What challenges did Rolls-Royce face before AI implementation?

Complex engine design and maintenance requiring effective data handling. Manual communication in shift handovers led to inefficiencies and potential errors. Traditional IT project processes slowed innovation and solution delivery. Need to improve productivity, innovation pace, and employee engagement. Requirement for scalable tools to democratize app development across roles.

What was the impact of the AI solution?

Employee engagement increased by 25% after launching the Kudos app. Workflows in engine design and testing became more efficient and transparent.

Source

MicrosoftExpandedProductionEvidence: Low35/100

Rolls-Royce Empowers Employees for Smarter Manufacturing and Higher Engagement

Use case typeProductivity platformUpdated Jun 13, 2026

Rolls-Royce, a leading UK aerospace and defense manufacturer, underwent a sweeping digital and AI-driven transformation by adopting Microsoft Azure, AI, Power Apps, and Power BI. Employees from various departments built low-code apps to improve everything from productivity, R&D, and testing, to engagement and wellbeing. Notable apps include a system for efficient shift handovers in engine testing and a 24/7 on-call solution for R&D, both driving operational speed and innovation. The company promotes citizen development through internal sandboxes, Microsoft-supported training, and the Cobalt accelerator program. A 'Kudos' app, now company-wide, increased employee engagement by 25%. These approaches streamline workflows, democratize innovation, and enhance company culture, as Rolls-Royce advances smart factory and sustainability goals in a rapidly evolving market.

Organization: Rolls-Royce
Industry: Manufacturing
Location: United Kingdom
Published: April 2023

Reported outcomes

Customer experience: +25%

Customer experience

Catalog median for customer experience deployments: +25% across 52 reported metrics. Compare benchmarks →

Why do we believe this?Outcome claims, sources, and evidence checks

Normalized claim

Quantified impact: 25% increase

ukstories.microsoft.comApr 5, 2023UnknownInferred claimLow evidence strength

Employee engagement increased by 25% after launching the Kudos app.

Last evidence check: Jul 22, 2026

Why do we believe this deployment?Customer identity, provider attribution, maturity, and source checks

Customer: Rolls-Royce
Provider: Microsoft
Maturity: Production
Linked source: ukstories.microsoft.com

Notable apps include a system for efficient shift handovers in engine testing and a 24/7 on-call solution for R&D, both driving operational speed and innovation

Customer identity supportedSource describes one deploymentMaturity supported

Primary read

Use case focus

Showing 3 of 6

1citizen development
2productivity workflow automation
3employee engagement/recognition system

Adoption of Microsoft Power Apps and Power BI for app development and data visualization.
Enabled citizen development by giving employees tools and sandboxes for experimentation.
Developed low-code apps for real-time information sharing in test and development.
Created internal accelerator and training programs to upskill non-IT staff.
Rolled out an on-call Power App for 24/7 R&D support and the 'Kudos' app for recognition.

Technologies

Azure Azure AI Power Apps Power BI

Employee engagement increased by 25% after launching the Kudos app.
Workflows in engine design and testing became more efficient and transparent.

Architecture

Rolls-Royce employees use Power Apps and Power BI hosted on Microsoft Azure. Employees develop solutions in sandbox environments, with IT support for advanced coding and integration across business units. Data pulled from various sources is visualized in Power BI, and operational apps, such as shift handover and R&D on-call systems, automate workflow and communication. The Cobalt accelerator and Microsoft online training support continuous app development.

Sources & evidence1

Evidence: Low35/100Evidence strength