Inventory and Supply Chain ManagementPurpose
1.2. Automate notifications regarding shipment status changes: dispatch, in-transit, delays, ETA updates, and arrivals.
1.3. Eliminate manual checks by integrating carrier tracking, ERP, and communication tools.
1.4. Centralize shipment status across purchasing, inventory allocation, and order fulfillment.
Trigger Conditions
2.2. Scheduled polling of carrier API reveals status change for shipment tracking numbers.
2.3. Warehouse management system logs a new inbound PO or shipment.
2.4. Manual status update by purchasing staff.
Platform Variants
3.1. Twilio SMS
• Feature/Setting: SMS Notification API configured to send status messages to warehouse managers; set up webhook receiving tracking updates and forwarding alerts via Twilio SMS API.
3.2. SendGrid
• Feature/Setting: Transactional Email; configure automated email alert triggered by status update webhook, include shipment details and estimated arrival.
3.3. Slack
• Feature/Setting: Incoming Webhooks or Workflow Builder; post status changes and delays into a #inbound-shipments channel.
3.4. Microsoft Teams
• Feature/Setting: Connector or Adaptive Cards; push real-time shipment updates to Inventory Teams group with clickable tracking links.
3.5. SAP
• Feature/Setting: SAP Event Mesh; integrate with shipment tracking API and SAP MM to update POs, trigger alerts on dashboards.
3.6. Oracle NetSuite
• Feature/Setting: SuiteScript for custom workflow; create automation for updating shipment records and sending notifications.
3.7. Salesforce
• Feature/Setting: Flow Builder or Apex Triggers; update shipment objects and send notifications to sales and logistics users.
3.8. UPS Tracking API
• Feature/Setting: Subscribe to tracking updates; fetch statuses by shipment tracking number and trigger downstream automations.
3.9. FedEx Web Services
• Feature/Setting: Track API Webhooks; configure updates when shipments reach new milestones.
3.10. Shopify (Wholesale Module)
• Feature/Setting: Webhook for fulfillment events; sync shipment updates to inventory dashboards.
3.11. Azure Logic Apps
• Feature/Setting: Automated workflow connects to carrier APIs and internal notification endpoints.
3.12. Google Workspace
• Feature/Setting: Google Chat Webhooks or Gmail API; push shipment alerts to group rooms or emails.
3.13. Jira
• Feature/Setting: Automation Rules; create and update tasks regarding delayed or urgent shipments.
3.14. Trello
• Feature/Setting: Butler Power-Up; automatic card updates or notifications for impacted orders.
3.15. Monday.com
• Feature/Setting: Automation Center; set automations to update shipment boards and notify stakeholders.
3.16. Zoho Creator
• Feature/Setting: Workflow Rules; auto-update custom apps with shipment milestones.
3.17. Airtable
• Feature/Setting: Automations; track shipments in a base, trigger emails or notifications on status change.
3.18. HubSpot
• Feature/Setting: Workflows; notify sales reps when expected inventory is delayed.
3.19. Notion
• Feature/Setting: API or Zapier integration; update databases or send alerts on shipment status changes.
3.20. Asana
• Feature/Setting: Rules; create and assign tasks on shipment arrivals or delays.
3.21. SAP Ariba
• Feature/Setting: Integration with shipment tracking APIs; update supplier collaboration portal with live ETA.
3.22. QuickBooks Commerce
• Feature/Setting: Order and Inventory Automation; synchronize shipment data with open POs.
Benefits
4.2. Reduces risk of missed or delayed shipments.
4.3. Improves transparency for all teams involved.
4.4. Enables faster reaction to delays or inventory shortages.
4.5. Centralizes and standardizes communication across channels.