Unify Overlapping Functionalities Across Zoho Products
Hi Zoho One Team,
We would like to raise a concern about the current overlap of core functionalities across various Zoho applications.
While Zoho offers a rich suite of tools, many applications include similar or identical features—such as shift management, learning management, and knowledge bases—implemented in different ways and at varying levels of development.
Current Issue:
-
Fragmented Experience: It’s often unclear which application is best suited for a task, leading to confusion and inefficiencies.
-
Inconsistent Functionality: Some features (e.g., shift management in Zoho Shifts) are robust and well-designed, while their counterparts (e.g., shift management in Zoho People) feel outdated or limited.
-
Redundant Development: Multiple teams appear to be building and maintaining parallel solutions, likely leading to resource inefficiencies.
-
Increased Cost for Users: Customers subscribing to bundles like Zoho One may still need to purchase additional apps to get the best version of a core feature.
Examples of Overlap:
-
Shift Management: Found in both Zoho People and Zoho Shifts.
-
Learning Management: Available in Zoho Learn, Training Central, and Zoho People.
-
Knowledge Base: Present in Zoho Desk, Zoho SalesIQ, Zoho Learn, and elsewhere.
-
Bots and Instant Messaging: Bots and automated messages can be created in Zoho SalesIQ, Zoho Desk, and Zoho CRM—each offering different features and implementation styles. Why not designate Zoho SalesIQ as the centralized bot builder and instant messaging solution, and integrate it seamlessly into Desk, CRM, and other apps?
Feature Request: Unified and Modular Functionality
We propose that Zoho unify its overlapping features into single, modular products that can be:
-
Embedded directly within relevant applications (e.g., Zoho Shifts inside Zoho People as a tab/module).
-
Used as standalone apps where appropriate.
-
Maintained with a single, consistent codebase and UI/UX.
Benefits:
-
Improved User Experience: Easier navigation and reduced confusion.
-
Consistent Functionality: Same features and capabilities across all touchpoints.
-
Efficient Development: Focused effort on one version of each core feature, reducing duplication.
-
Better Value: Users get full-featured tools without needing to purchase extra applications outside of their bundle.
We believe a unified, modular approach to feature development will significantly enhance the usability, efficiency, and value of the Zoho ecosystem.
Thank you for your consideration,
Ram
Access your files securely from anywhere
New to Zoho Recruit?
Zoho Developer Community
New to Zoho LandingPage?
Zoho LandingPage Resources
New to Zoho Survey?
New to Zoho CRM Plus?
Deliver unforgettable customer experiences
New to Zoho CRM Plus?
Deliver unforgettable customer experiences
New to Zoho Marketing Plus?
Everything you need to run your marketing
New to Zoho Marketing Plus?
Everything you need to run your marketing
New to Bigin?
Topic Participants
Ram Freedman
Ishwarya H
Sticky Posts
How to Add Users to your Organization in ZohoMail?
A better clarity so you can create other users to start using Zoho Mail. You can directly Add Users from the Control Panel to your Organization. You can invite users with the existing email address. If the person (user) already uses ZohoCRM, then you can import users from Zoho CRM. You can also import them using a .csv file. (if you are planning to add them in Bulk) In this topic, We will be discussing on how to Add and Invite users only. The Import options are self explanatory. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
New to Zoho TeamInbox?
Zoho TeamInbox Resources
Zoho CRM Plus Resources
Zoho Books Resources
Zoho Subscriptions Resources
Zoho Projects Resources
Zoho Sprints Resources
Qntrl Resources
Zoho Creator Resources
Zoho CRM Resources
Design. Discuss. Deliver.
Zoho Show Resources
Get Started. Write Away!
Writer is a powerful online word processor, designed for collaborative work.
Zoho CRM コンテンツ
-
オンラインヘルプ
-
Webセミナー
-
機能活用動画
-
よくある質問
-
Ebook
-
-
Zoho Campaigns
- Zoho サービスのWebセミナー
その他のサービス コンテンツ
Nederlandse Hulpbronnen
ご検討中の方
Recent Topics
Time to Get Paid Report in ZBooks
Hello, One of our customers who has 25 different companies around the world gets 60 days to make payments. Unfortunately, the subject report does not report an average time to get paid (in days) or the ability to look at a custom period of time. CurrentlyHow to prepare a balance sheet for a company that has no operations yet?
.Project Billing Method from Zoho People
Normaly our customers use Zoho Projects to manage projects and timesheet that are being charge to the customer. Using the integration from Zoho Project we can have projects base on different billing method. For example most of our customer use HourlyZoho Books-Accounting on the Go Series!
