Business applications and automation for work that has outgrown spreadsheets and email
We build Power Apps, automated workflows and custom applications for processes still handled through spreadsheets, email and manual follow-up. The result is a business system with clear ownership and ongoing support.
From internal applications to connected workflows
Internal business applications
Power Apps and custom applications for requests, approvals, job management, field work, production planning and other internal processes.
Workflow automation
Power Automate and system workflows that route work, update records, send notifications and manage approvals and exceptions.
Data capture and reporting
Structured forms, validation and reporting that replace disconnected spreadsheets and give the business a current view of the work.
System integration
Connections between Microsoft 365, finance platforms, CRM, ERP, databases, APIs and other business systems.
Custom operational software
Purpose-built applications for work that is too specific or too central to day-to-day operations to fit an off-the-shelf product.
AI inside the workflow
Copilot features in Power Apps, AI Builder document processing and agent flows built in Copilot Studio or Power Automate can add classification, extraction, summarisation and actions to an existing workflow.
Explore AI agent deploymentPower Platform where it fits, custom development where it does not
The platform should match the workflow, the data, the number of users and how important the application is to day-to-day operations.
Power Platform
Power Apps, Power Automate and Dataverse work well for internal applications, approvals, structured data capture, inspection forms and moderate-complexity workflows within the Microsoft environment.
Power Platform is often the best fit when the workflow is clearly defined, users already work in Microsoft 365 and the application needs to be delivered and changed without a full custom build.
Custom applications
Custom development suits processes that are highly specific, long-lived or central to the way the business operates. This includes manufacturing workflows, job control, production planning, quotation logic and applications that need more freedom than a low-code platform provides.
The application can be designed around the business without depending on a SaaS vendor’s roadmap or trying to force the work into a standard product.
Existing software
Not everything needs to be built. If an established product fits the process, users and commercial requirements, we will say so and implement or integrate it instead.
The decision is based on fit, ownership, cost, support and how specific the process is.
From the current process to a supported application
Understand the workflow
We review who starts the work, who handles it, what information is captured, where approvals sit, how exceptions are managed and which systems are already involved.
Set the scope and ownership
We define what the first version will cover, who owns the process, which users are involved and what the application needs to report.
Choose the architecture
We select Power Apps, Power Automate, Dataverse, SharePoint, SQL, an open-source foundation or a custom architecture according to the work and the environment around it.
Build and test
We build the application and test it with the people who will use it, including the real exceptions and reporting requirements that determine whether it works day to day.
Introduce and support it
We manage access, documentation, rollout and the agreed support arrangements. Changes are controlled so the application does not become another unsupported business tool.
Work that is easier to run and easier to see
Information is captured once
Forms and fields validate information when it is entered and make it available to the next stage of the workflow.
The next action has an owner
Requests and jobs show who is responsible, what is waiting and where an exception needs attention.
Status is visible
Staff and managers can see where work is without searching through inboxes, spreadsheets and Teams messages.
Reporting comes from the workflow
Once the work is structured, the business can report on volume, turnaround time, backlog, outcomes and ownership without assembling the information by hand.
Less time is spent holding the process together
People spend less time rekeying information, chasing approvals and reconciling different versions of the same record.
Built as part of your technology environment
A business application rarely operates alone. It depends on identity, permissions, devices, Microsoft 365, cloud services, databases, integrations, backup and security. We work across that whole environment, not only the application screen.
Supported after rollout
We document what has been built, manage agreed changes and provide ongoing support. Support is raised and tracked in Microsoft Teams.
See the outcomes we’ve delivered for our clients
Business applications and automation questions
Is this mainly Power Platform?
No. Power Platform is one strong option, particularly for internal workflows within Microsoft 365. We also build custom applications, integrate business systems and implement established software where that is the better fit.
What if the current process is inconsistent?
We map the current process before building. This identifies the stages, ownership, exceptions and information the application needs to handle. Parts of the process may need to be simplified or standardised before they are automated.
Can you connect the application to our existing systems?
Yes. We can connect applications and workflows to Microsoft 365, finance systems, CRM, ERP, databases and other platforms through supported connectors and APIs.
The available integration depends on the system, its data and the access it provides.
What is the first sensible automation project?
One that happens often, causes visible friction, has a clear owner and a measurable outcome. It should be contained enough to implement without turning the first project into a wider business transformation.
Who owns and supports the application?
You own the application and your business information. We document the build and can provide ongoing support, controlled changes and platform management.
How does automation work with AI agents?
Automation manages defined steps, rules and system actions. An AI agent can add interpretation, classification, retrieval, drafting or decision support within that workflow.
Some projects need automation only. Others combine a structured workflow with an agent where the work involves substantial documents, business information or several systems.
Talk to us about business applications and automation
Tell us about the workflow, application or manual process you want to improve. We will establish what the first version needs to cover and what it will take to implement and support.
Prefer email? contact@inlightit.com.au