Replace phone calls and long email threads with approval workflows
Decide which requests need your time, which need your manager’s input, and which can be auto-approved. Replace phone calls and long email threads with structured approval requests. Automate every aspect of approvals—from choosing approvers and configuring actions to validating processes seamlessly—with approval workflows.
Automate approvals on the go!
Top brands that use our platform
What are approval workflows?
Businesses often require processes to be verified and authorized before they can be passed on to the next stage. Why? To ensure that the data or decisions coming out of such checks are validated and given the nod of approval by people in positions of power. This concept is known as an approval process workflow or approval workflow.
There are various types of approval workflows tailored to different organizational needs, each designed to enhance efficiency and communication.
Elements of approval workflows
An approval workflow engine can help manage these workflow processes efficiently, ensuring smooth operation of the workflow.
Condition
When should an workflow approval process be triggered? Setting the right conditions ensures that approvals are obtained in a timely manner, preventing delays in business operations.
Approver
Who should approve the process and give the final approval? Ensuring that all approvers are on the same page enhances accountability and efficiency.
Action
What action must take place once the review and approval are done? Ensuring that the entire approval process is completed efficiently is crucial for smooth business operations. This helps in addressing bottlenecks that can disrupt workflows, allowing teams to focus on more strategic tasks rather than administrative duties.
Approval workflows using Zoho Creator
Using Zoho Creator’s approval workflow, you can create, edit, and delete approval workflows with just the toggle of a button. Assign custom approvers for each module, or choose approvers based on their roles and hierarchy. Set up approval workflows when a user inputs data in a field, or any time a form is loaded. Perform actions like sending emails and SMS notifications, data access, integrating with third-party services, or anything else that’s not listed using Deluge functionalities. Put simply, managing approvals has never been easier.
Benefits of approval workflows
Productivity
Approve or reject requests on the fly with the simple click of a button.
Visibility
See who has control over what module, and route approvals accordingly.
Security
Only permit users relevant to each module to view and approve requests.
Efficiency
Trigger custom alerts based on approvals and rejections as soon as the button is clicked.
Commonly automated approval workflows
Commonly automated business workflows that enhance business operations include:
- Onboarding
- Purchase Orders
- Content Review
- Leave Sanction
- Invoice Requests
- Project Approval
- Document Approval Workflow
Earlier we were using paper-based forms, where users will submit approvals manually. After implementing Zoho Creator, they just need to fill in the forms and submit it to the approvers directly. This also meant a reduction in time spent, as the approvers are notified promptly, as soon as the form has been submitted.
Sales teams can now create business proposals in seconds and send them to customers to have them accept/deny instantly, giving our customers a sense of innovation in the process (before that, it was manual intervention where customers accepted proposals by replying to the email sent). That gave our team more time to spend on more valuable projects, rather than spending operational time doing manual tasks.
More than just approval workflows
You’re not limited to workflows—you can manage every single aspect of your business processes using Zoho Creator’s workflow automation software. Unlike a manual approval process, Zoho Creator’s workflow automation software ensures efficiency and minimizes errors.
Data management
Build powerful databases online, on your own. Import data from Excel sheets, migrate from MS Access, or choose from prebuilt app templates.
Learn moreIntegrations
Integrate with CRMs, payment gateways, external databases, APIs, and more, in a few steps.
Learn moreCustomized application development
Develop and deploy applications tailor-made to your business needs, 10x faster than traditional methods.
Learn morePrebuilt applications
Choose from over 60+ ready-to-use applications to fast-track your digital journey.
Learn moreSpeed up approval workflows with Zoho Creator
Try for freeFrequently Asked Questions
Is Zoho Creator approval workflow software?
Not exactly. Zoho Creator is workflow automation software that enables businesses to automate a part, or the whole, of their operational activities by designing custom workflows. It also has everything you need to run a business efficiently—forms, reports, dashboards, and even coding capabilities using custom functions, when needed.
How can I create an approval workflow?
Creating approval workflow on Zoho Creator is a cakewalk.
- Click the New Workflow button under the Approvals tab.
- Select the form and the condition on which you want to trigger the approval workflow.
- Click the Create Workflow button, choose the approver(s), and you're all set!
Bonus: By default, an email alert will be sent to approvals and rejections automatically. You can modify the type of alert, content, and other details as you like.
Why is approval workflow important?
Approval workflows ensure that the processes are standardized, verified, and adhere to organizational guidelines. This, in turn, reduces errors, speeds up processes, and improves overall transparency and efficiency.
Why choose Zoho Creator?
We've helped 22,000+ brands create bespoke workflows and improve their end-to-end operations across a variety of industries. With over 25 years of experience in catering to B2B and B2C organizations, we have the best tools in the trade to help you improve your business. You can get started with Creator by signing up here, or by visiting the sign-up page.