Expiry date tracking and automated waste notifications

Purpose

1.1. Automate expiry date tracking for all ingredients to ensure precise stock rotation and food safety compliance.
1.2. Automates notifications and waste alerts for inventory nearing expiry, reducing waste and minimizing loss.
1.3. Automates audit logs and real-time reporting for inventory managers in the couscous restaurant, tailored for North African cuisine supply needs.
1.4. Automates supplier notification when replenishment is required, streamlining vendor communication and restocking workflows.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. When item expiry date is reached or within configurable threshold (e.g., 3/5/7 days before expiry).
2.2. Automate triggers on new inventory batch entries and updates to expiry dates.
2.3. Automator events on low-stock detection post wastage removal.
2.4. Automates notification upon confirmed removal or disposal of expired items.

Platform Variants

3.1. Microsoft Power Automate
• Feature: Flow automator for SharePoint/Excel item date check
• Setting: Schedule automated daily checks; trigger “Send Email” action if expiry imminent
3.2. Google Apps Script
• Feature: OnEdit trigger in Google Sheets
• Setting: Automate expiry notifications via Gmail when expiry field changes
3.3. Zapier
• Feature: Scheduled Zap + Gmail/SMS action
• Setting: Daily trigger automates search for expiring stock, sends alert
3.4. Twilio
• Feature: Programmable SMS API
• Setting: Automate SMS waste notifications to inventory staff; set “to”, “from”, “body” in POST
3.5. SendGrid
• Feature: Automated email notification
• Setting: Automator triggers on critical expiry, uses dynamic template
3.6. Slack
• Feature: Incoming Webhooks
• Setting: Automated inventory alert to F&B channel on expiry events
3.7. Monday.com
• Feature: Automation Recipes
• Setting: Automate expiry status changes and notification to relevant boards
3.8. Salesforce
• Feature: Process Builder/Flow
• Setting: Automate inventory object date field check, trigger task or alert
3.9. Oracle NetSuite
• Feature: SuiteFlow
• Setting: Automate expiry email notification on inventory record change
3.10. SAP Business One
• Feature: Alerts Management
• Setting: Scheduled automator for expiry-dated stock; triggers automated warning
3.11. Shopify
• Feature: Scripted Flow + App integration
• Setting: Automate SKU expiry tracking; push alerts to admin
3.12. Airtable
• Feature: Automations
• Setting: If “expiry date” field within threshold, send Slack/Email/Record update
3.13. Notion
• Feature: Database filter/Automation
• Setting: Automate visual alert or email using third-party integration
3.14. Asana
• Feature: Rules & Automated Tasks
• Setting: Auto-create task for review/removal of expiring items
3.15. Freshdesk
• Feature: Automated ticket creation
• Setting: On critical expiry, automates support workflow
3.16. Trello
• Feature: Butler Automation
• Setting: Automate card creation/move for expiring inventories
3.17. HubSpot
• Feature: Workflow Automation
• Setting: Automate expiry reminders to supply team
3.18. QuickBooks
• Feature: Custom Reminder
• Setting: Automate financial review triggers on lost/wasted stock
3.19. Email (SMTP/IMAP APIs)
• Feature: Scripted automator
• Setting: Send automated expiry notifications using SMTP settings
3.20. WhatsApp Business API
• Feature: Automated notifications
• Setting: Automate bulk expiry alerts to manager group chats

Benefits

4.1. Automates waste reduction; ensures timely use or disposal of perishables.
4.2. Automating compliance, avoiding health/safety violations.
4.3. Automated inventory management increases operational efficiency and cost control.
4.4. Automator-based workflow accelerates restocking and minimizes out-of-stock incidents.
4.5. Automates communication, ensuring stakeholders are instantly informed.
4.6. Automating audit and reporting supports smart business analytics and inventory forecasting.