Bauer Automate - Blog #Point of View (POV)Bauer Automate - Blog #Point of View (POV)https://www.bauerautomate.com/blogs/tag/point-of-view-povWed, 29 Apr 2026 19:43:15 -0700http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Two Years of Reflection at the CPPUG — And Why 2026 Has Us Excited]]>https://www.bauerautomate.com/blogs/post/Two-Year-Reflection-at-the-CPPUG Two Years of Reflection at the CPPUG — And Why 2026 Has Us Excited When we look back at the last two years of running the Calgary Power Platform User ]]>

Two Years of Reflection at the CPPUG — And Why 2026 Has Us Excited

When we look back at the last two years of running the Calgary Power Platform User Group (CPPUG), it still feels a bit surreal. This group didn’t start with us — we had the privilege of taking it over at a time when things were quiet and activity had slowed.

What began as an opportunity to revive something meaningful quickly turned into a mission: to rebuild the CPPUG into a space that truly brings Power Platform enthusiasts in Calgary together — not just for events, but as a real resource for learning, support, and community. Office Hours became a core part of that vision, giving people a place to ask questions, learn from each other, and grow together.

Today, CPPUG feels louder, fuller, and more alive than ever.

We’ve seen new faces turn into familiar ones. We’ve watched Office Hours grow from small, question-driven sessions into packed, high-energy discussions. And month after month, the room reminds us why this community matters.

A Community That Just Keeps Showing Up

Calgary Power Platform User Group (CPPUG) Office Hours Group Photo featuring David He and Ryley Bauer of Bauer Automate

Every single meetup — whether it’s one of our monthly Office Hours or one of our networking-style events — has had its own story.


We’ve shared wins.
We’ve learned from “oops” moments.
We’ve debated best practices.
And we’ve laughed a lot more than any tech user group probably should.

None of this works without the people who show up — the ones who share knowledge freely, mentor new builders, ask brave questions, and welcome first-timers like they’ve been here all along.

That's the real magic of this group.

A Big Milestone: The Power Platform Conference

Calgary Power Platform User Group (CPPUG) Group Photo at The Power Platform Conference 2025 featuring David He and Ryley Bauer of Bauer Automate

One of our favourite moments this year was attending the Power Platform Community Conference in Las Vegas and representing the CPPUG on a global stage! Being able to share the story of our group — how we stepped in to rebuild it, how Calgary’s community is thriving, and how we intentionally make learning fun — was a powerful and proud moment.

And then came one of those “small world” experiences we’ll never forget.

One of our CPPUG stickers made its way all the way to Mexico — through someone Ryley had worked on a past project with. A member of his company attended the conference, brought stickers back for the team… and that old colleague messaged Ryley saying, “I just got a Calgary Power Platform User Group sticker.”

From Calgary to Vegas to Mexico — unreal.

P.S. If you want to watch our presentation at the Power Platform Conference, you can view it here:
Watch Our PPCC 2025 Presentation

Looking Ahead to 2026

If the last two years were about rebuilding and momentum, 2026 is all about expansion and elevation.

We’re planning:
  • Bigger, more dynamic events
  • New training and learning opportunities
  • Stronger partnerships behind the scenes
  • And brand new experiences… including our first hackathon that everyone’s been waiting for 😉

We want to make the CPPUG even more accessible — more hands-on, more welcoming, and more representative of everyone shaping the Power Platform space in Calgary and beyond.


Expect:
  • More Office Hours
  • More networking
  • More community highlights
  • More fun
  • And definitely more photos — because our group pictures are basically tradition now


A Huge Thank You

Running this group takes time, behind-the-scenes planning, and a lot of heart — and we wouldn’t trade any of it. Thank you to everyone who has attended, volunteered, presented, shared posts, or supported us from afar. You are the reason this group continues to grow.

2024 and 2025 were transformational.
2026 is going to be unforgettable.


— The CPPUG Team
Calgary Power Platform User Group
Calgary Power Platform User Group (CPPUG) End of Year Networking Event 2024 Group Photo featuring David He and Ryley Bauer of Bauer Automate
Calgary Power Platform User Group (CPPUG) End of Year Networking Event 2025 Group Photo featuring David He and Ryley Bauer of Bauer Automate

Want to Be A Part of the CPPUG Team?

