Workflow guide · Retail and shops
Import and export
AI and automation with human control.
Where should automation for import and export start?
Start with a specific workflow: trade documents and shipment status. AI can help organise information and prepare tasks; a person should review exceptions and approve business decisions.
Connect product references, availability, orders and enquiries. AI responses should use the current catalogue and escalate returns, exceptions and unconfirmed information to a person.
| Area | Proposal to assess |
|---|---|
| Initial workflow | Trade documents and shipment status |
| Human review | Decide prices, promotions, returns and stock commitments. |
| What to measure | Enquiries per order, stock discrepancies and preparation time. |
| Condition for proceeding | Check permissions, data quality and pilot outcomes before expanding the workflow. |
An initial workflow to assess
Trade documents and shipment status
For a business such as import and export, start with this bounded workflow. Gather incoming requests and the steps you repeat before deciding which parts are suitable for automation.
Collect
Create a record for “trade documents and shipment status” with required information, request status and the person responsible for review.
Prepare
Connect the record to your tools. Prepare a draft or task, check for missing information and retain a history of changes.
Review and close
Decide prices, promotions, returns and stock commitments. Record approval and the outcome before marking the workflow complete.
What to prepare before connecting tools
- Real request examples, removing personal data that is not necessary.
- A list of tools, fields and statuses you currently use.
- Approved information for the workflow: trade documents and shipment status.
- A person responsible for approving exceptions and a procedure for returning to manual work.
What should remain under your control
Decide prices, promotions, returns and stock commitments.
Set minimum permissions, review drafts before sending and stop the workflow when information is incomplete or no answer has been confirmed.
How to assess whether it adds value
Enquiries per order, stock discrepancies and preparation time.
Record these measures during a week of manual work and compare them with a pilot of the same scope. Include reviews and corrections in total time: fewer steps are not enough if error correction creates more work.
Guides to explore the workflow
View all guides →Questions before you start
Can every part of import and export be automated?
We do not assume so. This guide proposes assessing specific administrative tasks. Service delivery, physical work and professional decisions may require people and specific obligations.
Which tools do I need?
It depends on your existing tools and their integration permissions. Start with your calendar, documents or management system and validate which information can be read and written. We do not assume an integration works before checking it.
How do I request access information?
Join the waitlist or email jm@unapersona.es with your activity, the workflow you want to improve and the tools you use.
Illustrative organisation and automation proposals. Feasibility, qualifications, permissions and obligations for each activity must be checked before implementing a workflow.
Tell us about your workflow