Flemish Data Utility Company Discovers the Power of Low-Code

Targeted Digitalization

“Cycle times of three to four months were not uncommon,” says Frederik. To increase speed while still adhering to strict compliance rules, he decided to automate the advisory process.

“I didn’t want a large-scale technology overhaul,” he continues, “but a targeted digitalization effort: replacing loose documents and endless email threads with a single, centralized process featuring clear steps, statuses, and responsibilities. It seemed like an excellent use case for low-code technology. We had never used low-code before, but if it worked, we could make a big impact even with a limited budget.”

One Process, One Source of Truth

As a Microsoft customer, Athumi quickly turned to the Microsoft Power Platform. Together with Cegeka, they broke down the entire advisory process into clear steps and digitized each step within the Power Platform.

Files are now created digitally in Power Platform and tracked throughout the entire workflow. Who submitted a request? Where is the file currently? Which reviews have been completed? What actions remain open? All information is transparent and traceable at every stage.

Using Power Pages, the team also built an online portal for advisory committee members. Instead of receiving emails with stacks of attachments, they now have a single overview of all pending files, including status, context, and prior advice.

From 4 months to 6 weeks 

The impact was immediate. Where files previously took months to process, Athumi now targets a six-week turnaround. At the same time, users can instantly see where files are stalled, enabling much more focused follow-up.

“And this is just step one,” says Frederik. “Because everything is now digital and structured, we can eventually use AI to pre-screen files before they reach the advisory committee. This gives our colleagues involved in the advisory process even more time — time they can use to provide companies with far more detailed guidance.”

Business Driven from Day One

“This project could not be an IT story; it had to be a process that truly works in practice,” Frederik explains. The focus was on results: less manual work, fewer errors, and greater predictability. That made it crucial to engage users from the beginning and give them time to adapt and contribute. This strong stakeholder involvement created ownership right away, and the project delivered value immediately." 

Small Budget, Big Impact

Athumi had worked before with Cegeka through government framework agreements. “We compared other parties, but Cegeka stood out because of their strong Power Platform expertise and pragmatic approach,” Frederik says. “Their proposal also fit within our budget.”

That budget fit was key for Frederik: “I wanted to show internally that you can accelerate processes with low-code without massive investment. And we succeeded!” Cegeka completed the project neatly within budget. “It was a very pleasant collaboration. From Project Manager to Solution Architect, everyone spoke the language of our business.”

Compliance + Efficiency? Check!

The result is a successful digital transformation that built confidence in Microsoft Power Platform — and in Cegeka Business Solutions.

“The next step is self-service for companies joining a data project,” Frederik says. That capability is already developed, but Athumi wants to gain more experience before fully rolling it out.

Meanwhile, new projects with Cegeka are already in the pipeline, driven by the same principle: proving that compliance and efficiency can go hand in hand.