WinterSky Inventory Management System

Complete Roadmap: QBO → New Inventory System → Knowify (via Zapier) → QBO

User Workflows

1️⃣ Automated Purchase Sync Workflow

Step 1: Scheduled Job Runs

System automatically queries QBO every 4-6 hours for new/updated purchases (cron job or scheduler)

Step 2: Smart Filtering

System analyzes purchases using product names, vendors, classes, or custom fields to identify potential inventory items

Step 3: Review Queue Created

Flagged purchases appear in admin's "Pending Import Review" dashboard with confidence scores

Step 4: Admin Quick Review

Admin sees list with checkboxes, bulk select/deselect, clicks "Import Selected to Inventory"

Step 5: Data Import

Approved purchases imported into purchases table, ready for receiving

Step 6: Manual Override Available

Admin can also trigger immediate "Sync Now" button if urgent purchase needs processing

🤖 Auto-Flagging Logic Examples

High Confidence (auto-flag):

  • Product name contains: "steel", "I-beam", "lumber", "rebar", "concrete"
  • Vendor is in approved list: "ABC Steel Supply", "Metro Lumber"
  • QBO class = "Inventory Materials"

Medium Confidence (flag for review):

  • Large purchase amount (e.g., >$500) from construction vendor
  • Line item descriptions match patterns but unclear

2️⃣ Receiving Workflow

Step 1: View Pending Purchases

Receiving clerk sees list of purchases with status "pending"

Step 2: Log Receipt

Clerk selects purchase, enters quantity received and storage location

Step 3: Generate QR Code

System generates unique QR code for the inventory item

Step 4: Print & Attach

QR code is printed and physically attached to the material (I-beam, etc.)

Step 5: Update Database

Inventory item created in database with reference to original purchase

3️⃣ Material Pull Workflow

Step 1: Worker Scans QR Code

Field worker uses phone to scan QR code on material

Step 2: Login Prompt

If not logged in, system prompts for authentication

Step 3: Material Auto-Populated

System displays material details, available quantity

Step 4: Enter Job Details

Worker enters job name and quantity needed

Step 5: Submit Request

Pull request created with status "pending"

Step 6: Worker Notification

Worker receives confirmation that request is pending approval

4️⃣ Admin Approval Workflow

Step 1: View Pending Pulls

Admin sees dashboard of all pending pull requests

Step 2: Review Details

Admin reviews: who requested, what material, which job, how much

Step 3: Make Decision

Admin clicks "Approve" or "Reject" (with optional notes)

Step 4: System Updates

If approved: FIFO calculation runs, inventory updated, approved_pull record created

Step 5: Trigger Zapier

System sends webhook to Zapier with job costing data

Step 6: Zapier → Knowify

Zapier receives data and pushes to Knowify using their integration

Step 7: Knowify → QBO

Knowify eventually syncs job cost data back to QuickBooks

🔄 Zapier Integration Details

Trigger Options:

  • Webhook: Your system sends JSON data to a Zapier webhook URL
  • Google Sheets: Your system writes to a Google Sheet, Zapier watches for new rows
  • Email: System sends formatted email, Zapier parses and forwards

Recommended: Webhook approach for real-time updates