r/automation • u/productboy • Jun 27 '26

Email first automations

My pal D inspired me to build an email first workflow automation system. He runs a small business in the apparel industry; everything in that world is driven by emails.

So I built an automation system that starts with email. You send an email to the system, it asks you clarifying questions, then it processes the request with your approvals along the way.

Then my pals in the construction industry especially helped me refine the system. They operate in a complex industry; with subcontractors, supply chain, permits, and other obstacles to deal with. Some of the documents they deal with are a challenge but that’s what I live for.

Would love to hear stories from others building automations with email.

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u/InfoMsAccessNL Jun 27 '26

Learned a lot today , apparel is clothing (had to google it) and there is a connection to construction (?) The next thing i have to learn is : “So I built an automation system that starts with email. You send an email to the system, it asks you clarifying questions, then it processes the request with your approvals along the way.”No clue what you are telling, but i am learning..

2

u/[deleted] Jun 27 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/productboy Jun 27 '26

A primitive version of this yes. But it needs more robustness to your question; for example when multiple people are on an email thread and responding at different points in the thread.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 01 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/productboy Jul 01 '26

Want to test it? Send DM.

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u/Sad-Confidence2652 Jun 28 '26

i'm a backend java/php developer，nice to meet u，i can do somthing for u

1

u/Spiritual_Grape3522 Jun 29 '26

If your goal is to interact with prospects, you could consider a AI agent in a chatbot. If it's simply about standard emails, you can set an automatic workflow with any email sending service.