Dear users, Continuing in the spirit of our 'Function Fridays' series, where we've been sharing custom function scripts to automate your back office operations, we're thrilled to introduce our latest initiative – the 'Zoho Books-Accounting on the Go Series'.Zoho Books | Product updates | July 2025
Hello users, We’ve rolled out new features and enhancements in Zoho Books. From plan-based trials to the option to mark PDF templates as inactive, explore the updates designed to enhance your bookkeeping experience. Introducing Plan Based Trials in ZohoZoho Books | Product updates | August 2025
Hello users, We’ve rolled out new features and enhancements in Zoho Books. From the right sidebar where you can manage all your widgets, to integrating Zoho Payments feeds in Zoho Books, explore the updates designed to enhance your bookkeeping experience.Update or Upsert Records Using Unique Custom Fields
Hello customers, We've enhanced the process of updating records via API. You can now: Update records using unique custom fields Upsert records using unique custom fields Note: Both the features are available in the Zoho Books and Zoho Inventory apps.[Webinar] Understanding the New Invoice Management Systems
Join industry expert CA Pritam Mahure as he discusses the importance of the new Invoice Management System (IMS) and its impact on taxpayers. Topics Covered: - Concept of IMS and pre-requisites - Applicability and Restrictions on Invoices/Records for IMSAccounting on the Go Series-51: Effortless Transactions: Create and Manage Directly from Uploaded Documents
Hello everyone, We’re back with another useful feature that makes working with Zoho Books even easier! This time, we’re simplifying the process of creating transactions directly from uploaded documents. Imagine you’re out meeting clients, and you receive[WEBINAR] Effortless migration to the VAT-ready South Africa edition of Zoho Books
Hello there, If you are one of our early users from South Africa using the older edition of Zoho Books, this webinar is for you! We have now launched a new South Africa edition with VAT support, to which you can migrate your existing data. Join this session,Accounting on the Go Series-52: Capture Receipts on the Go, Right from Your Lock Screen.
Hello everyone, We’re excited to introduce a feature that will make your life so much easier—especially for those constantly on the move! With iOS 18, Zoho Books now allows you to capture receipts directly from your lock screen using Locked Camera Capture.AT - Austrian Accountant familiar with ZOHO
Hello, as I have just migrated to ZOHO and unfortunately have to change my accountant next year, I am looking for an accountant (for Austria) who already has experience with Zoho or who already manages clients using Zoho books. Is there anyone here fromZoho Workflow issue
Dear Zoho Users, I have Zoho Books premium subscription, I have created a email alerts workflow for Invoices and following are the configurations for the same: 1. Workflow for Invoice module 2. Choose when to tigger - created or edited 3. Filter the triggersAccounting on the Go Series-53: Swift Transactions at Your Fingertips-Zoho Books in Your Control Center
Hello again, We’ve all had those moments where you need to get something done quickly, but the process of unlocking your phone, finding the app, and navigating through menus slows you down. Now, with Zoho Books integrated into the iOS 18 Control Center,Update on PDF Download Issues Caused by Antivirus Software
Hello users, Antivirus software is designed to protect your computer from malicious software and threats. However, they may mistakenly identify legitimate files and software as threats at times. This is known as a false positive. We have received reportsAccounting on the Go Series-54: Effortlessly Find Your Zoho Books Customers in Your Phone’s Contact List
Hello Zoho Books users! How are you all ? We’re happy to share a handy new feature in Zoho Books mobile app. Now, you can access your Zoho Books customers right from your phone's contact list, making it easier to stay connected on the go. How this canIntegration of Phase 2 -e-invoicing- KSA
Zoho Team, I want to get a training of integration of phase 2 invoicing KSA in zoho step by step.I can not save new invoice
Hello Now I am trying to save a new invoice but I can not save it because showing unpaid invoice warning which are not overdue. Please let me know how to skip unpaid invoice warning letter and save new invoice. Thank youADD CONDITIONS FOR FIELD IN ZOHO BOOKS TEMPLATE CUSTOMAZATION
HELLO I WANT TO ADD CONDITIONS FOR FIELD IN ZOHO BOOKS TEMPLATE CUSTOMAZATION FOR SALES ORDER . I HAVE SET %StatusStamp% IF APPROVAL I WANT THAT TEXT TO BE DISPLAYED WITH GREEN COLOR OTHERWISE OF OTHERR STATUS RED COLOR AS SHOWN IN CODE BELOW . BUT ITAccounting on the Go Series-55: Seamlessly Add New Vendors While Creating Transactions from Scanned Documents
Hi there! We’ve made handling documents and vendors in Zoho Books even simpler. Now, when you upload a document and scan it, if the app detects a vendor that isn’t already in your organization, you don’t have to leave the page to add them manually. WithAccounting on the Go Series-57: Effortlessly Add and Manage Bank Accounts from the Zoho Books Mobile App
