With the changing times, saving time has become a necessity and thus everyone is looking for automatic methods. Let’s take the example of the evolution of smart lighting. Gone are the days of manually switching lights on and off, now with the advent of automation, we simply walk into a room, and the lights turn on automatically. Automation is an art of using technology to save time and effort by removing human intervention from the processes. This modern method has transformed many sectors and industries. In this blog, we focus on how automation has transformed business workflows with the help of Microsoft Power Platform – Power Apps and Power Automate.

Microsoft Power Platform helps enterprises to build custom software with low-code or no-code tools to handle day-to-day operations like automating processes, analyzing data, adding virtual assistant, etc. This suite is designed for both professional developers and non-technical users to drive digital transformation and efficiency with custom solutions all while achieving unique needs.

Automation makes everything simple, easy and fast. A few reasons why Automation is beneficial to the business workflow are given below.

1.  Cost Reduction

Automation reduces the necessity for manual labor, resulting in significant cost savings. With Automation, any process is less prone to human-errors, which in turn reduces the potential associated costs of corrections.

2.  Increased efficiency

Automating repetitive tasks reduces time and effort as employees can focus on more priority tasks. This also enhances the productivity and efficiency of the business as the work is done at a faster pace now.

3.  Consistency and Accuracy

Automated workflows ensure that every process follows a standardized pattern which makes it more consistent. Since there is no human intervention in between, it also boosts accuracy.

4.  Prompt Responses

With a faster pace for tasks completion, businesses can respond quickly to customers, suppliers or any stakeholders leading to satisfaction across every level.

5.  Scalability

Automation can easily adapt with the changing demands of the market, while keeping both quality and accuracy consistent.

6.  Improved collaboration

Automation provides real-time updates which helps in keeping every member in any organization informed about tasks and projects. This helps in efficient collaboration and information transfer.

7.  Reduced manual intervention

Automation enables employees to work on more important and strategic tasks by freeing them up of mundane and repetitive tasks.

8.  Enhanced Customer Experience

With quick response time and less errors, automation leads to customer satisfaction and fewer complaints. This also helps to build customer loyalty.

9.  Data Integration

With automation, data is accessible on all platforms. It ensures smooth data integration between different systems and applications.

10.  Actionable Insights

Automated workflows generate data and analytics that offer valuable insights into process performance, allowing businesses to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions.

Microsoft has made building custom business applications easy with its low-code and no-code power apps service. With power apps, businesses can streamline workflows according to their unique needs. These responsive and friendly apps are designed to connect with various data sources such as Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Excel, SQL Server, etc. These apps can be accessed from any device at any place, which gives a lot of leverage and freedom. With its integration capabilities, it has become a powerful tool to foster innovation within organizations.

Another low code/no code tool by Microsoft is Power Automate, which was formerly known as Microsoft Flow. This is a cloud-based service that enables users, both technical and non-technical, to create automated workflows between any app and service, without the vast knowledge of any coding languages. Power Automate has many pre-built triggers and connectors to various apps and services, including MS 365, SharePoint, OneDrive, Dynamics 365, Salesforce, and more. It helps the employees to allocate their time to more priority tasks than on repetitive ones.

Microsoft Power Platform provides a wide range of features in comparison to any other platform. Microsoft Power Apps and Power Automate are suggested because of seamless integration with the Microsoft ecosystem. It has a user-friendly interface, with its no-code/low code approach everyone can customize an application and so many more benefits it provides to its users.

Below is a primary level comparison between Power Apps and Power Automate with Google App maker and Zapier to understand them better and choose according to your needs.

Microsoft Dataverse is a cloud-based storage service, formerly known as Common Data Service (CDS). Within Dataverse, there exists a logical container called the Dataverse Table, which is responsible for storing data in a structured format. This is similar to how a traditional database table operates. The data stored within Dataverse can also be accessed from a variety of other online platforms and data sources such as SharePoint, SQL Server, Dynamics 365, and Microsoft 365.

Microsoft launched Power Platform in 2018 as a line of business intelligence, application software and app connectivity. Since then, it has reached a great height. According to Microsoft, Power Platforms has achieved the milestone of 20 million regular users with more than 7.5 million being the developers. Power Platform has become the key to digital transformation for many industries, with companies of small, medium to even large enterprises.

Approvers can effortlessly oversee and administer leave requests, utilizing the application’s calendar feature to ensure efficient management of overlapping time-off requests, resulting in a streamlined and well-organized leave management process.

   1.   PTO (Personal Time Off)

Introducing Personal Time Off, an automated leave management system that simplifies leave requests and approvals. This intuitive automation enables requesters to ask the respected approvers, while approvers efficiently manage and assess requests using a calendar tool to prevent overlapping employee leave submissions. Approvers also get an update, via an app or Outlook mails, regarding the reply they send, whether it’s accepted or denied.

   2.   Credit Memo Approval

Credit Memo Approval involves client expenditures with corresponding memos. A request is initiated, including key data like net amount, and directed to dynamic approvers based on the custom rules determined by SharePoint list roles. Upon entering the approval process, the designated approver has the authority to accept or decline requests. Approved requests are subsequently viewable within the application.

   3.   IT User Access

IT User Access involves approvals for granting or revoking access for company IT users. Requests require essential details like employee name, department, access requirements, and type. Approvals follow a hierarchy from managers to IT personnel and beyond.

   4.   Employee Data Change

Employee Data Change is a small approval process to submit change requests or approvals for employee data alterations. User needs to input essential details, including personal information and payment details, and forward the request to the manager. Upon manager’s approval, it seamlessly advances to Admin personnel for immediate updates.

   5.   Offer Approval

Offer approval is an approval request where once a person is decided to be hired after an interview, the whole management has to approve of the person. The hierarchy of approvers begins with the team manager and extends to higher management, ultimately reaching the company president.

   6.   Appointment Letter Automation

Appointment Letter Automation streamlines the approval process, wherein HR initiates a request, and the candidate awaiting hire becomes the approver. The offer letter is sent as an email for e-signature. The candidate’s acceptance or rejection triggers updates to HR management, and the higher authorities are then informed of the action.

Combining your business workflows with Power Apps and Power Automate is a great step to streamline your day-to-day tasks. These tools offer a wide range of opportunities to optimize your day-to-day business processes to drive innovation and productivity.

Power Apps help to create custom apps without any immense coding and enable people to make their ideas turn into reality. At the same time, Power Automate helps to simplify complex processes through automated workflows, saving up a lot of human labor and time.

This dynamic duo of Power Apps and Power Automate is a way to revolutionize the application building process and business workflows. In this process of making a digital change, Sunflower Lab can be your digital partner to guide you at every instance. Contact Us today to enhance the productivity and growth of your business.