Driving positive change with Business Apps

If you feel like your business is hamstrung by outdated, legacy systems, or bogged down by clunky manual processes that drain time, energy and resource, you’re certainly not alone.

It’s one of the main reasons why AI is so compelling to so many big organisations. The idea that some of those hard-to-fix legacy issues can be addressed without a major digital transformation programme is tantalising.

But AI isn’t the only answer.

We’ve been building intelligent business apps for our clients using the Microsoft Power Platform for years. In fact we’ve got an entire Business Applications Practice dedicated to it.

Biz Apps, as we like to call them, are at the core of incremental transformation - offering efficient, automated solutions to inefficient business processes, one process at a time.

In industries like healthcare and government, where stakes are high and resources often limited, the impact of these applications can be transformational.

Microsoft Biz Apps are our niche. We’ve carved out a space where we don’t just deliver technology - we deliver impact for our clients. Here’s how…

Freedom for your team

The power of Biz Apps lies in their ability to free up valuable people time and deliver insights that drive smarter decision-making. Instead of focusing on tasks that eat up hours, employees can concentrate on what truly matters, like engaging with customers, and driving innovation.

In a hospital setting, for instance, clinical staff who might have spent hours manually updating patient records can now focus on patient care.

This shift not only boosts productivity but also improves job satisfaction as employees get to spend more time on work that’s more aligned with their skills, expertise and preferences.

A proven approach: delivering value quickly

In a world where agility is everything, Biz Apps provide a way to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. Whether it’s scaling to meet new demands, responding to crises, or embracing long-term growth, they are a crucial part of the digital toolkit.

The benefits of Biz Apps are clear, but so too is the need for rapid implementation. Organisations can’t afford to wait years for a solution that solves their pressing challenges. In today’s environment, getting results fast is key to staying competitive and resilient. That’s why an agile, iterative approach to development is essential.

Prototyping solutions early and building progressively, allows organisations to start realising value quickly. This approach enables teams to refine the solution as they go, responding to feedback and adjusting based on real-world use.

By leveraging Microsoft’s Power Platform (software that many businesses have already got embedded in their technology ecosystems), the Voco Biz Apps team have delivered solutions in a matter of weeks - sometimes even days - depending on the scope and complexity of the project.

Our partnership with the Ministry of Health during the COVID pandemic is a perfect example of how we operate. With 15 applications built in just 14 months, many on a turnaround of just a few days, we were able to rapidly respond to a national crisis.

Each of these apps met strict privacy and security requirements, passed independent assessments, and - most importantly - delivered results that supported the health of the nation.

Better Quality Data, Powerful Insights, and Process Efficiency

One of the key advantages of Biz Apps is their ability to improve data accuracy, visibility, and flow. In sectors where real-time access to reliable data is critical - such as tracking patient care in hospitals or managing public assets in government - these apps can provide a significant edge. They bring previously siloed data together in a centralised, easily accessible platform, allowing users to track trends, identify issues, and make informed decisions.

For instance, in a healthcare setting, managing patient records, medical data, and compliance requirements can be incredibly complex. The right Biz App will allow this data to be centralised and streamlined, making it easier to track patient progress, monitor treatments, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

These apps provide a real-time, holistic view of operations, helping healthcare providers deliver better outcomes for patients while ensuring that sensitive data remains secure.

In corporates, Biz Apps can be just as transformative. From asset management to workflow optimisation, these solutions give teams the tools they need to improve service delivery and respond to customer needs more effectively. Having access to real-time data makes it easier to manage resources, identify areas for improvement, and deliver more efficient services to your customer base.

World-Class technology: leveraging Microsoft’s Power Platform

One of the key drivers behind the success of Voco’s Biz Apps solutions is the technology that powers them.

With its low-code/no-code approach, Microsoft’s Power Platform provides a robust, scalable solution that enables organisations to meet their specific needs without the usual dependency on technical expertise and capability.

By embracing Power Platform, organisations can take advantage of world-class technology without the need for extensive customisation or development time. The platform’s flexibility and ease of use make it an ideal choice for organisations looking to automate manual processes, improve data management, and enhance operational efficiency.

Take our work with Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora), for example. Faced with the challenge of replacing their Lotus Notes system - an outdated platform that was stifling innovation and approaching obsolescence - we stepped in. By leveraging Power Platform, we developed a modern solution that not only replaced the old system but laid the groundwork for future growth and transformation. And we did it within a really tight timeline and budget, avoiding potential re-licensing costs that would have run into the millions.

Solving Real-World Problems: Success Stories

Biz Apps have the power to solve real-world problems in a way that’s efficient, reliable, and scalable. Whether it’s managing public assets, or streamlining operations, these apps provide the tools needed to drive positive change. And we've got lots of really interesting case studies.

Working with the Ministry of Health, we delivered a complex, high-stakes application to manage the movement of patients between forensic services and health facilities. The system had to meet strict regulatory requirements, handle sensitive data, and be delivered on time due to government commitments. We not only met the deadline, but also delivered the solution within budget and to an incredibly high standard.

Thanks to our iterative, one-team engagement approach, we worked closely with the Ministry to ensure the solution met their needs at every stage. From demonstrating possibilities in our test environments to supporting the system in hyper-care mode, we were there every step of the way. The result? An application that the Ministry proudly references as an example of successful collaboration and effective delivery.

For the Department of Conservation, we tackled an entirely different kind of problem. Their senior rangers were using an old Access database to manage shared and personal assets, but the system was painfully slow and didn’t meet their needs. With a very limited budget, we suggested trialling a new tool to speed up development and reduce costs.

While the initial tool didn’t deliver as expected, we invested further in the project and continued development at a capped rate to fit their budget. The result is an application that’s about to go live and will be a massive improvement over their old system - giving the rangers more time to focus on their important conservation work. Another great example why it’s important to deliver iteratively.

The Voco Difference: Delivery and Results

Whether it’s through automating manual tasks, improving data visibility, or streamlining workflows, our app solutions have a proven track record of driving efficiency and unlocking new potential for our clients. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every organisation is different, and we tailor our approach to meet the unique needs of each client.

So, if you’re frustrated by outdated systems or inefficient manual processes, we’re here to help. We bring together world-class technology, a proven approach to delivery, and a passionate team of experts to create solutions that not only solve today’s problems, but lay the groundwork for tomorrow’s growth.

Reach out to our Business Apps team if you'd like to find out more.