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Revolutionizing Field Data Collection and Management Using PowerApps and Robotics Process Automation (RPA)

Received: 7 June 2023    Accepted: 27 June 2023    Published: 6 July 2023
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Abstract

This paper introduces a digital solution that leverages Microsoft PowerApps and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to transform field data collection and management in rural farms with limited internet connectivity. The purpose of this solution is to address the challenges associated with offline data capture, synchronize the data with a central database, and effectively utilize it for various purposes within the organization. The research methods employed involve the utilization of Microsoft PowerApps and RPA. The PowerApps application enables field force team members to capture and store service order data on mobile/tablet devices offline and synchronize the data with the database when they are online. Additionally, an RPA solution retrieves the data from the database and automatically creates service orders in various systems. The paper discusses the design process of the digital solution, focusing on enabling offline capabilities using PowerApps for both Model-Driven Apps and Canvas Apps. It also explains the synchronization process, where data is saved locally on the device and later synchronized with the database. Furthermore, the integration of PowerApps and RPA is explored, highlighting the advantages of seamless data synchronization and automation capabilities. Simulations are conducted to evaluate the performance of the digital solution, including offline capability, data synchronization, response time, and user experience. The results demonstrate the solution's effectiveness in maintaining data integrity, seamless synchronization, improved response time, and enhanced user experience. In conclusion, the paper summarizes the benefits of the digital solution, including improved service quality, enhanced customer experience, and reduced manual effort. It highlights the game-changing offline capability of the app and its applications in various industries.

Published in Software Engineering (Volume 10, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.se.20231001.12
Page(s) 6-14
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Rural Farms, Offline Data Capture, PowerApps, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Increased Efficiency, Service Quality Improvement, Customer Experience Enhancement, Manual Effort Reduction

References
[1] Strover, S. (2021). Rural internet connectivity. Telecommunications Policy, 331-347. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-5961(01)00008-8
[2] Leung, T. (2021). Introducing Power Apps. In: Beginning Power Apps. Apress, Berkeley, CA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4842-6683-0_1
[3] Malvik, S. (2022). Power Apps. In: Mastering Azure API Management. Apress, Berkeley, CA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4842-8011-9_12
[4] Anagnoste, Sorin. "Robotic Automation Process - The next major revolution in terms of back office operations improvement" Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, vol. 11, no. 1, 2017, pp. 676-686. https://doi.org/10.1515/picbe-2017-0072
[5] “Microsoft (n. d.). What is Microsoft Dataverse? Microsoft Learn” https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-apps/maker/data-platform/data-platform-introhttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-apps/mobile/mobile-offline-overview
[6] Microsoft (n. d.). Mobile offline overview (preview). Microsoft Learn. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-apps/mobile/mobile-offline-overview
[7] Microsoft (n. d.). Develop offline-capable canvas apps. Microsoft Learn. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-apps/maker/canvas-apps/offline-apps
[8] Wörmer, L. (n. d.). Power Apps: Building Offline Capability for Canvas Apps. Lennartwoermer.de. https://lennartwoermer.de/2020/07/power-apps-offline-capability-for-canvas-apps/
[9] Automation Anywhere (n. d.). Example of entering data into a web form from a worksheet. Docs. Automationanywhere.com. https://docs.automationanywhere.com/bundle/enterprise-v2019/page/enterprise-cloud/topics/aae-client/bot-creator/commands/enter-data-into-webform-from-file.html
[10] Microsoft (n. d.). What you should know about the benefits of RPA. Microsoft Learn. https://powerautomate.microsoft.com/en-au/benefits-of-rpa-robotic-process-automation/
[11] Microsoft (n. d.). List of all Standard tier connectors. Microsoft Learn. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/connectors/connector-reference/connector-reference-standard-connectors
[12] Leung, T. (2021). Working Offline. In: Beginning Power Apps. Apress, Berkeley, CA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4842-6683-0_23
[13] Moreira, S., Mamede, H. S., & Santos, A. (2023). Process automation using RPA – a literature review. Procedia Computer Science, 219, 244-254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2023.01.287
[14] UiPath (n.d.). What is robotic process automation? Www.Uipath.com. https://www.uipath.com/rpa/robotic-process-automation
[15] Prakash Pradhan, S. (2022). Introduction: Microsoft Power Apps. In: Power Platform and Dynamics 365 CE for Absolute Beginners. Apress, Berkeley, CA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4842-8600-5_1
[16] R. K. Lomotey, Y. Chai, S. Jamal and R. Deters, "MobiCrop: Supporting Crop Farmers with a Cloud-Enabled Mobile App," 2013 IEEE 6th International Conference on Service-Oriented Computing and Applications, Koloa, HI, USA, 2013, pp. 182-189, doi: 10.1109/SOCA.2013.19.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Sai Madhur Potturu. (2023). Revolutionizing Field Data Collection and Management Using PowerApps and Robotics Process Automation (RPA). Software Engineering, 10(1), 6-14. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.se.20231001.12

