ApproveThis manages your Flowdash Integration approvals.

Why This Integration Isn't Just Another Zappy Gimmick

Let's cut through the noise: most workflow tools either give you flexibility or structure, but rarely both. Flowdash nails the visual workflow building. ApproveThis brings the muscle for structured approvals. Together? They're like peanut butter and jet fuel for companies tired of chasing down signatures in Slack threads.

What Each Tool Does Best (And Where They Need Help)

Flowdash is your Swiss Army knife for mapping out processes - perfect for operations teams building client onboarding flows or manufacturing teams tracking production stages. But when you hit a step that needs legal sign-off or budget approval? That's where things get sticky.

ApproveThis isn't another app your team needs to log into. It's the approval layer that plugs into your existing tools. Think of it as adding guardrails to Flowdash's flexibility:

• Automatic routing based on dollar amounts or project types
• Email approvals that even your least tech-savvy vendor can figure out
• Real-time audit trails that make compliance teams actually smile

Three Real-World Automations That Don't Suck

1. Client Project Launches That Don't Require 27 Approval Emails

Marketing agencies love this one. When a new campaign stage hits Flowdash (like "Content Production Ready for Client Review"), ApproveThis automatically:

• Routes to the client's main contact via email (no Flowdash login needed)
• CCs internal legal if contract value >$50k
• Auto-approves in 48hrs if no response (using approval thresholds)

Why it works: Clients approve in 2 clicks. Your team skips the "did you see my email?" dance.

2. Procurement That Doesn't Put Everyone to Sleep

Manufacturing companies are using this combo to handle equipment requests:

1. Flowdash task created for "CNC Machine Maintenance Request"
2. ApproveThis pings plant manager + CFO if cost >$15k
3. Once approved, Flowdash auto-creates purchase order tasks

Secret sauce: Vacation delegation means approvals never get stuck when Bob from accounting is fishing in Montana.

3. HR Workflows That Don't Leak Sensitive Data

Tech companies use this for employee promotions:

- Flowdash triggers when "Promotion Packet Ready" stage hits
- ApproveThis routes to comp committee with salary calcs hidden
- Only shows full details after initial approval
Compliance win: Calculated fields ensure offers stay within budget bands before they ever reach execs.

Setting This Up Without Losing Your Mind

If you can make toast, you can connect these tools:

1. Create a Zapier account (free tier works)
2. Pick your Flowdash trigger (new stage, task, etc.)
3. Choose ApproveThis action ("Create Request")
4. Map 3-5 critical data points (amount, department, due date)
Pro tip: Start with one approval type (like PTO requests) before scaling to complex workflows.

Which Teams Actually Benefit?

Operations Teams

Stop being the human router between departments. Approval rules based on project type or location mean field teams get faster yes/no decisions without HQ bottlenecks.

Finance Departments

Auto-route purchases based on amount:
- Under $1k? Team lead approval
- $1k-$25k? Dept head + finance
- Over $25k? CFO gets final say
Bonus: Real-time budget tracking in ApproveThis dashboard.

HR & Legal

Contract reviews that don't disappear into inboxes. Sequential approvals ensure legal eyes on NDAs before they hit client inboxes. Plus, full audit trails for when regulators come knocking.

The Unsexy Features That Actually Matter

We're not here to sell you vaporware. These are the ApproveThis features real teams abuse:

Approval Thresholds That Don't Require a PhD

Set it once: "All IT purchases over $5k need CTO approval". Flowdash handles the intake, ApproveThis handles the money rules.

Email Approvals That Work in 2024

External vendors can approve invoices directly from Gmail without creating yet another account. Internal approvers get nudges if they're holding up the line.

Delegation That Doesn't Break Everything

Jane from legal is out? Approvals auto-route to her backup without you lifting a finger. No more expired contracts because someone was on PTO.

Common Mistakes (Save Yourself 3 Months of Pain)

We've seen teams faceplant with these:

Overcomplicating workflows: Start with 2-3 approval steps max. You can add nuance later.
Ignoring calculated fields: Use them to auto-flag requests that need special handling.
Forgetting the human element: Some approvals need context - build comment fields into your Flowdash tasks.

When to Call It Quits (On Manual Approvals)

If your team recognizes any of these:

- "Wait, did you email the updated version to Jim?"
- "The spreadsheet says approved but I never got notified"
- "Who's covering approvals while Rachel's maternity leave?"
...it's time to stop pretending spreadsheets work.

How to Get Started Without Getting Fired

1. Grab an ApproveThis trial
2. Pick one approval process that's currently a dumpster fire
3. Build the Flowdash > ApproveThis integration in an afternoon
4. Run it parallel to old process for 2 weeks
5. Cutover once confidence hits 80% (perfect is the enemy of done)

The Bottom Line

Flowdash gives you workflow flexibility. ApproveThis adds accountability. Together via Zapier? They turn "approval bottlenecks" into a term your new hires have to Google because they've never experienced it.

Next step: Book a 12-minute demo or try the self-serve route. Either way, your CFO will stop getting CC'd on every damn purchase request.