Why Approval Automation Matters in Modern CRM
Businesses using CRMs like Simbla understand the importance of moving fast – but speed means nothing without control. Every customer interaction, contract adjustment, or pricing change requires oversight. That’s where ApproveThis transforms Simbla from a data repository into a decision engine. By connecting these platforms through Zapier, you create a closed-loop system where customer data triggers approvals, and approvals update customer records – all without manual handoffs.
What Happens When You Combine Structured CRM with Intelligent Approvals
Simbla’s AI-generated CRM excels at organizing customer interactions, while ApproveThis adds governance to those interactions. Consider a sales team updating a client’s contract terms in Simbla. With this integration, any change exceeding predefined thresholds (like discount percentages) automatically routes for executive approval via ApproveThis. Approved changes sync back to Simbla, while rejected ones trigger alerts – maintaining both agility and compliance.
Key Integration Benefits
For Sales Teams: Close deals faster by embedding approval checkpoints directly into CRM workflows. A field rep can submit special pricing requests through Simbla that automatically create ApproveThis tickets with deal context attached.
For Finance: Enforce spending controls without micromanaging. When Simbla records a new client onboarding cost, ApproveThis can validate it against budget thresholds, using calculated fields to assess quarterly spend impacts in real time.
Real-World Workflows: Beyond Theory
Use Case 1: Change Control for Customer Accounts
A marketing agency uses Simbla to track client deliverables. When a project manager updates a client’s scope in Simbla, ApproveThis automatically:
- Checks if the change exceeds 10% of original contract value
- Routes to the client’s account lead and CFO if threshold met
- Updates Simbla’s project timeline field upon approval
This prevents scope creep while maintaining audit trails – critical for client-facing teams.
Use Case 2: Procurement & Vendor Management
A manufacturing company stores vendor contracts in Simbla. When purchasing agents update payment terms, ApproveThis:
- Validates against existing vendor risk scores stored in Simbla
- Routes high-risk changes to legal via parallel approval groups
- Syncs final terms to AP systems using Zapier’s multi-app connections
Implementation Made Practical
Setting up the integration requires three steps in Zapier:
- Choose trigger: Select either “Object Updated” (Simbla) or “New Request” (ApproveThis)
- Map critical fields: Link Simbla’s customer ID to ApproveThis’s request metadata
- Set escalation rules: Configure approval thresholds based on Simbla data points
A healthcare SaaS company implemented this in 45 minutes, reducing their contract amendment cycle from 3 days to 4 hours.
Cross-Functional Advantages
Marketing Teams
Campaign budget approvals often stall in email chains. By connecting Simbla’s campaign objects to ApproveThis, marketers can:
- Automatically escalate spend requests over $5K to the CMO
- Attach real-time ROI calculations from Simbla’s analytics
- Receive approvals directly in their CRM interface
Operations Managers
Equipment purchase requests logged in Simbla can trigger ApproveThis workflows that:
- Check inventory levels across connected systems
- Compare vendor quotes using calculated fields
- Auto-approve orders under $1K with manager CC
The Hidden Advantage: External Collaboration
ApproveThis shines when external partners are involved. Client approvers don’t need Simbla licenses – they receive email approvals with context pulled directly from Simbla records. A logistics provider uses this to get carrier rate approvals: Vendors see only relevant Simbla data in approval emails, maintaining CRM security while accelerating contracting.
Advanced Features That Add Precision
While the Zapier integration handles core automation, ApproveThis adds nuanced control:
Vacation Delegation: Sales ops leads can pre-assign approvers for holiday coverage, ensuring Simbla-driven requests never stall.
Conditional Thresholds: ApproveThis can apply different approval rules based on Simbla’s customer tier or deal stage – premium clients get faster escalation paths.
Getting Started
Begin with high-impact scenarios:
1. Identify Simbla objects needing oversight (contracts, budgets, project plans)
2. Map approval stakeholders for each object type
3. Set initial thresholds at 20% above current approval averages
The ApproveThis team recommends starting with one department, then expanding as teams see results. Most users report 65% faster approvals within the first quarter.
Final Thought: Approval as Competitive Advantage
In industries where compliance and speed collide, the Simbla-ApproveThis integration becomes a differentiator. It turns necessary oversight into a strategic capability – ensuring decisions happen at the right speed with the right oversight.
Ready to transform your CRM into a decision hub? Book a custom demo showing how your Simbla workflows could work with approval automation.
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Best Approval Workflows for Simbla
Suggested workflows (and their Zapier components) for Simbla
Create approval requests for updated Simbla objects
When a Simbla object is updated, this automation creates a new approval request in ApproveThis. It ensures that all significant changes are reviewed systematically, saving time and reducing errors. *Note: Configure fields in ApproveThis to align with your review process.*
Zapier Components

Trigger
Object Updated
Triggers when a new object is updated in Simbla and there is a need to update another system, a trigger is activated.
Action
Create Request
Creates a new request, probably with input from previous steps.
Create Simbla objects for new approval requests
When ApproveThis receives a new approval request, this automation creates a corresponding object in Simbla. It ensures every request is tracked and managed from its inception, enhancing decision-making efficiency. *Note: Verify your mapping between approval data and Simbla object fields.*
Zapier Components
Trigger
New Request
Triggers when a new approval request workflow is initiated.

Action
Create Object
Create an object, for example, a task, account, or lead, within the Simbla platform
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