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Power Platform: Not an Afterthought for D365 Planning

A successful Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation isn’t just about configuring the ERP—it’s about laying the foundation for future innovation. Many organizations and vendors focus solely on getting D365 live, only to run into post go-live roadblocks with analytics or portals due to process and data gaps that weren’t considered during planning.   This is why the Power Platform must be factored into the planning of your future-state D365 environment from the start. It’s not an add-on or an afterthought—it’s an integral part of how your organization will extend, optimize, and evolve D365 to maximize long-term impact, both in the near and long term. Future-Proofing Your D365 Environment A proper D365 implementation is designed around business processes, data architecture, reporting, and integration. As Wayne Getsky famously stated, he plays to where the puck will be, not where it is. This means that Power Platform should be included in your roadmap to ensure that the system you go live with can support future-state needs: Planning for enterprise-wide analytics ensures Power BI reporting will be built on a solid data architecture designed to support the demands of AI. Define how your organization wants to communicate and collaborate via portals with customers, vendors, and partners. By designing D365 with Power Platform in mind, you ensure that the D365 ecosystem will meet the needs of the organization day one but also support the demands of future business growth, innovation, and transformation We Plan for the Future, Even When It’s Hard to See If Power Platform isn’t considered early in the process, companies often run into roadblocks after go-live, realizing that their analytics and automation aspirations require rework, costly customizations, or process redesigns.   We don’t need to define detailed requirements upfront, but during our planning process, we ask the right questions to account for future-state needs—even those that may be hard for your team to envision today. By helping leadership think beyond the constraints of their current processes, we guide them in imagining how the company could operate without barriers, leveraging automation, analytics, and seamless system interactions.   By integrating Power Platform into your future-state D365 strategy, we eliminate obstacles before they arise—allowing your business to focus on growth and continuous improvement instead of running into walls after go-live. D365 + Power Platform = A System That Evolves With Your Business D365 is more than just an ERP or CRM system—it’s a foundation for business transformation. But without Power Platform embedded into your strategy from the start, you risk creating a system that needs workarounds instead of one that enables continuous improvement.   At Ascent Innovations, we don’t just implement D365—we design future-ready solutions that ensure your analytics, automation, and process optimization efforts are fully supported from day one.   Want to ensure your D365 investment delivers long-term impact? Let’s talk about how Power Platform can help you build a system that scales with your business. About the Author John Bruhnke has 20 years of leadership in management consulting, specializing in ERP and analytics modernization with experience leading 15 modern analytics enterprise roadmaps in manufacturing and CPG. He collaborates with executive and management teams to drive alignment on strategic goals and develop a collective vision for modernization that balances both immediate business needs and long-term strategy.

