Improved Executive Reporting with Power BI and Microsoft Azure Solutions: Case Studies and Best Practices from ALPLA, Dr. Oetker, G&J Pepsi, and Fairlife 

Summary

• ALPLA: centralized its global data and reduced costs by implementing a cloud-based analytics solution with Microsoft Azure and Power BI. This allowed them to consolidate data from 181 locations, gain detailed insights into costs, and improve efficiency. The solution included cloud migration, custom Power BI dashboards, and secure role-based access, enhancing data access, reporting, and cost optimization.
• Dr. Oetker: Leveraged Microsoft Power BI and Azure to enhance IT security with centralized monitoring and real-time dashboards, improving transparency, operational efficiency, and compliance, while saving costs by optimizing license management.
• G&J Pepsi: Streamlined operations by implementing Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI, automating workflows, developing custom applications, and providing real-time insights, saving $100,000 in development costs and empowering employees with user-friendly tools.
• Fairlife: Centralized data on Azure and democratized access with Power BI, fostering a culture of data-driven decisions, enabling real-time analytics, and achieving operational efficiency through self-service reporting and automation.

Effective executive reporting is essential for informed decision-making and strategic planning. Leveraging advanced data analytics and visualization tools, companies can transform their reporting capabilities to gain deeper insights and enhance operational efficiencies. This article explores how ALPLA, Dr. Oetker, G&J Pepsi, Coca-Cola, and Fairlife have utilized Microsoft Power BI and Azure solutions to elevate their executive reporting and drive business success.

ALPLA consolidated data and improved insights across its locations, Dr. Oetker enhanced its IT security and monitoring with tailored dashboards, while G&J Pepsi streamlined operations with low-code apps, improving real-time reporting. Fairlife democratized data access, creating a culture of data-driven decision-making across the organization.

These case studies highlight the power of Microsoft Power BI and Azure in transforming executive reporting and operational efficiency.

ALPLA Centralized Global Data and Achieved Cost Savings with Power BI and Azure

ALPLA, a global leader in the packaging industry, partnered with ITMAGINATION to implement a cloud-based data analytics solution using Microsoft Azure and Power BI. This enabled ALPLA to consolidate data across 181 locations, gain granular insights into costs, and improve operational efficiency.

Challenge

ALPLA faced several challenges in managing and analyzing data across its global operations, such as:

• Consolidating data from multiple factories, customers, and products into a unified platform.
• Breaking down costs for materials, waste, packaging, and transportation was difficult with existing tools.
• On-premise solutions could not handle the scale and complexity of ALPLA's data needs.
• A cost-effective, scalable solution was essential for cloud migration.
• Ensuring secure, location-specific data access was a key requirement.

Solution

ALPLA implemented a cloud-based data analytics platform, leveraging Microsoft Azure and Power BI. Here are the highlights of the implementation:

• Cloud Migration: Data was migrated from on-premise systems to Azure using Self-Hosted Integration Runtime, enabling seamless data flow.
• Custom Power BI Dashboards: Tailored dashboards provided detailed visualizations of profit margins and cost metrics.
• Granular Insights: Enabled in-depth analysis of costs related to materials, waste, and logistics.
• Cost Optimization: Designed the solution to minimize operational expenses while meeting performance requirements.
• Secure Role-Based Access: Location-based permissions ensured secure access to sensitive data.

Impact

The integration of Power BI and Azure delivered transformative results for ALPLA:

• Improved Data Access: Centralized data access across 8 countries ensured consistent reporting.
• Granular Reporting: Transitioned from static reports to interactive dashboards for detailed cost and margin analysis.
• Operational Efficiency: Enabled managers to quickly identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements.
• Enhanced Security: Role-based permissions safeguarded sensitive information and ensured compliance.

Lessons Learned

ALPLA’s success demonstrates the value of:

• Centralized Data Platforms: Unified platforms simplify data management and enhance reporting accuracy.
• Granular Analytics: Detailed cost insights drive better decision-making and operational efficiency.
• Scalable Solutions: Cost-efficient, cloud-based platforms are vital for supporting global operations.
• Secure Access: Robust user role management ensures data security and compliance across locations.

