Zoho CRM Blueprint 3.0 — What's in store for you!

Zoho CRM Blueprint 3.0 — What's in store for you!

Hello everyone,

We hope all of you are doing well. We are excited to let you know that we have launched a set of useful enhancements in Blueprint. Here is a rather elaborate post on what those enhancements are and what to expect. Feel free to get back to us with any questions you may have.

Summary of enhancements:

  1. SLAs now support automated actions apart from existing default email alerts.
  2. "Same-state looping" has been introduced.
  3. The During Transition settings now let you mandate Tags.
  4. Introducing Automatic Transitions (Early access only*):
    Avoid process delays by automatically pushing records from one state to another after the passage of an acceptable time period.
  5. Introducing Mass Inclusion/Exclusion of records (Early access only*):
    Whether you want to include records into a Blueprint or take them out of one, you can now do so in bulk.

1. Automated actions now supported in SLAs.

SLA or Service Level Agreement in Blueprint, is a setting that enables you to keep a track of records that are falling behind in a process. How is this done?

By triggering a standard escalation alert to yourself or your team members, whenever a record has rested in a particular Blueprint State for more than a defined period. This way, you can take note of records that have stalled within a Blueprint and take further action on them before further delay.

Now in addition to standard email alerts, you can also now configure custom email notifications, tasks, field updates, run a custom function, or trigger a webhook as part of automated actions in SLAs.

For example, let's say that as per your process, you want to be alerted whenever a record has stayed in the Negotiation State for more than 5 days. For this, apart from the the default email alert you can choose to automate a field update where a field called "Urgency" gets updated from "Mild" to "Severe" whenever a record has stayed in the Negotiation state for more than 5 days. Later you can filter out records for which the urgency is severe and prioritise their transitions first.

2. Same-state looping

A process often contains steps which you have to attempt multiple times for it to be successful. A typical example would be an attempt to contact a customer. In order to gather their requirements you will have to call them. But often they may be unavailable or may ask you to call later. Unless you speak to them you cannot go to the next stage, so you have to stay in the same State until they answer. However your staying in the same state doesn't also mean you did not do your job — you just have to try multiple times until you are successful.

In such cases, you can now create a transition that "loops back" to the same stage. The From and To state is the same. For example, in the following deal follow-up process, you can use the "Retry contacting" transition infinite number of times, until you are successful in which case you will select Customer Available and progress further.

3. Mandate tags in the During Transition settings

You may now mandate tags as part of the During Transition section of a Blueprint. The transition owner would then be prompted to enter a value for tags in order to complete the transition.

4. Automatic transitions

Automatic transitions have been introduced in Blueprints, to help you combat process delays. Often, a record that traverses through a process tends to stagnate in a particular state and you may not even realise it. This causes unwarranted delays. One thing you can certainly do is set an SLA for the state and be notified whenever there's an escalation.

But ultimately, SLA is also a notification or a task/field update of sorts— the record at the end of the day, needs your manual intervention in order to progress further in the process. If you only want to be notified of escalations, you may configure SLAs. On the other hand, if you want the system to act and automatically move a record from one state to another at any point, you can now create automatic transitions.

So what are automatic transitions and how do they work?

An automatic transition is one in which a record in a Blueprint automatically moves from one state to another, after a specified "Wait" time has elapsed.
As per the process, in order for a record to go from State A to State B, you will have to perform a Transition A. If this Transition A has not been executed within a said time period, say, 5 days, then the Automatic Transition configured for that state will get executed and the record will be pushed forward automatically to another state in the Blueprint as per the configuration.

For instance, in the following screenshot, CRM will wait for one of the transitions to take place: Either "Confirm Interest" or "Drop deal". If no action is taken on this record until a said date, the record will be moved to the "Price Quote" stage automatically and the users can take it up from there.


To configure an automatic transition

Select the Automatic Transition checkbox as you create a regular transition.

Then, mention a "Wait time" and corresponding automated actions.

