How to build a supply chain management system in Bubble

To build a supply chain management system in Bubble, you create a set of connected Data Types (like Products, Orders, Shipments, Vendors), then build pages and backend workflows that update these items as they move through the supply chain. Bubble handles the logic with Workflows, automates updates with Backend Workflows, and controls who can see what using Privacy Rules. The system becomes a real supply‑chain tool once you add status tracking, notifications, and role‑based dashboards.

Core Data Structure

Set up Bubble Data Types that mirror your supply chain. These make workflows predictable and easy to maintain.

• Product: name, SKU, vendor (Vendor), quantity_in_stock (number)
• Vendor: name, contact\_email, products (list of Product)
• Purchase Order: product (Product), quantity\_ordered, vendor (Vendor), status (text)
• Shipment: purchase_order (Purchase Order), tracking_number, status (text), expected\_arrival (date)

Workflow Logic

Use Bubble’s Backend Workflows when something must run even if the user is not online (like updating shipment statuses, sending alerts, or adjusting stock).

• When user creates a Purchase Order, run a workflow that sets its status to “Pending Vendor”.
• When Shipment status becomes “Delivered”, run a Backend Workflow that updates Product.quantity_in_stock.

// Example of a backend workflow API endpoint payload Bubble can receive from a logistics webhook
{
  "tracking_number": "123ABC",
  "status": "Delivered"
}

API Integrations

Use the API Connector to connect to logistics carriers or ERP tools. For example, a GET request to a carrier API returns the latest shipment status, which you save into the Shipment record.

• Create an API call in API Connector, set authentication if needed.
• Schedule a recurring backend workflow to fetch updates every hour.

Privacy Rules

Apply Bubble Privacy Rules so Vendors only see their own orders and Shipments. Use conditions like “This Vendor’s creator is Current User”.

User Interface

Create role‑based pages: vendor dashboard, warehouse dashboard, and admin dashboard. Use repeating groups to show lists of Purchase Orders and Shipments, with filtering done by Search constraints instead of in‑RG filtering for performance.