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    ACS Style

    Sai Madhur Potturu. Revolutionizing Field Data Collection and Management Using PowerApps and Robotics Process Automation (RPA). Softw. Eng. 2023, 10(1), 6-14. doi: 10.11648/j.se.20231001.12

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    AMA Style

    Sai Madhur Potturu. Revolutionizing Field Data Collection and Management Using PowerApps and Robotics Process Automation (RPA). Softw Eng. 2023;10(1):6-14. doi: 10.11648/j.se.20231001.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.se.20231001.12,
      author = {Sai Madhur Potturu},
      title = {Revolutionizing Field Data Collection and Management Using PowerApps and Robotics Process Automation (RPA)},
      journal = {Software Engineering},
      volume = {10},
      number = {1},
      pages = {6-14},
      doi = {10.11648/j.se.20231001.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.se.20231001.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.se.20231001.12},
      abstract = {This paper introduces a digital solution that leverages Microsoft PowerApps and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to transform field data collection and management in rural farms with limited internet connectivity. The purpose of this solution is to address the challenges associated with offline data capture, synchronize the data with a central database, and effectively utilize it for various purposes within the organization. The research methods employed involve the utilization of Microsoft PowerApps and RPA. The PowerApps application enables field force team members to capture and store service order data on mobile/tablet devices offline and synchronize the data with the database when they are online. Additionally, an RPA solution retrieves the data from the database and automatically creates service orders in various systems. The paper discusses the design process of the digital solution, focusing on enabling offline capabilities using PowerApps for both Model-Driven Apps and Canvas Apps. It also explains the synchronization process, where data is saved locally on the device and later synchronized with the database. Furthermore, the integration of PowerApps and RPA is explored, highlighting the advantages of seamless data synchronization and automation capabilities. Simulations are conducted to evaluate the performance of the digital solution, including offline capability, data synchronization, response time, and user experience. The results demonstrate the solution's effectiveness in maintaining data integrity, seamless synchronization, improved response time, and enhanced user experience. In conclusion, the paper summarizes the benefits of the digital solution, including improved service quality, enhanced customer experience, and reduced manual effort. It highlights the game-changing offline capability of the app and its applications in various industries.},
     year = {2023}
    }
    

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    AU  - Sai Madhur Potturu
    Y1  - 2023/07/06
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    AB  - This paper introduces a digital solution that leverages Microsoft PowerApps and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to transform field data collection and management in rural farms with limited internet connectivity. The purpose of this solution is to address the challenges associated with offline data capture, synchronize the data with a central database, and effectively utilize it for various purposes within the organization. The research methods employed involve the utilization of Microsoft PowerApps and RPA. The PowerApps application enables field force team members to capture and store service order data on mobile/tablet devices offline and synchronize the data with the database when they are online. Additionally, an RPA solution retrieves the data from the database and automatically creates service orders in various systems. The paper discusses the design process of the digital solution, focusing on enabling offline capabilities using PowerApps for both Model-Driven Apps and Canvas Apps. It also explains the synchronization process, where data is saved locally on the device and later synchronized with the database. Furthermore, the integration of PowerApps and RPA is explored, highlighting the advantages of seamless data synchronization and automation capabilities. Simulations are conducted to evaluate the performance of the digital solution, including offline capability, data synchronization, response time, and user experience. The results demonstrate the solution's effectiveness in maintaining data integrity, seamless synchronization, improved response time, and enhanced user experience. In conclusion, the paper summarizes the benefits of the digital solution, including improved service quality, enhanced customer experience, and reduced manual effort. It highlights the game-changing offline capability of the app and its applications in various industries.
    VL  - 10
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Author Information
  • Robotics Center of Excellence (CoE) Zoetis Inc, Parsippany, United States

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