Following our recent collaboration with South Essex College, we were proud to host seven incredibly talented students who presented their own app solutions as part of our Power Platform Challenge. The creativity, thought, and technical skill on display were nothing short of inspiring.
Real-World Solutions, Real Impact
Each student tackled a unique industry challenge, using Microsoft’s Power Platform design applications that could make a real difference. The presentations covered a wide range of sectors, including:
- Healthcare: An app for patient management and real-time data tracking to improve care and efficiency.
- Marketing & Advertising: A reporting tool designed to track and optimise return on investment.
- Construction: An innovative app to manage the hiring of equipment across the industry.
- Education: A platform to integrate all student and staff systems into one seamless interface.
For many of the students, this was one of their first experiences presenting in a professional setting—and they did a brilliant job. The level of thought, research, and confidence they brought to the room was truly impressive.
Learning from Experience
We were also joined by Alexis Zulueta, a Business Applications Apprentice who has been with Sharp since the age of 16. Now two years into her journey, Alexis shared her top takeaway with the students:
“Taking on risk has opened countless opportunities.”
Her story served as a powerful reminder of the doors that open when you step outside your comfort zone.
And the Winner Is…
After watching all seven presentations, our expert judging panel—Ben Welton (Education and Managed Services Director), Tristan Broom (Head of ERP), and Simon Warnes (Commercial and Corporate Sales Director)—had the tough task of selecting a winner.
The panel unanimously agreed that the most innovative and well-thought-out presentation came from Hayden Wallis, who developed a tool-sharing app aimed at transforming how equipment is accessed and utilised across industries. Hayden’s concept stood out for its practicality, scalability, and clear value proposition.
Looking Ahead
This event demonstrated the power of collaboration, the importance of celebrating emerging talent, and the value of sharing knowledge to nurture future innovators. We’re incredibly proud of all the students who took part and deeply grateful to South Essex College for their continued partnership.
