Delay

The Delay module in FlowMattic is designed to introduce a wait time between actions or steps in a workflow. This feature is particularly useful when an action needs to be executed after a certain period of time has passed or when actions must be spaced out to avoid system overload, rate limits, or errors. By using the Delay module, users can ensure their workflows operate at the correct pace, helping to improve workflow efficiency and system stability. With this feature, FlowMattic users can build flexible, responsive workflows that are aligned with their business needs.

The delay period can be fully customized, ranging from seconds to days, allowing users to set precise intervals based on their specific requirements.

When to Use the Delay Module

The Delay module can be useful in scenarios where:

• You need to pause before executing an action (e.g., waiting a few minutes before sending a confirmation email).

• You want to avoid exceeding API rate limits by spacing out API requests.

• You need to delay the final step in a workflow to allow external processes to complete (e.g., waiting for a payment confirmation before triggering fulfillment).

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Delay Module

Assuming you have already created a workflow with several action steps and now want to delay the execution of the last action for a few days, here’s how you can use the Delay module.

1. Add the Delay Module

• Click on “Add New Action” at the point where you want to introduce the delay in the workflow (typically right before the action you wish to delay).

• From the action options, select “Delay by FlowMattic”.

2. Choose the Action Event for the Delay Module

When configuring the Delay module, you can choose from two types of delay events:

• Delay For: This option delays the next action by a specified amount of time.

• Delay Until: This option delays the next action until a specific date and time.

Let’s break these options down further:

2.1. Delay Until

Choose “Delay Until” if you need to delay the next action until a specific date and time in the future.

• Use Case: This option is ideal for situations where a task needs to happen at a particular time (e.g., sending a reminder email on the last day of the month).

• Configuration: Input the future date and time using the provided time format.

• Example: If you want the next step to execute on December 31st at 9:00 AM, you would enter that specific date and time.

2.2. Delay For

Choose “Delay For” if you want to introduce a delay for a specific amount of time before the next action.

• Use Case: This is ideal when you want to pause for a set period, like delaying an action for a few minutes, hours, or days.

• Configuration: Set the delay in terms of a time unit and a value. FlowMattic provides the following time units for the delay:

• Seconds

• Minutes

• Hours

• Days

• Weeks

3. Set the Delay Value

After choosing the delay type, set the Delay Value (the amount of time) and the Delay Unit. For example:

• If you want to delay the action by 2 hours, select Hours as the unit and enter 2 as the value.

• If you want to delay for 3 days, select Days and enter 3 as the value.

4. Test the Delay

After setting up the delay, you can click “Save & Test Action” to verify that the delay is configured correctly. In the test mode, the workflow will simulate the delay settings and display the expected wait time.

5. Save the Workflow

Once you have tested the delay and confirmed the configuration, click on Save Workflow. Your workflow will now run with the specified delay between the steps.

Practical Use Cases of the Delay Module:

1. Email Campaign: You want to send a follow-up email 24 hours after a user signs up. You can introduce a 24-hour delay after the sign-up step and then trigger the email sending step.

2. Waiting for External Processes: When integrating with third-party services like payment gateways, you may need to delay the next workflow step to wait for payment confirmation. For example, if payment confirmation typically takes 15 minutes, you can set a 15-minute delay before processing the next action (like order fulfillment).

3. Event Reminders: If you’re running an event and want to send reminders at specific intervals (e.g., 1 day and 1 hour before the event), you can use the Delay Until feature to send the reminders at precise times.

Key Benefits of the FlowMattic Delay Module:

• Customizable Delays: Tailor the delay period to your exact needs, whether it’s in seconds, minutes, hours, days, or weeks.

• Control Workflow Pace: Prevent workflows from executing too quickly and overwhelming APIs or other services.

• Precise Scheduling: Use the Delay Until option for scheduling actions at exact times, enhancing control over workflow timing.

By incorporating the Delay module into your workflows, you can enhance control, precision, and flexibility, allowing your automated processes to run efficiently and smoothly, even when dealing with complex or time-sensitive actions.

This documentation provides a comprehensive understanding of the Delay module, with actionable steps to incorporate time-based controls into your workflows effectively.