Low-Code Automation Tools and the Claris Platform

Do you see yourself as highly skilled at your work, while still finding too much of the day is spent performing a few routine tasks over and over again, without much thought? It’s a common problem, even in highly skilled or creative work and all the more annoying for it. But what’s the solution? The work still needs to be done.

This is where integration platforms come in. Low-code integration or automation platforms have emerged as a powerful tool for businesses and individuals seeking to streamline processes and enhance operational efficiency without the need for extensive coding or IT resources. These platforms provide a simple interface, usually drag-and-drop with a few authentication settings and instructions, that are ideal for non-IT professionals to design and build automation workflows by connecting different applications, services and data sources. By abstracting away much of the underlying complexity, low-code automation platforms enable those of us who are knowledge workers and subject matter experts to drive automation initiatives within their organisations and free up more of their time for the more creative work that only they can do. With their user-friendly interfaces, pre-built connectors and scalable architectures, these platforms have gained widespread adoption. In this article, we look at one such platform, Claris Connect.

Claris Connect is a leading player in the low-code automation space. One of its key advantages is its intuitive visual builder, which allows users to create complex workflows without writing a single line of code. This approach makes automation accessible to a broader range of users, especially those who don’t have IT resources they can reply on. It also has a free tier, offering 500 API requests per month, without charge. Another factor that sets Claris Connect apart is its extensive library of pre-built connectors. Claris Connect offers integrations with a wide range of popular business applications, such as Salesforce, Slack, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and Mailchimp, among many others. This extensive connectivity allows businesses to connect disparate systems and create seamless workflows that span multiple platforms, enabling more efficient data exchange and process orchestration. The platform supports complex workflows with advanced features such as conditional logic, error handling and data transformation, ensuring that automation can keep pace with the expanding needs of an organisation. Connect also offers robust security features, including support for OAuth 2.0 authentication, encryption in transit and at rest and granular access control. This emphasis on security provides peace of mind for businesses handling sensitive data, ensuring that their automation processes are secure and compliant with industry standards.

One primary example of how Claris Connect can provide value is when it’s used in the realm of customer relationship management (CRM). The obvious pairing is with FileMaker Pro, also from the Claris stable. A business can use FileMaker to create a custom CRM application that stores customer data, tracks interactions and manages sales pipelines. Claris Connect can then be used to automate various processes within this CRM system. For instance, when a new customer enters their details via an enquiry form on a website, a Claris Connect workflow can be triggered to add them to the company FileMaker-based CRM, then add the same new customer to a Mailchimp subscription list and also create a task in Slack for a sales representative to follow up.

Another use case for the integration of Claris Connect and Claris FileMaker would be in the field of inventory management. Businesses can create a custom inventory management system using Claris FileMaker, which tracks product stock levels, orders and shipments. Claris Connect can then be used to automate various processes within this system. For example, when a product's stock level falls below a certain threshold, a Claris Connect workflow can be triggered to automatically place a reorder with a supplier, update the inventory database and notify the relevant personnel.

In the realm of promotional copywriting, Claris Connect and Claris FileMaker can be used together to reach out to a generative AI tool such as ChatGPT, with a prompt generated from customer or product data, retrieve the copy, email it to others to approve and then post it to the company X (Twitter) account at the end. In the finance and accounting sector, Claris Connect and Claris FileMaker could be used to automate processes such as invoice generation, payment reminders and financial reporting. FileMaker would be the tool used to create a custom accounting system that tracks invoices, payments and financial data. Claris Connect could then be used to automate various processes within this system. For example, when an invoice is generated in the FileMaker database, a Claris Connect workflow can be triggered to send the invoice to the client, create a follow-up task in Microsoft Outlook or Slack to follow up, upload the invoice data to QuickBooks and send a receipt when the bill is paid.

These are just a few examples of how Claris Connect and Claris FileMaker can be used together to automate business processes. By leveraging the power of these two Claris products together, businesses can streamline their operations, reduce manual effort and improve overall efficiency, enabling them to focus on their core competencies and individual creativity.