Best Practices for Saving on Operations

Best Practices for Saving on Operations
2/10/2023
·
4 min. read

There are several ways to reduce the number of operations you consume. Check out the best practices below!

How does Albato count operations?

The way Albato counts operations largely depends on the trigger type you use in your automations: webhook or API.

With a webhook, the data transfer occurs in real-time. Whenever a webhook with new data gets captured, the data is sent further through the automation steps. Each automation step will count as an operation. For example, a two-step automation will consume two operations every time a webhook-type trigger fires.

With an API, you set a certain frequency for API calls to check for data updates. Whenever an API call captures new data, it will work the same as with a webhook. However, if after checking for updates, an API call returns with no data, it will still consume operations for “polling” a trigger app. That is the main difference from webhooks.

In both cases, the Albato tools also count as operations, e.g., phone number formatting or the router tool. Trigger filters, however, are not included in the count.

How to reduce operations

The operation limits offered in Albato's plans are fairly generous. Still, we’d like to share some tips and tricks to making your consumption more savvy.

Check if webhook triggers are available

We suggest using webhook triggers whenever possible. However, due to the limitations of some apps, an API may be the only way to pull data. The good news is, most apps develop over time. Whenever an app makes webhooks available, we add them to our platform.

Therefore, a rule of thumb is always to always check if any webhook triggers are available for the automation you want to run. To do that, select a source app in the first step of an automation. Click on the “Select an event” field, and you will see the available triggers in the drop-down list. The webhook ones will have a webhook icon next to them.

img1.png

For example, the Google Sheets app offers both webhook and API triggers.

Adjust automation update time (API frequency)

Automation update times vary depending on the price plan.

img2.png

To save credits, feel free to set a longer interval for API checks for new data. To do so, go to the “Start Schedule” tab from the automation builder page.

img3.png

If you want to adjust a previously set automation, click the gear icon on the automation card to access its settings.

img4.png

In the “Request frequency” field, select the optimal update time based on your business scenario and desired operation consumption. Feel free to slow it down if you don’t need your automation to fire every minute.

img5.png

You can also set the start and end times for your automation. Suppose you don’t need to collect data at night. Excluding night hours from your automation schedule is another option to save credits. If you leave these fields untouched, the automation will run all the time, without any time restrictions.

Use advanced settings

On the “Start Schedule” page, click on “Advanced Settings.” Here you can choose specific days of the week or month for your automation to run.

img6.png

img7.png

For example, selecting workdays only will save you plenty of operations.

Use an incoming data filter

It may happen that you don’t need all the data to pass through your automation. The trigger filter can help process and segment incoming data. Just click on the funnel icon after configuring the automation steps to apply it.

img8.png

For example, say you have a five-step flow with “New board in Trello” as a trigger. You can filter which new boards you want to trigger your automation by their names or IDs.

img9.png

If a new board meets the filter conditions, all five automation steps will fire, thus consuming five operations. However, if a new board gets filtered out, the automation won’t fire. As a result, you will save four operations.

As you can see, our current model offers many workarounds to handle operations more efficiently. At the same time, we will continue to look for ways to make our processes better and clearer.


Related articles

Show more
How to Connect Property Finder to Albato
3 min. read

How to Connect Property Finder to Albato

Integrate Property Finder with Albato to connect it with over 800+ apps, including AI tools like Gemini and Grok.

Best Productivity Apps 2025 – Streamline Your Daily Tasks
13 min. read

Best Productivity Apps 2025 – Streamline Your Daily Tasks

In this article, you will learn about the top productivity apps—task managers, timers, note tools, and more—to streamline your daily workflow and boost efficiency in 2025.

How Email Marketing Automation Helps Boost Engagement
20 min. read

How Email Marketing Automation Helps Boost Engagement

In this article, you will learn how email marketing automation can increase engagement, save time, and deliver personalized content to your audience more effectively.

How Weeztix Scaled Native Integrations for 300+ Event Organizers with Albato Embedded
6 min. read

How Weeztix Scaled Native Integrations for 300+ Event Organizers with Albato Embedded

By embedding Albato, Weeztix made it way easier to integrate and automate workflows for hundreds of their event organizers.

Best Albato Use Cases for Marketing and Sales Automation
8 min. read

Best Albato Use Cases for Marketing and Sales Automation

In this article, you will learn about the best Albato use cases for marketing and sales automation. Learn how to streamline workflows, boost productivity, and drive growth.

How to Automate Contact Migration from Quickbase to Google Contacts Using Albato
7 min. read

How to Automate Contact Migration from Quickbase to Google Contacts Using Albato

With this setup, not only can you transfer your contact database from Quickbase to Google Contacts in bulk, but you can also keep those records updated in real time.

We’re Celebrating a Big Win!
2 min. read

We’re Celebrating a Big Win!

Explore what’s new in Albato: features, apps, and improvements

How to Automate Blog Creation from Google Sheets Using OpenAI
8 min. read

How to Automate Blog Creation from Google Sheets Using OpenAI

With this Solution, every new row in a designated Google Sheet triggers a series of actions to create SEO-friendly blog content, generate images, and notify your team—without writing a single line of code.

Best Workflow Management Software for Teams 2025
11 min. read

Best Workflow Management Software for Teams 2025

In this article, you will learn the top workflow management tools to boost team efficiency. Compare features, pricing, and find the perfect fit for your team.

Why CRM SMS Integration Matters to Your Business
5 min. read

Why CRM SMS Integration Matters to Your Business

In this article, you will learn why missed follow-ups happen so often, why CRM SMS integration solves the root of the problem, and what steps you can take to put your follow-up process on autopilot.

What Tools To Connect to OpenAI with Albato
3 min. read

What Tools To Connect to OpenAI with Albato

In this article, you will learn what tools you can connect to ChatGPT(Open AI) with Albato to set up automated workflows for different use cases.

Artificial Intelligence Automation for Lead scoring, Sales, Marketing & Content
8 min. read

Artificial Intelligence Automation for Lead scoring, Sales, Marketing & Content

In this article, you will learn how to use AI and AI agents to automate your business processes. Discover top tools, benefits, and implementation strategies in this 2025 guide