Hi all, Great news for our users in the US and Canada! Managing your finances just got a whole lot easier. Zoho Books has always made it seamless to integrate bank accounts and fetch feeds automatically. Now, we’re taking it up a notch—directly from theAccounting on the Go Series:58-Effortless Compliance: Download XML for Invoices & Credit Notes on Mobile
Hi there! In Mexico, XML files are crucial for electronic invoicing and fulfilling SAT (Tax Administration Service) requirements. These files ensure your transactions are accurately recorded and tax-compliant. Now, you don’t need to rely on the web appAuto Generated Invoice number YEAR
Auto Generated Invoice number shows transaction year as 25 even though it's 24 still.Books generiert keine valide XRechnung
Hallo zusammen, ich möchte hier ein Problem ansprechen, das mir aktuell bei der Nutzung von Books erhebliche Schwierigkeiten bereitet, und hoffe auf Austausch oder Lösungsansätze von anderen Nutzern. Bei der Erstellung von XRechnungen mit Books tretenWHEN UPDATE ORGANIZATION INFO OLD INVOICES ALSO CHANGE INVOICING DATA
Hi We have updated our tax information because we have become a company, up until now we were an individual. The problem is that when updating the data in the zoho books profile all the old invoices change their tax information as well. Is there a wayInvoice import error - duplicate customer name column - there are no duplicates
It is not allowing the importing of any rows because of a duplicate customer name problem, but there are no duplicates in the custoemr name row. Has anyone dealt with this issue before?[WEBINAR][Feb 2025] Automate your entire financial operations from receipts to reconciliation with Zoho Books & Zoho Expense integration
Hello there, We are hosting a free, live webinar on the importance of travel and expense management solutions for businesses, and how Zoho Expense automatically syncs with Zoho Books to simplify your accounting even further. The webinar is on FebruaryCustomize Layout
I am using "Customize Layot" for customize Quotation template but I try to add logo into the header by "%ScaledLogoImage%" code but dont add logo into header. what is problem?Problem - cant add Users (i.e. Zoho one / CRM Users) to BCC or CC in email, i.e. Sales orders or Retainers
I can go to zoho books email templates, and select any email template, and automatically include any Zoho One user, i.e. member of staff. However in the context of sending an email, it will not let us add a member of staff from the user list, insteadUK MTD ITSA
UK Making Tax Digital for Income Tax I have had notice this is to apply from April 2026. What is Zoho doing about this? I will need to start planning to implement this in the next months so need an update as to what I will and will not be able to do inPartial refunds
I am trying to process refund for a one item invoice, however the refund is partial: i am getting this error while creating credit note, can anyone share some wisdom about thisZoho Books Roadshows are back in the UAE!
Hello there, Business owners and accounting professionals of the UAE, we’re coming to your cities! FTA accredited Zoho Books is now officially one of the Digital Tax Integrators in the UAE. With the newly launched direct VAT filing capabilities, we'reNew user After moving over from QBO
New user observations/suggestions. QBO took away a lot of features I was used to with the desktop version. Chaos ensued. Zoho Books has a lot of what I was used to and a bit more. Good deal Some things I have run into and suggest some upgrades. 1: TheSole Trader - Financial Advisor (Appointed Representative) - Paid via Capital Account but no Invoicing...
Hi. I'm about to venture into a new business after 12 months of intensive learning/exams. A little chuffed if I may say so especially at 52! I really like the look of ZoHo Books for my modest enterprise but I'm in need of some guidance, please. My servicesMulti-Unit Inventory with Flexible Unit Selection (Purchase in One Unit, Sell in Another)
We need multi-unit inventory management in Zoho Books with the flexibility to choose units (e.g., Box or Piece) at the time of purchase or sale. For example, if 1 Box = 10 Pieces, we should be able to record purchases in Boxes but sell either in BoxesDisputed Purchase Invoices
We have recently moved to Zoho Books from Sage. In Sage we were able to post a purchase/vendor invoice but mark it as on dispute. This would usually be a pricing query or if something was damaged. It would show in their ledger, so we could agree theirNo TDS Deduction
In some of our case, where we are reselling items at the same rate we purchased. In this scenario, Indian IT Law has a provision to request customer not to deduct TDS if the transaction value is same. TDS is paid by us (intermediary reseller) before weCBSA - GST CHARGES on imports
Hi there, We have a questions about landed cost categorization. We received a shipment from overseas. CBSA invoiced us for the GST on the items. Now we entered the CBSA-GST as a separate bill and attached it as landed cost to the main invoice based onZoho Books
How do I manually insert opening balance?Sales order & purchase order item links for item details
This is fantastic for checking lots of things, I use it a lot. It would be great to see it extended to invoices & bills On another note, may as well throw in my favourite whinge ..... Wish you guys would get the PO receive differences sorted urgently,Next Page