Getting Started with Lotics
Lotics is an operations platform that replaces spreadsheets and disconnected tools with a single system for tracking work, processing documents, and automating workflows. There are two ways to get started: a free consultation where our team configures everything for you, or self-serve setup where you build your workspace with help from the AI assistant. Either way, most teams go live within days.
Two ways to get started
The fastest path is a free consultation. You schedule a 30-minute call with our team, walk through your current workflows, and we configure Lotics to match how your business actually operates. We set up your tables, fields, views, document templates, and initial workflows. You get a working system within days, not weeks. There is no charge for this setup, and no commitment required.
The self-serve path works well if you prefer to explore on your own. Sign up, open the AI assistant, and describe your operations in plain language. The AI creates tables, fields, views, and workflows based on your description. You can import existing data from spreadsheets, connect your email, and start using the system immediately.
Both paths lead to the same result: a fully configured workspace tailored to your operations. The consultation is faster for complex setups involving multiple teams and document workflows. Self-serve is ideal for smaller teams or those who want to iterate and experiment before committing to a structure.
| Free Consultation | Self-Serve with AI | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup time | 1-3 days | Same day |
| Who configures | Lotics team | You + AI assistant |
| Best for | Complex operations, multiple teams | Smaller teams, exploratory use |
| Document templates | We build them for you | AI generates from your examples |
| Workflow setup | We configure based on your process | Describe in natural language |
| Cost | Free | Free |
What happens during a free consultation
The consultation starts with understanding your current operations. We ask what you track today, what documents you process, where data enters and leaves your business, and what tasks eat up the most time. We are looking for the specific pain points that Lotics can address immediately.
Based on that conversation, our team configures your workspace. We create the tables and fields that match your data, set up views that each team member needs, build document templates for any PDFs or reports you generate, and wire up workflow automations for repetitive tasks. We handle the technical setup so your team can focus on learning the system.
Most businesses are fully operational on Lotics within days of the initial call. We provide a walkthrough session for your team, answer questions, and make adjustments as needed. Ongoing support is included: if you need new tables, templates, or workflows added later, our team helps with that too.
Self-serve setup with the AI assistant
When you sign up and open Lotics, the AI assistant is available immediately. You can describe your operations in natural language, and the AI will create the workspace structure for you. For example, you might say: "I run a container depot. I need to track containers by number, size, owner, arrival date, and departure date. I also need to track repair jobs and generate gate-in receipts." The AI creates the tables, fields, and views based on that description.
The AI assistant has access to over 50 tools. It can create and modify tables, add fields of any type, build filtered views, generate document templates, set up workflow automations, and import data from spreadsheets. You can refine the setup through conversation: "Add a status field with options: in-yard, under-repair, released" or "Create a view that shows only containers arriving this week."
You can also import existing data during setup. Upload a CSV or Excel file, and the AI maps columns to fields, handles data types, and creates linked records across tables. If you have been running operations in spreadsheets, this is the fastest way to migrate without re-entering data.
First steps after setup
Once your workspace is configured, the next step is inviting your team. Lotics uses role-based access control, so you can assign different permissions to different team members. Gate clerks might see only their operational views, while managers see dashboards with summary data. Each person gets exactly the views and permissions they need.
Connect your email to enable workflow triggers from incoming messages. Lotics integrates with Gmail and Outlook, so emails matching specific criteria can automatically create records, update statuses, or kick off multi-step workflows. For example, an email from a shipping line with a container release order can automatically update the container record and notify the gate team.
Set up your first workflow automation. Start with something simple: when a record status changes to "completed," send a notification to the responsible team member. As you get comfortable, build more complex workflows with conditional logic, document generation, and cross-table updates. The AI assistant can help you design and implement any workflow.
Importing existing data
Most teams switching to Lotics have existing data in spreadsheets, legacy systems, or email. Lotics supports importing from CSV and Excel files. You can upload files directly or ask the AI assistant to handle the import. The AI reads your file, suggests field types, and maps columns to the appropriate table structure.
For email integration, connect your Gmail or Outlook account. Lotics can read incoming emails and use them as workflow triggers. Historical email data does not need to be imported manually; instead, you set up rules for how new emails should be processed going forward.
If you are migrating from another platform like Airtable, Notion, or a custom spreadsheet system, export your data as CSV and import it into Lotics. The AI assistant can help restructure data during import. For example, if you have a single spreadsheet with customers, orders, and line items all mixed together, the AI can split that into properly linked tables.
| Data Source | Import Method | What Lotics Does |
|---|---|---|
| CSV / Excel files | Upload directly or via AI assistant | Maps columns to fields, detects data types, creates linked records |
| Gmail / Outlook | Connect account in settings | Triggers workflows from incoming emails, attaches emails to records |
| Airtable / Notion | Export as CSV, then import | AI restructures data into linked tables |
| Other platforms | Export as CSV or Excel | AI maps and transforms data during import |