How ApproveThis + Simpro Cuts Approval Chaos for Trade Businesses

When Field Service Management Meets Approval Superpowers

Let's get real: trade businesses don't have time for approval bottlenecks. Your plumbers can't wait 3 days for accounting to sign off on emergency parts. Your electricians shouldn't chase down managers for client change orders. That's why combining Simpro's field operations muscle with ApproveThis' approval automation creates something actually useful - less chasing, more doing.

Why This Combo Works (Besides Saving Your Sanity)

Simpro handles the dirty work - job scheduling, client quotes, inventory. ApproveThis handles the desk jockey stuff - getting signatures, validating decisions, keeping audits clean. Zapier stitches them together without needing your IT guy. The kicker? Approvers don't need Simpro logins. Just email. Perfect for:

• Getting client sign-offs without giving them access to your systems
• Involving 3rd-party contractors in approvals

Real-World Fixes for Annoying Problems

1. "Why's This Quote Taking So Long?"

Scenario: Your HVAC team submits a $15k quote in Simpro. Normally, it sits in someone's inbox for days. With ApproveThis:

- Quote hits ApproveThis automatically via Zapier
- Routes to sales manager + client (email only - no Simpro access needed)
- Client approves via email, auto-updates Simpro status
- Bonus: If quote exceeds $20k, auto-adds CFO to approval chain

Who cares? Plumbing companies using this shave 2 days off quote-to-job time.

2. "Who Approved This Change Order?"

Scenario: Electrician updates job details in Simpro after client requests changes. Without approval tracking, this becomes a liability. Integrated setup:

- Field change in Simpro triggers ApproveThis request
- Requires foreman + project manager approval
- Auto-locks Simpro job until approved
- Full audit trail with timestamps/approver comments

Contractors using this see 40% fewer billing disputes from unauthorized work.

3. "Why Are We Always Out of Parts?"

Scenario: Warehouse staff needs emergency inventory purchase. Typical process: 4 emails, 2 missed calls, 1 angry field crew. Fixed version:

- Simpro low-stock alert triggers ApproveThis request
- Routes to purchasing manager with calculated reorder costs
- Auto-approves if under $500 (using approval thresholds)
- Denied requests auto-alert warehouse lead in Simpro

HVAC companies report 30% fewer emergency runs to Home Depot.

Setting This Up Without Losing Your Mind

Zapier does the heavy lifting. You just need:

1. ApproveThis account (obviously)
2. Simpro connected to Zapier
3. 20 minutes to set up your first Zap

Pro tip: Start with one workflow - like quote approvals. Use ApproveThis' calculated fields to auto-flag high-value requests. Set up vacation delegates so approvals don't die when Karen's on PTO.

Department-Specific Wins

Field Teams

Get approvals while on-site without calling the office. Client signatures via email? Done. Change orders locked until approved? Yes. Less paperwork in the truck? Obviously.

Operations Managers

See approval bottlenecks in real-time dashboards. Automatically escalate stuck requests. Make suppliers follow YOUR approval rules in Simpro purchases.

Finance Teams

Enforce approval thresholds before jobs start. Auto-archive approved POs. Slash invoice disputes with client-approved quotes attached to every Simpro job.

What This Isn't

Not replacing your ERP. Not another app your team needs to learn. Just a way to make Simpro approvals less manual and more trackable. Keep using Simpro like normal - just with fewer "Did you approve that?" Slack messages.

Bottom Line

Trades live on margins. Wasting time on approvals kills profit. ApproveThis + Simpro via Zapier fixes the approval black holes that drain productivity. Set it up once, then get back to work.

Next step: Book a 15-minute demo showing how electrical contractors cut approval delays by 62%. Or just try it free and connect your Simpro account later.