Project Overview
Spoiler is an innovative order management system developed by our team, leveraging the full potential of Microsoft Power Platform. As project manager, I was responsible for leading this initiative, which integrated Power Apps, Power Automate, Planner, SharePoint, and Power BI to deliver a complete, end-to-end solution for online order requests and task tracking for production teams.
The Challenge
Our goal was to demonstrate that Microsoft Power Platform could be customized to create a robust and scalable system without relying on third-party services such as Monday.com or other task management tools. The challenge was to deliver a modular, user-friendly, real-time solution for order management and tracking.
The Solution
Power Apps for Front-End Development
The entire front-end was built using Power Apps, providing a highly customizable and modular interface. Each order type had its own dedicated screen with exclusive fields, ensuring a tailored user experience. This flexibility allowed the system to efficiently support diverse business requirements.
Power Automate for Back-End Automation
Power Automate served as the backbone of the system, automating workflows and order processing. Automated actions included:
- Assigning tasks to the appropriate teams (Development, Creation, BI, etc.) through Planner.
- Automatically creating records in SharePoint Online, which acted as the centralized data repository for all orders.
SharePoint as the Central Database
All order data was stored in SharePoint Online, ensuring a single source of truth. This data was directly connected to Power BI for real-time analytics and reporting.
Power BI for Real-Time Insights
Power BI delivered comprehensive dashboards for both users and management, including:
- Task tracking views for users.
- Managerial dashboards with key metrics such as total orders, accepted and rejected requests, average processing time, and rework rates.
Results and Impact
Efficiency Gains: The system significantly reduced manual effort and streamlined the order management workflow, increasing overall team productivity.
Real-Time Visibility: With Power BI, stakeholders gained immediate visibility into order status, enabling faster decision-making and improved resource allocation.
Cost Savings: By leveraging the existing Microsoft Power Platform, the solution eliminated the need for third-party software, resulting in meaningful cost savings.
Scalability and Customization: The modular architecture built with Power Apps allowed the system to evolve alongside business needs, making it highly scalable.
Seamless Remote Implementation: Thanks to the customized design — with dedicated screens and fields for each order type — Spoiler was implemented 100% remotely during the first week of the 2020 lockdown. Adoption was seamless, with no reported issues from users or the operations team, ensuring full business continuity during a critical period.
Client Feedback
The Spoiler project successfully showcased the power and flexibility of Microsoft Power Platform. Clients were impressed by how a fully functional, custom solution could be built without external services, highlighting the strength of Microsoft’s ecosystem in addressing complex business challenges. The remote implementation during the lockdown further reinforced the solution’s robustness and ease of use.
Conclusion
Spoiler is a clear demonstration of what Microsoft Power Platform can deliver when combined with strategic planning and innovative thinking. Beyond solving internal challenges, the project became a compelling case study for Microsoft clients, proving that enterprise-grade solutions can be delivered efficiently and cost-effectively. Its adaptability and flawless remote rollout during the 2020 lockdown solidified Spoiler as a reliable and scalable solution for modern business needs.
