Narrative 16: Simplify with workflows

Narrative 16: Simplify with workflows

Behind the scenes of a successful ticketing system: BTS Series 

Narrative 16: Simplify with workflows

What is a workflow?  

A workflow organizes business tasks in a defined sequence that makes each step clear to all participants. This ensures work is completed on time, minimizes miscommunication among team members, and directly improves service quality. 

Ultimately, workflows boost team efficiency and help organizations meet customer expectations more reliably. Workflows use triggers and rules to send order confirmations and updates to customers as orders progress, keeping them informed about status and delivery.

Application of workflows

Workflows let teams automate repetitive support tasks so agents can focus on real problem‑solving work that requires human judgment and creativity rather than manual busywork. 

Assign tickets for new employees onboarding process

New employee onboarding includes assigning tickets for laptops, access, ID cards, and workspace. Help desk workflows automate routing and subtasks for IT, facilities, and security based on role, location, or department. SLA timers and reminders ensure all prep is ready for day one without manually tracking every task.

Read incoming emails and identify fields

Workflows convert incoming emails into organized tickets. This reduces manual effort and minimizes errors, which leads to more accurate data, faster response times, and improved reporting.

Automatically create relevant tickets

When requests involve multiple teams, workflows streamline actions. Choosing a category automatically generates tickets for the right departments and keeps stakeholders updated. Customer info and other key data points are updated as needed with appropriate transparency regarding changes. Teams can address urgent issues quickly and collaborate in real time.

Automatically merge similar tickets

Workflows merge similar tickets automatically to avoid creating duplicate work on issues that affect multiple customers. Workflows identify redundant tickets using subject lines, order numbers, or tags, then consolidate them and send updates to all affected customers. This reduces clutter and organizes reports to help the team focus on delivering solutions.

Automatically relate tickets based on triggers

Automatically link related tickets based on triggers to streamline handling complex issues. Linking tickets through workflows helps agents spot ongoing issues, analyze them quickly, and improve problem resolution. Workflows boost efficiency and keep information organized.

Leverage integrations and webhooks

Support teams need to use multiple systems and respond to events, such as deployments, alerts, CRM, and billing. Integrations and workflows automate ticket creation and linking in response to triggers such as webhooks or alerts. Monitoring tools generate and link tickets for incidents regardless of origin, updating links as statuses change. Agents get critical context during releases or resolutions.

Automatically reply and close repetitive tickets

Common requests, such as password resets, can flood agents with tickets. Workflow rules can detect these requests using keywords or customer actions and automatically send relevant guides or direct the user to the FAQ page. Tickets close automatically after a period without customer response, but can reopen if needed. A strong knowledge base and AI suggestions keep queues clear and speed resolution. Use cases are clear and help solve issues faster.

Parent-child relationship between tickets

Parent-child ticket workflows help teams organize related issues and ensure consistent communication, efficient customer service, and compliance. 

Advantages of implementing workflows

  • Lower costs
  • Accelerated processes
  • Decreased support requests
  • Error-free operations
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction
  • Increased user efficiency
  • Regulatory compliance

How Zia's AI capabilities add value to workflows

Tickets contain key customer information, such as contact details, preferences, subscription plans, account types, and clear descriptions of inquiries or complaints.

Tickets are classified, triaged, routed, and prioritized based on this data. Zia plays a pivotal role by extracting relevant details from newly created tickets, significantly enhancing the efficiency of automation workflows.

AI-powered workflows automate key manual tasks and help teams analyze data, predict outcomes, send automated replies, and handle ticket responses for more efficient operations.

Bringing it all together  

When set up effectively, workflows boost reliability and efficiency in support operations. They automate routine work, enforce step-by-step progress, and bring consistency to processes. This frees up agents to solve complex challenges and equips managers with better insights for constant improvement. Share your own workflow experiences or questions—your feedback helps us create more helpful posts.


Please stay tuned for more in the Desk behind-the-scenes series.


Cheers,

 

Kavya Rao

The Zoho Desk Team

Idea

Also, read:

Behind the scenes of a successful ticketing system (BTS Series)

    • Recent Topics

    • Service and Parts Line Item Limitations

      Hi FSM Team, We work with clients who deliver large-scale field service projects. In many cases, a single work order can contain 200+ service and parts line items. Currently, Zoho FSM limits work orders to 30 service and parts line items. While this works

    • Critical Need for Global Search in Zoho FSM

      Hello Zoho FSM Team, We are currently in the process of deciding whether to fully transition to Zoho FSM for managing our field service operations. At present, our team actively uses Zoho Desk (with over 50 users) and Service Fusion, which we are considering

