Redevco: Power App for Asset Managers

Get rid of the Excel sheets

For Redevco, we built a Power App called Asset Performance Tool (APT). With this tool, Asset Managers can assess the performance of the properties in their portfolio. The APT replaces the previous Excel sheets and makes the work of asset managers much more efficient and enjoyable.

In the large Excel files that Redevco first used for this purpose, all more than 25 asset managers filled in their own versions. To do so, they had to walk through all fields, including those that were not relevant. In addition, it always proved to be a challenge to merge the various separate files into a comprehensive overview. This not only took a lot of time, but was also error-prone.

Better tool, better reports

Redevco asked us to come up with and build a user-friendly and maintenance-friendly solution that made it easier for asset managers to value their assets with fewer errors. It was therefore essential that the data was stored centrally and uniformly, so that it remained accessible and usable for BI reports. Because that was an additional wish of Redevco: a dashboard that was always up to date with the latest scores from the asset managers.

We carried out the project in two phases: we started with the UX design, then we built the solution. The advantage of this approach was that we were able to present a clickable prototype after just a few days, so Redevco immediately got a good idea of the end solution with minimal investment. They were able to give feedback right away and approve the screens once the feedback was processed.

Shared vision, thanks to the UX team

That's how we got the scope clear in a short time. In total, the design phase lasted about 2 weeks. During that period, the close cooperation between Redevco and our UX team ensured that everyone had the same idea of what we were going to build and that everyone also fully supported this vision.

For the technical realization, we chose a canvas app, a specific form of Power App that allows us to build and test advanced user interfaces very quickly, flexibly and without writing much code. The data for the app is in Dataverse.

“Blis' consultants are always well aware of the latest developments and, based on customer demand, really think along for a good long-term solution. They stand out for their proactive attitude, strong designs and in-depth expertise.” — Renout van Rijn, Business Excellence Manager at Redevco

Low-code helps meet tight deadlines

The project's tight deadline was certainly a motivation for choosing low-code. Asset managers had to complete the valuation of their properties over the summer and a longer lead time would mean that the solution could only be put into use in the following year. The project started in mid-May 2024, was ready for testing in June, and was finally put into use in July. A schedule that we would probably not have been able to achieve without Power Platform.

Of course, we were still available well after delivery for aftercare and bug fixes.

“We were able to meet the tight deadline for this project thanks to their good advice on setting up Power Platform, their clear ideas about future-proof architecture and the always pleasant collaboration.”

Enthusiastic users

The asset managers, who were always actively involved in the development, got to work with the app enthusiastically and the initial reactions have been very positive. We use their findings and feedback to further develop the tool, but in the meantime, the functionality is more than enough to work: no one wants to go back to Excel.

Result: better business decisions

The result for Redevco as a company is a more professional process that is easier to manage. The new app saves considerable time: results can be entered more quickly and all employees experience the app as much more user-friendly than the old Excel solution. In addition, the reports in Power BI are now always up to date, which leads to fewer errors and thus better and faster decisions for management about selling or holding assets.

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