Workflow Rules in Bigin | Online Help - Bigin by Zoho CRM

Workflows

Workflows in Bigin help you streamline your business process by automating repetitive actions when a specific criteria is matched. You can automatically assign tasks, send emails, update fields, and add tags to records when records meet a particular condition.
 
During a busy working day, it's easy for users to forget to follow up on leads or update record statuses. With the help of workflows, you can save time spent manually performing these actions and reduce the risk of human error.

For example, your sales reps might sometimes forget to follow up with customers who have expressed an interest in your product. In that case, you could create a workflow rule to automatically send an email notification when a new contact is created and schedule a follow-up email reminding the rep to engage with the customer. 

In addition to automating repetitive tasks, workflows also help you implement standard practices like regular email follow-ups, assigning tasks, and updating a record's stage that will significantly improve your business processes. 

Availability


Configuring workflows 

A workflow is made of three components: the trigger, the condition, and the action.

Trigger  

You must specify when the workflow will be triggered for records. There are two types of triggers available:
  1. Execute based on a record's action: Workflows can be triggered when records are:
  1. Created.
  2. Edited.
  3. Created or edited.
  1. Execute based on a date field's value: Workflows can be triggered based on the value of the selected date field. For example, you can create a task for the assigned user to follow up on a pipeline record if it is inactive for longer than 15 days.

Condition 

You must specify which records the workflow will apply to.
  1. Records matching certain conditions: The workflow will only apply to records that match a specific condition. For example, records whose mailing country is the UK.
  2. All records: The workflow will apply to all the records in the module.
Edit criteria pattern
If you have more than one criteria in a workflow, you can specify the pattern to be followed for those criteria.

What is a criteria pattern?
The criteria pattern uses a simple logical operation using AND and OR to determine how to use the criteria to determine which records the workflow applies to.
  1. Use the AND operator if all the criteria you add must be true to trigger the workflow rule.
  2. Use the OR operator if only one of your criteria must be true to trigger the workflow rule.
  3. Use a combination of both AND and OR conditions to create your own logical expressions.

Actions 

The action determines what the workflow actually does with the records that It applies to. You must specify at least one of the following types of actions to be automated for records that meet the criteria:
  1. Instant Actions: The action will be triggered immediately when the workflow is executed. Available instant actions are email notifications, creating tasks, updating fields, create connected records, create record action and adding or removing tags.
  2. Scheduled Actions: The action will be triggered at a specified time interval after the workflow is executed. Available scheduled actions are email notifications, creating tasks, and updating fields.

Creating workflows 

There are four steps to create a workflow:
  1. Enter the basic details.
  2. Specify the trigger.
  3. Specify the condition.
  4. Specify the action.

Enter basic details 

  1. Go to Settings and then Workflows.
  2. Click +New Workflow.
  3. In the Create New Workflow pop-up:
    1. Select the module you are creating the workflow rule for from the dropdown. In case of Pipelines module, select the desired Team Pipeline.
    2. Enter the Rule Name.
    3. Enter a description for your workflow rule.

  4. Click Next.

Specify the trigger 

Select one of the following triggers:

On a Record Action 

  1. Click the On a Record Action tab.
  2. Select one of the following to trigger the workflow:
    1. Created
    2. Edited
      1. Select the checkbox if you want to repeat the workflow whenever the record is edited.
      2. Choose if you want to trigger the workflow when any field is modified or only when specific fields are modified.

    3. Created or edited
      1. Select the checkbox if you want to repeat the workflow whenever the record is edited.

On a Date/Time:   

  1. Click the On a Date/Time tab.
  2. Enter the following details to specify when you want the rule to be triggered:
    1. Choose the date field which will determine whether the workflow is triggered.
    2. Select the execution date: Choose to execute the workflow on the date in the field or specify the number of days, weeks, or months after the date that workflow should be executed.
    3. Select the execution time: Choose to execute at the time in the field or enter the time to execute the workflow.
  3. Select Every Month, Every Year, or Never from the Repeat dropdown list.
  4. Click Next.

Specify the condition 

  1. Choose one of the following:
    1. Records matching certain conditions
      1. Specify the criteria.
      2. Click + to add more criteria.
    2. All records
  2. Click Next.
Note:
  1. You can add a maximum of 5 criteria to a workflow rule.
  2. When you have more than one criterion, you can edit the criteria pattern.

Specify the actions  

  1. Select Instant action or Scheduled action. 
    If you select Scheduled action, enter the number of hours, days, or minutes after the workflow is triggered to execute the action.
  2. Choose an action.

