Payment reminders via email/SMS

Purpose

1.1 Ensure timely customer payments for appliance support services by automatically sending reminders via email/SMS before, on, and after the due date.
1.2 Reduce manual follow-up workload, improve cash flow, maintain positive customer relationships, and minimize payment delays.
1.3 Keep customers informed of upcoming, due, and overdue invoices with personalized and branded communications.
1.4 Facilitate easy payment processing by providing payment links or options within reminders.

Trigger Conditions

2.1 Invoice generated with a due date assigned in the invoicing or CRM system.
2.2 Due date approaches: X days before (e.g., 7, 3, 1), on the day, and X days after.
2.3 Invoice status changes to unpaid, pending, or overdue.
2.4 Payment not recorded within predefined intervals.
2.5 Manual trigger by support/collections staff.

Platform Variants

3.1 Twilio SMS
• Feature/Setting: SMS API; configure automated SMS template with invoice data, trigger SMS per schedule based on invoice status; e.g., POST to /Messages endpoint.

3.2 SendGrid
• Feature/Setting: Email API; create dynamic templates linked to customer/invoice fields, schedule send via API triggered by due date logic; e.g., POST to /mail/send endpoint.

3.3 Mailgun
• Feature/Setting: Email sending API; send transactional reminder emails using template variables and scheduled triggers.

3.4 Plivo
• Feature/Setting: Messaging API; automate SMS reminders, configure sender ID, template message, and schedule batch sends.

3.5 Nexmo (Vonage)
• Feature/Setting: SMS API; define workflow to send SMS on unpaid invoices, include short unique payment URLs.

3.6 Pipedrive
• Feature/Setting: Workflow Automation; set up trigger for invoice stage, connect with email/SMS plugins to auto-send reminders.

3.7 Zoho CRM
• Feature/Setting: Workflow Rules; when an “Invoice Due” or “Overdue” event occurs, use Mail/SMS integration for reminders.

3.8 Salesforce
• Feature/Setting: Process Builder/Flow; automate reminder tasks or emails with dynamic invoice data, integrate SMS via AppExchange add-ons.

3.9 HubSpot
• Feature/Setting: Workflows; trigger reminder emails at invoice milestones, customize message content per contact/company.

3.10 FreshBooks
• Feature/Setting: Auto Payment Reminders; enable recurring email notifications prior to and post due date.

3.11 QuickBooks Online
• Feature/Setting: Payment Reminder Rules; set up schedule for reminders via email for unpaid or overdue invoices.

3.12 Xero
• Feature/Setting: Automated invoice reminders; activate and schedule email notifications based on due dates.

3.13 Stripe
• Feature/Setting: Billing Reminder Emails; configure settings to send automated email reminders for upcoming/overdue invoices.

3.14 PayPal
• Feature/Setting: Invoicing API; schedule follow-up emails for unpaid invoices via API or dashboard.

3.15 Sage
• Feature/Setting: Auto-reminder engine; set templates, timing, and escalation for unpaid invoices through email/SMS.

3.16 Microsoft Power Automate
• Feature/Setting: Flows; automate trigger on invoice creation or status, send reminders via Outlook/Teams or Twilio SMS integration.

3.17 Google Workspace
• Feature/Setting: Apps Script; use Sheets as invoice tracker, run scheduled script emailing reminders to clients.

3.18 Airtable
• Feature/Setting: Automations; define invoice status field as trigger, send personalized email/SMS using native actions or webhooks.

3.19 Klaviyo
• Feature/Setting: Flows; set up automated campaign for due/overdue invoice reminders with dynamic merge tags.

3.20 Intercom
• Feature/Setting: Outbound Messages; trigger email/SMS based on customer’s invoice-related tags or segments.

3.21 Zoho Books
• Feature/Setting: Automated Reminders; enable settings to send custom reminders at multiple intervals pre/post due date.

3.22 Monday.com
• Feature/Setting: Automations; schedule invoice follow-up notifications via integrated email/SMS extensions.

3.23 Slack
• Feature/Setting: Workflow Builder; post reminders in internal channels or direct messages when customer payments become overdue.

Benefits

4.1 Optimizes invoice collection process and reduces late payments.
4.2 Maximizes staff productivity by automating repetitive tasks.
4.3 Increases customer satisfaction through timely, clear communications.
4.4 Improves cash flow predictability for appliance service businesses.
4.5 Minimizes risk of missed revenue by ensuring consistent payment follow-up.