Anidan Beginner Guide: Introduction to Automation Workflows

Key Points:

• Manual tasks lead to wasted time, human error, and high resource requirements
• Data-driven approaches are more objective and logic-driven
• Automation improves reporting capabilities and ROI visibility
• Automated processes require fewer human resources and less time
• Employees are happier when they can focus on high-value tasks instead of repetitive work

My Take:

I’ve seen firsthand how automating simple data transfer tasks can save teams 5-10 hours per week. That’s time they can redirect to strategic work that actually grows the business rather than maintaining it.

Key Points:

• A form submission can trigger different automated actions based on company value
• Low-value leads can be added to email sequences automatically
• High-value leads can be stored in Google Sheets for further processing
• Ideal customers can be immediately flagged to account managers
• The predictability of actions and data transfer are essential components of automation

My Take:

This form submission example perfectly demonstrates the power of automation – creating personalized experiences at scale without manual intervention. Your team members only need to get involved at the highest-value touchpoints.

Triggers:

• A trigger is what starts an automation
• Triggers only have exit arrows (no entry arrows) in workflow diagrams
• Types of triggers include manual, scheduled (time-based), and application-based (webhooks, property updates, form submissions)
• Anidan provides native form triggers for its built-in form functionality

Filtering:

• Filters allow or block data from following specific paths based on conditions
• The Anidan filter node evaluates predetermined conditions
• Example: Filtering leads based on company type (no company, low value, high value, ideal)

Actions (Apps):

• Actions allow you to interact with web applications
• Each app offers different actions (Google Sheets: update rows, create sheets; Dropbox: upload/get files; Slack: send messages; Salesforce: manage leads)
• Actions are typically the final steps in workflows

My Take:

Understanding these three components is like learning the building blocks of a new language. Once you master triggers, filters, and actions, you can create virtually any automation you need – from simple data transfers to complex multi-step processes.

Workflow Structure:

• Starts with a trigger (manual launch, scheduled time, or application event)
• Middle section handles data manipulation (sorting, filtering, formatting, transforming)
• Ends with actions that execute tasks in connected applications

My Take:

Think of workflows as assembly lines for your data – they receive input, process it according to specific rules, and deliver it to the right destination. The more thoughtfully you design this assembly line, the more valuable your automation becomes.

Benefits of Mapping Workflows:

• Confirms your understanding of the task
• Identifies required tools and actions
• Determines technical feasibility before investing building time
• Helps estimate workload and development time
• Reveals where human intervention might be necessary

How to Map a Workflow:

• Create a flowchart using tools like Miro or FigJam
• List each process step as an individual block
• Work left to right, connecting blocks with arrows
• Identify decision points and their possible outcomes
• Connect all paths to their final actions

My Take:

I’ve found that spending 15-30 minutes mapping a workflow can save hours of development time. It’s also the perfect opportunity to involve stakeholders in validating the process before you build it. For complex workflows, consider sharing your map with team members who understand the business process to catch any logical gaps.