To set up email notifications 

  1. Click + Email Notification.
  2. In the Create Email Notification window:
    1. Enter the Name.
    2. Choose the Email Recipients from the dropdown list.
      People associated with the module will be listed.
    3. Enter email addresses in the Additional Recipients field separated by commas to send the email to more recipients or to recipients who do not appear in the Email Recipients dropdown.
    4. Choose an Email Template from the dropdown list or create a new template and click Save.

To update a field 

  1. Click + Update Field.
  2. Enter the Name.
  3. Select the Module from the dropdown.
  4. Choose the field to update from the Update dropdown and enter the value to update the field to.
  5. Click Save.

To assign an owner to a record

  1. Click + Assign Owner.
  2. Choose the record to which you want to assign an owner.
  3. You can assign owners based on Roles, Users, and User Fields. Choose the merged fields from User Fields. All records will be assigned on a round-robin basis.
  4. Check the Notify owner via email box to send the owner an email notification.
  5. Click Save.

To create connected records

Automatically move records from one Team Pipeline to another Team Pipeline with Connected Records. When a record reaches the desired stage in one Team Pipeline, you can create a record automatically in another Team Pipeline that captures the next set of business activities. Read more about it here.
    1. Click + Create Connected Records.
    2. Choose the Child Team Pipeline.
    3. In the Create Connected Record popup, you'll have to map the fields from the Parent Team Pipeline to the fields from the Child Team Pipeline. Specify more details related to Child Pipeline such as record owner for the record that will be created in Child Team Pipeline, the stage to which the record should be assigned when it is created, closing date and other relevant details.
    4. Click Save.

To create record 

Let's say you want to create a new deal automatically every time you add a new contact. You can achieve this using the Create Record Action functionality in workflows. This feature enables you to automatically generate records in one module when an update occurs in another module, simplifying your tasks within Bigin. By setting up this automation, you can establish a workflow that automatically generates records in any module, without having to do it manually each time. To create record action, 
  1. Click on 'Create Record' and choose the module to which you need to create the record.
  2. Enter the necessary details and then click 'Save.'
Notes 
  1. You can add only one "Create Record" action per Workflow. This restriction ensures that the automation remains focused and doesn't create redundancies or conflicts within the workflow.
  1. Workflow Record Creation Limits:
    1. Premier Edition: 50,000 records
    2. Express Edition: 10,000 records
    3. Free Edition: 100 records
    4. Trial Edition: 100 records
  1. For Trial accounts, the daily limit is 100 records per organization. 

To create activity 

Create Task
In Create Task action, you can incorporate merge fields by using the '#' symbol. After choosing the task's Owner from the dropdown menu, selecting the desired Priority level, and specifying the Due date, proceed to click the "Save" button to finalize the task creation process.

Create Event
The Create Event action is designed to work with a range of supported modules, including Pipelines, Contacts, and Companies.

Schedule a Call
For those who need to schedule calls as part of their workflow, the Schedule Call action is a game-changer. It's designed specifically for the Contacts module, ensuring that you can automatically schedule phone calls with your contacts without effort.

Notes: These actions are compatible with the following editions: Express, Premier, and Zoho One. 

To add tags 

  1. Click + Tags and then Add Tags.
  2. Enter the tags to add to the record in the Add tags pop-up.
    If you want to add more tags, separate them using comma.
  3. Enable the checkbox if you want to overwrite any existing tags with the tags specified here.
  4. Click Save.
     

To remove tags 

  1. Click + Tags and then Remove Tags.
  2. In the Remove tags pop-up, select the existing tags that you would like to remove and click Remove.

To add more actions to your workflow rule 

After adding an action, click + New Action and add any other action.

Note:

Instant Action
Scheduled Action
You can add a maximum of 3 instant actions per workflow
You can add a maximum of 5 scheduled actions per workflow.
Available actions: Email notification, field update, tasks, add or remove tags
Available actions: Email notification, field update, tasks
Each instant action can include up to 3 email notifications, 3 tasks, and 3 field updates
Each scheduled action can include up to 3 email notifications, 3 tasks, and 3 field updates


    Access your files securely from anywhere

      Zoho CRM Training Programs

      Learn how to use the best tools for sales force automation and better customer engagement from Zoho's implementation specialists.

      Zoho CRM Training
        Redefine the way you work
        with Zoho Workplace

          Zoho DataPrep Personalized Demo

          If you'd like a personalized walk-through of our data preparation tool, please request a demo and we'll be happy to show you how to get the best out of Zoho DataPrep.

          Zoho CRM Training

            Create, share, and deliver

            beautiful slides from anywhere.

            Get Started Now


              Zoho Sign now offers specialized one-on-one training for both administrators and developers.

