Introduction
As businesses look for ways to streamline repetitive tasks and improve productivity, automation platforms like Make (formerly Integromat) have become invaluable tools. Make is a powerful, cloud-based automation platform that allows companies to automate workflows across various apps and services without requiring extensive coding knowledge. This blog post explores what makes Make unique, compares it to on-premise automation solutions, and provides a practical use case to demonstrate its capabilities.
What is Make?
Make is a cloud-based automation platform that connects multiple apps and services to create complex workflows known as “scenarios.” Through an intuitive visual builder, users can easily set up multi-step workflows that perform actions across a wide range of applications, from popular business tools like Slack, Google Sheets, and Salesforce to niche services. Unlike traditional on-premise solutions, Make is built entirely in the cloud, meaning it’s accessible from anywhere and requires no hardware installation or maintenance.
Key Features of Make
Visual Workflow Builder
An intuitive drag-and-drop interface that allows users to create workflows without writing code.
Real-Time Execution
Scenarios run in real-time, ensuring tasks are completed as soon as triggers occur.
Multi-Step Automations
Users can build complex, multi-step workflows, allowing for detailed data manipulation and conditional actions.
Integration Opportunities
With over 1.000 built-in app integrations, Make supports a wide range of business applications.
Make vs. On-Premise Automation Solutions
Make’s cloud-based structure differs significantly from on-premise automation solutions. Here’s how they compare across key aspects:
Accessibility & Deployment
Make (Cloud Soultion): Since it’s cloud-based, Make is accessible from any device with an internet connection, allowing remote teams to set up, monitor, and adjust workflows easily. Deployment is immediate—users simply log into their Make account, with no need for additional hardware or software.
On-Premise Solutions: These solutions require infrastructure hosted on local servers, limiting access to users within the network or those with VPN access. Deployment involves purchasing and installing hardware and software, as well as maintaining server and security configurations.
Maintenance and Scalability
Make (Cloud Solution): Cloud solutions like Make are fully managed by the service provider, meaning updates, patches, and maintenance are handled automatically. Make’s scalable pricing plans allow companies to expand their automation efforts without infrastructure concerns.
On-Premise Solutions: Maintenance and scalability depend on the IT team. Expanding capacity requires additional hardware or server upgrades, increasing both cost and complexity. Any updates must be installed manually, leading to additional maintenance work.
Data Security and Compliance
Make (Cloud Solution): As a cloud-based solution, Make secures data in transit and at rest, but data resides on third-party servers, which may be a concern for highly regulated industries. Make meets standard security requirements, though compliance with industry-specific standards may vary.
On-Premise Solutions: On-premise setups offer greater control over data security, as data stays within the company’s own servers. This can simplify compliance with industry regulations and is often preferred by companies handling highly sensitive information.
Cost and Resources
Make: Offers a subscription model with tiered pricing plans based on usage. This makes it a cost-effective solution for businesses looking to automate without investing in hardware. Companies save on upfront infrastructure costs but have ongoing subscription fees.
On-Premise Solutions: On-premise solutions require significant initial investments in servers, hardware, and setup. Ongoing costs include IT personnel, maintenance, and potential infrastructure expansion. While they can offer long-term savings for large-scale, sensitive applications, they involve higher initial expenses.
Practical Use Case: Automating Client Onboarding with Make
Scenario: A digital marketing agency wants to streamline its client onboarding process. This process includes gathering information from a new client, creating folders and files for each client in Google Drive, sending an introductory email, and assigning tasks to team members.
Goal: To automate these steps to save time and ensure a consistent onboarding experience for every client.
Setting Up the Workflow in Make
Trigger
The scenario starts when a new client submits a form on the agency’s website, capturing key information such as client name, contact details, and service requirements. The form submission acts as the trigger for the onboarding workflow.
Actions
Google Sheets: The client’s details are automatically added to a new row in a Google Sheets document, serving as a centralized database for client information.
Google Drive: Make creates a dedicated folder for the client in Google Drive and generates pre-defined subfolders for documents, assets, and contracts.
Email Notification: An introductory email is sent to the client, welcoming them and outlining the next steps. This email can include a link to a client portal or a document with onboarding details.
Project Management: The scenario assigns specific onboarding tasks to team members in the agency’s project management tool, like Asana or Trello, notifying them of their responsibilities in the client’s onboarding.
Result
This automation saves the agency several hours per client, ensures that all clients receive the same thorough onboarding experience, and reduces the risk of manual errors. By automating repetitive tasks, team members can focus on strategic, client-specific planning and deliver a high-quality service.
Conclusion
Make is an excellent choice for businesses looking for a flexible, accessible, and cost-effective automation solution. Its cloud-based nature provides ease of use, rapid deployment, and broad accessibility—ideal for teams who need to work remotely or without dedicated IT infrastructure. While on-premise solutions offer advantages in security and compliance for highly regulated industries, Make’s comprehensive features and cloud-based scalability make it an ideal fit for businesses that prioritize ease of access and rapid deployment over heavy infrastructure investment.
By leveraging Make, businesses can automate everyday processes, reduce manual workloads, and create efficient workflows that allow teams to focus on high-value tasks. If your organization values flexibility and is comfortable with cloud-based data storage, Make could be the ideal solution to power your automation needs.