Appdate: building custom apps to improve nutrition center operations

Citation

Lapinskas S, D’Amato-Anderson J, and Nylander J. 2025. Appdate: building custom apps to improve nutrition center operations. In Treiber K, Brooks M, D’amato-Anderson J, Nylander J, Eds. Proceedings of the Sixteenth Conference on Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition, AZA Nutrition Advisory Group, Oklahoma City, OK.

Abstract

As previously described in Lapinskas (2023), Microsoft Power Apps and related business intelligence tools (SharePoint, Power Automate, Power BI, etc.) can assist with and significantly improve Nutrition Center operations. Technology is always evolving and Power Apps has improved templates, user interface, and user experience over the last several months, making it even more accessible and customizable. These business intelligence tools simplify and streamline complex and frustrating processes, eliminating the need for multiple spreadsheets and e-mails while minimizing hard copies, programs and user errors. Many institutions have built apps for their own needs, including the Nutrition Center at Lincoln Park Zoo (LPZ), the Animal Nutrition Center at the Oregon Zoo (ANC), and the nutritionists at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA).

Disclaimer: The authors are not intending to promote one software program or company over another. The intention is solely to share how one specific tool assisted with improving zoo nutrition center operations.

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