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Top Skills for 2025

Hiring Managers Are Looking for These Skills—Do You Have Them? After the pandemic, the hiring process has changed substantially. Skills that used to be prioritized in job interviews, such as technical expertise, are no longer the only traits employers seek.   Managers today are focused on identifying foundational skills that enable employees to continuously learn, adapt, and grow. These behavioral skills form the backbone of a successful career, allowing professionals to acquire new competencies and evolve with changing business needs.   The best way to assess yourself from a skills perspective is to consider the things you’re naturally good at and the tasks that energize you. These two components will help you identify strengths that can propel your career forward. Here are the key skills that hiring managers are looking for in today’s workplace. Curiosity Do you naturally ask questions, investigate the world around you, and seek to expand your horizons? If so, curiosity is one of your strengths. Curious professionals thrive in new situations because they see them as opportunities to learn, solve problems, and discover more efficient ways of doing things.   When interviewing, be ready to share an example of how your curiosity led to a breakthrough—whether that was improving a process, solving a complex problem, or helping your team achieve better results. Learning Agility Are you quick to absorb new information, pivot to different challenges, and apply knowledge across a variety of situations? Learning agility is an invaluable skill, especially in today’s fast-changing work environment. Employers value candidates who can rapidly acquire and apply new skills without extensive training.   Be prepared to share a time when you had to quickly learn something new and how that ability helped you succeed. Growth Mindset A growth mindset is the belief that you can develop your abilities through effort and persistence. People with a growth mindset embrace challenges, viewing them as opportunities rather than obstacles. They are willing to take on unfamiliar projects because they see them as a chance to learn and improve.   To demonstrate this skill, highlight a time when you took on a challenging project, faced setbacks, and ultimately succeeded through perseverance. Critical Analysis Strong critical thinkers evaluate situations from multiple angles, consult different perspectives, and make informed decisions based on data and logic. This skill is particularly important in roles that require problem-solving, strategic planning, and risk assessment.   Employers want to see that you can break down complex challenges, identify patterns, and make sound decisions. When interviewing, be ready to discuss a time when your ability to analyze information and think critically led to a positive outcome. Collaboration Collaboration is more than just working well with others—it’s about actively contributing to shared goals, adapting communication styles to different team members, and fostering an environment of trust and productivity.   If you thrive in team settings, be sure to highlight how your collaboration skills have helped drive results, whether in-person or in virtual environments. Business-Tech Crossover Skills The clear lines between business and technology are disappearing. Companies no longer operate with distinct technical and business silos—every department relies on technology, and IT professionals must understand business priorities.   For technologists, this means developing business acumen—understanding market dynamics, financial performance, and customer needs to align technical solutions with strategic goals. IT professionals who can communicate the value of technology in business terms will be invaluable assets to any organization.   For business professionals, this means developing technical acumen—understanding the capabilities of modern technology, from data analytics to automation, to make informed decisions and drive innovation. Leaders who can work closely with IT teams to leverage technology for business success will stand out in the competitive job market.   Employers are looking for candidates who can bridge the gap between technology and business. Showcasing your ability to navigate both worlds will set you apart in today’s workforce. The Skills That Drive Long-Term Success Think of these skills as accelerators that will help you develop and grow throughout your career. Highlighting them to hiring managers demonstrates your ability to evolve, take on leadership roles, and contribute to an organization’s success.   More importantly, these skills will shape your personal and professional development. They help you understand yourself, leverage information effectively, tackle challenges with confidence, and collaborate with others to create meaningful impact.   By honing these foundational skills, you position yourself not only for your next job but for a dynamic, resilient, and fulfilling career. About the Author Saadiqa Amatul is a Business Analyst & Microsoft Dynamics Consultant at Ascent Innovations LLC. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, she is passionate about leveraging technology to drive business efficiency and innovation. In addition to her work in digital transformation, Saadiqa volunteers her time helping children with neurodevelopmental disorders develop behavioral skills. She is dedicated to continuous learning and helping organizations bridge the gap between technology and business strategy.

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Unlock Business Impact Now: How Power Platform Accelerates Agile ROI for AX Users

