2024 Highlights Day 12: National Power Platform Community

What is the M365 National Power Platform?

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, councils face increasing pressure to deliver services more efficiently while meeting the diverse needs of their communities. As we navigate these challenges, embracing innovative technologies becomes a must. One tool that holds great potential for Scottish local government is the Microsoft 365 (M365) National Power Platform. The M365 National Power Platform is a suite of tools within Microsoft 365 that enables organisations to build custom applications, automate workflows, and analyse data to make informed decisions—all without requiring extensive coding knowledge. Comprised of Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power Virtual Agents, this platform offers an integrated approach to digital transformation.

The Benefits of Maximising the M365 National Power Platform

Enhanced Service Delivery

The M365 Power Platform enables local authorities to streamline processes and deliver services more effectively. For instance, by using Power Apps, councils can quickly develop custom applications that address specific local needs—whether it’s managing community resources or streamlining citizen services. Automating routine tasks with Power Automate can free up staff time for higher-value activities, ensuring faster and more reliable service delivery.

Data-Driven Decision Making

Power BI allows councils to use the power of data analytics to drive decisions. By consolidating and analysing data from multiple sources, councils can gain insights into trends, monitor performance, and identify areas for improvement. This data-driven approach supports more informed policymaking, helping to allocate resources efficiently and respond proactively to emerging issues.

Empowered Workforce

The Power Platform is designed to be accessible to users of varying technical abilities. This democratisation of technology can be an enabler for staff at all levels to contribute to digital innovation. Employees can create their own solutions to everyday challenges, focussing on continuous improvement and reducing dependence on IT departments for routine tasks.

Cost Efficiency

By leveraging the existing M365 ecosystem, local government can develop and deploy solutions at a fraction of the cost associated with traditional software development. The platform’s low-code/no-code environment reduces the need for expensive, specialised technical skills, making it a cost-effective option for cash-strapped councils seeking to do more with less.

Scalability and Flexibility

The M365 National Power Platform is scalable, allowing councils to start small and expand their use of the platform as needed. Whether it’s rolling out a new application to a single department or automating processes across the entire council, the platform can adapt to meet the changing needs of your organisation.

Improved Citizen Engagement

By leveraging Power Virtual Agents, councils can deploy chatbots to engage with citizens around the clock, answering queries, providing information, and guiding users through various processes. This not only enhances the customer experience but also relieves pressure on front-line staff by handling routine inquiries automatically.

Maximising the Potential: Next Steps

To fully realise the benefits of the M365 National Power Platform, we have now launched our National Power Platform community  co-led by Chris Wright of Perth and Kinross Council and Verity Hislop of The Digital Office for Scottish Local Government. This network is co-developed with digital partnership members and delivering on agreed priorities.

We will be exploring and implementing:

• Programmes to ensure that staff are aware and equipped with the skills needed to use the Power Platform actively. This will unlock the full potential of the tools and encourage innovation across departments.
• Pilot projects to demonstrate the value of the Power Platform. These initial successes can build momentum and showcase the tangible benefits to everyone. 
• Collaboration by sharing best practices and solutions across different councils. This can accelerate learning and help avoid duplication of effort.
• Regularly review and refine our use of the Power Platform to ensure that it continues to meet the evolving needs of councils and the communities you serve.

If you couldn’t attend our kick-off meeting and the first Community call, you can still get involved in this opportunity for councils to modernise operations, enhance service delivery, and make data-driven decisions that benefit communities.

Now is the time to explore what the M365 National Power Platform can do for your organisation and take the next step toward digital transformation.

• Accelerated Innovation: Members can share and co-develop low-code solutions to common challenges, speeding up problem-solving and reducing redundant work.
• Cost Savings and Efficiency: Share best practices and reusable solutions cut development costs, enabling faster, cost-effective improvements.
• Digital Skill Development: Community resources support members in building Power Platform skills, creating a more digitally skilled and adaptable workforce.
• Cross-Sector Collaboration: The community encourages knowledge-sharing and collaboration across organisations, enhancing problem-solving through diverse perspectives.
• Support for Digital Transformation: A unified community will drive alignment on national digital transformation goals and improve the public sector’s service delivery.
• Increased Accessibility: The platform empowers non-technical users to create data-driven solutions, diversifying technology and encouraging innovative solutions. 

If you would like to find out more about this initiative, please get in touch at info@digitaloffice.scot