In a strategic move to elevate the impact of our internal learning initiatives, ITS partnered with ITD to transform the traditional one-hour lunch-and-learn sessions into a quarterly, three-hour event designed to bring vendor-led training directly to our teams. This new format reflects a shift from informal peer sharing to structured, high-value learning experiences that blend external expertise with internal innovation.
The inaugural expanded session featured a 90-minute training led by Microsoft, offering a comprehensive overview of the Power Platform. Attendees were introduced to the full suite—Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power Virtual Agents—with practical guidance on how to evaluate and select the right tool for specific business scenarios. Microsoft’s presentation included an interactive “ideation” exercise that helped participants map out use cases and better understand the strengths and limitations of each product. The training was not only informative but also sparked meaningful conversations about how these tools could be applied across agencies to modernize workflows and improve service delivery.
The event transitioned into two live demonstrations showcasing real-world applications of the Power Platform within state agencies. Ryan Linnarz and Annie Hoffman from Idaho Industrial Commission (IIC) shared their ambitious Power Platform project that replaced seven legacy .NET applications. Their demonstration illustrated how Power Apps and Automate can be leveraged to consolidate disparate systems into a unified, user-friendly experience—dramatically improving efficiency and maintainability.
Ryan DeJean from ITS presented the new Idaho Fish & Game (IDFG) Uniform Ordering canvas app, which seamlessly integrates Power Apps, Power Automate flows, and SharePoint to streamline uniform requests. The demo highlighted how low-code solutions can replace manual processes and reduce turnaround time while maintaining flexibility and scalability.
The expanded event drew impressive participation, with 81 attendees—29 in person and 52 online—representing 23 state agencies, commissions, and boards. This strong turnout underscored the growing interest in low-code development and the value of creating shared learning opportunities across government entities. The mix of in-person and virtual attendance also demonstrated the flexibility and accessibility of the format, allowing a wide range of professionals to engage regardless of location.
The event concluded with a lively Q&A session, allowing attendees to dive deeper into the demos, ask technical questions, and explore ideas for their own low-code initiatives.
If you’re interested in attending future sessions, presenting your work, or contributing ideas for upcoming topics, please reach out to Brigette Teets (Brigette.Teets@its.idaho.gov) to get involved and help shape the conversation.
