When Approval Workflows Meet Real-Time Communication
Let's cut through the corporate speak: approvals suck when you're chasing people across six different apps. ApproveThis fixes that by putting all your "yes/no" decisions in one place. 8x8 (their actual product, not the chess move) handles the messy part of actually talking to humans through SMS, chat apps, and voice. Together? They turn approval bottlenecks into automated handshakes between systems.
Here's why mid-sized companies care: When your procurement team needs to approve a vendor contract, they shouldn't have to dig through Slack threads or forward emails. With ApproveThis handling the decision routing and 8x8 pushing notifications through actual human communication channels, you get accountability without the endless follow-up meetings.
What Happens When You Stop Playing Messenger
ApproveThis isn't just another form builder. It's built for companies where decisions require multiple eyes - think legal reviews, budget sign-offs, or compliance checks. 8x8 isn't just a phone system; it's how you reach people where they actually respond (hint: not email). Connect them via Zapier, and you've got approval workflows that actually move at business speed.
Real example: A healthcare company uses ApproveThis thresholds to auto-approve equipment purchases under $5k. But when a $50k MRI maintenance contract hits, it routes to the CFO via 8x8 SMS. The kicker? The CFO approves directly from their phone without needing to log into either system. That's the combo play.
Three Ways This Isn't Just Another Integration
1. Customer Support That Doesn't Wait for Manager Nods
Scenario: A premium client messages your team via 8x8's chat app asking for a contract exception. Without this setup, your support lead would screenshot the chat, email it to their manager, then wait. With the integration:
• 8x8 detects high-priority keywords in the chat
• ApproveThis auto-creates an approval request with chat transcript
• Manager gets an SMS through 8x8 with one-click approve/deny
• Support agent sees real-time update in their dashboard
Time saved: 2-3 business days of "Did you see my email?"
2. Procurement That Doesn't Require a Bat-Signal
Your operations team orders supplies through 8x8's SMS-based system. For orders over $10k, ApproveThis:
• Auto-routes to department heads based on budget thresholds
• Sends escalation SMS via 8x8 if no response in 24hrs
• Updates inventory systems once approved
• All without making approvers log into yet another portal
3. HR That Handles Sensitive Stuff Securely
When employees submit time-off requests through 8x8 chat, ApproveThis:
• Routes to managers with calculated PTO balances
• Automatically reassigns approvals if manager is OOO
• Sends encrypted confirmation via 8x8's platform
• Syncs with payroll systems post-approval
Why Your Team Leads Will Actually Use This
For Finance Teams
ApproveThis' calculated fields automatically flag requests that exceed quarterly budgets. When combined with 8x8's SMS alerts, your controllers get real-time spend visibility without manual reports. Example: A marketing campaign approval auto-triggers when the department hits 75% of its budget.
For Operations Managers
ApproveThis' conditional routing means maintenance requests from 8x8 chats go straight to facility leads, while IT purchases route to tech managers. Vacation delegation ensures backups get SMS alerts if primary approvers are out.
For Customer Success
When clients request contract changes via 8x8, ApproveThis routes them through legal and sales ops in parallel. Approvers get chat app notifications instead of emails that get buried. Clients see faster turnaround without your team playing operator.
Setting This Up Without Losing Your Mind
1. Connect the pipes: In Zapier, set ApproveThis as the "Create Request" action and 8x8 as your trigger (or vice versa). Pro tip: Name your Zaps clearly like "Chat to Contract Approval" so IT doesn't hate you later.
2. Map the important stuff: Pull 8x8 message content into ApproveThis fields. Add conditional logic like "If message contains 'urgent', SMS all managers."
3. Test with real data: Send a test chat through 8x8 and watch it hit ApproveThis. Approve it, then verify the confirmation goes back via SMS. Yes, this takes 15 minutes. No, you can't skip it.
4. Scale responsibly: Start with one workflow (like purchase orders), then add HR or legal approvals once the team sees it doesn't bite.
The Quiet Perks You'll Appreciate Later
License savings: Approvers only need ApproveThis access - no extra 8x8 seats required. Huge when working with external partners or budget-conscious teams.
Audit trails that audit: Every 8x8 interaction ties back to an ApproveThis log. Compliance teams can track who approved what, when, and why - without deciphering chat histories.
Mobile-proof approvals: Field teams approve via SMS, managers via chat app, executives via email. All roads lead back to one centralized audit trail in ApproveThis.
When to Use This vs. When to Pass
Good fit:
• Companies using 8x8 for frontline comms (support, logistics, field teams)
• Industries requiring compliance paper trails (healthcare, finance, legal)
• Teams drowning in screenshot-forward approval requests
Not the right tool:
• Companies without structured approval processes
• Teams that live entirely in email (bless their hearts)
• Organizations allergic to reducing meeting counts
Bottom Line for Decision Makers
ApproveThis + 8x8 via Zapier isn't about flashy features. It's about eliminating the three worst words in business: "Did you approve...?" By connecting decision systems to communication channels your team already uses, you get faster approvals with less chasing. The ROI isn't in time saved - it's in preventing the $50k purchase that sat unsigned because someone missed an email.
Ready to stop being a human router? Register for ApproveThis or grab a demo. We'll show how to set up your first 8x8 integration in under 20 minutes - coffee break included.
Integrate with 8x8 Integration and get 90 days of ApproveThis for free.
After you create a Zapier integration, please email us at support@approve-this.com with your account name and we'll add 3 months of ApproveThis to your account. Limit one redemption per account.
Learn More
Best Approval Workflows for 8x8
Suggested workflows (and their Zapier components) for 8x8
Create approval requests for new chat app messages
When a new chat app message is received in 8x8, this integration creates an approval request in ApproveThis. It helps streamline decision-making by ensuring that each message is reviewed and approved as needed. *Note: Configure approval criteria in ApproveThis for optimal results.*
Zapier Components

Trigger
New Chat Apps Message Received
Triggers when a new chat app message is received.
Action
Create Request
Creates a new request, probably with input from previous steps.
Send SMS for new approval requests
When a new approval request is initiated in ApproveThis, this integration sends a single SMS via 8x8 to notify the designated recipient. It enhances communication efficiency by immediately alerting stakeholders about pending requests. *Note: Ensure valid phone numbers are configured in the SMS action.*
Zapier Components
Trigger
New Request
Triggers when a new approval request workflow is initiated.

Action
Send Single SMS
Sends an SMS to a given phone number
Send chat app messages for completed approval requests
When an approval request is approved or denied in ApproveThis, this integration sends a single chat app message via 8x8 to update stakeholders. It ensures that decision outcomes are communicated instantly to the relevant teams. *Note: Verify chat app configurations prior to deployment.*
Zapier Components
Trigger
A Request Is Approved/Denied
Triggers when a request is approved or denied.

Action
Send Single Chat App Message
Sends a single chatapp message
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