Many organizations running Microsoft Dynamics AX know they need to modernize, but large-scale ERP upgrades require executive and equity owner buy-in—which often depends on demonstrating clear, measurable business impact first.   The good news? You don’t have to wait for a full migration to D365 to start improving performance. By leveraging Microsoft Power Platform, companies can enhance AX, streamline processes, and unlock immediate business impact—creating an Agile ROI cycle that builds momentum for future modernization. Why Power Platform? Immediate Value, Minimal Disruption A full ERP upgrade takes time, planning, and investment. Meanwhile, day-to-day operations continue to struggle with inefficiencies, manual workarounds, and siloed data—slowing decision-making, profitability, and growth.   This is where Power Platform acts as a high-impact bridge to modernization. By integrating Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power Pages, organizations can extend AX’s capabilities and improve performance—without waiting for a complete ERP migration.   Instead of an all-or-nothing approach, Power Platform delivers rapid, high-value improvements that drive efficiency, visibility, and executive confidence in long-term modernization. Agile ROI: Small, High-Impact Improvements That Fund Further Modernization Our Agile ROI methodology focuses on delivering measurable business results quickly, creating a self-funding cycle for broader transformation. Phase 1: Identify Bottlenecks That Impact Performance Now Where are manual workarounds slowing execution? What critical reports are unreliable, incomplete, or time-consuming to produce? Which business processes would benefit most from automation? Phase 2: Implement Targeted Power Platform Enhancements to Deliver Immediate ROI Power BI replaces disconnected spreadsheets with real-time dashboards and trusted analytics. Power Automate eliminates manual workflows, ensuring seamless data flow across teams. Power Apps empowers teams to build custom tools that improve execution without IT bottlenecks. Power Pages & Portals enhance external collaboration, enabling self-service for customers and suppliers. Phase 3: Train and Develop Your People While Measuring Business Impact Power Platform not only delivers business value—it develops your team’s ability to work and collaborate in new ways. Employees gain a fundamental understanding of how modern processes and data integration solve business challenges, fostering cross-functional collaboration. Through hands-on participation, teams develop an informed perspective on further process improvements, preparing them for a full D365 upgrade with confidence. Phase 4: Build the Case for Broader Modernization Increased operational efficiency, reduced errors, and faster decision-making. Higher employee productivity and reduced IT burden. Real-world proof points that captivate executive and equity owner support for further investment—turning small wins into momentum for long-term transformation. By using Agile ROI, organizations demonstrate value early and often, ensuring leadership support and financial backing for larger ERP modernization initiatives. Start Generating Business Impact Now Waiting for a full D365 migration means delaying improvements that can drive results today. Power Platform allows you to enhance AX, improve performance, and prove ROI—without disrupting operations.   At Ascent Innovations, we help organizations unlock immediate business value with Power Platform while strategically preparing for ERP modernization. Want to turn small improvements into momentum for transformation? Let’s talk about how Power Platform can deliver real impact—right now. About the Author John Bruhnke is Managing Director at Ascent. He has 25 years of management consulting experience focused on system implementation and, for the last 7 years, modern analytics in the manufacturing industry. He collaborates with executive and management teams to drive alignment on strategic goals and develop a collective vision for modernization that balances both immediate business needs and long-term strategy.

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Unlocking Business Agility: How the Power Platform Empowers Business Users

