Supplier and Logistics AutomationsPurchase Order Approval and Escalation Process Automation
a. Automate the end-to-end workflow for purchase order (PO) approvals in a moving supply store, reducing manual intervention and error.
b. Automates collection, validation, and routing of PO requests to appropriate stakeholders in procurement, finance, and management.
c. Automator triggers escalation to higher authorities if approvals are delayed or rejected, ensuring compliance and timely order fulfillment.
d. Achieves traceability and auditable process logs for supplier contracts and logistic coordination.
e. Enables automating notifications and progress updates to relevant parties via diverse channels.
1.2. Trigger Conditions
a. PO request submitted via supplier portal or internal ERP.
b. PO modification, exceeding a monetary threshold, or flagged supplier.
c. Approval or rejection of PO by assigned approver not performed within SLA (e.g., 24 hours).
d. PO receives partial approval or change request requiring escalation.
e. After-hours PO requests needing urgent escalation.
1.3. Platform variants
1.3.1. Microsoft Power Automate
• Feature/Setting: Approvals connector automated with “When an item is created” trigger on SharePoint
1.3.2. SAP Ariba
• Feature/Setting: Automated Approval Workflows using “RequisitionApprovalRequest” API endpoint
1.3.3. Oracle Fusion Cloud Procurement
• Feature/Setting: Automate approval escalation rules via “Procurement Approval Management” REST API
1.3.4. ServiceNow
• Feature/Setting: Automated PO approval flow using “Flow Designer” Event Triggers
1.3.5. DocuSign
• Feature/Setting: Automated PO signature request via DocuSign eSignature API “Envelopes: Create & Send”
1.3.6. Slack
• Feature/Setting: Automated PO escalation via “chat.postMessage” and Approval Workflow Builder
1.3.7. Trello
• Feature/Setting: Automator triggers escalation by creating cards using Trello API “Create Card”
1.3.8. Zendesk
• Feature/Setting: Create an automated ticket for POs pending approval via “Tickets API”
1.3.9. Gmail
• Feature/Setting: Automating PO approval notifications via “Send Email” API
1.3.10. Twilio SMS
• Feature/Setting: Automated SMS escalation for overdue approvals via Twilio “Messages API”
1.3.11. Jira Service Management
• Feature/Setting: Create automated issues for escalated POs via Jira REST API
1.3.12. Asana
• Feature/Setting: Add automated tasks for next-step actions using “Tasks API”
1.3.13. Google Sheets
• Feature/Setting: Log all PO approval steps via automated “Append Row” API
1.3.14. Xero
• Feature/Setting: Automated PO status update sync using “Update Purchase Order” endpoint
1.3.15. HubSpot
• Feature/Setting: Trigger automated deal stage changes for PO pipeline via “Workflows”
1.3.16. Salesforce
• Feature/Setting: Automate opportunity escalations for PO via “Process Builder” and Approval API
1.3.17. Freshdesk
• Feature/Setting: Automated ticket escalation for PO approvals using “Ticket API”
1.3.18. Zoho Creator
• Feature/Setting: Automating PO approval flows using custom workflow rules
1.3.19. QuickBooks Online
• Feature/Setting: Automated PO status update using “Update Purchase Orders” in QuickBooks API
1.3.20. Monday.com
• Feature/Setting: Automated escalation and logging via Monday API “Create Update”
1.4. Benefits
a. Automates error-prone manual steps, boosting PO approval speed and accuracy.
b. Automated escalations ensure PO requests do not stagnate, safeguarding supply continuity.
c. Automator provides audit trails for every approval action and escalation.
d. Reduces operational bottlenecks with automated notifications, emails, and SMS.
e. Scalable, automatable process supports high order volumes in retail settings.
f. Enhances compliance by ensuring all approvals go through automated, rules-driven checks.
g. Improves supplier relations with reliable, automated order processing.