Challenge: Manual Processes, Lost Information, Slow Turnaround

A long-established manufacturing client with a complex product sampling business faced persistent operational inefficiencies. Historically, the sampling process—which involved tracking physical samples, managing orders, and coordinating production handoffs—was handled with paper forms, spreadsheets, and manual communication. This led to:

1. Lost information and miscommunication between teams
2. Rework and duplicate efforts to recreate existing samples
3. Inability to track order progress in real time
4. Delays in fulfilling customer requests and reduced responsiveness

These operational challenges were compounded by increased expectations for traceability, speed, and quality from brand and retail customers.

Solution: Rapid Automation with Power Apps and CRM Integration

atQor Canada partnered with the customer to modernize the sampling process using:

1. Microsoft Power Apps to build an intuitive, mobile-enabled application
2. Dynamics 365 CRM as the central repository for order and product metadata
3. Azure cloud to host secure, scalable services and data integrations

Using a Power Apps “app in a day” methodology, atQor helped design and deliver an initial solution that:

1. Digitizes sampling orders with unique QR codes linked to CRM records
2. Enables production teams to scan and update status from mobile devices
3. Replaces paper-based handoffs with real-time updates visible in CRM
4. Provides instant insight into sample status and order progress

This solution was designed to be accessible to non-technical users while integrating seamlessly into the customer’s broader enterprise systems.

Outcomes: Faster, More Accurate Business Operations

Since deploying the Power Apps solution, the client has realized significant operational improvements:

1. Human error reduced by over 90% in sample tracking and order updates
2. Production errors reduced by over 70% through better specification visibility
3. Order turnaround times shortened by ~30%, improving customer responsiveness
4. Centralized digital sample library enables efficient reuse of historical data

Teams across marketing, production, and operations now collaborate using a single, governed data source—eliminating fragmentation and redundant work.

Business Impact and Strategic Value

Beyond immediate operational efficiency, the solution has created strategic value:

1. A foundation for future automation and analytics
2. A model for extending Power Apps across related processes
3. Enhanced integration with customer relationship workflows
4. Improved readiness for AI, automation, and process optimization

The success of this engagement has led the organization to explore additional use cases for Power Apps, including vendor onboarding and supply chain process automation.