Empower Business Teams to Build Custom Apps Back in the mid-80’s, my mom brought an electric drip coffee maker up to our cabin in Minnesota. Before that, my family would use the mid-century kitchen staple: the stovetop percolator. Without getting into the details, making a decent cup of coffee in a percolator is time-consuming and requires monitoring.  Even then, the chances of burning the coffee, or making it too weak or too strong are high. An electric drip coffee maker is a huge improvement. Add coffee, add water and turn it on. Done.   My grandfather was skeptical, but he decided to try it. Then, one morning, at 5:00, he woke up my mom to say the coffee maker wasn’t working. He forgot to plug it in. However, after a little bit of training he got the hang of it and, wouldn’t you know it, he was a fan. The coffee maker removed several steps from the process, automated the brewing and created consistent results.   So why am I sharing this story about coffee makers? For years, we stuck with the same process to make coffee with varying degrees of success. Then, a new product came around to simplify the process and improve consistency. From a business operations perspective, that’s where Microsoft’s Power Platform steps in. With Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, and Power Pages, business users get the power (pun intended) to create custom applications, automate tedious tasks, analyze real-time data, and engage with customers—all with minimal coding.   This means teams can solve their own problems faster while IT focuses on keeping systems running smoothly. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. While these tools put power in business users’ hands, IT and partners can play a crucial role in getting the first apps into production. The Challenge: Slow, Inefficient Business Processes It starts as a one-off. Some says, “Let’s just put together a quick spreadsheet so we can track the data.” Before you know it, there’s 7 versions with different initials, numbers and “-FINAL” in the file name. Endless spreadsheets, clunky email approvals, and manual data entry slow everything down. Traditional software development takes too long, and by the time IT gets around to building what you need, your business needs have already changed.   What’s the fix? Give teams a way to quickly build custom applications, automate workflows, analyze data, and collaborate seamlessly without being stuck in IT’s backlog. The Solution: The Power Platform Microsoft’s Power Platform is a suite of four interconnected tools designed to help organizations digitally transform their operations: Power Apps lets business users create custom applications with little to no coding, integrating seamlessly with tools like Excel, SharePoint, and Dynamics 365. Power Automate takes the grunt work out of daily operations by automating repetitive tasks, ensuring smooth data flow across applications. Power BI delivers powerful business intelligence and analytics, so teams can track KPIs, monitor trends, and make data-driven decisions. Power Pages helps build secure external portals where suppliers, customers, and partners can access business data and services without complex IT intervention. Real-World Use Cases: How Supply Chain Teams Benefits Supplier Coordination & Purchase Order Approvals The Problem: Slow supplier responses and approval delays. The Fix: A Power Apps supplier portal to centralize communication, Power Automate workflows to speed up approvals, and Power BI reports to track supplier performance. The Impact: Faster decision-making, stronger supplier relationships, and fewer bottlenecks. Supplier & Customer Portals for Shipment Coordination The Problem: Disconnected communication between suppliers, customers, and logistics teams leads to shipment delays and confusion. The Fix: A Power Pages supplier and customer portal where stakeholders can track shipments, submit inquiries, and receive automated updates. Power Automate sends real-time alerts, while Power BI provides visibility into shipment performance. The Impact: Fewer delays, smoother coordination, and happier customers. Real-Time Logistics Monitoring The Problem: No clear visibility into shipment status. The Fix: A Power Apps logistics dashboard that pulls real-time shipment data, Power Automate alerts for delays, Power BI analytics for tracking performance, and Power Pages for customer and supplier inquiries. The Impact: Proactive supply chain management reduced operational risks, and better logistics performance. Building Your First Apps—A Little Help Goes a Long Way Getting started with Power Platform doesn’t mean teams need to figure it all out alone. IT and partners can help by: Building Your First Apps – Partners can collaborate with business teams to design and launch their first apps, solving immediate problems while teaching best practices. Training & Upskilling – Hands-on, real-world learning is invaluable, but structured training ensures long-term success. Next Steps: Transform Your Business with Power Platform The Power Platform is changing the way companies innovate, collaborate, and operate. By equipping business users with low-code development tools, automation capabilities, advanced analytics, and secure portals, companies can move faster and stay ahead—without waiting on IT to solve every challenge.   Ready to put Power Platform to work in your business? Let’s talk about how you can start automating, analyzing, and optimizing today! About the Author Matthew Newcomb is a seasoned and certified Microsoft Dynamics AX and Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management Functional Consultant, specializing in Advanced Warehousing and Production. His extensive experience in Dynamics 365 planning and implementation projects informs his approach to enhancing Dynamics 365 environments with the Power Platform. By leveraging tools such as Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI, Matthew enables businesses to automate processes, build custom applications, and gain deeper insights into their operations, thereby driving efficiency and innovation.

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Cross-Functional Workflow: Non-D365 Applications Need to Keep Up with D365

