Throughout SA Power Networks ’ ( SAPN ) significant transformation of its IT team and its transition from legacy platforms , software giant Microsoft has been a key partner every step of the way . Rather than a typical vendor-buyer relationship , Microsoft has worked collaboratively to ensure SA Power Networks maximises the value of investment in its solutions .

Collaboration empowered by Office 365

SAPN has adopted Office 365 , utilising Teams to improve collaboration across the business with great success – the business helped SA Power implement its Future Operating Model in order to achieve operational excellence . SA employees have transformed the way they work through digital , utilised data to improve customer experience , gained smart insights into how the business can be run more efficiently , and improved communication and collaboration though open platforms .

An important use case of Office365 has been promoting onsite safety . Teams is an easy to use , mobile friendly platform that improves communication between field workers to reduce the number of incidents . Questions can be asked in real-time , even through photos , to gain answers quickly .

Other Office365 tools , SharePoint and Flow , have helped SAPN move from a paper-based to digital system , improving efficiency throughout the company ’ s procurement process . Without the need to scan paper documents , and with all information at the fingertips of staff , the business has reduced the procurement timeline from months to weeks .

“ We were early adopters of Office 365 and Microsoft have worked very collaboratively with us to ensure we maximise the value of the investment . We have really promoted the use of ‘ Teams ’ to improve collaboration across the organisation and it has been embraced by every group that has tried it .”

– Chris Ford , General Manager Innovation and Technology , SA Power Networks

More than a software vendor

As a trusted partner , Microsoft brings software engineering , research and development , solutions architecture and support , which would not come from buying an off-the-shelf solution . As such , Microsoft has helped SAPN to innovate through its technologies , formulating the best ways to navigate a complex digital transformation as a true enabler .

With SAPN having come on leaps and bounds implementing a modern workplace , Microsoft is also helping SAPN introduce SAP ’ s S4 / HANA solution on Azure . This next-gen enterprise resource planning ( ERP ) solution is a truly mission critical application for SAPN . In addition , the partners are collaborating on a Virtual Power Plant project , which is funded by the South Australia government and aims to help South Australia ‘ transition to a sustainable energy future ’.

Lastly , Microsoft has been instrumental in moving SAPN ’ s data to the cloud , with all the time and cost efficiency that goes with it . Moving to Microsoft ’ s cloud-based solutions has also improved collaboration with external partners through secure sharing .

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