From Manual to Seamless: Automating Corporate Processeswith Power Platform

On 18th September 2025, MultiThread ICT Solutionshosted yet another insightful and practical online masterclass — this timeshowing how businesses can simplify everyday workflows with Microsoft PowerPlatform. The focus was on a relatable scenario: managing petty cash. Whatlooked like a small process turned out to be the perfect example of howautomation can save time, reduce errors, and bring clarity to organizationalworkflows.

Setting the Stage

The session opened with a warm welcome from Nora SaamaaAdu-Gyempeh, who explained why automation has become critical forbusinesses of all sizes. Manual processes, she noted, often create bottlenecks,increase the risk of human error, and leave companies struggling withinefficiency and higher costs.

She reminded participants that while many organizationsstill rely on bulky ERP systems, Microsoft Power Platform provides a flexible,affordable, and customizable alternative. From petty cash management tofleet tracking and leave approvals, automation with Power Apps, Power Automate,and Power BI allows businesses to streamline workflows without forcing theminto rigid systems.

Nora emphasized that the Petty Cash App on displaywas just one of many business applications MultiThread ICT has built on PowerPlatform including fleet management, leave management, staff appraisal, andqueue management systems.

The Case for Business Process Automation

Taking over the presentation, Sylvester Akakpo, LeadDeveloper for Business Solutions, walked participants through why automation isno longer optional. He highlighted the common pitfalls of manual workflows:

• Workflow delays slowing down business operations.
• Error-prone processes leading to inaccuracies.
• Lack of transparency making it hard to track requests.
• Increased operational costs due to inefficiencies.

Automation, he explained, drives competitiveness by optimizingresources, reducing waste, and ensuring faster, smarter decision-making.Yet, as Gartner reports show, most organizations only use about 10% of theirMicrosoft 365 capabilities, often limiting themselves to emails, Teams calls,and basic collaboration tools. The masterclass aimed to show just how much moreis possible.

Inside the Petty Cash App

The highlight of the session was the live demo ofMultiThread’s Petty Cash App — built entirely with Power Apps, Power Automate,and SharePoint.

Here’s how the workflow played out:

1. Submission – Staff submit petty cash requests via a user-friendly Power Apps form, attaching receipts and key details.
2. Admin Review – An admin verifies the request, checks attachments, and either routes it to a manager for approval or sends it back for corrections.
3. Manager Approval – Approvers are notified instantly and can approve or reject requests based on the supporting documents.
4. Cashier Disbursement – Once approved, the cashier checks the cash balance and disburses funds. If balances run low, the app automatically triggers a reimbursement workflow.
5. Notifications & Dashboards – Push notifications update users in real time, while dashboards provide full visibility of requests, balances, and expenditures.

Participants saw how requests move seamlessly from pending→ reviewed → approved → disbursed, with every step tracked foraccountability.

Why It Matters

The benefits of this automation were clear throughout thedemo:

• Faster approvals — no more delays or manual chasing.
• Reduced errors — receipts and data are captured accurately.
• Audit-ready — every transaction has a unique ID and trail.
• Business agility — managers can make informed, real-time financial decisions.

The Q&A: Real Concerns, Real Solutions

The interactive Q&A sparked some thought-provokingdiscussions:

• Direct Manager Approvals – Could requests go straight to line managers instead of admins? Yes, Power Platform can adapt to reflect any company’s reporting hierarchy.
• Cash Advances – Could the app also handle scenarios where employees receive funds in advance and later submit receipts? Absolutely — the workflow can     be adjusted to track both petty cash and advances.
• Licensing – Do you need expensive licenses? No. The app runs on standard Microsoft 365 licenses (F1, F3, E1, E3, E5). Premium licenses are only needed for     external system integrations.
• Dashboards – Was the dashboard built in Power BI? The version shown was built in Power Apps, but richer insights can be achieved by integrating Power BI.
• Multiple Apps – Are all these solutions separate? Yes, but they can be bundled into a suite for a unified experience.

Final Thoughts

As Nora concluded, the Petty Cash App was just one exampleof what’s possible with Microsoft Power Platform. For many businesses,especially small and medium enterprises, ERP systems like SAP feel out of reach— too expensive and too complex. Power Platform changes that, offering powerful,scalable, and affordable automation that fits your business instead offorcing your business to fit the system.

This masterclass wasn’t just about demonstrating an app. Itwas a reminder that manual doesn’t have to mean difficult, and that withthe right tools, businesses can move faster, stay in control, and buildfuture-ready operations.

For those who missed the live event, watch the full recording below:

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Call us: 0275075779 | 0208839553
Email: business@multithreadict.com
Learn more: www.multithreadict.com

Written by Nora Saamaa Adu-Gyempeh
Deputy Manager, Business Development

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