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Last Mile Intelligence

What is n8n?

n8n (pronounced “n-eight-n”) is an open-source workflow automation platform that we recommend for customers looking to build visual, no-code integrations with Last Mile Intelligence. While LMI provides a comprehensive REST API that can be used directly with any integration tool or custom code, n8n offers a particularly user-friendly approach for building and maintaining complex workflows.

Why Consider n8n?

Section titled “Why Consider n8n?”

For customers who want a visual workflow builder, n8n offers several advantages. Visit the n8n website for more information, or explore the n8n documentation for detailed guides and tutorials.

Visual Workflow Builder

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  • Drag-and-drop interface for building workflows
  • Clear visualization of data flow between systems
  • Easy to understand and maintain integrations
  • No coding required for most use cases

Flexible Deployment Options

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  • Self-hosted for full control over your data
  • Cloud-hosted options available
  • Your choice based on your organization’s requirements

Extensible Architecture

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  • Custom node development for specialized integrations
  • Support for any REST API or database connection
  • JavaScript/TypeScript execution for complex logic

Production Ready

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  • Built-in error handling and retry mechanisms
  • Comprehensive logging and monitoring
  • Suitable for business-critical workflows

How n8n Can Work with LMI

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When using n8n, it acts as an integration layer between Last Mile Intelligence and your other business systems:

┌─────────────────┐     ┌─────────────────┐     ┌─────────────────┐
│   ERP System    │────▶│      n8n        │────▶│      LMI        │
│   (P21, PDI)    │◀────│   Workflows     │◀────│   Platform      │
└─────────────────┘     └─────────────────┘     └─────────────────┘
         │                      │                      │
         │                      ▼                      │
         │              ┌─────────────────┐           │
         └─────────────▶│  Tank Monitors  │◀──────────┘
                        │  (Anova, ATEK)  │
                        └─────────────────┘

Common Integration Patterns

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Inbound to LMI:

  • Import customers, products, and pricing from ERP systems
  • Sync tank readings from monitoring services
  • Receive vehicle and driver data from fleet platforms

Outbound from LMI:

  • Push completed orders to ERP for invoicing
  • Send route updates to telematics systems
  • Export delivery data for reporting

Event-Driven:

  • Trigger workflows when orders are created or updated
  • React to tank level thresholds
  • Respond to task status changes

Key n8n Concepts

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If you choose to use n8n, here are the core concepts you’ll work with:

Nodes

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Building blocks of workflows. Each node performs a specific action:

  • Trigger Nodes - Start workflows (webhooks, schedules, events)
  • Action Nodes - Perform operations (API calls, data transforms)
  • Logic Nodes - Control flow (conditions, loops, merges)

Workflows

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Collections of connected nodes that define an automation process. Workflows can be:

  • Manually triggered
  • Scheduled to run at specific times
  • Activated by external events (webhooks, triggers)

Credentials

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Secure storage for API keys, passwords, and authentication tokens. Credentials are:

  • Encrypted at rest
  • Shared across workflows
  • Managed separately from workflow logic

Executions

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Individual runs of a workflow. Each execution:

  • Has its own data context
  • Can be monitored and debugged
  • Maintains a complete audit trail

LMI Custom Nodes for n8n

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To make n8n integration easier, Last Mile Intelligence provides custom nodes that simplify common operations:

  • LMI Platform - Full API access with typed operations
  • ERP Systems - P21, PDI, and other business software
  • Fleet Platforms - Samsara, Fleetio telematics
  • Tank Monitors - Anova, ATEK level monitoring
  • Payment Processors - Fiserv payment services

See Custom Nodes for the complete list and documentation.

Alternative Integration Approaches

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If n8n isn’t the right fit for your organization, you can integrate with LMI using:

  • Direct API Calls - Use the REST API from any programming language
  • Other Automation Platforms - Zapier, Make (Integromat), Power Automate, etc.
  • Custom Scripts - Python, Node.js, or any language that supports HTTP requests
  • ETL Tools - Traditional data integration platforms

Next Steps

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