Implementing Power BI and moving from Excel can be a very comprehensive task, especially when handling large amounts of company data. Before starting the project, you can consider discussing the details of your project with your Power BI implementation partner and make sure that the entire process is going according to your own expectations.

Dr. Oetker: Enhancing IT Security with Power BI and Azure

In 2023, Dr. Oetker's companies, active on all continents, generated sales revenues of EUR 4.2 billion, achieving a growth of 6.9 percent compared to the previous year. Notably, around 65 percent of its total sales were achieved outside of Germany. To maintain its reputation and ensure robust operations, Dr. Oetker recognized the need to enhance its IT security infrastructure.

Challenge

Dr. Oetker faced the challenge of managing and securing its extensive IT infrastructure, which was important to supporting its global operations.

In the past, when local administrators wanted to gain an overview of the status of the IT landscape, they had to pull the required data and information from five or six systems—including the endpoint security solution, software deployments, Azure Active Directory, an encryption system for devices, and Microsoft Intune—and correctly interpret the figures. 

Only then did they know, for instance, whether or not all devices had been furnished with a functioning virus scanner. This process ate up a lot of time and staff capacity—not just for the local IT organizations, but for global IT, too. 

“If, say, operating systems weren’t updated on time, we’d send email reminders. With 40 country organizations, this took around two weeks to complete—and that was just for one area of our compliance guidelines.” - Sebastian Fingberg, Lead Architect Digital Workplace at Dr. August Oetker Nahrungsmittel KG 

The company needed a comprehensive solution to monitor and manage security measures effectively. With the increasing complexity of cyber threats, Dr. Oetker sought to enhance its ability to detect, respond to, and mitigate potential security risks across its IT environment.

Solution

Dr. Oetker implemented Microsoft Azure and Power BI to address its IT security needs. By leveraging these technologies, the company developed a robust dashboard solution tailored specifically for IT administrators.

Key Steps in the Solution:

• Centralized Monitoring
  • The solution provided a centralized platform for monitoring security events and potential threats across the IT infrastructure.
  • Azure’s advanced security features and integration capabilities allowed for comprehensive visibility and control.
• Real-time Insights with Power BI
  • Power BI was used to create interactive dashboards that displayed real-time security data, enabling IT administrators to quickly identify and respond to security incidents.
  • The dashboards provided a clear and intuitive interface for tracking key security metrics and trends.
• Enhanced Security Measures
  • Dr. Oetker utilized Azure's security tools, such as Azure Security Center and Azure Sentinel, to enhance threat detection and response capabilities.
  • The integration of these tools with Power BI enabled seamless data visualization and analysis, facilitating proactive security management.
• Uniform Power BI Dashboards
  • The first step was using an Excel spreadsheet published monthly with an overview of security-relevant KPIs. This evolved into a comprehensive solution using the Microsoft Intelligent Data Platform.
  • Data from various backend systems is sent hourly to an SQL database, analyzed, and visualized in Power BI dashboards.
  • The dashboards offer filtering options from country and location levels down to individual operating systems and their versions, with reports distributed monthly to all admins through the ticket system.
• Infrastructure Cockpit
  • The main tool for compliance and security is the infrastructure cockpit based on Power BI. It identifies non-compliant devices and tracks vulnerabilities, ensuring timely resolution.
  • If an admin does not respond in time, the device is automatically wiped for security reasons, enhancing overall IT security.

• Security Overview and KPIs
  • The security overview merges data from different areas, such as devices, users, and security solutions, to form an overall KPI. This allows administrators to quickly identify IT vulnerabilities and address them efficiently.

Impact

The implementation of Azure and Power BI significantly improved Dr. Oetker's IT security operations:

• Increased Visibility - The centralized dashboard provided comprehensive visibility into security events, allowing for faster identification and resolution of potential threats.

