Rule-Based Automation

ianaiERP's Rule-Based Automation feature allows you to streamline your order processing by automatically applying actions based on specific criteria. This powerful tool can save time, reduce errors, and ensure consistency in your order fulfillment process.

Understanding Rule-Based Automation

Automation rules in ianaiERP follow an "If This, Then That" structure:

• If (Criteria): The condition that must be met for the rule to apply

• Then (Action): The action that ianaiERP will take when the criteria are met

Creating Automation Rules

To create a new automation rule:

1. Go to Settings > Shipping > Automation.

2. Click Add New Rule.

3. Set up your rule as follows:

   • Name : Give your rule a descriptive name

   • Apply this rule to : Choose whether it runs on every imported order, or only orders that match conditions you set

   • Conditions : If you chose "match conditions," add one or more conditions from the available list (see below)

   • Actions : Specify what should happen when the criteria are met

4. Click Save Rule.

Available Conditions and Actions

Conditions you can check an order against include: number of line items, address (line 1/2, city, state, country), customer, customer name, order number, requested ship method, external channel (the store/marketplace an order came from), total quantity, total weight, and location.

Actions a rule can take: add an internal note, adjust the order weight, set the carrier/service/package, or set the total order weight.

Common Automation Scenarios

1. Set Carrier Based on Sales Channel

This popular rule automatically assigns a carrier and service based on which store or marketplace the order came from.

Example:

• Criteria : External Channel Equals [Your Shopify Channel]

• Action : Set Carrier/Service/Package - [Carrier, service level, and package you choose]

To set this up:

1. Create a new rule.

2. Set the criteria to "External Channel :: Equals :: [Your Channel]".

3. Add the action "Set Carrier/Service/Package" and choose the carrier, service, and package.

4. Save the rule.

5. Repeat for each channel that needs a different carrier setup.

2. Upgrade Carrier Service for Heavy Orders

Automatically route heavier orders to a different carrier or service level.

Example:

• Criteria : Total Weight Is Greater Than 50 lb

• Action : Set Carrier/Service/Package to a service suited for heavier packages

3. Flag Bulk Orders for a Packing Note

Automatically add a note to orders with a large number of line items, so warehouse staff double-check packaging.

Example:

• Criteria : # of Line Items Is Greater Than 20

• Action : Add an Internal Note - "Bulk order — verify packaging before ship"

Advanced Rule Creation

Multiple Conditions

You can add more than one condition to a single rule:

1. Click Add Condition to add additional conditions.

2. All conditions on a rule must be true for it to apply — there's no option to require only one of several conditions.

Multiple Actions

A single rule can trigger multiple actions:

1. Click Add Action to include additional actions for your rule.

2. Actions will be performed in the order they are listed.

Best Practices

1. Start with simple rules and gradually add complexity.

2. Test your rules thoroughly before activating them.

3. Use descriptive names for your rules to easily manage them.

4. Regularly review and update your rules as your business processes change.

5. Be mindful of rule order - rules are applied in the order they are listed.

Troubleshooting

If your rules aren't working as expected:

1. Check the rule's criteria to ensure they accurately describe the intended orders.

2. Verify that the rule is marked Active in the rules list.

3. Check for conflicting rules that might be overriding your intended automation — rules run in the order they're listed, so drag a rule higher or lower to change its priority.

Rule Management

• To edit a rule, click the edit icon on its row in the Automation rules list.

• To temporarily disable a rule, clear its Active checkbox in the rules list.

• To delete a rule, select it and click the "Delete" button.

Related Features

• Order Processing

• Shipping Services

• Custom Fields

For more detailed information on specific automation scenarios or advanced rule creation, please refer to the respective sections in this documentation.