Onboarding to Drumkit in Outlook

Last updated: March 16, 2026

Getting Started

Prerequisites

Before you can use Drumkit, make sure the following are in place:

  • Your company has an active Drumkit subscription

  • You have a Microsoft 365 work account with access to Outlook

  • Drumkit has been approved for acquisition in your Outlook by your organization's IT administrator

Note: If you don't see Drumkit in your Outlook ribbon or add-ins panel, contact your IT administrator or Drumkit support.

Installing Drumkit

Follow the steps for your version of Outlook. Not sure which version you have? In Classic Outlook, go to File > Office Account and look at the version info. In New Outlook, look for the toggle in the top-right corner of the app.

Option A: New Outlook for Windows or Outlook on the Web

  1. Open Outlook (desktop app or browser at outlook.office.com).

  2. In the top ribbon, click More apps (or select the Apps icon in the left navigation bar).

  3. Click Add apps to open the Microsoft app store.

  4. In the search bar, type Drumkit and press Enter.

  5. Select the Drumkit result from the list.

  6. Review the app description and permissions, then click Add.

  7. Drumkit will install and appear in your Apps panel and message action bar.

Tip: To pin Drumkit to your ribbon for quick access, open the More apps menu, right-click Drumkit, and select Pin.

Option B: Classic Outlook for Windows

  1. Open Classic Outlook.

  2. In the Home tab on the ribbon, click Get Add-ins (or All Apps, depending on your version).

  3. The add-ins store dialog will open. Use the search bar to search for Drumkit.

  4. Select Drumkit from the results.

  5. Click Add to install.

  6. Close the dialog. Drumkit will now appear in your ribbon when reading or composing emails.

Note: If you don't see Get Add-ins on your ribbon, your organization may have restricted self-install. Contact your IT administrator to have Drumkit deployed to your account.

Option C: Outlook on Mac

  1. Open Outlook for Mac.

  2. From the top menu, select Tools > Get Add-ins (or click the Add-ins button in the ribbon).

  3. Search for Drumkit in the store.

  4. Click Add to install.

  5. Drumkit will appear in your ribbon when you open or compose an email.

Verifying the Installation

Once installed, confirm Drumkit is working:

  1. Open any email in your inbox.

  2. Look for the Drumkit button or icon in the ribbon or message action bar.

  3. Click it — the Drumkit panel should open on the right side of the screen and begin reading the active email.

If the panel opens and loads, you're all set!

Important — Email History Limitation: Drumkit will only read emails that are received after installation. Emails that arrived in your inbox before you installed Drumkit will not be processed when opened. If you need Drumkit to act on a pre-installation email, forward the email to yourself after installation.

Accessing Drumkit When Reading or Composing Email

  • Reading an email: Select a message, then click Apps or More apps from the action bar, and choose Drumkit.

  • Composing an email: Open a new message window, look for Drumkit in the compose toolbar or ribbon.

  • Pinned to ribbon: If you've pinned Drumkit, it will always be visible — just click it directly.

Tips & Best Practices

  • Keep your inbox organized. Drumkit works best when emails are actionable and clear. Encourage carriers and customers to send structured requests so Drumkit can read and act on them accurately.

  • Always review before confirming. While Drumkit automates data entry and drafts, always do a quick review of auto-filled fields before submitting loads or sending replies — especially for high-value shipments.

  • Use it for every load. The more consistently Drumkit is used, the more value you'll get. Skipping the tool for "quick" tasks adds up to lost time over the course of a week.

  • Stay in Outlook. Resist the urge to jump to your TMS for tasks Drumkit can handle. The whole point is to centralize your workflow in your inbox.

  • Report issues early. If Drumkit misreads an email or pulls incorrect data, flag it to your team lead or Drumkit support right away. This feedback helps improve accuracy over time.

Common Questions

Q: I don't see the Drumkit panel in Outlook. What should I do?

  • A: First, check that you're logged in with your work Microsoft 365 account. Then go to the Apps or Add-ins menu in Outlook and search for Drumkit. If it's not listed, contact your IT administrator — Drumkit may need to be deployed to your account.

Q: Can I use Drumkit on Outlook Web (browser)?

  • A: Yes. Drumkit works on Outlook on the web, Outlook on Windows (new and classic), and Outlook on Mac.

Q: Will Drumkit access my entire inbox?

  • A: No. Drumkit only reads the active email you have open. It cannot read or modify other items in your mailbox.

Q: What happens if Drumkit reads an email incorrectly?

  • A: You can always edit the auto-filled fields before confirming any action. Never submit data without a quick review. If you notice consistent errors, report them to your team lead.

Q: Does Drumkit replace my TMS?

  • A: No. Drumkit integrates with your existing TMS and tools — it acts as a smart layer on top of them, feeding data in automatically so you don't have to do it manually.

Q: I'm new to the team. How long does it take to learn Drumkit?

  • A: Most users are comfortable with core workflows within their first few days. Drumkit is designed to be intuitive and reduces the learning curve for new team members by automating complex, repetitive tasks.

Getting Help

If you run into an issue not covered here, reach out through the following channels:

  • Internal Support: Contact your team lead or IT administrator

  • Drumkit Support: support@drumkit.ai

For updates or corrections, please submit a request by reaching out to support@drumkit.ai.