Success Stories

Automating Grant Processing for the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs

Platform: Power Apps, Power Automate, Power Pages and Dataverse

Challenge:

The Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs (WDMA) faced significant challenges with their grant application process for military members. The procedure relied heavily on paper forms filled out by students, National Guard or Airforce officers, and school officials, followed by manual data entry into a custom app built on a Microsoft Access Database. This method, prone to errors, handled over 700 requests each term and was inefficient and outdated.

Project Duration: 2 month

Solutions Implemented:

Online Transition:
Replaced paper forms with an online Power Page, streamlining data submission and reducing processing time.

Database Migration:
Moved the local Microsoft Access database to the more secure and accessible Dataverse.

Application Modernization:
Upgraded the old Microsoft Access application to a cloud-based Power App, eliminating manual data entry for WDMA staff.

Process Automation:
Implemented Power Automate for automatic sending of approval or rejection emails to applicants.

Quantitative Outcomes:

Reduced the grant processing time from four weeks to one week—a 75% decrease in processing time.

Established an automated email alert system that keeps students informed throughout the grant process.

Client Impact:

This modernization project significantly transformed the WDMA’s grant processing operations. By migrating to a digital and automated system, the WDMA not only saved approximately $35,000 per year but also enhanced the security, reliability, and availability of the data. The streamlined process reduced administrative burdens, cut down on paper waste, and allowed the department to respond to applicants 75% faster. Overall, the project modernized an outdated system, leading to substantial time savings and improved service delivery to military members seeking educational grants.

This summary showcases how Simple BI leveraged Microsoft Power Platform technologies to modernize and streamline critical government processes, demonstrating significant cost savings and efficiency gains.

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