Why n8n?
n8n is a workflow automation platform that connects virtually any system. Unlike Zapier or Make, it can be self-hosted, has no execution limits, and supports complex branching logic. For procurement and operations automation, it is an excellent choice.
Use Case 1: Tender Monitoring Dashboard
Government procurement portals across the GCC publish tenders daily, but monitoring them manually is tedious and error-prone. I built an n8n workflow that automatically checks 5 government procurement portals, uses AI classification to filter relevant tenders, and delivers real-time alerts via Telegram.
Architecture
The workflow runs on a schedule (every 4 hours during business days). For each portal, it scrapes or calls the API for new listings, passes them through an AI classifier that scores relevance based on our product categories and capabilities, and routes high-scoring tenders to the team via Telegram with direct links and key details.
Use Case 2: Procurement Approval Workflow
By connecting n8n to Odoo's API, purchase requests can trigger multi-level approval chains automatically. The workflow checks the request amount against approval thresholds, routes to the correct approver, sends reminders for pending approvals, and updates the PO status in Odoo once approved.
Use Case 3: Supplier Evaluation Reminders
Every quarter, active suppliers need performance reviews. An n8n workflow queries Odoo for suppliers due for evaluation, generates review forms, assigns them to procurement team members, and tracks completion. No more manual tracking in spreadsheets.
Lessons Learned
Start with high-frequency, low-risk processes. Get the team comfortable with automation before tackling critical workflows. Always build in error handling and notification for failures. Document every workflow — automation without documentation creates a different kind of tribal knowledge problem.