Learn About CPPUG
Contact Us!
View Our Event Photos
]]>Wed, 03 Dec 2025 10:12:16 -0700<![CDATA[My Summer at Bauer Automate]]>https://www.bauerautomate.com/blogs/post/deanThe last few months have been a season of real growth at Bauer Automate; new team members, new client partnerships, and new service offerings across Microsoft Power Platform and SharePoint consulting. A short look at what's changed and where we're focused next.]]>

An Internship Experience to Remember

Dean at the 2023 Bauer Automate Summer Internship Program

Hello Readers!


I'm Dean, and I've had the incredible opportunity to intern at Bauer Automate during the summer of 2023. As I gear up for Grade 11 at Western Canada High School in Calgary, Alberta, I wanted to share my journey with you. 


Who Am I? 

I am a visual learner that is passionate in the systematic approach of computer science, the fundamental principles of physics, and the innovative potential of robotics. One of my most cherished moments was during my first robotics competition, there was an issue in the code base so I had to overhaul the entire system in less than 2 hours to change the coding language from C# to Java. Thanks to my tenacity and willingness to work under extreme pressure led to my team winning the competition. 

2023 Bauer Automate Summer Internship Program Group Photo

Landing the Internship

Securing a summer internship as a Grade 10 student wasn't easy. However, thanks to the Careers' Internship Program, I found my fit at Bauer Automate. Countless hours of fine-tuning my resume and cover letter paid off, landing me in my first "big league" job. My sole aim was to broaden my skill set and explore various avenues in tech. 


An Odyssey of Learning

The internship unfolded as an exhilarating rollercoaster of learning and hands-on experience. I kick-started the summer by acquiring the Microsoft PL-900: Power Platform Fundamentals Certificate, empowering me to leverage Microsoft's low-code tools to innovate in the low code no code tech space. 

Simultaneously, I contributed to digital marketing initiatives, scripting and producing educational videos about the Power Platform. This creative outlet also led me down the rabbit hole of meme video creation, adding a lighthearted spin to my technical endeavors, and as well as logo animation using Blender.   

Towards the tail-end of my internship, I focused on Microsoft Power Apps, where I created applications aimed at solving various business challenges. This included: 
  • Cataloging a database of over 200 questions with over 20 different categories into SharePoint lists for field workers to record the correct question to the right category 
  • Created an application Filtering and sorting an over 6000-row database based on filters and predefined end user criteria in a presentable and easy to understand way. 
  • Discovering the offline functionality of Microsoft Power Apps to help remote workers without access to the internet to be able to submit tickets and inspections to a database.   


Lessons Learned

My time at Bauer Automate was a mix of highs and fun challenges.  A particularly memorable moment was when David, my mentor and manager, pointed out a design discrepancy in one of my projects. I had overlooked the details of his PowerPoint design, leading to a valuable lesson in attention to detail. This challenge, among others, taught me the importance of repetition and practice in mastering any skill.   


Wrapping Up

I walked away with a PL-900 certificate and an invaluable work experience that gave me a sneak peek into life in tech. This internship was instrumental in affirming my passion towards the tech industry. While I'm open to traditional development paths like Python, C++, C#, and Java, I'm equally enthusiastic about exploring low-code and no-code avenues. The specific tech niche I want to delve into is still a decision in the making. My internship was a transformative experience, shaping my academic interests into tangible skills and providing clarity about my future in the tech world. 
Dean completing the 2023 Bauer Automate Summer Internship Program

Golden Nuggets for Future Interns 
For aspiring interns out there, embrace challenges and learning opportunities—they're your gateway to growth. Here are my quick tips for you: 
  • Pay Attention to Detail: Small aspects like font, color, size, and syntax can make or break your project. 
  • Read with Purpose: Don't just read—understand through experience and conversations. 
  • Practical Application: Theory is just the starting point; execution is the game-changer. 
  • Open Communication: Maintain a transparent line of communication with your team; it fosters mutual growth. 

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