Implementing D365 Finance & Supply Chain is a major step in modernizing business operations, but it’s not the finish line—it’s just one leg of the race. If your legacy applications aren’t keeping up, you’re dropping the baton every time data moves between systems, undoing the speed and efficiency gains D365 was meant to provide.   A well-run ERP is like a relay race—each team (or system) needs to execute their part smoothly and seamlessly pass the baton to the next. If one runner is faster but the baton keeps getting fumbled, the race isn’t won—it’s lost in the handoffs.   The reality is that many companies implement D365 but fail to modernize the applications that interact with it. The result? Manual workarounds, data silos, integration issues, and inefficiencies that slow everything down.   If you’re sensing that processes aren’t flowing the way they should, it’s time to look at what’s happening in the handoffs. How Legacy Applications Disrupt the Flow Process Gaps and Data Blindspots Create Bottlenecks Aging applications weren’t designed to integrate with cloud-based ERP systems like D365. That means data handoffs are slow, error-prone, or reliant on manual exports and workarounds.   Orders get processed in D365 but don’t sync properly to fulfillment systems. Financial reports require manual data pulls instead of real-time updates. Inventory updates lag behind, creating discrepancies between sales, purchasing, and warehouse teams. Every dropped handoff forces teams to run faster to make up for lost time, leading to more stress, inefficiency, and operational risk. Technical Debt Slows Down Progress Legacy applications often contain years of patches, custom scripts, and outdated code. They work—until they don’t   Performance issues and system crashes slow down operations. Security vulnerabilities create compliance risks. Custom fixes make upgrades expensive and time-consuming. If your IT team spends more time maintaining old systems than improving business processes, it’s a sign the baton isn’t just being dropped—it’s getting tangled in technical debt. User Experience: The Hidden Obstacle to Productivity A slow, outdated interface isn’t just frustrating—it creates real productivity losses. And as your teams adopt D365, the antiquated nature of your legacy systems becomes painfully clear.   D365 enables real-time visibility, but outdated systems don’t – Users are forced to manually extract and re-enter data, creating delays and errors. D365 is designed for modern workflows, but legacy apps aren’t – What once seemed like a small inefficiency now becomes a major bottleneck. D365 empowers mobile and remote teams, but legacy systems don’t – If users can’t access critical tools from anywhere, they revert to manual workarounds. If teams are avoiding the system or working outside of it, the technology isn’t supporting them—it’s slowing them down. As companies modernize with D365, the gaps between what’s possible and what’s holding them back become impossible to ignore. Ensuring a Strong Handoff: Application Integration A successful D365 implementation requires more than just ERP—it requires modern, well-integrated applications that keep the baton moving without friction. Disconnected applications create data silos, leading to inconsistent, outdated, or incomplete information across departments. If finance, sales, and operations aren’t seeing the same numbers in real time, decision-making slows down, errors increase, and inefficiencies multiply.   With proper integration, data flows seamlessly across all business functions: Orders from your CRM automatically update inventory and fulfillment in D365. Financial transactions sync instantly, eliminating reconciliation delays. Supplier updates reflect in procurement planning, preventing stockouts.   Without integration, each of these steps becomes a manual, error-prone process, forcing teams to waste time chasing down the right information instead of acting on it. If Your ERP is Fast, Your Other Systems Need to Keep Up D365 isn’t an island—it’s part of a larger digital ecosystem. If your legacy applications can’t keep up, the business won’t move at the speed it should. Application modernization isn’t about changing everything overnight—it’s about ensuring that the baton is passed smoothly, so your business wins the race instead of making up for lost time. If your D365 implementation isn’t delivering the efficiency you expected, let’s talk. We’ll help you identify what’s slowing things down and modernize the systems holding you back. About the Author Abdul Hafiz is a technology leader with 25+ years of experience in optimizing and implementing ERPs to modernize finance and operations. As a Partner at Ascent Innovations, he has led growth and delivery for 14 years. He holds a master’s degree in computer and information sciences from the University of Illinois and advises executive teams on how to modernize the enterprise to drive profitable growth.

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What is Application Modernization?