“The dashboards visualized using Power BI help us save on license costs by making it easy to identify any unused accounts and devices.” - Maik Wegnar: IT Senior Professional Infrastructure, Dr. August Oetker Nahrungsmittel KG

• Enhanced Decision-making - Real-time insights and data visualization enabled IT administrators to make informed decisions and prioritize security measures effectively.
• Proactive Security Management - The advanced security features of Azure, combined with the analytical capabilities of Power BI, empowered Dr. Oetker to adopt a proactive approach to IT security, reducing the risk of cyber incidents.
• Operational Efficiency - The integrated solution streamlined security monitoring processes, reducing the time and effort required to manage the IT infrastructure.
• Efficient License Management - Insights from the dashboards helped optimize license management by identifying unused or expired accounts, reducing legacy and orphaned accounts, achieving significant savings on license costs, and satisfying GDPR compliance requirements.
• Faster Rollouts - Dashboards facilitated IT projects like Windows 11 readiness checks by providing comprehensive reports on device compatibility, simplifying annual cost and investment planning.
• Improved Transparency - The solution allowed Dr. Oetker to achieve full transparency for its IT landscape, measure and review global IT guidelines' effectiveness, and strengthen security and compliance levels by 40 to 50 percent.

“Based on Azure and Power BI, the new platform allows us to achieve full data transparency according to target group, and to more easily measure and review the effectiveness of our IT guidelines. As a result, we can make a lasting improvement to our IT security and compliance level. “ -  Christian Plitt: Strategic Lead Infrastructure & Workplace Solutions, Dr. August Oetker Nahrungsmittel KG

Lessons Learned 

Dr. Oetker’s experience with Azure and Power BI provided several valuable lessons:

• Importance of Centralized Monitoring - A centralized platform for monitoring security events is essential for maintaining a comprehensive view of the IT infrastructure and ensuring prompt response to threats.
• Value of Real-time Insights - Real-time data and interactive dashboards are important for effective security management, enabling quick identification and mitigation of potential risks.
• Need for Integrated Solutions - Integrating advanced security tools with data visualization platforms like Power BI enhances the ability to analyze and respond to security incidents.
• Continuous Improvement - Regularly updating and optimizing security measures based on insights gained from real-time data is key to maintaining robust IT security.

G&J Pepsi: Improving Executive Reporting and Streamlining Operations with Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI

G&J Pepsi, one of the largest and oldest Pepsi-Cola bottlers in the United States, operates in a highly competitive market. The company was reliant on manual processes and old systems, therefore they implemented a solution based on Microsoft Power BI to overcome their challenges.

Challenge

G&J Pepsi faced challenges related to operational inefficiencies and manual processes. The company's employees were heavily reliant on paper-based workflows and outdated systems, which hindered productivity and slowed down key business processes. There was a clear need for a solution that could automate routine tasks, reduce manual effort, and provide real-time insights into operations.

Solution

G&J Pepsi implemented Microsoft Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI to address these challenges and drive operational efficiency. The company utilizes these low-code platforms to develop custom applications, automate workflows, and elevate executive reporting.

Key Steps in the Solution:

• Development of Custom Apps
  • G&J Pepsi's in-house teams used Power Apps to create tailored applications that addressed specific business needs, such as inventory management, equipment maintenance, and field service operations.
  • These apps were designed to be user-friendly and accessible on both mobile and desktop devices, ensuring that employees could easily access and utilize the tools they needed.
• Automation of Workflows
  • Power Automate was used to streamline and automate various workflows, reducing the reliance on manual processes.
  • Tasks such as order processing, inventory tracking, and maintenance requests were automated, freeing up employees to focus on higher-value activities.
• Elevating Executive Reporting with Power BI
  • Power BI played a key role in transforming data into actionable insights. Technicians in the field used the Store Audit app to record data about product displays and inventory, which was then submitted to Power BI.
  • Power BI provides real-time data visualization and reporting, enabling management to make informed decisions based on up-to-date information.
  • The integration of Power BI with other Power Platform tools allowed for seamless data flow and comprehensive analysis, providing a unified view of operations.
• Integration with Existing Systems
  • The custom apps and automated workflows were integrated with G&J Pepsi's existing systems, ensuring seamless data flow and real-time updates.
  • This integration provided a unified view of operations, enabling better decision-making and more efficient management of resources.

