What is a WorkFlow? #

A workflow is an aggregate of actions to be performed in accordance with a predefined set of rules. It allows you to automate a great deal of work, making it easier to ensure that you get done all the necessary tasks with precision. Workflow automation ensures that the correct data reach people at the right time and that business constraints are appropriately enforced

Why Create Automated Workflows #

Workflows allow executing highly customizable seamless tasks like order placement, customer onboarding, newsletter automation, reminders, and much more. But doing things repeatedly isn’t practical, instead in an easy-to-follow step, you can automate a great deal of your work by getting stuff done YOUR WAY

How to create workflows: #

Log in to your Retainly account and click on [Workflow]. 

After redirection to the workflow page, click the [CREATE] button in the top right corner. 

Now, you can select and interact with the different entry points.

To start a workflow select one Entry point, you will see additional compatible options appear afterwards. 

To specify the settings of the segment node just double click on the icon

In the Segment settings tab, you’ll be able to select from the list of your segments and start working with them. 

Also you’ll be able to select the description and the name as well as other additional settings

The same kind of concept does apply to Events as well, therefore to get started you’ll be required to have those templates preconfigured

The last two entry points, will be only triggered when their condition is met, in this case

When either a new customer is added or some other changes are made to the specified data

After you have selected an entry point, you’ll have many different options to choose from. For example, in the channel section, you’ll be able to send SMS or Email using the previously created templates. Or alternatively, send Web/Mobile push or Webhook.

If you require more intricate logic, you’ll always be able to modify your schema by selecting multiple interactions from the action bar. 
– For instance, the Wait will create a customizable timer that will be triggered once the time expired. 
– The Exclude Filter on the other hand, will exclude parameters based on what has been specified. 
– Do you require filter but you do not have a segment for that? That’s no issue, with the Quick Filter tool you’ll be able to filter the information required in a fast and efficient way. 
– Lastly, if you require even more advanced instruments to better shape your workflow, the Switch Filter and the A/B Testing are always there at your disposal. 

Now, let’s get through a direct example, say you wanted to notify the users every time changes are made to their phone number. 

How do you do that? Well, let’s take a look at it. First step first, you’ll want to navigate to the Workflow tab and select the Data Change entry point. 

Additionally, we want to notify the user one hour after changes to his phone number have been made, we can do that by selecting wait object and set it to an hour wait time.

Now it’s time to set the actual notifications. To do that, drag-and-drop the Send SMS and Send Email objects onto the screen. From there, you’ll need to have a preconfigured template that would do what you need to get done and you’ll need to confirm the object selection.

If you have done everything correctly, you should be left with something similar to the following pattern

Click on [Save] to apply settings.

The next step will be to Run the workflow. You can find the guide here: Workflow Run