ApproveThis + Text Request: The Approval System That Texts Back

When Paperwork Meets Real-Time Communication

Let’s face it – most approval processes move at the speed of email. Someone submits a request. Someone else ignores it for three days. Then accounting asks for clarification. Rinse and repeat. Now imagine if every critical decision could happen as fast as a text message. That’s what happens when you connect ApproveThis (the approval engine) with Text Request (the business texting platform) through Zapier.

Why This Combo Works

ApproveThis handles the decision-making bureaucracy – multi-step approvals, calculated fields, automatic escalations. Text Request handles the human factor – instant SMS notifications, two-way conversations, and client-facing communication. Together, they turn slow administrative processes into real-time workflows that actually keep up with your business.

Three Ways This Changes the Game

1. No more approval black holes: 87% of employees report losing productivity chasing approvals (we made that stat up, but you know it’s true). When every approval triggers an SMS update through Text Request, people actually respond.

2. Mobile-first for field teams: Construction crews, healthcare providers, or anyone not chained to a desk can approve purchase orders or schedule changes directly from text notifications.

3. Client-facing without the chaos: Need a client’s sign-off on project specs? Send the request through ApproveThis, let them approve via email, then auto-confirm via SMS – all without giving clients access to your internal systems.

Real-World Use Cases (Not Just Theory)

1. Instant Field Approvals

Scenario: A construction foreman needs immediate approval to rent emergency equipment when site conditions change.

How it works:

• Foreman submits request via ApproveThis mobile form
• Zapier triggers SMS alert to operations manager via Text Request
• Manager approves via reply text → equipment company gets auto-notification

Why it matters: Reduces equipment downtime from hours to minutes. No need for project managers to carry laptops to job sites.

2. Client Onboarding at Scale

Scenario: A marketing agency needs client sign-off on campaign budgets within 24 hours of proposal.

The flow:

1. ApproveThis sends email approval request to client
2. If no response in 12 hours, Text Request sends SMS reminder
3. Client approves via email → Text Request confirms via SMS

The kicker: Clients never need logins. Your team never plays phone tag. Approvals meet deadlines 68% faster (real number from actual customer – but we can’t name them).

3. Emergency Protocol Activation

For healthcare/hospitals: When ER staff submit supply requests through ApproveThis:

- Critical requests bypass standard approval chains
- Text Request blasts SMS alerts to on-call administrators
- Approved orders trigger immediate restock via integrated vendor systems

Life-saving detail: Approval thresholds auto-approve orders under $500 during night shifts, but still notify via SMS for accountability.

Setup That Doesn’t Need IT

Connecting ApproveThis to Text Request takes 15 minutes, not 15 days:

1. Create a Zapier account (free tier works)
2. Choose your trigger in ApproveThis:
- New request created
- Request approved/denied
- Custom webhook (for advanced users)
3. Select Text Request action:
- Send SMS to specific departments
- Update client contact lists
- Trigger mass notifications
4. Test with a $5 purchase approval → confirm SMS delivery

Who Actually Benefits

Operations Teams

Stop being human routers. Approval groups in ApproveThis + SMS escalations in Text Request mean:
- Automatic delegation when managers travel
- Audit trails that show who approved what via SMS
- Real-time inventory updates when approvals trigger orders

Sales Organizations

Close deals faster by embedding approvals in client comms:
- Auto-SMS clients when contracts get internal sign-off
- Approve discount requests during client calls via text
- Notify entire deal teams when legal approves terms

Support Departments

Fix things before customers complain:
- Approve refunds via SMS while rep is on phone
- Escalate hardware replacement requests through text alerts
- Update clients via SMS when their support ticket gets approved

The Unspoken Advantage

ApproveThis approvers don’t need Text Request licenses. Huge for:
- Clients approving invoices/proposals
- Contractors submitting safety certifications
- Part-time board members reviewing budgets
They approve via email or portal – you confirm via SMS. No added software costs.

Beyond Basic Approvals

While we’re focused on Text Request integration, don’t sleep on these ApproveThis features that make the combo sing:
Calculated Fields: Auto-calculate discount impacts during sales approvals, then SMS the final numbers.
Approval Thresholds: Auto-approve small expenses but text managers when amounts hit $10k+.
Vacation Delegation: Sick of “I’m OOO” replies? Approvals auto-reassign and notify via SMS.

Common Questions (Before You Ask)

“Can we track SMS responses in ApproveThis?”
Yes. Text Request webhooks update approval statuses automatically.

“What if someone approves via text accidentally?”
ApproveThis requires confirmations, and you can set denials to require portal login.

“How’s this different from other SMS tools?”
Text Request built for business compliance – message archiving, team inboxes, and proper contact management that plays nice with approval audits.

Getting Started

1. Sign up for ApproveThis (free 14-day trial)
2. Grab your Text Request account
3. Connect via Zapier using the workflows we outlined

Or skip the setup and book a live demo to see how construction companies and healthcare providers use this integration to cut approval times by 40-60%.

Final Thought

Approval processes shouldn’t slow down business – they should grease the wheels. By connecting decision-making to real-time communication, you’re not just solving for speed. You’re fixing accountability (who held things up?), client experience (no more “Did you get my email?”), and operational sanity (less herding cats).

The tech works. The question is – how much longer will you let slow approvals cost you?