The Business Case for Modernization Businesses today rely on custom-built applications to support critical operations, but many of these systems were developed years ago and struggle to keep up with modern cloud environments, AI integration, and automation needs. As technology advances, companies face a fundamental choice: modernize or fall behind. Legacy applications often introduce: Complexity and technical debt that increase maintenance costs Aging infrastructure that creates security and performance risks Poor user experience with outdated interfaces and workflows Limited AI and automation capabilities that restrict innovation   Ignoring these challenges leads to rising costs, security vulnerabilities, and operational inefficiencies, making it harder for businesses to compete in a digital-first world. Why Modernize Legacy Applications? Many legacy applications, particularly monolithic architectures, present significant challenges: Difficult to update due to tightly coupled systems, making feature enhancements costly High operational costs from ongoing maintenance and resource-intensive infrastructure Scalability limitations requiring entire applications to scale instead of individual components Security risks from outdated software and lack of modern compliance controls Inability to integrate AI, automation, and cloud-native capabilities   By modernizing applications, organizations can reduce costs, accelerate development cycles, and create more flexible, scalable systems. How to Approach Application Modernization A successful modernization strategy starts with a clear assessment of the current application landscape. Companies should categorize their applications based on: Business value – How critical is the application to operations, customer experience, or competitive advantage? Complexity and dependencies – What systems and integrations rely on this application? Potential ROI – What measurable benefits will modernization deliver?   Applications that are both high-value and easier to modernize are often the best starting point, while complex, deeply integrated systems may require a phased approach. Key Modernization Strategies Different applications require different modernization approaches. The four primary strategies include: Rehosting (Lift & Shift) Moves applications to the cloud with minimal modifications Improves scalability and reduces on-premises infrastructure costs Best for applications that need quick cloud migration with minimal disruption Replatforming (Migration to PaaS) Moves applications to cloud platforms with minor code adjustments Leverages managed services, auto-scaling, and high availability Retains core functionality while improving flexibility Refactoring (Cloud Optimization) Restructures applications to leverage cloud-native architectures Converts monolithic applications into microservices or containerized environments Enhances performance, scalability, and cost efficiency Rewriting (Full Rebuild) Completely redesigns applications using modern frameworks Unlocks AI-driven capabilities, automation, and future-proof technology Ideal for applications needing extensive modernization Key Technologies for Application Modernization Modernizing an application isn’t just about moving it to the cloud—it’s about adopting the right technology stack to enhance performance, scalability, and long-term flexibility. Programming Languages: Java, .NET, Python, JavaScript (React, Angular, Vue), Go, Rust Cloud Platforms: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, hybrid cloud environments Data & Integration: SQL & NoSQL databases, GraphQL, API-driven architectures Microservices & Containers: Kubernetes, Docker, serverless computing DevOps & Automation: CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code, automated testing AI & Automation: Machine learning, NLP, robotic process automation (RPA)   Each of these technologies plays a role in making applications more agile, scalable, and intelligent, enabling businesses to innovate faster while reducing IT overhead. Modernization is More Than Just Cloud Migration One common misconception about modernization is that it simply means moving applications to the cloud. While cloud adoption is often part of the process, modernization is about rethinking how applications function—making them more modular, efficient, and aligned with business objectives. Some organizations take a gradual transformation approach to break apart monolithic applications over time. Others may benefit from API integration strategies, allowing modern applications to interact with legacy systems without requiring immediate replacement. The Business Impact of Modern Applications A well-executed application modernization strategy delivers: Lower costs by optimizing infrastructure and reducing maintenance requirements Greater agility with faster time to market for new features and capabilities Improved security through modern compliance standards and risk management Better user experience with intuitive, high-performance applications Future-ready systems that can easily adopt AI, automation, and next-gen innovations Final Thoughts Application modernization is not just an IT initiative—it’s a strategic business decision that impacts efficiency, innovation, and long-term growth. By choosing the right modernization strategy, leveraging modern architectures, and focusing on business-driven outcomes, organizations can ensure their applications remain a competitive advantage rather than a technological burden. About the Author Abdul Hafiz is a business and technology strategist with 25+ years of experience in optimizing and implementing ERPs to modernize finance and operations. As a Partner at Ascent Innovations, he has led growth and delivery for 14 years. He holds a master’s degree in computer and information sciences from the University of Illinois and advises executive teams on how to modernize the enterprise to drive profitable growth.