              BOOK A SESSION





                          Quick Links Workflow Automation Data Collection
                          Web Forms Enterprise Begin Data Collection
                          Interactive Forms Workplace Data Collection App
                          CRM Forms Customer Service Accessible Forms
                          Digital Forms Marketing Forms for Small Business
                          HTML Forms Education Forms for Enterprise
                          Contact Forms E-commerce Forms for any business
                          Lead Generation Forms Healthcare Forms for Startups
                          Wordpress Forms Customer onboarding Order Forms for Small Business
                          No Code Forms Construction RSVP tool for holidays
                          Free Forms Travel
                          Prefill Forms Non-Profit

                          Intake Forms Legal
                          Mobile App
                          Form Designer HR
                          Mobile Forms
                          Card Forms Food Offline Forms
                          Assign Forms Photography
                          Mobile Forms Features
                          Translate Forms Real Estate Kiosk in Mobile Forms
                          Electronic Forms

                          Notification Emails for Forms Alternatives Security & Compliance
                          Holiday Forms Google Forms alternative  GDPR
                          Form to PDF Jotform alternative HIPAA Forms
                          Email Forms
                          Encrypted Forms
                          Embeddable Forms
                          Secure Forms
                          Drag and Drop form builder



                                            You are currently viewing the help pages of Qntrl’s earlier version. Click here to view our latest version—Qntrl 3.0's help articles.




                                                Manage your brands on social media

                                                  Zoho Desk Resources

                                                  • Desk Community Learning Series


                                                  • Digest


                                                  • Functions


                                                  • Meetups


                                                  • Kbase


                                                  • Resources


                                                  • Glossary


                                                  • Desk Marketplace


                                                  • MVP Corner


                                                  • Word of the Day


                                                    Zoho Marketing Automation

                                                      Zoho Sheet Resources

                                                       

                                                          Zoho Forms Resources


                                                            Secure your business
                                                            communication with Zoho Mail


                                                            Mail on the move with
                                                            Zoho Mail mobile application

                                                              Stay on top of your schedule
                                                              at all times


                                                              Carry your calendar with you
                                                              Anytime, anywhere




                                                                    Zoho Sign Resources

                                                                      Sign, Paperless!

                                                                      Sign and send business documents on the go!

                                                                      Get Started Now




                                                                              Zoho TeamInbox Resources



                                                                                      Zoho DataPrep Resources



                                                                                        Zoho DataPrep Demo

                                                                                        Get a personalized demo or POC

                                                                                        REGISTER NOW


                                                                                          Design. Discuss. Deliver.

                                                                                          Create visually engaging stories with Zoho Show.

                                                                                          Get Started Now









                                                                                                              • Related Articles

                                                                                                              • Workflows: Automate repetitive actions

                                                                                                                Automate your business processes and reduce the risk of human error with Bigin's workflows that execute repetitive actions based on specific conditions. You can automatically assign tasks, send emails, update fields, and add tags to records when they ...
                                                                                                              • Stage Automation

                                                                                                                As a pipeline-centric CRM, Bigin streamlines your business processes by pushing records through pipeline stages. To enhance Bigin's primary functionality and streamline operations even further, you can set up automations that govern stage transitions ...
                                                                                                              • Stage Transition Rules

                                                                                                                Team Pipelines play an integral role in your business by helping you visualize business operations stage by stage. For example, sales reps gather data at different stages of the sales pipeline, some of which is key to closing the deal. It's not ideal ...
                                                                                                              • Email-in Topping

                                                                                                                Email is the most popular choice of communication used by customers to send in their sales and support enquiries. Customer facing teams gather details from these emails and manually create a record in their Bigin account to follow up with their ...
                                                                                                              • Mac - Manage records added via email-in

                                                                                                                The Email-In feature lets you create email aliases for the pipelines in your Bigin account, and automatically converts customer emails received by these aliases into new records in the respective pipeline. You can directly respond to these email ...
                                                                                                                Wherever you are is as good as
                                                                                                                your workplace

                                                                                                                  Resources

                                                                                                                  Videos

                                                                                                                  Watch comprehensive videos on features and other important topics that will help you master Zoho CRM.



                                                                                                                  eBooks

                                                                                                                  Download free eBooks and access a range of topics to get deeper insight on successfully using Zoho CRM.



                                                                                                                  Webinars

                                                                                                                  Sign up for our webinars and learn the Zoho CRM basics, from customization to sales force automation and more.



                                                                                                                  CRM Tips

                                                                                                                  Make the most of Zoho CRM with these useful tips.



                                                                                                                    Zoho Show Resources