In the final instalment of our Expert Voice series, we explore Power Apps—Microsoft’s low-code super tool that’s transforming business processes.
In this interview, Paul Hill, one of HG Technology’s founding directors, shares his insights on how businesses can unlock significant performance improvements and cost savings—all by making the most of the resources they already have.
Paul believes that fostering a culture of citizen development makes DIY tech possible—but only up to a point. By combining internal enthusiasm with external expertise, businesses can take huge strides toward eliminating paper-based processes in favour of smart, streamlined systems with minimal margin for error.
What does Power Apps do?
It’s an almost no-code platform that allows users to create their own applications—without needing extensive programming knowledge. Businesses can design dynamic forms for data collection and automation, and because it’s part of Microsoft 365, it integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft and third-party services.
“I like to call it the DIY problem-solving tool. When paired with a problem-solving mindset, Power Apps can drive change—fast.”
What do you mean by citizen development?
In the context of cloud-based tech, it means enabling non-technical employees (“citizen developers”) to create their own solutions. Essentially, it democratises software development, allowing teams to innovate and solve business challenges without always relying on traditional IT teams—reducing costs and increasing agility.
Can anyone really use it?
“It depends. First, you need to identify the right people within the business—those with the acumen to ‘give it a go’—and ensure they have the time to learn it alongside their other responsibilities.
That’s where we come in. Think of us as ‘babysitters’ for the process—guiding teams, ensuring best practices, and stepping in for that critical last 20-30% to avoid hiccups and guarantee success.”
What makes Power Apps so easy to use?
Power Apps is fantastic for digitising forms—simplifying and accelerating processes. Its drag-and-drop interface, pre-built components, and cloud-based connectivity make it intuitive, even for non-developers.
“If you know what the form needs to do and how you want it to look, it’s just a matter of getting on with it. We always encourage clients to start with the end in mind—think about the desired output and work backwards from there.”
Can you share some success stories?
Streamlining Approval Processes for Breedon Hope
Breedon Hope, a large cement wholesaler, faced a slow, error-prone approval process for capital expenditure (CAPEX). Multiple paper forms had to be manually completed and emailed—sometimes involving nine different people before final approval.
Errors were common, leading to forms being sent back for corrections, adding frustration and delays.
Our solution was to digitise the forms with Power Apps, adding built-in verification steps so users couldn’t submit incomplete requests. These included:
- Tick boxes and red asterisks flagged missing information
- Irrelevant fields were hidden to simplify the user experience
- The process became faster, clearer, and error-free
“The impact was huge. When the internal team presented the new system to senior management, they got a round of applause! If that’s not an endorsement of Power Apps, I don’t know what is.”
Automating Occupancy Tracking for Hibernia
Hibernia, a major property company in Dublin, needed to predict office occupancy rates to avoid revenue loss from vacant spaces.
Before Power Apps, their process was manual, time-consuming, and error prone. For example, every day, staff manually counted desks in use and logged visitor entries. Data was entered into an Excel spreadsheet, then manually converted into reports which meant insights were often inaccurate.
Our solution was to start from scratch by introducing automated access control, requiring tenants to log in and out. Then, using Power Apps and SharePoint, we built an intuitive dashboard to track occupancy trends in real time. In addition to cutting labour time from two days to two hours, it resulted in:
- Accurate, automated data collection
- Eliminated manual counting and spreadsheet errors
- Faster decision-making and proactive lease management
“The tech was already there—we simply showed them how to use what they already owned to work smarter, not harder.”
What Difference Does HG Technology Make?
“We don’t just build apps—we bridge the gap between tech and business needs.
We work closely with clients and their ‘citizen developers’ to ensure they get the best technical and strategic outcomes. Our expertise helps businesses transform ideas into fully functional, user-friendly systems that drive real results.
I’ve spent my whole career looking for better, smarter ways to do things, and that’s exactly what we bring to every project.”
Final Thoughts
Power Apps isn’t just about building apps—it’s about empowering businesses to work more efficiently, accurately, and cost-effectively. And with the right guidance, the possibilities are endless.
A Bit about Paul
Paul Hill is HG Technology’s Technical Director with a career spanning over 30 years and where a key highlight was developing a revolutionary property management software. Alongside David Gee, he founded HG in 2011, and through a hands-on approach, continues to support clients with both technical and business-related needs.
Outside of the office and away from a screen, Paul’s quiet calm and contentment, sees him walking in the glorious UK countryside whatever the weather.
Want to Chat?
For a free, no-obligation 30-minute chat about how the Power Platform can help your business, click here.
