Automation Engine
11. Visual Workflow Automation
The Workflows engine executes event-driven automations across your database. Build visual trigger-filter-action node graphs to automate routine business chores without third-party integration subscriptions.
Trigger & Action Recipes
Real-world business rules that keep sales, billing, and fulfillment operations moving:
| Trigger Event | Condition Filters | Dispatched Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Deal Moved to Won | Deal value > $1,000 | Creates draft invoice + assigns production task |
| Form Submission Received | Contains phone number | Creates lead record + notifies sales team |
| Invoice Overdue 7 Days | Status = "Sent" | Sends polite reminder email with invoice link |
Workflow Automation Alternatives Comparison
| Automation Dimension | SHPI Native Workflows | Third-Party Connectors (Zapier/Make) | Manual Checklists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution Reliability | Built into core database; zero webhook drops or rate limits | Webhooks break on schema changes; costly task quotas | High human error rate; tasks get delayed or forgotten |
| Context Awareness | Full access to client history, linked deals, and custom fields | Payloads often lack nested relational data without multi-step queries | Context lives in people’s heads; lost on team turnover |
| Cost Scalability | Unlimited workflow executions included in workspace | Priced aggressively per task execution with expensive overages | Zero software cost, but massive labor waste and operational lag |