Billing and Payment AutomationPurpose
1.2. Minimizes manual tracking and chasing of payments through automated reminders, boosting cash flow and reducing late payments.
1.3. Ensures all pet owners are notified automatedly of outstanding balances via email, SMS, or alternative channels.
1.4. Provides audit trails for communication and automatable escalations for unresolved invoices.
Trigger Conditions
2.2. Pre-set days past due date (e.g., 1, 7, 14 days) triggers automation of reminder flow.
2.3. Recurring automated check for unpaid invoices at scheduled intervals.
2.4. Manual trigger by staff if immediate action is automatablely required.
Platform Variants
3.1. Twilio SMS
• Feature/Setting: Automate SMS via Programmable Messaging API; configure trigger for overdue invoices detected; sample endpoint: /Messages with personalized template.
3.2. SendGrid
• Feature/Setting: Automate email reminders via Marketing Campaigns or transactional send; set up automated workflow with dynamic fields for invoice and recipient.
3.3. Mailgun
• Feature/Setting: Use Email Events API to automate sending and tracking overdue invoice reminders; integrate automated triggers from invoice system.
3.4. Outlook 365
• Feature/Setting: Automate email reminders using Power Automate flow with "Send an email (V2)" when overdue condition is met in Excel or Dynamics.
3.5. Gmail (Google Workspace)
• Feature/Setting: Use Apps Script or third-party workflow automation to send template emails when an overdue flag is raised.
3.6. Slack
• Feature/Setting: Automate direct or channel message with payment reminder using Incoming Webhooks or Slack API; trigger from invoice management integration.
3.7. Microsoft Teams
• Feature/Setting: Use Graph API or Power Automate to automate posting overdue invoice reminders in teams or as chat bot notifications.
3.8. Salesforce
• Feature/Setting: Automator with Process Builder or Flow to send email/SMS via integrated comms API when invoice status is “overdue”.
3.9. Zoho Books
• Feature/Setting: Automate payment reminder emails using Recurring Invoices > Automated Reminder options; configure templates and schedule.
3.10. QuickBooks Online
• Feature/Setting: Automate reminders using built-in Automated Payment Reminders; schedule and personalize via settings.
3.11. Xero
• Feature/Setting: Automate via Invoice Reminders feature; set trigger days and customize reminder text.
3.12. Pipedrive
• Feature/Setting: Use Workflow Automation to automate reminders via email/SMS by connecting Pipedrive invoices to comms platforms.
3.13. HubSpot
• Feature/Setting: Automate overdue invoice tasks and reminder emails with Workflows leveraging HubSpot Payments (or integrations).
3.14. Monday.com
• Feature/Setting: Use Automations > Custom Triggers to send email or Slack reminders when ‘Payment Status’ column triggers “Overdue”.
3.15. FreshBooks
• Feature/Setting: Automate reminders in ‘Reminders’ settings to send emails x days after due date.
3.16. Stripe
• Feature/Setting: Set up automated payment reminders via Billing > Subscriptions dashboard; webhook for overdue event.
3.17. PayPal Invoicing
• Feature/Setting: Enable automated reminders in invoice settings; configure email frequency.
3.18. Notion
• Feature/Setting: Automate reminders using Notion API plus third-party automator for email/SMS when invoice page marked overdue.
3.19. Airtable
• Feature/Setting: Set up workflow automations to send reminder emails or integrate with messaging API when records pass due date.
3.20. Intercom
• Feature/Setting: Automate targeted messages using Custom Bots or auto-messages to overdue invoice contacts.
4. Benefits
4.2. Automating reminders increases on-time payments by reaching clients on preferred channels.
4.3. Ensures consistency, eliminating human error in billing follow-up through automation and auditability.
4.4. Facilitates scalable, automatable billing operations as the cattery grows.
4.5. Builds professional image through timely, automated customer communications.