Automated permit request and approval routing

Purpose

1. Automated permit request and approval routing automates the sequential handling, routing, approval, and management of work permits in chemical plant operations, ensuring regulatory, safety, and operational policy compliance.

2. Automates the collection, validation, routing, and notification of permit requests, controlling every workflow stage from submission to approval for maintenance, entry, hot work, and other plant activities.

3. Automates central tracking and digital archiving, automatedly notifying stakeholders, escalating overdue approvals, and providing full audit trails for compliance auditing and plant safety governance.

Trigger Conditions

1. Manual submission of new permit request via plant portal or mobile app.

2. Email receipt to a dedicated permit-management address.

3. IoT device detects condition requiring permit (e.g., maintenance alert, hazardous entry signal).

4. Scheduled task triggers automated renewals or periodic safety checks needing permit review.

5. API call from external EHS/ERP systems requesting permit process initiation.

Platform Variants

1. Microsoft Power Automate

• Feature/Setting: “When a form is submitted” trigger, “Start and wait for approval” action; automated routing of digital forms, approvals, and notifications.
  

2. Zapier

• Feature/Setting: “New Entry in Google Forms” trigger; “Send Email via Gmail”, “Update Row in Google Sheets”; automates multi-step permit workflows.
  

3. ServiceNow

• Feature/Setting: Flow Designer and Workflow API—automates permit request forms, routing, status notifications, escalations to safety officers.
  

4. Salesforce Flow

• Feature/Setting: Record-Triggered Flow; automates routing based on permit record creation, automates Chatter notifications and approval path.
  

5. Monday.com

• Feature/Setting: “When status changes” automation; automates notification, assignment, and progression to next approval stage.
  

6. Slack

• Feature/Setting: Workflow Builder, Slack API “conversations.post”; automates permit routing via channels and DMs, logs approval responses.
  

7. Twilio

• Feature/Setting: Programmable SMS API; automates texting of approvals and alerts, receives approval/rejection by SMS reply.
  

8. DocuSign

• Feature/Setting: eSignature API “Create Envelope”; permits routed automatedly for digital signature/approval.
  

9. Google Workspace

• Feature/Setting: Apps Script, Forms Trigger; automates gathering, validating, and notifying of permit data via Google Forms.
  

10. SAP Business Technology Platform

• Feature/Setting: SAP Workflow Service; automates permit approval flows with integrated audit.
  

11. Jira Service Management

• Feature/Setting: Automation Rules (“Issue Created”, “Send email”); automates ticket-based permit handling and SLA reminders.
  

12. Asana Rules

• Feature/Setting: “Task added to project” trigger; automates assignment and comment notification to reviewers.
  

13. Smartsheet Automation

• Feature/Setting: “Request an approval” workflow; automates permit data routing, alerts, status updates.
  

14. Microsoft Outlook

• Feature/Setting: Email Rules; automates identification, forward, and archiving of permits via mail triggers.
  

15. IBM Maximo

• Feature/Setting: Workflow Designer; automates plant permit request and digital routing, integrates with maintenance requests.
  

16. Workato

• Feature/Setting: “Trigger: Form received”/“Action: Approve-Request in App”; automates multi-app permit process integration.
  

17. M-Files

• Feature/Setting: Workflow Automation Module; automates document-based permit routing, e-sign, and history.
  

18. Trello

• Feature/Setting: Butler automation; automates card creation, checklist routing per approval status change.
  

19. AirTable Automations

• Feature/Setting: “When record matches conditions”; automates notifications and task assignment for each permit record.
  

20. K2 Five (Nintex)

• Feature/Setting: SmartObject Workflow; automates form submission, rules-driven routing, escalation.
  

21. DocuWare Workflow

• Feature/Setting: Workflow Designer; automates document-driven routing, reminders, digital signatures.
  

22. Google Cloud Functions

• Feature/Setting: HTTP Trigger, automates custom routing, REST integrations for bespoke permit flows.
  

Benefits

1. Automates the reduction in processing time and manual handling of compliance-critical permits.

2. Automated routing, tracking and digital archiving enhances safety, auditability, and regulatory compliance.

3. Automates escalation to reduce bottlenecks for urgent activities and plant safety operations.

4. Automates notifications to keep all stakeholders updated and eliminates missed approvals.

5. Automated analytics and reporting improve visibility and continuous optimization of permit processes.