Scheduled Autostart for Document Workflows
About this course
This course walks you through the key steps required for optimizing your document processes with airSlate WorkFlow. You'll learn how to run a workflow on a schedule or when any data in your system records change, such as in CRM or ERP systems, spreadsheets, and more.
By the end of this course, you'll be equipped with all the knowledge you need to turn your most complex processes into automated multi-level workflows that you can run on a schedule with a single click.
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Sign now for freeairSlate: no-code automation for scheduled workflow setup
Accuracy and proper organization of every process running like a clockwork have paramount importance for a business. It may seem trivial, but these qualities help a company survive in the highly-competitive market environment and even substantially impact growth. Planning budgets and campaigns is essential, but setting up a timetable for a little daily routine also matters.
In the not-too-distant past, employees spent hours organizing meetings, sending regular newsletters, calling or sending messages to the participants to remind them of the documentation pending their signatures, etc. Things have changed thanks to the automation technologies boom, so now you can automatically schedule workflows and save time and resources for more significant business tasks.
What is a scheduled workflow, and what are its positive aspects?
A scheduled workflow is an integral part of workflow management. It’s a business process configured to start running upon a specific condition. Depending on your needs, you can set up the autostart for your business processes based on changes in forms and agreements, spreadsheets, or CRM records.
According to such pre-defined conditions, the workflow will run with a single click of a button or even without human interaction. Often, the main criteria for autostart is a specific date and time. Such processes are called time-dependent or time-based workflows triggered by the scheduled date.
Setting up tasks this way is a perfect solution for those who need to properly organize their recurring events in the future. Using a time-based workflow allows one to update the lead owner in a CRM or ERP system, automatically initiate a new document workflow, or arrange automatic data collection and data update based on other active workflows. The benefits of applying time-based automation are beyond a shadow of a doubt:
- Configuring a scheduled workflow requires a minimum of time but brings maximum effect on general performance;
- It saves hours of business time and, thereby, human resources and financial costs;
- Data never gets lost, and tasks are done at the appropriate time according to the team’s plan;
- Due to the automatic launch of the processes, most of the regular work runs smoothly and more efficiently;
- The staff makes fewer errors and can focus on customers and new projects instead of wasting time on a routine manual job.
Many online services offer time-based workflow functionality. The complexity of their configuration differs a lot, and airSlate is just the solution with the perfect simplicity-in-use and accuracy ratio you need.
Creating a scheduled workflow with airSlate
airSlate is an all-in-one platform for automating business processes of any complexity. Pre-built Flow templates, the ability to create them from scratch, and numerous no-code Bots make airSlate super simple and convenient for users with any level of tech skills. And in addition to the entire document workflow automation, it also provides their planned launch via the Autostart option.
An Autostart is a particular action that activates a Flow and makes it run automatically according to the defined conditions. Set it up so that your Flow works as per timetable at a given time daily, weekly, fortnightly, monthly, etc. You can set configurations, create a scheduled workflow upon document completion, after you edit a Google spreadsheet, or update CRM records. And it’s all possible with only several simple clicks.
Configuring a time-based workflow with airSlate requires only a couple of steps:
- Creating a Template. Customize the document according to your needs.
- Enabling the Autostart option. You can do it in the Workflow tab by clicking the Add Autostart button available either from the Flow Start block or from the Send button dropdown.
- Choosing how to start your Flow. At this step, you can opt for one of the available options for scheduling the Flow:
- Scheduled Start to set up the exact date and time when the Flow will be activated and with what frequency;
- From another Flow (selecting from what Template documents will be pre-filled);
- From Google Sheet updates or Microsoft 365 Excel updates;
- From Salesforce, MS Dynamics 365, NetSuite, or SharePoint;
- From an External File or External Event;
- Scheduled start from Google Sheets.
Once done, the process will launch automatically so that you don’t have to make any extra actions.
airSlate Academy: the best way to learn to create time-based workflows
As you can see, the platform offers various options for pre-planning document workflows. Even though the setup process is intuitive, each option has customization peculiarities. airSlate Academy provides a unique course that reveals all workflow creation and customization steps, accompanied by detailed video guides. The practical section will help you consolidate knowledge and check how it works for your use case. All of this comes free of charge — enroll today!
Questions & answers
The Autostart option allows you to simplify and automate repeatable workflows and schedule them according to the set conditions. You can easily choose a one-time or repeatable autostart for your workflow as many times as you need. This option is perfect for routine workflows that require monthly, weekly, or daily reminders: for instance, invoice completion, newsletters, or other regular workflows.
With Autostart, you will never have to worry about missed workflows or deadlines. It saves your time and allows you to repeat the same workflow when needed without creating it from scratch. Autostarting your workflows also improves your documents' accuracy and organization.
Everything begins with your workflow configuration. Select Design Workflow, add documents, bots, and other elements of your workflow, and then select Add autostart and provide specific time, date, and other details. You may also choose other Autostart options, like when an Excel file or other workflow is filled, your workflow starts automatically. Please note that the Autostart option is only available for fully automated workflows and not one-time document processes.
The Autostart option is triggered when a specific condition is met. For instance, when your contributors complete other workflows or fill out Google Sheets or Excel, the workflow you need will automatically start. You can choose from the following options:
- Scheduled start with a specific date and time for the workflow to run.
- A record update in a CRM/ERP system or a specific field in a document.
- Start workflow when a document from external services is completed.
Many industries rely on a repeatable workflow with the same set of documents and conditions. For instance, Higher Education, Healthcare, IT, and other sectors require a precise and accurate tool to automate and schedule their routine workflows. With the Autostart option, you can configure the workflow to repeat on specific days or dates if needed.
Workflow conditions are the criteria for an automated process to work. These are the if-this-then-that conditions that you provide when setting up a workflow. If properly configured, they will launch a process automatically once met.