Inventory Management AutomationsPurpose
1.2 Automating detection of items nearing expiry enables proactive markdowns, restocking, removal, and alerts across stores, reducing manual overhead and error rates in inventory management.
1.3 Automated tracking of expiry and best-before by integrating with inventory databases empowers timely communications with staff and customers, ensuring freshness, safety, and compliance.
Trigger Conditions
2.2 Scheduled daily or real-time automated scan for items within configurable expiry window (e.g., 30, 15, 7, 1 days before expiration).
2.3 Automated low stock or overstock flag raised concurrently with near-expiry items.
2.4 Barcode, RFID, or manual stocktake events automatedly triggering expiry validation.
Platform Variants
• Feature/Setting: "When a new item is added/modified" in SharePoint or Dataverse; automate expiry notification via Outlook "Send an email" action.
3.2 Google Apps Script
• Feature/Setting: Schedule Trigger plus automated lookup of expiry dates in Google Sheets; use GmailApp.sendEmail for alerts.
3.3 Zapier
• Feature/Setting: “Schedule” or “Inventory updated” trigger, filter by expiry, and automate Slack, email, or Google Sheets update actions.
3.4 Salesforce Flow
• Feature/Setting: Record-Triggered Flow on product expiry_date field; automate task or alert via "Send Email" or "Create Reminder."
3.5 Shopify Flow
• Feature/Setting: Trigger on product inventory update; automate "Send internal notification" when best-before threshold met.
3.6 Oracle NetSuite
• Feature/Setting: Workflow on Inventory Item; automate email alert or status change if expiry_date - Today < X days.
3.7 SAP Business One
• Feature/Setting: User-defined field workflow; automate alert and transfer of items into “expiring soon” warehouse location.
3.8 Integromat (Make)
• Feature/Setting: Watch records module for expiry dates; automate email, SMS, or Teams notifications.
3.9 Airtable Automations
• Feature/Setting: Scheduled automation checking “expiry date” field; automate update record or send Slack alert.
3.10 Smartsheet Automation
• Feature/Setting: Date-based reminder automation on best-before field for internal distribution lists.
3.11 Slack Workflow Builder
• Feature/Setting: Automated notification workflow triggered by incoming expiry data from integrations.
3.12 Twilio SMS
• Feature/Setting: Automated expiry alerts via programmable SMS using API triggered by inventory scan.
3.13 Intercom
• Feature/Setting: Automated message to inventory managers using Custom Bots when expiry dates approach.
3.14 SendGrid
• Feature/Setting: Automated email batch API sending for expiring item lists on scheduled runs.
3.15 Mailchimp
• Feature/Setting: Automated email campaign for near-expiry promos or notifications using API or contact segments.
3.16 Monday.com Automations
• Feature/Setting: Date-based automator to move items to “Expiring” board or send automated notifications.
3.17 Trello Automation (Butler)
• Feature/Setting: Trigger action when expiry card date is near; automate moving, tagging, or messaging.
3.18 HubSpot Workflows
• Feature/Setting: Automated internal communication or task creation using expiry custom property triggers.
3.19 Asana Rules
• Feature/Setting: Date-driven rule automating task assignment for stock removal before expiry.
3.20 Jira Automation
• Feature/Setting: Schedule/field conditions automator to create issues or notifications for items nearing best-before.
3.21 QuickBooks Online
• Feature/Setting: Expiry as custom field in inventory; automate reminders or journal entries for write-off.
Benefits
4.2 Automating notifications enhances team collaboration, enabling proactive removal, promotion, or restocking of items.
4.3 Automation ensures regulatory compliance and customer safety, reinforcing brand trust.
4.4 Streamlined, automated processes free staff for high-value tasks and allow scalable, error-free inventory control.
4.5 Automated insight into expiring inventory supports targeted discounts and optimized replenishment strategies.