are increasingly turning to low-code/no-code solutions like Microsoft Power Platform to boost efficiency. Yet, these solutions aren’t just about cost-cutting—it can also enhance workers’ lives and benefit society. In manufacturing, these technologies can help tackle key business challenges, improve employee well-being, and reduce the environmental impact of operations by minimizing errors and optimizing resource usage.

These technologies don’t just benefit workers’ health and the environment; it also raises living standards by fostering innovation and improving product quality. Moreover, it creates new job opportunities, particularly for people with disabilities. However, it’s crucial to take a human-centered approach to digital transformation supports workers rather than replacing them.

By embracing this approach, businesses can strike a balance between efficiency and well-being. Technologies like Microsoft Power Platform augment human abilities rather than replacing them. They assist with decision-making and streamline processes, while humans continue to play vital strategic roles. Ultimately, adopting a human-centric approach ensures that technology serves to enhance workers’ lives and drive positive societal outcomes.

Keen to learn how to eliminate inefficiencies within your business with Microsoft Power Platform? Join the second edition of Power Up in a Day, our complimentary, 2-hour, hands-on masterclass that’s open exclusively to participants from the Americas on 28 March 2024: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4417097994388/WN_lpHZKqCnRgi-DehbBxqWJA#/registration