There are two types of Automation timing in Albato:
- Real time
- Data migration: One-time migration, Regular
Real-time data transfer
In this mode, the automation collects data in real time. For instance, imagine a visitor leaves a request or posts in the site chat. In this mode, the automation receives data as soon as the event happens.
There are two ways to reсieve data: via API and via Webhook.
Let's take a closer look.
Webhook
In automations using a Webhook trigger, the frequency and timing of requests cannot be set as Albato receives data from a third-party system at the time of the event.
API
API means that Albato makes requests to a third-party system and collects new data. The default request frequency is 5 minutes. You can set the desired request frequency and automation start time in the Scheduling tab.
Automation schedule scenarios for real-time mode
Regularly – The user can only select the frequency of the request. The automation is always active, at the frequency selected by the user.
Between specific hours – Available parameters: request time (hh:mm - hh:mm) and frequency. Automation requests run daily at the selected frequency and time interval. For example, the user can choose to receive and send data every day from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
On specific weekdays – Available parameters: request time (hh:mm - hh:mm), frequency, days of the month. Automation requests are sent on chosen days of the month, at a selected frequency during the specified time frame.
On specific days of the month – Available parameters: request time (hh:mm - hh:mm), frequency, days of the week. Automation requests are sent on chosen days of the week, at a selected frequency during the specified time frame.
Custom schedule – Available parameters: frequency, request time (hh:mm - hh:mm), date (dd:mm:yyyy - dd:mm:yyyy). Advanced settings for days of the week/month.
One-time data migration (Once)
This option lets you gather data from a certain period in the past. It is useful when transferring between CRMs and you want to migrate all prior transactions, or when uploading advertising expenses for a designated time frame to compare with current data.
Such a one-time migration works in manual mode.
In the settings, select how to upload data: for a certain period or all at once. Some apps may have upload limitations. After setting up the migration, start the automation and wait for the full data transfer (it may take quite a while). Once the automation stops, you can switch it back to the real time data receiving mode.
Regular data migration
This feature also allows you to collect data for a certain period of time in the past, but it can also work on a schedule. For example, you can get all leads for Saturday and Sunday on Mondays, or upload all closed deals for the day daily at 7 p.m.
This option lets you send information from a specific time in the past, or set a routine schedule. For instance, on Mondays, you can easily receive all leads from over the weekend, or automatically upload closed deals every day at 7 p.m.
This migration has a Scheduling tab and several scenarios.
Automation schedule scenarios for regular data migration mode
Between specific hours – The user can choose one option: the request time (hh:mm). Requests happen daily at the time selected by the client. For instance, completed transactions from yesterday can be received and transferred at 10:00 AM.
On specific days of the month – The user can access the dates and times (hh:mm) of the month when a request is sent. For instance, they can receive data for their entire advertising account on the 15th and 30th of each month at 10:00 am.
On specific weekdays – The user can choose which days of the week and what time they want to request data (hh:mm). For instance, they can send data for the past (5 days) on Mondays at 10:00 am.
Automations with scheduled migrations will include the time of the next request:
You can also edit scheduling settings in previously created automations. Check out our step-by-step article to learn more!