Impact

The implementation of Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI had several significant impacts on G&J Pepsi's operations and executive reporting:

• Enhanced Operational Efficiency - The automation of routine tasks and the development of custom apps streamlined operations, reducing the time and effort required to complete various processes.
• Improved Productivity - Employees were able to focus on more strategic tasks, as manual, paper-based workflows were replaced with automated, digital solutions.
• Elevated Executive Reporting - Power BI provides real-time insights and data visualization, allowing executives to make data-driven decisions and gain a comprehensive view of operations. The Store Audit app, integrated with Power BI, ensured that management had access to accurate and up-to-date information for better decision-making.
• Empowered Workforce - The user-friendly apps empowered employees to perform their tasks more effectively, enhancing overall productivity and job satisfaction.
• Cost Savings - The reduction in manual effort and paper-based processes led to significant cost savings for the company, including an estimated $100,000 saved on outside development costs.
• Flexibility and Control - The low-code approach allowed the IT team to quickly develop and deploy solutions without relying on outside consultants, saving time and costs. Automating processes with Power Automate ensured important information was instantly and accurately routed, cutting costs and increasing efficiency.

Lessons Learned 

G&J Pepsi's experience with Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI provided several valuable lessons:

• Importance of Customization - Developing tailored applications that meet specific business needs is essential for maximizing the benefits of low-code platforms.
• Value of Automation - Automating routine tasks can significantly enhance operational efficiency and free up employees to focus on higher-value activities.
• Seamless Integration - Integrating new solutions with existing systems is essential for ensuring a unified view of operations and real-time data access.
• Empowering Employees - Providing user-friendly tools that empower employees to perform their tasks more effectively can lead to improved productivity and job satisfaction.

Fairlife: Democratizing Data with Power BI and Azure Solutions

Fairlife, a Coca-Cola subsidiary, is a leading dairy brand known for innovation and quality. To overcome fragmented data systems, Fairlife adopted Microsoft Power BI and Azure, creating a unified platform for real-time analytics and self-service reporting. This solution empowered employees with actionable insights, improving decision-making and reduced file processing time by 70-80%.

Challenge

Fairlife faced the challenge of managing and utilizing vast amounts of data generated across its production facilities. The company needed to democratize data access, ensuring that insights were available to all levels of the organization. 

The existing data management systems were fragmented and lacked real-time analytics capabilities, making it difficult to gain comprehensive insights into operations, production, and sales. This data silos issue hindered decision-making and operational efficiency.

Solution

Fairlife implemented Microsoft Power BI and Azure to address these challenges and democratize data across the organization. The company utilize these technologies to create a unified data platform, enabling real-time analytics and data visualization.

Key Steps in the Solution:

• Unified Data Platform
  • Fairlife centralized its data using Azure, integrating various data sources into a single platform. This ensured that all data was accessible and manageable from one place.
  • Azure Data Lake was used to store raw data, while Azure Synapse Analytics provided a powerful analytics engine for data processing.
  • Fairlife implemented a proprietary ETL process to move data from multiple source systems into Azure Data Lake Storage Gen 2 via Azure Data Factory.
• Real-time Analytics with Power BI
  • Power BI was used to develop interactive dashboards and reports, providing real-time insights into production, sales, and other key business areas.
  • These dashboards were accessible to employees at all levels, from executives to plant managers, facilitating data-driven decision-making across the organization.
  • Power BI apps were used to organize reports for consumption, low-level security ensured secure sharing of data, and perspectives simplified report creation for end-users.
• Data Democratization
  • By using Power BI, Fairlife enabled self-service analytics, allowing employees to create their own reports and analyze data without needing extensive technical skills.
  • The intuitive interface of Power BI made it easy for users to visualize data and gain insights quickly.
  • Fairlife utilized Power BI Premium licensing to access advanced features such as paginated reports, incremental refresh, and XMLA endpoints for deployment pipelines.
• Integration with Existing Systems
  • The Power BI and Azure solutions were integrated with Fairlife's existing systems, ensuring a seamless flow of data and real-time updates.
  • This integration provided a comprehensive view of operations, enabling better management and optimization of resources.
• Collaborative Development
  • Fairlife partnered with a development outsourcing team to build out comprehensive reporting solutions, moving data from multiple sources into a centralized Azure Data Lake and creating integrated Power BI datasets.
  • Reports were designed to be beautiful and intuitive, with specific goals to tell a story and empower users with the data.

