ApproveThis + 46elks: How to Automate Approvals with SMS & Calls

When Approval Workflows Meet Real-Time Communication

Let’s cut to the chase: approvals suck when they’re stuck in email threads or buried under Slack notifications. Combine that with teams juggling vendors, clients, and field staff who aren’t glued to their laptops, and you’ve got a recipe for missed deadlines. That’s why pairing ApproveThis (the approval automation sidekick) with 46elks (the SMS/call API for businesses) isn’t just smart – it’s borderline unfair to your competitors.

Here’s the play: ApproveThis handles the “who needs to sign off on what” logic, while 46elks slings SMS updates or connects urgent calls automatically. No more guessing if a supplier got your PO approval or waiting days for a client’s e-signature. You’re about to turn approvals into a system that works while your team sleeps.

Why This Combo Works for Mid-Sized Companies

46elks isn’t another chat app. It’s a tool for businesses that need to communicate outside their office walls – think delivery drivers, remote contractors, or clients who still believe texting is peak technology. ApproveThis doesn’t just route PDFs for review; it lets you set rules like “auto-approve orders under $5K but escalate anything over to the CFO via SMS.”

Together, they solve two problems: getting approvals to the right people, even if they’re not desk jockeys, and making sure urgent requests don’t drown in inboxes. Bonus? Approvers don’t need a 46elks account. Just a phone number. Which is handy when your supply chain includes that one logistics guy who still uses a flip phone.

Real-World Use Cases (No Fluff Included)

1. Urgent Approvals That Actually Get Noticed

The Setup: New request in ApproveThis → Auto-dial key approvers via 46elks.

A construction firm uses this to handle change orders. When a site manager submits a $20K materials upgrade, ApproveThis:
- Checks if it’s over the $15K threshold
- Routes to the project lead AND CFO
- 46elks calls both simultaneously (no playing phone tag)

Why it works: The CFO approves via keypress during their Uber ride. No app downloads, no “I didn’t see the email.”

2. Turning Customer Texts into Trackable Requests

The Setup: Incoming SMS to 46elks number → Creates ApproveThis request with message details.

A medical equipment supplier gets order change requests via text. Now, when a hospital texts “Need 50 more ventilators by Friday”:
- Zapier parses the message
- ApproveThis pings warehouse + logistics teams
- All comments/delays logged automatically

Why it works: No more scribbled notes on post-its. Every SMS becomes an auditable request.

3. Approval Status Updates That Don’t Rely on Email

The Setup: Request approved/denied in ApproveThis → SMS update via 46elks.

A marketing agency uses this for client content approvals. When the “Q4 Campaign Graphics” request gets approved:
- 46elks texts the client’s project lead
- Includes a link to download assets
- Denials trigger a call from the account manager

Why it works: Clients love the immediacy. Your team loves not chasing “Did you get my email?”

Features That Make This Integration Stick

ApproveThis isn’t just a fancy “forward to manager” button. Here’s how its deeper features play with 46elks:

Approval Thresholds: Auto-approve small spends via SMS confirmation, but force calls for big-ticket items. Example: A trucking company auto-approves $500 maintenance requests via text reply but requires a live call with the fleet manager for anything over $5K.

Vacation Delegation: 46elks can detect “I’m OOO” texts and reroute approvals. If an approver texts back “vacation till 15th”, ApproveThis reassigns their pending requests instantly.

Calculated Fields: Use SMS replies to trigger math. Example: A restaurant manager texts “75 dinner reservations”. ApproveThis calculates staffing needs and routes approval to the kitchen lead if overtime is required.

Setting This Up Without an IT Degree

Zapier does the heavy lifting. Rough steps:

1. Connect ApproveThis and 46elks to Zapier (15 minutes)
2. Pick a trigger: “New Request” in ApproveThis or “Incoming SMS” in 46elks
3. Add filters if needed (e.g., “Only escalate calls for requests over $10K”)
4. Test with a $0.02 SMS (because nobody likes surprise carrier fees)

Pro tip: Use ApproveThis’ calculated fields to decide when to involve 46elks. Example: Only send SMS alerts if a project’s risk score exceeds 8/10.

Who Actually Benefits from This?

Field Service Teams: HVAC techs approve parts orders via call while on a roof. No laptop required.

Procurement Departments: Get SMS confirmations from vendors when POs are approved. Audit trail included.

Client-Facing Teams: Clients approve proposals via text reply. No more “the contract’s in your spam folder”.

The Bottom Line

This isn’t about replacing email. It’s about using SMS and calls for the approvals that can’t wait. ApproveThis keeps the process organized; 46elks meets people where they are (which, let’s be honest, is often TikTok or a job site).

If your approval delays are measured in days, not minutes, it’s time to stop routing everything through Outlook. Zapier makes this integration stupidly simple – the hardest part is explaining to your CFO why you didn’t do it sooner.

Ready to ditch approval limbo? Register for ApproveThis or schedule a demo. We’ll even help you set up the first Zap – no charge for the extra nudge.