{"id":14692,"date":"2021-08-09T09:55:32","date_gmt":"2021-08-09T16:55:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/power-platform\/blog\/power-apps\/enabling-efficiency-how-a-disciplined-operation-lead-became-a-power-apps-champion\/"},"modified":"2025-06-11T07:53:03","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T14:53:03","slug":"enabling-efficiency-how-a-disciplined-operation-lead-became-a-power-apps-champion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/power-platform\/blog\/power-apps\/enabling-efficiency-how-a-disciplined-operation-lead-became-a-power-apps-champion\/","title":{"rendered":"Enabling efficiency: How a disciplined Operation Lead became a Power Apps champion"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"An<\/p>\n

Solving problems<\/h2>\n

A successful career in manufacturing hasn\u2019t offered Loretta a lot of experience with technology. It has, however, given her a unique perspective on how to maximize efficiency. She knew, for example, that if her co-workers at the paper mill had easy access to important information, they could solve many issues on their own<\/strong> and get back up and running more quickly. And an efficient way to provide that information would be through an app. Despite her lack of tech expertise, Loretta figured that, with Power Apps<\/a>, she could just jump in and figure it out. And she was right.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Reimagining process<\/h2>\n

An essential part of Loretta\u2019s role at the paper mill is to identify gaps within the operations process at her paper mill. She recognized that when a piece of equipment had an issue, operators would have to call someone else to come fix it for them\u2014and that meant waiting. In manufacturing, waiting can be extremely costly<\/strong>. Loretta knew that many of the problems that occurred were relatively minor and could be repaired by the operators themselves in minutes. All she needed to do was find a way to give them quick access to the information they\u2019d need to be able to do it on their own.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

\u201cJust start\u201d<\/h2>\n

Loretta knew her problem had a technical solution. But her lack of experience with technology made her question whether or not she could develop a tool on her own. Like a lot of people, she was intimidated by the idea.<\/strong> But she opened up Power Apps and started exploring what she could do with it. With some help from online videos and the Power Apps community, she was quickly on her way and before she knew it, she\u2019d built her first app.\u00a0 Several team members contributed to the app, by developing the \u201cHow to Videos\u201d and \u201cProcedures\u201d that she connected to the app.<\/p>\n

Her advice to others: \u201cDon\u2019t be afraid of it and just start.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m able to provide people with solutions, to their equipment issues, right in their back pocket\u201d<\/h2>\n

With Loretta\u2019s app, equipment operators no longer have to wait<\/strong> for someone else to handle equipment issues. When they encounter a problem, all they need to do is open the app for a detailed overview of their issue and potential fixes,\u00a0 step-by-step instructions, and how-to videos. Now, issues that used to bring the mill to a halt for hours can be handled in minutes<\/strong>\u2014an important benefit considering a mill that\u2019s not running costs the company thousands of dollars per hour of downtime.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Empowering others<\/h2>\n

Word of Loretta\u2019s app quickly spread through her company and soon other mills wanted to add it to their processes. It\u2019s now in operation in additional US mills and working to onboard others. <\/strong>And it\u2019s not just her app itself. People across her organization seek out her expertise. She has held training sessions for co-workers looking to take advantage of Power Apps for their solutions. During her classes, Loretta demonstrates that it\u2019s less about knowing the technology and more about understanding the problem. Since Loretta first started exploring what she could do with it, 20 plus additional apps have been created by co-workers at her mill alone.<\/p>\n

Becoming a Power Apps champion<\/h2>\n

Loretta\u2019s first job in the paper industry was as a pipe welder. As she advanced her career and took on new responsibilities, tools like Power Apps have helped her realize<\/strong> her vision, share<\/strong> her knowledge, and contribute<\/strong> to the success of her co-workers.<\/p>\n

Learn more about Microsoft Power Apps and how you can start working with it today.<\/p>\n