Digital modernization with Power Apps
Speed and efficiency in data processing at EDP Labelec
ABOUT THIS SUCCESS CASE
EDP Labelec digitized the infrastructure inspection process using an application developed with Microsoft Power Apps. This eliminated the use of paper forms, enabled offline data collection, and improved communication between teams, resulting in greater efficiency and faster data processing.
SCOPE OF THIS SOLUTION:
- Power Apps
- Process digitization
- Offline data collection
- Communication
The challenge: digital modernization of processes
EDP Labelec is responsible for inspecting power lines, an operation carried out using helicopters. This use of helicopters entails different logistical and economic concerns (the cost per hour of running a helicopter, for instance, is high), so the company wanted to make the entire inspection registration process more efficient.
This process was previously carried out manually; that is, an employee filled in a paper form while making a visual inspection from the helicopter. Once the inspection was completed, the employee would hand the form to a back-office team, who would then analyze and process the collected data before finally delivering it to the customer.
Communication between inspectors and back-office teams suffered from some latency, as the latter had to wait for forms to be delivered by the inspectors to be able to process the data and collect different metrics.
And so, EDP Labelec wanted to digitize and make this process more productive, all the way from collecting the data in the first instance through to the final delivery of that data to the customer.
The solution: optimized application in Power Apps
The Xpand IT team used Microsoft Power Apps to develop a tablet-optimized application. This application was given the goal of digitizing and streamlining the entire line inspection process, making it more agile and efficient.
During the flight, the inspector uses a tablet to access a form where they can fill in all the relevant data during the inspection. Since the power lines are located in places that are not always covered by Internet access, it is crucial that the application works even without it. This way, users are guaranteed they will always be able to collect the data they need, regardless of connectivity status.
As soon as an Internet connection is possible again, the application processes all the data saved offline and automatically makes it available for analysis by back-office teams.
Additionally, it was necessary to add a Dashboard module to visualize different metrics of interest, which could then be considered to improve the process itself. In this menu, teams can analyze, for example, flight times to be able to optimize them later.
This visibility of different metrics, combined with the speed gained by the digitization of the whole process, was a gain for the EDP Labelec team, which previously could not carry out such analyses.
The result is an application that replaces a wholly manual and paper-dependent process and a digital solution that facilitates more efficient communication between the different teams involved.
The benefits: efficient communication and centralized information
The digitalization of a process
that was previously wholly dependent on paper.
Centralization of all the information
pertaining to the line inspection process.
Faster, more efficient communication
between inspection teams collecting the data and back-office teams processing the data.
Ability to access the digital history
of all inspections carried out via the app.
Accessibility of different metrics
through the application.
Tecnologias utilizadas
“The development of this application allowed us to take a significant step in the digitalisation of our line inspection process, contributing to increasing the efficiency of our operation and reducing our data analysis time. This type of project (Quickwin), the tool used (PowerApps), Xpand IT’s development team, and the monitoring of the DGU team were fundamental to the success of this project.”
André Coelho
Head of Asset Inspection,
EDP Labelec
About EDP Labec
It provides specialized services, energy consultancy and supports the maintenance of electrical installations in the industrial sector. It is a company owned by the EDP Group.
Mission and values
- Its commitment is to provide, with quality and efficiency, technological services that guarantee the effective operation of the infrastructures and technical equipment of the entire EDP group.
Type of solution
- App in Power Apps with offline operation.
- Digitization of the in-flight inspection process.
- Dashboards with metrics for analysis and optimization.
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