“Power BI has created an amazing amount of transparency. We like to think of it as data democratization across the company, giving people access to data in a single place, as that single source of the truth”. - Austin Bristow: Senior Manager of Business Intelligence, Fairlife

Impact

The implementation of Power BI and Azure had several significant impacts on Fairlife's operations and executive reporting:

• Enhanced Data Access and Transparency
  • Data was democratized across the organization, providing all employees with access to the information they needed to make informed decisions.
  • Real-time dashboards and reports increased transparency, allowing for better monitoring and management of operations.
• Improved Decision-making
  • The availability of real-time data and insights enabled executives and managers to make data-driven decisions, improving operational efficiency and strategic planning.
  • The Annual Business Plan report and Volume Overview report provided senior leadership and sales teams with essential insights into business performance and distributor data.
• Operational Efficiency
  • By centralizing data and providing real-time analytics, Fairlife was able to streamline its operations, reducing inefficiencies and improving productivity.
  • The ability to quickly identify and address issues in production and sales processes led to significant operational improvements.
  • Automation of incremental data refresh reduced file processing time by 70-80%, enhancing data processing efficiency.
• Empowered Workforce
  • Self-service analytics empowered employees to take ownership of their data, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
  • The user-friendly nature of Power BI made it easy for employees to engage with data and contribute to the company's success.
  • Training materials and startup guides facilitated adoption, ensuring users could maximize the value of the new tools.
• Cost Savings
  • Streamlined data processes and reduced reliance on manual data handling led to significant cost savings.
  • Fairlife avoided the need for expensive, specialized software by developing custom solutions in-house with Power BI and Azure.

Lessons Learned 

Fairlife's experience with Power BI and Azure provided several valuable lessons:

• Importance of Data Centralization
  • Centralizing data in a unified platform is essential for ensuring data consistency, accessibility, and manageability.
• Value of Real-time Analytics
  • Real-time data and insights are essential for effective decision-making and operational efficiency.
  • Efficiently managing large datasets with incremental refresh capabilities significantly enhances processing times and data availability.
• Seamless Integration
  • Integrating new solutions with existing systems ensures a smooth flow of data and maximizes the value of analytics tools.
  • Effective collaboration with partners with experience in Microsoft Technologies can accelerate the development of robust data solutions.

Conclusion 

The integration of Microsoft Power BI and Azure has improved executive reporting and operational efficiency for ALPLA, Dr. Oetker, G&J Pepsi, and fairlife. These companies have successfully leveraged data analytics, automated processes, and advanced visualization tools to drive informed decision-making and streamline their operations.

• ALPLA improved its waste management, costs, and production insights, enhanced the efficiency of its operations, and strengthened overall security through Power BI and Microsoft Azure.
• Dr. Oetker improved its IT security and compliance by centralizing data and providing real-time insights through Power BI dashboards, enhancing transparency and operational efficiency.
• G&J Pepsi utilized Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI to automate workflows, develop custom applications, and provide real-time reporting, empowering their workforce and reducing operational costs.
• Fairlife democratized data access across the organization, enabling employees to make data-driven decisions and fostering a culture of continuous improvement with the help of Power BI and Azure.

Through digital transformation and custom manufacturing software development, these companies have achieved greater efficiency, scalability, and a robust data-driven culture.

For more information on how Azure and Power BI can transform your business, schedule a call with our team of experts and let us support your implementation as your Microsoft Gold consulting partner.