From theory to practice: experts show how it really works
Process digitalization is no longer a buzzword – it’s a reality. And our webinar on June 17, 2025 with over 100 participants showed what this looks like in concrete terms. Under the title “Award-winning solution, built with Microsoft Low-Code – how to digitalize processes today”, Michael Kammerer, Marco Denzler and Markus Schäfli gave exclusive insights into a project that is not only technically impressive, but also won the LEADER Digital Award 2025.
from left to right: Michael Meyer, Markus Schäfli, Michael Kammerer, Marco Denzler, Lukas Jung, Marco Oswald, Dominik Lindner, Dieter Nägeli
Microsoft Low-Code simply explained
Marco Denzler, CEO Switzerland, opened the webinar with an introduction to the Microsoft Power Platform – the technological basis behind the e-Container Portal. In his keynote speech, he showed why low-code platforms are a real game changer: Visual development, reusability of components, simple interface connection and AI integration enable fast, scalable solutions for companies of all sizes.
“Low-code brings speed, user-friendliness and scalability into harmony – and that’s exactly what’s needed today if you really want to digitize processes.”
Marco Denzler
CEO Switzerland I Online Group
From analog patchwork to digital platform
Markus Schäfli, Head of Logistics & Projects at the KVA Thurgau association, took the audience on a practical journey. In his keynote speech “From need to showcase platform”, he impressively explained how big the challenges in waste management were: analog seals, lack of customer contacts, administrative work and weekly empty runs without demand.
His goal was clear: a needs-based, transparent and low-emission disposal solution that also works intuitively for farmers, SMEs and large companies. The answer? A customer portal with individual emptying planning, a digital calendar, a reminder system – and the whole thing integrated into the waste incineration plant’s route planning.
The technology behind the award
Michael Kammerer, Head of Microsoft Competence at the Online Group, took the tech-savvy participants behind the scenes. In his slot “The technology behind the award”, he explained how the portal was built on the basis of Microsoft Azure, Dataverse and Power Platform – and why usability was the focus of this project in particular.
A smart architectural approach was used to digitize manual processes, from the prepaid payment model to the integration of the driver’s navigation system. The progressive web app works without an app store, can be used on any device and is designed in such a way that even non-digital natives can use it with ease.
Live demo & outlook: Digitalization that works
The live demo of the app was particularly impressive: load credit via TWINT, book emptying with one click, plan serial emptying, retrieve receipts – all in just a few seconds. The highlight: the optimized route planning saves CO₂, noise and thousands of kilometers per year.
Another highlight: the outlook for the future. Initial pilot tests with voice-controlled emptying registration via AI show where the journey is heading: even more automation, even less friction, even smarter process digitization.
What the solution really brings – added value for the environment, operations and customers
In the second part of his keynote speech, Markus Schäfli impressively demonstrated what process digitization with the e-Container Portal actually achieves in everyday life – and why it is far more than just a digital tool. The portal not only changes the way commercial containers are emptied, but also revolutionizes the entire process from ordering to route planning.
Concrete benefits in three dimensions:
- For operations: KVA Thurgau now knows all of its customers, significantly reduces the administrative workload and plans emptying based on data. Instead of calling at 4,500 containers every week, only those that actually need to be emptied are served – saving time, costs and resources.
- For the environment: thanks to optimized routing, empty runs are completely eliminated. Two simple route examples from the webinar alone show this: Several kilometers can be saved per week – extrapolated over a year, this results in thousands of kilometers less CO₂ emissions. A clear contribution to a low-emission future.
- For users: Whether it’s a restaurant, school or farm – customers benefit from maximum flexibility: top up credit, book emptying with a click, activate reminders and receive invoices automatically. Simple, fast, efficient – that’s how digitalization works today.
You don’t feel good digitalization – it simply works.
Markus Schäfli
Head of Logistics & Projects I Association KVA Thurgau
And that is exactly what this solution proves in day-to-day operations. What used to be based on seals, paper and gut feeling is now completely digital, transparent and needs-based – a genuine system change that is not only technically impressive, but also makes ecological and economic sense.
Three key learnings from the webinar:
- Low-code makes digitalization quick and economical to implement – even in complex association structures.
- Usability is the key to success – only those who consistently think along with the user will achieve acceptance.
- Sustainability starts with smart processes – fewer empty runs, less CO₂, more efficiency.
Want to know how low-code can transform your processes?
Let’s talk about it without obligation.
