How to use the Bob Go Rule engine
Automation
Automate order, shipping and Rates at checkout processes by applying actions when specific conditions are met.
What is the Rule engine?
The Bob Go Rule engine helps automate your order and fulfillment processes. A rule performs a predefined action when the conditions you configure are met.
You can add multiple conditions to a rule and choose whether all conditions or at least one condition must be met before the action is performed.
Rules can also be reordered using drag and drop to control their priority.
Where do I manage rules?
Go to Settings in the left navigation menu and select Rule engine to create, edit and manage your rules.
Rule types and triggers
The rule type determines when Bob Go evaluates the rule and performs its configured action.
| Rule type | When it runs |
|---|---|
| When an order is created | When a new order enters Bob Go. |
| When determining the preferred service level for order rates | When Bob Go determines the preferred service level for an order. |
| After an order has been fulfilled | After fulfillment has taken place. |
| When a Rates at checkout request is received | When Bob Go receives a checkout rate request. |
| When determining pickup point rates for Rates at checkout | When Bob Go determines pickup point Rates at checkout. |
Plan availability: Available rule types depend on your active Bob Go subscription plan.
Rule conditions
Conditions determine which orders or requests a rule should apply to.
Multiple conditions can be added to a single rule, and you can specify whether all conditions or only one condition must be met. Each condition must be assigned a value before it can trigger an action.
| Order and channel | Items, customer and address |
|---|---|
|
|
Actions when an order is created
Set fulfillment method
Automatically assigns a fulfillment method to a matching order, such as creating a shipment or marking the order as buyer collection.
Example: Orders where the buyer selected shipping method is “Collection” can automatically be marked as buyer collection.
Set collection address
Automatically assigns a collection address to matching orders.
Example: Orders with a delivery address in Gauteng can be fulfilled from a specific collection address in Johannesburg.
Set parcels
Automatically assigns a predefined package to matching orders.
Example: Orders weighing more than 5 kg can automatically use a specific predefined package.
Set declared value
Sets a declared value using either a fixed amount or the full order value.
Example: Orders valued above R2 500 can automatically receive a declared value of R1 000.
Set delivery instructions
Automatically adds delivery instructions to matching orders.
Example: Orders with “glass” in the item name can have “Fragile – handle with care” added to the delivery instructions.
Set collection instructions
Automatically adds collection instructions to matching orders.
Example: Orders weighing 10 kg can have “Collect from gate 2” added to the collection instructions.
Set order status
Automatically applies an order status to matching orders.
Example: Orders containing “digital” in the item name can be marked as Completed if they do not require shipping.
Set order tags
Automatically adds an order tag to matching orders.
Example: Orders containing “digital” in the item name can automatically receive a “digital” tag.
Archive orders
Automatically archives orders that match the configured conditions.
Example: Point-of-sale orders without a delivery address can be archived automatically to keep the Orders view less cluttered.
Actions when determining preferred service levels
Set preferred service levels
Automatically sets the preferred service level for matching orders.
Example: Orders with a delivery address in Gauteng can be set to use the cheapest Express service level.
Actions after an order has been fulfilled
Set shipment tags
Automatically adds a tag to the resulting shipment.
Example: Orders with “Pretoria” in the delivery address can receive a shipment tag such as “Local – Pretoria”.
Actions when a Rates at checkout request is received
Return no rates
Returns no shipping rates when the configured conditions are met.
Example: No rates can be returned when the order contains a product that cannot be shipped, such as a digital download.
Return rates for specific service levels
Returns only the selected service levels when the configured conditions are met.
Example: A free shipping service level can be returned when the order contains a product with a qualifying shipping class.
Exclude rates for specific service levels
Prevents selected service levels from being returned when the conditions are met.
Example: Express rates can be excluded when the basket contains an item from Vendor X that must be shipped using Economy.
Set parcels for rate request
Assigns a predefined parcel to matching Rates at checkout requests.
Example: If the stacked order dimensions exceed a configured limit, a specific predefined parcel can be used to determine the checkout rate.
Set collection address for rate request
Uses a specific collection address for matching Rates at checkout requests.
Example: Where the customer and applicable collection address are both in Cape Town, the rule can use the Cape Town collection address so the appropriate local rate is returned.
Actions for pickup point Rates at checkout
Return no rates
Prevents pickup point rates from being returned when the configured conditions are met.
Example: Products that cannot fit into a locker because of their size can be prevented from returning pickup point rates.
Set parcels for rate request
Assigns a predefined parcel to matching pickup point rate requests.
Example: If the stacked order dimensions exceed a configured limit, a predefined parcel can be selected and used to determine the pickup point rate. These predefined parcels can be configured according to the available locker sizes.
Automation tip
When using multiple rules, pay attention to their conditions and priority. Keeping rules specific and ordering them carefully can make it easier to control which automation applies to each order.