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Zoho CRM

Approval Process

An Approval Process in Zoho CRM is a structured review mechanism that routes a record to one or more designated approvers before…

An Approval Process in Zoho CRM is a structured review mechanism that routes a record to one or more designated approvers before a specific action can proceed. It is commonly used for discount approvals, contract sign-offs, large deal authorisations, and any decision that requires managerial oversight before moving forward.

How Approval Processes Work

An Approval Process is configured on a module (such as Deals or Quotes) with a set of entry criteria that determine which records require approval. When a record meets those criteria and a user submits it for approval, the record enters a pending state and the designated approver receives a notification.

Approvers can approve or reject the record. On approval, configured actions run automatically (such as advancing to the next Blueprint State or updating a field). On rejection, a rejection reason is captured and the submitter is notified.

Approval Processes support multi-level approvals – for example, a deal above a certain value might first need the sales manager’s approval, then the VP’s approval, before it can proceed.

Approval Process vs Blueprint

Approval Processes are a dedicated feature for review-and-sign-off flows. Blueprint is a broader process management tool that can incorporate approvals as one of its transitions – but Blueprint also handles sequential stages, field mandates, SLAs, and multi-step workflows beyond just approval. For simple approval needs, the Approval Process feature is easier to configure.

Industry Example

Automotive Dealership: A car dealership requires manager approval for any deal where the discount exceeds 5%. The Approval Process entry criteria checks the Discount Percentage field on the Deal. When a salesperson enters a 7% discount and saves the record, it automatically goes into “Pending Approval” and the branch manager receives an email. The manager approves it from their mobile phone, triggering an automatic email to the customer with the approved quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Approval Process in Zoho CRM?

An Approval Process in Zoho CRM is a feature that routes records to designated approvers before a specific action can proceed. It supports single or multi-level approvals, automated actions on approval or rejection, and entry criteria to control which records require the process.

Can records be approved from mobile in Zoho CRM?

Yes. Approvers can review and approve or reject records from Zoho CRM’s mobile app and from the Zoho CRM email notification – making it possible to handle approvals without logging into the desktop interface.

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