Free/Cheap Cloud Workflow Solution?

[Gongalong]

Hi folks,

 

I’ve been asked to find some sort of workflow solution for submitting training requests.

 

Essentially a form is submitted with details of the request, one member of staff approves it then passes it to finance for approval, then it goes from there to the cover supervisor for checking.

 

Is there anything simple and free/cheap out there that can do this form and basic workflow?

 

My plan B is to use 365 Forms with email notification and rules, but it’s a bit clunky.

 

Thanks

[Chaniel]

I've not used it myself yet but what you're describing sounds like the exact thing that Microsoft Power Automate is built for. It's included in 365 A1 licensing.

 

https://emea.flow.microsoft.com/en-us/

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-automate/modern-approvals

[Rob_D]

If you've got Office 365, +1 for power automate. We use it for our Staff absence requests to do pretty much exactly what you're thinking of and it seems to be working really well.

[jmak]

Hijack alert (and apologies).

 

I'm doing some work for a charity and from the requirements they've given me, they're probably going to end up with a 365 tenancy.

 

They're also looking at a way to manage memberships (not currently in my to do list). The new members have to apply and be vetted and then pay if accepted. Could Power Automate handle that kind of task? Possibly integrating with a payments provider?

 

Thanks

[Rob_D]

@jmak, you could use the Power Automate approval system to do most of what you're asking for. Automate dose have connections to 3rd party systems and apps, but not many that look like payment companies so you might have to have a manual step there.