The client
Russell Kennedy Lawyers is a leading Australian law firm with over 270 people across Melbourne and Sydney. In 2020, the practice had an urgent need to respond to new contract tracing and compliance requirements due to Covid-19. To manage employees as well as visitors returning to work, the firm engaged Empyrean to build applications to meet these requirements.
Efficient app development with the Power Platform
Empyrean built three apps within the Power Platform, using Power Apps, PowerBI, and Microsoft Forms: The Employee App links to Active Directory and records floor and desk number; an app to manage visitors utilising Microsoft Forms; and a Case Management App to assist the HR team to manage cases in the event of a positive COVID-19 case.
The solution combined all the data from employees and visitors into one database.
Return-to-work Power App
Russell Kennedy staff requested ‘Day Passes’ through the Power App on their mobile phone. The user answers three health questions to receive their Day Pass, then captures the time into and out of the office.
Work roster app
The Sydney office required a roster system, so the app included a link to the latest roster, and managed any office access required if an employee was not on the roster.
Workplace visitor app
Empyrean created two options for Visitors.
- A ‘Visitor App’ that could be completed on a tablet provided at reception. The app asks for personal information, an indication of how long they will be in the office, and who they are meeting. (At the time of Covid-19 visitors were also required to answer three health questions).
- A webform (with the same information and health questions) accessed by a QR code that the visitor scanned at reception.
App features
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Employees can access the work roster app on their mobile device or PC.
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The app remembers employee credentials once they’ve set up and logged in.
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Visitors can access the visitor app using their phone via a QR code, or via a tablet at reception.
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In the event of a Covid case the case management app enabled HR to access staff and visitor contacts registered in the office for any specific day.
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Specific users can access reports to see who has registered each day in each office.
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When the Victorian Government introduced the 25% of total employee rule, the app was quickly changed to calculate 25% and count the registrations for each day. If 25% was exceeded, a message was displayed that the limit had been reached for employees in the office, and further Day Passes could not be granted.
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All data fields mandatory.
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All responses stored in one database for easy access if required.
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The Power platform is integrated with Office 365, so security, backup, and management are already established.
The Numbers
Staff
Power Apps
Outcomes
- COVID19 rapid response
- Improved Productivity
- Minimal investment upfront
- Minimal ongoing investment
- Removed paper-based processes
- Reduced effort to manage employee attendance
- Reduced operational complexity
- Inherent security
- Improved user experience
- Single database for easy access
Technology
- Microsoft Power Platform
- Power Apps