Automated generation of payment reminders for accounts receivable

Purpose

1.1. Streamline the timely collection of outstanding accounts receivable for alternator suppliers in the wholesale automotive electrical parts sector.
1.2. Reduce manual follow-up by automating multi-channel payment reminder dispatch based on invoice status, due date, and customer profile.
1.3. Maintain compliance with financial processes, support cash-flow management, and improve customer relations by ensuring clear communication and prompt notifications.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. New invoice creation with payment terms set.
2.2. Invoice status changes to “sent” or “unpaid” with a due date approaching or overdue.
2.3. Scheduled intervals before and after due date (e.g., 7 days before, on due date, 5 days overdue).
2.4. Custom workflow initiated via integration alert from an ERP, CRM, or accounting system.

Platform Variants

3.1. Twilio (SMS)
• Feature/Setting: SMS API, configure to send reminders with dynamic invoice and customer details using programmable messaging: e.g., set up a POST to /Messages with merge fields.

3.2. SendGrid (Email)
• Feature/Setting: Transactional Templates, create automated email triggers via API /mail/send endpoint.

3.3. Microsoft Outlook (Email)
• Feature/Setting: Graph API, schedule and send reminder emails from shared finance mailbox.

3.4. Slack
• Feature/Setting: Incoming Webhooks, push reminders to finance/customer service channels.

3.5. WhatsApp Business API
• Feature/Setting: Message Templates, send reminders directly to customer’s WhatsApp with dynamic content.

3.6. Google Calendar
• Feature/Setting: Events API, insert reminder events for the receivables team before customer due dates.

3.7. Salesforce
• Feature/Setting: Process Builder/Flow, trigger reminders via email/SMS based on opportunity or invoice object status.

3.8. SAP ERP
• Feature/Setting: ABAP or SAP Cloud Workflow, schedule outgoing reminder communications using sales and payment module triggers.

3.9. QuickBooks Online
• Feature/Setting: API automated reminders, trigger message sequences for overdue invoices.

3.10. Xero
• Feature/Setting: API for invoice and contact events, send reminders through email or partner messaging service.

3.11. Zoho Books
• Feature/Setting: Workflow Rules, set criteria on invoice aging to trigger reminders via email/SMS.

3.12. FreshBooks
• Feature/Setting: Automated reminder settings via “Payment Reminder” feature or API endpoint /reminders.

3.13. HubSpot
• Feature/Setting: Workflow Automation with contact-based triggers for timely reminders.

3.14. Pabbly Connect
• Feature/Setting: Scheduled workflow automation, configure time-based reminder sequences linking accounting and communication apps.

3.15. Airtable
• Feature/Setting: Scripting/App Automations, update email/SMS reminder status on receivable records.

3.16. Zendesk
• Feature/Setting: Macros and Triggers, instruct agents or automated bots to send reminders to open client tickets.

3.17. Mailgun
• Feature/Setting: API email campaigns for time-sensitive payment reminders.

3.18. Stripe
• Feature/Setting: Invoicing Reminders API, automate email or SMS for invoice due/overdue notices.

3.19. Notion
• Feature/Setting: Reminders through integration or API, update corresponding team workspace with outstanding accounts.

3.20. Gmail
• Feature/Setting: Gmail API, auto-generate reminder emails from finance user or shared account.

3.21. Monday.com
• Feature/Setting: Automation Recipes, post reminders to item owners for overdue customer payments.

3.22. ClickSend
• Feature/Setting: SMS API, dispatch scheduled reminders based on data retrieved from ERP/CRM.

3.23. Trello
• Feature/Setting: Due Date triggers via Power-Ups/Butler automation, notify finance team about due/outstanding invoices.

3.24. Google Sheets
• Feature/Setting: Apps Script triggers, auto-email or SMS reminders based on invoice aging formula.

3.25. ActiveCampaign
• Feature/Setting: Automated workflow, deploy multi-channel reminders on accounts in specified status.

Benefits

4.1. Minimizes manual intervention, saving time and reducing administrative labor.
4.2. Improves invoice payment rates and cash flow predictability.
4.3. Decreases risk of human error in reminder sending and record tracking.
4.4. Facilitates audit readiness and compliance with payment communication policies.
4.5. Easily customizable for channels, content, and escalation frequency according to business needs.