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automate-work-while-on-the-go

In today’s, matrix management structure of the global workforce especially in newer industries, there is a need to inform and get approval of your absence (eg. vacation) so that your project managers are part of your scheduling decisions.   We have used an example here of a Parallel Approval workflow, multiple persons are required to approve items, in this case vacation requests. Each person’s approval is independent of all other approvers. The same logic applies to Payables, Quality Assurance, Project/Service quotations, etc.   This flow automates an employee vacation request process that requires approval from all persons (or teams) that the employee supports regularly. Employees use a SharePoint list to request vacation. Vacation approvals are required from the employee’s direct manager, the Sales team, and the Human Resources team. Each vacation request is routed to each approver for a decision. The flow sends email with status changes and then updates SharePoint with the decisions.   Before you create the flow, create a SharePoint Online list; later, we’ll use this list to request approval for vacations.   The SharePoint Online list you create must include the following columns: Make note of the name and URL of the SharePoint Online list. We use these items later to configure the SharePoint – When an item is created trigger. Create your flow from the blank template 1. Sign in to Microsoft Flow. 2. Select the My flows tab 3. Select Create from blank 4. Select the Create from blank button Add a trigger 1. Enter SharePoint into the search box. 2. Find, and then select the SharePoint – When an item is created trigger 3. Select the Site Address and the List Name for the SharePoint list that your flow monitors for new items Get the manager for the person who created the vacation request 1. Select New step, and then select Add an action 2. Enter get manager into the Choose an action search box 3. Find, and then select the Office 365 Users – Get manager (V2) action. 4. Insert the Created By Email token into the User (UPN) box on the Get manager card. This action gets the manager for the person who created the vacation request in SharePoint. Name and save your flow 1. Provide a name for your flow, and then select the Save icon to save the work we’ve done so far. Note: Select the Save icon periodically to save the changes to your flow. Add an approval action for immediate manager 1. Select New step, and then select Add an action The brief overviews below are real world application of this concept, and we will keep this discussion at a conceptual level to maintain client confidentiality. 2. Enter approval into the Choose an action search box. 3. Select the Approvals – Start an approval action. 4. Configure the Start an approval card to suit your needs. Note: The Title and Assigned To fields are required. You can use Markdown to format the Details field. Insert a parallel branch approval action for the sales team 1. Select the down arrow that’s located between the Get manager (v2) and the Start an approval cards.2. Select the plus sign that shows up on the down arrow after you select it.3. Select Add a parallel branch4. Select Add an action. 5 .Search for, select, and then configure a Start an approval action that sends the vacation request to the sales team. See the steps used to Add an approval action for immediate manager if you’re not sure how to add the Start an approval action. Note: Use the sales team’s email address in the Assigned To box of the Start an approval 2 action Insert a parallel branch approval action for the human resources team 1. Repeat the steps to insert a parallel branch for the sales team to add, and then configure a Start an approval action to send vacation requests to human resources. Note: Use the human resources team’s email address in the Assigned To box of the Start an approval 3 action. If you’ve followed along, your flow should resemble this: Options after adding parallel branches After you’ve added actions to parallel branches, you have two options for adding more steps to your flow: 1. Use the small Insert a new step button (the circular plus button that appears when you select any white space on a branch or the area immediately below a branch). This button adds a step to that specific branch. Steps you add with this button run after this specific branch completes. 2. Use the larger New step button at the bottom of the entire workflow. Steps you add with this button run after all branches complete. In the following sections, we use the small Insert a new step button to perform these steps on each branch: Add a condition that checks if the vacation request was approved or rejected. Send an email that informs the employee of the decision. Update the vacation request in SharePoint with the approval decision.   Then, we use the larger New step button to send an email that summarizes all decisions made on the vacation request. Continuing… Add a condition to each branch 1. Select any white space on the Start an approval branch.2. Select the small Insert a new step button (the circular plus button that appears after you select the white space in the previous step).3. Select Add a condition from the menu that appears.4. Select the first box on the Condition card, and then select the Response token from the Start an approval category in the dynamic content list. 5. Confirm the list (in the middle of the Condition card) is set to is equal to.6. Enter Approve (this text is case-sensitive) into the last box.7. Your condition card should now resemble this example: Note: This condition checks the response from the Start an approval action that goes to the employee’s manager. 8. Repeat the preceding steps on the Start an approval 2 (the approval request to sales) and Start an approval 3 (the approval request to human resources) branches. Add email actions to each branch Perform the following steps on the IF YES side of the Condition branch. Note: Your flow uses these steps to send an email when the request is approved. 1. Select Add an action on the IF YES branch of the condition. 2. Enter send email into the search box on the Choose an action card. 3. Select the Office 365 Outlook … Read more

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Business Insights for Employee Evaluations or: Why No One Cares What You Think, KAREN!