    • 【Zoho CRM】やりとりの要約機能リリースのお知らせ

      ユーザーの皆さま、こんにちは。コミュニティチームの藤澤です。 今回は「Zoho CRM アップデート情報」の中から、新機能のやりとり要約機能をご紹介します。 Zoho CRMのやりとりの要約は、Ziaが生成する機能で、データに関連付けられた最近のやりとりを簡潔にまとめて提供します。 メール、通話、ミーティング、メモなどを1つの明確な要約にまとめ、重要なポイント、過去の話し合いの要点、結果、次のステップを表示することで、日常的な課題に対処します。 Ziaの強みは、単なる要約にとどまらず、内容の解釈も行える点です。やりとりの要約では、顧客との会話に潜む遅延、フォローアップ漏れ、約束、期限、感情、意図を特定します。

    • Recent post analytics not very useful

      Hi, I'm enjoying some aspects of the Zoho Social. like being able to schedule posts to multiple channels. However, the recent posts analytics is disappointing. For example, I put up a reel on Instagram and Facebook yesterday. Instagram insights shows

    • Zoho Commerce and Third-party shipping (MachShip) API integration

      We are implementing a third-party shipping (MachShip) API integration for our Zoho Commerce store and have made significant progress. However, we need guidance on a specific technical challenge. Current Challenge: We need to get the customer input to

    • What happens to the files created by user, whose account is deleted.

      Hello, I created a folder in the My folders names "Quote" I shared the same with my colleague. She created some files and folders in that folder over the period of 1 and half year. Now she left company, and I deleted her account from Zoho. What happens

    • Internal Error When Accessing Team Inbox.

      All our users are seeing this error in teaminbox. Because its a critical tool kindly resolve this issue ASAP.

    • Sharing URLs and direct access

      Hello, I am storing my team's email signature images on Workdrive. I am creating a public image download share and adding “?directDownload=true” so that the image can be accessed without the Workdrive interface. A few questions: 1) Can we generate friendly

    • Zoho Mail Android app update: Calendar enhancements

      Hello everyone! In the most recent version of the Zoho Mail Android app update, we have introduced various new enhancements for the calendar module. Let's explore what's new. Drag and drop events to update the date and time We have enhanced the calendar

    • Enhance Delay Configuration in Zoho Flow

      Dear Zoho Flow Support Team, We are writing to request an improvement to the delay configuration process within Zoho Flow. Currently, users are required to manually enter the exact delay duration (e.g., "2 days") in the delay block. This can be time-consuming

    • Contratação ProdutivosX

      Bem-vindo(a) ao processo de contratação da ProdutivosX. Este formulário tem como objetivo coletar informações essenciais para análise de perfil profissional, alinhamento de competências e possível integração ao equipamento ProdutivosX. A ProdutivosX é

    • Zoho Books - How to Invoke a Custom Function in Schedulers

      We have multiple schedulers that send emails to customers in batches. Currently, we are maintaining the same code across several schedulers. Is it possible to use a custom function inside a scheduler script? If yes, how can we invoke the custom function

    • Enhance Sign CRM integration

      Hello all, I'm working on a custom Deluge script to enhance the integration between Zoho CRM and Sign by using a writer merge template for additional flexibility. I want to replicate the post-sign document integration that exists between CRM and Sign

    • Unified WhatsApp Number Management in Zoho Desk and SalesIQ

      Dear Zoho Desk Support Team, We are currently utilizing both Zoho Desk and Zoho SalesIQ for our customer support operations. While both platforms offer WhatsApp integration, we are facing challenges due to the requirement of separate WhatsApp numbers

    • Problem using Zoho Desk API

      Goodmorning, I am trying to use the Zoho Desk API to create a dashboard in Grafana, but I am having a problem. Following the instructions in the API documentation, I created the API Console application (server-based application). Then I created the string

    • Email Field Validation Incorrectly Rejects RFC-Compliant Addresses (Forward Slashes)

      I've encountered a validation issue with Zoho Creator's Email field that rejects RFC-compliant email addresses containing forward slashes, and I'm hoping the Zoho team can address this in a future update. The Issue When entering an email address containing

    • Customer ticket creation via Microsoft Teams

      Hi all, I'm looking to see if someone could point me in the right direction. I'd love to make it so my customers/ end users can make tickets, see responses and respond within microsoft teams. As Admin and an Agent i've installed the zoho assist app within

    • Zoho Books Sandbox environment

      Hello. Is there a free sandbox environment for the developers using Zoho Books API? I am working on the Zoho Books add-on and currently not ready to buy a premium service - maybe later when my add-on will start to bring money. Right now I just need a

    • Plug Sample #15 - Enable Human-Like, Contextual Interactions in SalesIQ with Zia Agents

      Zia Agents are conversational AI assistants designed to understand user intent and respond intelligently, helping businesses automate conversations and offer personalized support at scale. While Zia Agents are yet to be publicly released, access is currently

    • Best way to schedule bill payments to vendors

      I've integrated Forte so that I can convert POs to bills and make payments to my vendors all through Books. Is there a way to schedule the bill payments as some of my vendors are net 30, net 60 and even net 90 days. If I can't get this to work, I'll have

    • Seamless Round-Trip Navigation for Related Blocks (Detail View)

      As highlighted previously in this post (and here, here, here, and here), we still lack a fundamental capability for seamless navigation in Related Blocks. The popup that appears when adding a related record doesn't exist for viewing/editing existing records,

    • Social Profile Logo Format

      Hello, I'm using Zoho Sites and am attempting to add a couple of social media accounts to my profile that aren't included in the default platforms that are available. What format is the logo required to be in? I have tried .png and .jpg with no success.

