Microsoft Power Apps at OGE Arvato Systems

OGE, headquartered in Essen, Germany, is one of the largest transmission system operators for gas in Germany, with a pipeline network of around 12,000 kilometers.

With 1,450 employees, the company ensures the marketing of gas transport capacities as well as the operation, maintenance and repair of the pipeline system. In addition, OGE controls and monitors the network and storage stations as well as the further development of the transmission networks on the basis of nationwide network development plans.

As a key player in the energy transition, OGE Germany is working on the energy mix of the future: with its long-term 2030+ strategy, OGE is preparing the pipeline network as well as the numerous compressor stations for new molecular energy sources.

Learn more about the cloud transformation project at OGE

Project Overview

Initial Situation

To manage projects with external suppliers, e.g. for the expansion of the gas pipeline network, OGE currently uses individual SharePoint sites. Approval and signature processes are handled on paper and via e-mail. A comprehensive project view for all stakeholders cannot currently be mapped.

OGE wants a solution for contract and claim management that integrates with the existing software landscape and established standard applications around Microsoft Office 365 and is intuitive for OGE users.

Vision

In order to reduce mail traffic and transparently document processes relating to contracts and claims, communication with suppliers is to be handled via the Microsoft Power Apps portal in the future. The aim is to digitize, automate and streamline all processes that are currently managed on paper.

To this end, a common database will be created from different data sources. The various processes of the departments will be standardized and optimized. The existing solution will be replaced by the low-code applications of the Microsoft Power Platform.

Solution

Together with OGE, Arvato Systems developed and provided the required solution based on Power Apps in an agile project. The focus was on quickly building ready-to-use features while considering individual customer requirements.

OGE users can now access a 360° view of their projects, orders, and claims and communicate transparently with all suppliers. The entire process has been digitized end-to-end, eliminating the need to manually sign PDFs.

The new solution integrates perfectly into the existing software environment, in particular through a smooth interaction of the Microsoft solutions SharePoint, Power BI and Outlook.

Customer Benefits

By using the Microsoft Power Platform, OGE uses a SaaS model (Software-as-a-Service) and thus benefits from predictable and flexible platform costs. Users can access all relevant contact, contract, and supplier order data. The Power Apps solution thus enables a transparent and up-to-date view of projects, orders, and claims. With the help of the agile project approach, it was possible to implement the feedback from the specialist department for continuous process improvement and a high level of user acceptance.

Optimization of business processes

Transparency across all departments

Integration into existing work processes and tools

Reduction of maintenance costs through the use of standards based on the LowCode or NoCode approach

Scalable and highly available infrastructure

Increased security