Workflow Automation and Integrations
What a workflow automation platform does
In a workflow automation platform, workflows are modelled as a chain of building blocks: a trigger – such as a new order, an incoming e-mail or a fixed point in time – starts the workflow, which retrieves data, transforms it and passes it on to other systems. Ready-made building blocks exist for many widely used applications; we reach all others via their API.
What convinces us about such platforms is that they bring two worlds together: workflows remain visual and understandable for business departments, and where a building block is not enough, we add our own code steps. Above all, the platform can be self-hosted – so your data does not pass through the servers of an automation provider.
Self-hosted instead of a cloud subscription
Unlike pure cloud services such as Zapier or Make, a self-hostable platform can run on your own infrastructure. We take care of that for you: we set up the platform on servers that we manage, keep it up to date, monitor the workflows and back up the data regularly. If you wish, the servers are located in Germany.
This way, you stay in control of where customer data, credentials and documents are processed – an important point as soon as personal data is involved. You can read more about our operating model under Maintenance & Support.
What we implement with workflow automation
Connecting systems. Online shop, ERP, CRM, accounting and calendar exchange data automatically, instead of someone transferring it by hand.
Event-driven workflows. A webhook or a new e-mail triggers the workflow immediately – not only when someone next checks the inbox.
Approvals and notifications. Workflows pause until the responsible person has given their approval, and keep the team informed about what matters.
AI steps. Language models classify e-mails or extract data from documents – as one building block in the workflow. Find out more under AI-powered software.
When a custom integration is the better choice
A workflow automation platform is not the right tool for every task. With very large volumes of data, complex business logic or systems without an API, we prefer to develop the connection as a dedicated service. At the pump specialist Stenger, for example, a lean connector runs right next to the ERP database for this purpose. We will tell you openly which route suits your case – find out more about custom solutions under APIs & Integrations.
From practice
For the Momenth health centre with three locations, we operate a workflow automation platform including hosting, monitoring and backups. The workflows handle recurring tasks in patient communication and administration – nobody has to copy data from one system to the next any more.
How much does workflow automation cost?
According to our cost model, a single workflow comes to about €2,250–4,500, several workflows with approvals €10,500–20,000 and many workflows with AI steps €26,000–46,000 – each net of VAT. The project cost calculator provides an estimate for your workflows.
How your workflow automation comes about
- Map the workflows and systems involved together
- Set up the platform – self-hosted or in your environment
- Build workflows and test them with real data
- Operations with monitoring, backups and further development
- Map the workflows and systems involved together
- Set up the platform – self-hosted or in your environment
- Build workflows and test them with real data
- Operations with monitoring, backups and further development
Frequently asked questions about workflow automation
What is a workflow automation platform?
A workflow automation platform automates work processes between applications. Workflows connect applications via ready-made building blocks or their APIs and run automatically as soon as a trigger occurs. Unlike many cloud services, some platforms can also be run on your own servers.
Cloud or self-hosted – which is better?
The cloud version is ready to go quickly. Self-hosted, on the other hand, you keep full control over where your data is processed and are independent of a provider's terms. If you wish, we run the platform self-hosted for you, including updates, monitoring and backups.
Which platform is the right one?
Well-known platforms such as n8n, Zapier or Make connect applications via visual workflows. However, Zapier and Make are only available as cloud services, whereas n8n can be self-hosted. n8n also allows custom code steps within a workflow, which makes more complex logic possible without detours via additional services.
Do you also take over existing installations, e.g. of n8n?
Yes. We review the existing workflows, document them and bring the installation up to a current, monitored state. If you wish, we also move the platform to servers that we operate for you.
How much does workflow automation cost?
According to our cost model, a single workflow comes to about €2,250–4,500 net, several workflows with approvals €10,500–20,000 and extensive automations with AI steps €26,000–46,000. On top of this come the running costs for operations.
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Tell us which tasks you currently handle by hand – we will show you how an automated workflow can take them over.