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How Microsoft Power Platform Drives 30% Time and Cost Savings for Manufacturers

64% of manufacturing workers are burdened by manual processes.

Every manufacturer encounters persistent issues such as a process or workflow that isn’t functioning optimally. These issues are often not significant enough to halt progress, yet they are not trivial either. They require either customising existing software applications or investing in new functionality. Unfortunately, most businesses lack the time, resources, or budget for such endeavors, so these issues tend to be put on the back burner.

The challenge lies in the fact that these unresolved issues continue to cause trouble. While the impact may be minor initially, they can escalate into serious problems, resulting in financial losses, decreased productivity, or customer dissatisfaction. If your goal is organisational agility, innovation, and responsiveness to customer or business demands, but you’re hesitant to burden your IT department or take on large-scale projects, consider leveraging the Microsoft Power Platform for manufacturing.

The Microsoft Power Platform for manufacturing bridges the gap between standard applications and costly customisations. It empowers virtually anyone to create apps, analyse data, and automate processes seamlessly within your existing business-critical ecosystem.

Built on robust Microsoft technology and designed for low-code, no-code development, the Power Platform is suitable for organisations of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises.

At its core is the Dataverse (formerly known as the Common Data Model), an extensible data platform that centralises data for easy querying and access. With the Dataverse as your foundation, your data becomes versatile and accessible. The Power Platform’s suite of tools allows you to connect applications, platforms, and systems through workflows, apps, reports, and even bots.

The versatile Power Platform seamlessly integrates into the vast majority of third-party applications tailored for manufacturers. Whether you’re creating a small app or streamlining a complex workflow, development is swift and requires minimal coding.

Leveraging the Dataverse ensures that your solution can access necessary data, regardless of its original application. Plus, the Power Platform for manufacturing collaborates harmoniously with any software, eliminating the need to disrupt existing systems. The business value is obvious and fast with the Power Platform, you’ll see the benefits right away.

Let's look at how the Microsoft Power Platform for manufacturing is made up:

  • 1

    Power BI

    Power BI combines analysis functions with a user-friendly interface for analysing and visualising  business data.

  • 2

    Power Apps

    Power Apps allows you (or your Microsoft Dynamics Partner), to quickly and easily develop apps to automate tasks and processes.

  • 3

    Power Automate

    Power Automate allows you to automate tasks from small to large, easily connecting triggers and actions across different systems.

  • 4

    Power Virtual Agents

    Power Virtual Agents lets you build chatbots, which you can then connect to Power Automate for follow-up actions.

Microsoft Power Platform for manufacturing is a versatile and user-friendly low-code platform that is already beginning to empower manufacturers to streamline processes, enhance collaboration, and optimise their operations.

Microsoft Power Apps, a user-friendly low-code platform, offers valuable benefits to manufacturers. Let's explore how it can enhance their operations:

  1. Inventory Management

    • Customised Power Apps allow real-time visibility into inventory, including raw materials and finished goods.
    • These apps help reduce excess inventory and prevent stockouts, leading to cost savings.

  2. Quality Control and Inspection

    • Real-time quality control measures are possible with Power Apps.
    • Inspectors can record data and capture images during inspections using mobile devices.
    • Centralised quality data aids in continuous improvement. 
  3. Production Scheduling

    • Custom apps optimise resource allocation and manage production timelines.

  4. Equipment Maintenance

    • Manufacturers can track equipment performance and maintenance history.

    • Historical data analysis aids in efficient maintenance planning.

  5. Supply Chain Collaboration

    • Collaborative apps facilitate communication with suppliers and partners.

  6. Field Service Operations

    • Power Apps improve communication between technicians and operations teams.

Don’t want to do the development in-house? You don’t have to

If you’re worried about letting just anyone from your organisation develop apps and workflows using the Microsoft Power Platform, don’t. We understand that, if you’re not in the business of developing software, you don’t want your resources pulled away from what you are in business for.

With the Power Platform, your Microsoft Dynamics Partner, other IT consultants, or resources can still do the work for you as with traditional customisation projects–but they’ll pass the benefits of using the Power Platform on to you. Either way, you win with the Microsoft Power Platform for manufacturing.

Microsoft Power Platform for manufacturers offers several advantages for manufacturers, empowering them to enhance their operations and stay competitive in today’s dynamic market.

Here are some key benefits: 

  1. Workflow Automation: Power Apps allow manufacturing organisations to automate workflows. Custom apps can be developed to handle manual and repetitive tasks, such as request management, document routing, and approval processes. By automating workflows, manufacturers can eliminate bottlenecks, improve overall productivity, and reduce human errors in their operations. 

  2. Internal Process Management: Countless internal processes are part of a company’s daily operations. Power Apps enables manufacturers to build custom apps for inventory management, production workflows, equipment maintenance, and quality control processes. These apps streamline internal processes, making them more efficient and manageable. 

  3. Collaboration and Mobility: With Power Apps, manufacturers can collaborate seamlessly with suppliers and partners. Collaborative apps accelerate time-to-value for customers and help identify emerging needs. Additionally, Power Apps promotes mobility, allowing users to access critical information and perform tasks from anywhere.

  4. Data-Driven Decision-Making: By leveraging the Dataverse, Power Apps ensures that solutions have access to relevant data, regardless of the application in which that data is housed. Manufacturers can make informed decisions based on real-time data, leading to better outcomes. 

  5. Agility and Innovation: In the ever-evolving manufacturing landscape, agility and innovation are crucial. Power Apps provides a platform for quick app development, enabling manufacturers to adapt to changing requirements and seize new opportunities. 

In summary, Microsoft Power Platform for manufacturing streamlines workflows enhances collaboration, and empowers manufacturers to optimise their processes, ultimately driving digital transformation in the industry and saving time and costs for manufacturers.

Contact HSO and chat with our manufacturing experts to find out how the Microsoft Power Platform could benefit your organisation and unlock the possibility of a Microsoft-funded engagement. 

Don't miss our LIVE 30-minute Lunch & Learn session at midday on 25th April to find out more about the Microsoft Power Platform. Find out more and register.

Learn more about low-code development in the Manufacturing industry

Get in touch

Contact HSO and chat with our manufacturing experts to find out how the Microsoft Power Platform could benefit your organisation and unlock the possibility of a Microsoft-funded engagement. 

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