    • How to create Sepa Direct Debit XML file: solution and code

      Even though Books provides a payment integration for Stripe and Gocardless (in Europe) there are customers that want to use the Sepa services of their own bank. Mainly because Stripe and Gocardless are quite expensive. In that case they would need a Sepa

    • Traditional Spreadsheet vs Zoho Tables

      Hello everyone, This article explains the differences between Spreadsheet applications and no-code databases, such as Zoho Tables. While both tools belong to the "grid" family, the core difference lies in their purpose. A spreadsheet (such as Zoho Sheet,

    • RFQ MODEL

      A Request for quotation model is used for Purchase Inquiries to multiple vendors. The Item is Created and then selected to send it to various vendors , once the Prices are received , a comparative chart is made for the user. this will help Zoho books

    • Delegate Access - Mobile iOS/iPad

      We’re over the moon that delegate access is now available in Zoho Mail as we were nearly ready to switch platforms because of it! Is there a timeline on when delegate mailboxes will be accessible from the iOS and iPad OS applications? Thanks, Jake

    • Request For Quotation (RFQ) module

      Hello, Do you have any plans to implement a RFQ module in to ZOHO Inventory? I would like to chose items that I require a price for, select a number of different suppliers to e-mail and have them submit there pricing online. I would then like to see a

    • Support for Developing Zoho Recruit Extensions via Zoho Sigma

      Hi, I’m interested in building an extension for Zoho Recruit using Zoho Sigma. However, when I navigate to Sigma and attempt to create a new extension (via the "New Extension" option), Zoho Recruit does not appear as a listed service—only options like

    • FOLDER DISAPPEARED

      Hello Zoho Community. I recently found a problem with no explanation: a folder in Zoho Analytics just disappeared, but the tables and SQL sentences still existed, the folder was not deleted. The solution for me in this case was to create a new folder,

    • How to create estimates/Invoices with sub-totals

      Every other accounting package can create estimates and invoices with Sub-totals. How can I do that in ZohoBooks?

    • Deluge scripts

      Why is there not a search function to make it easier to find the script of interest when modifications are required.

    • Social media simplified with Zoho Social: Why should brands have a Threads profile?

      Just over a year ago, Instagram launched Threads, the all new social media app primarily focusing on sharing text online. It was welcomed by people worldwide with more than 10 million users in just seven hours, and it currently has over 175 million active

    • Auto tracking URL generation based on Carrier

      Hi, While creating a shipment order for a package in Zoho Books, I have a requirement that for example, if the carrier is Delhivery and tracking number is 1234, then can automatically the tracking link/URL be generated as www.delhivery.com/1234. Similary,

    • New Beginnings with Zoho Desk mobile app best practices: Part 3

      In focus: Scaling consistency, intelligence, and customization In our third installment, we'd like to share tips to help you elevate your customer experience as you handle support operations seamlessly on mobile. Let's reconnect with Omniserve, the field

    • Highlights of 2025: Milestones and moments

      Hey everyone! As we step into 2026, it’s a great time to look back at everything 2025 brought to Zoho Social. This year was big, packed with powerful new features, smart enhancements, exciting events, and a major milestone: a whole decade of Zoho Social.

    • Introducing the sandbox environment in Zoho Sign

      Hey there! Customer and partners across the globe have been requesting a testing environment—also called a sandbox—for quite some time. Sandboxes help you try out document workflows before using them in your production setup. This new year, we are excited

    • Can I share the drive with another Windows user?

      We use the WorkDrive Sync application on a server with several remote desktop users. Our question is: Can the drive created by WorkDrive Sync be shared from one of these remote users with the other users so they can access the files, or do we need to

    • Syncing Bills in Zoho Books to Zoho CRM

      Is there any way to sync the Bills in Zoho Books in Zoho CRM

    • Auto CheckOut Based On Shift.

      This Deluge script runs on a scheduled basis to automatically set the 'Actual_Check_Out' time for employees who haven't manually checked out. If the current time is past their scheduled 'Shift_End_Time', the script updates the check-out time to match

    • ERROR: Product type cannot be changed for Items having transactions.

      I have mistakenly added a product type as goods for an item that was a digital service. Now when HSN/SAC became mandatory, this brought my attention to this error I did. So I tried changing the product type but it displayed this error message Product

    • Next Page