When people think of Business Insights—specifically Microsoft Power BI—they typically associate it with financial or sales analysis. And why not? Money makes or breaks a business. But let’s not forget that people drive sales, control costs, and manage customer satisfaction. So, how do you track people? Informally, you get vague, off-the-cuff comments (“Karen’s just not great at her job. Also, I think she may be keeping a cat in her file cabinet.”). Formally, you have lengthy peer and self-evaluations—great for self-reflection, but also a fantastic way to create anxiety as coworkers try to figure out who gave them a bad review (I’m on to you, Karen). While subjective reviews provide valuable insights, anyone who has managed a team will tell you: numbers add credibility. That’s where Power BI steps in—transforming raw data into meaningful, reportable, and actionable insights. From Spreadsheets to Smart Analytics I used to keep massive spreadsheets filled with daily order-entry counts, quotation follow-up reports, and order-expediting calls. Manually updating formulas and charts was a time-consuming headache, especially when sensitive data had to be shared selectively. I also watched others attempt similar tracking methods, only for the system to fall apart once a supervisor became too busy to maintain it.   Enter Microsoft Power BI. Instead of manually updating reports and wasting time on formatting, Power BI automates data pulls, updates dashboards in real time, and distributes reports efficiently. It’s faster, more accurate, and far less frustrating than maintaining endless Excel sheets. Power BI: Connecting the Dots Power BI can pull data from just about anywhere. Call logs? Pulled from a VOIP system. Quotes and follow-ups? Imported from your CRM or SQL database. Daily billing records? Integrated and matched against Accounts Receivable error reports. The data you need is probably already stored somewhere in your organization—Power BI simply connects to it and keeps it up to date with scheduled refreshes. Beyond pulling data, Power BI turns it into something useful. Instead of confronting an employee with vague complaints about billing errors, you can use Power BI to pinpoint exactly where they’re struggling and identify patterns over time. It also balances the data by highlighting areas where an employee is excelling, creating a well-rounded view of performance. With real-time dashboards, employees can track their own progress, giving them visibility into how they’re doing. From Metrics to Motivation Power BI isn’t just about tracking performance—it’s a tool for motivation. Setting up sales or shipping contests using weekly ratios? Done. Aligning performance data with pre-established goals? Easy. When positioned correctly, these numbers tell a much bigger story, helping employees understand where they stand and how they can improve. Managing people and evaluating performance is tough, but a good manager combines hard data with subjective feedback to help employees grow. A tool like Power BI transforms cold, abstract metrics into a visual, comprehensive representation of performance—and, in some cases, the suspiciously high cat-to-file cabinet ratio. About the Author Matthew Newcomb is an experienced and certified Microsoft Dynamics AX & 365 Trade & Logistics Functional Senior Consultant who knows that when it comes to ERP implementations—and employee performance—data makes all the difference. As a functional solution architect, business analyst, and project wrangler, he helps companies move beyond gut feelings and guesswork, using Microsoft Dynamics and Power BI to turn raw numbers into meaningful insights. Whether it’s optimizing operations or tracking the mysterious disappearance of office supplies (looking at you, Karen), Matthew ensures businesses get the most out of their Microsoft solutions—without the headaches.

🍔 Annual Food Drive!

(November 3 to 17)

We’re proud to partner with the Schaumburg Township Food Pantry to support local families in need this season.

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one”

📋 A list of suggested donation items is available – click here