Top 5 Processes You Should Automate with Power Automate
Key Takeaways
- Power Automate is already included in many Microsoft 365 licenses – getting started is often cheaper than expected.
- The five processes with the highest ROI: incoming invoices, onboarding, leave requests, lead capture, and approval workflows.
- All workflows can be implemented natively with SharePoint, Outlook, Teams, and Forms – no external tools needed.
- The question isn't whether to automate, but which process to tackle first.
Many companies already use Microsoft 365 intensively – but don't fully leverage the automation potential. With Power Automate, repetitive tasks can be automated in a structured, traceable, and scalable way.
Below you'll find five processes that have proven particularly effective in practice.
1. Automatically Process Incoming Invoices
Problem: Invoices arrive via email, are manually saved, reviewed, and forwarded. This takes time and is error-prone.
Automation with Power Automate
- Incoming email with attachment is detected
- PDF is automatically saved to SharePoint
- AI Builder extracts invoice data
- Approval process is initiated
- Accounting receives final confirmation
Benefits
- Clear approval structure
- No lost documents
- Transparent status tracking
For SMBs, this is one of the processes with the highest ROI.
2. Standardize Employee Onboarding
Problem: New employees need accounts, permissions, hardware, training. Coordination often happens via email or Excel.
Automation with Power Automate
- HR adds new employee to a list
- Automatic task creation for IT, HR, and department
- Reminders for open tasks
- Automatic permission assignment via Entra / M365
Benefits
- No forgotten steps
- Consistent process
- Faster productivity for new employees
Essential for growing companies.
3. Digitize Leave and Absence Requests
Problem: Requests via email or paper lead to lack of transparency and duplicate administrative work.
Automation with Power Automate
- Request via Microsoft Forms or Power Apps
- Automatic forwarding to supervisor
- Entry in central SharePoint list
- Optional: Sync with Outlook calendar
Benefits
- Transparent approvals
- Central overview
- Traceable history
A classic quick win.
4. Lead Capture and CRM Integration
Problem: Contact forms from the website are manually transferred to the CRM.
Automation with Power Automate
- New form is submitted
- Lead is automatically saved to Dynamics, HubSpot, or SharePoint
- Sales rep is notified
- Follow-up email is sent automatically
Benefits
- No lead gets lost
- Faster response times
- Measurable conversion processes
A critical lever especially for service providers and consultancies.
5. Approval Processes for Documents and Investments
Problem: Approvals run via email with unclear versioning.
Automation with Power Automate
- Document is uploaded
- Automatic approval workflow starts
- Status is documented
- Final version is stored with revision control
Benefits
- Clear responsibilities
- Audit security
- Time savings in decision processes
Particularly relevant for manufacturing companies or public institutions.
Conclusion
Power Automate is not a "nice to have" but a structural efficiency tool. The question isn't whether to automate, but which processes to tackle first.
The five processes above offer:
- High time savings
- Fast implementation
- Measurable benefits
If you want to assess the automation potential in your company, we at Lyron analyze your existing processes and identify concrete quick wins.
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