According to the following screenshot, the deal follow-up process flow has a handful of major steps to be performed before a price quote can be drafted — namely, Contact establishment, qualification, needs analysis and value proposition. If a particular deal has moved to the "Contacted" stage but the user has not taken the action required for Qualification, Blueprint will wait for 5 days and directly move it to the "Id.Decision Makers" state. From there the user concerned can take over drafting a price quote.



A price quote cannot be created without knowing requirements, contact details etc, so there the action items from previous states can also be done altogether at this point, without wasting any more time.

5. Mass Inclusion and Exclusion of records to a Blueprint

While creating a Blueprint for a module, you have the option to specify entry criteria. When you specify one, only records that meet these criteria can go through with the Blueprint.

Well, an important point to note is, only records that henceforth meet the criteria can go through with the Blueprint. So what about existing records? How can you get already existing records that qualify for the Blueprint into the Blueprint.

That is where the mass inclusion of records come in. With this enhancement, you can easily include a bulk of records by specifying your desired criteria. All you need to do is go to Bulk Include > define conditions to pull out the records you have in mind > click Include.

Also, if you have the need to "exclude" records in bulk from an existing blueprint, you can filter them out in a similar way.

When is it ideal to include/ exclude records in bulk?

  • Bulk inclusion: When you have created a new Blueprint and you have existing records that qualify to enter the Blueprint, you can include them in bulk.
  • Bulk exclusion: When you want to push records from one Blueprint to another, or you want to disassociate the records from a Blueprint altogether.
We hope you find these updates useful. If you have any questions or suggestions on this subject, please let us know by commenting below.

(*) Early access: Automatic Transitions and Mass inclusion/exclusion of records are early access features which will be enabled for those who have request them. This will be done in batches. 

If you are interested in gaining early access to these two features: SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST HERE. 

Further reading: 


    Access your files securely from anywhere







                        Zoho Developer Community





                                              Use cases

                                              Make the most of Zoho Desk with the use cases.

                                               
                                                

                                              eBooks

                                              Download free eBooks and access a range of topics to get deeper insight on successfully using Zoho Desk.

                                               
                                                

                                              Videos

                                              Watch comprehensive videos on features and other important topics that will help you master Zoho Desk.

                                               
                                                

                                              Webinar

                                              Sign up for our webinars and learn the Zoho Desk basics, from customization to automation and more

                                               
                                                
                                              • Desk Community Learning Series


                                              • Meetups


                                              • Ask the Experts


                                              • Kbase


                                              • Resources


                                              • Glossary


                                              • Desk Marketplace


                                              • MVP Corner




                                                        Manage your brands on social media



                                                              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

                                                                                  • CRM Community Learning Series

                                                                                    CRM Community Learning Series


                                                                                  • Kaizen

                                                                                    Kaizen

                                                                                  • Functions

                                                                                    Functions

                                                                                  • Meetups

                                                                                    Meetups

                                                                                  • Kbase

                                                                                    Kbase

                                                                                  • Resources

                                                                                    Resources

                                                                                  • Digest

                                                                                    Digest

                                                                                  • CRM Marketplace

                                                                                    CRM Marketplace

                                                                                  • MVP Corner

                                                                                    MVP Corner







                                                                                      Design. Discuss. Deliver.

                                                                                      Create visually engaging stories with Zoho Show.

                                                                                      Get Started Now


                                                                                        Zoho Show Resources


                                                                                          Zoho Writer Writer

                                                                                          Get Started. Write Away!

                                                                                          Writer is a powerful online word processor, designed for collaborative work.

                                                                                            Zoho CRM コンテンツ




                                                                                              Nederlandse Hulpbronnen


                                                                                                  ご検討中の方




                                                                                                        • Recent Topics

                                                                                                        • Zoho Bookings - variable appointments

                                                                                                          Hello, I am looking to see if its possible for zoho bookings to recognise booking slots in the calendar or a way to do this. I would like appointments only booked in at certain times of the day and this could vary per host. I have provided a calendar
                                                                                                        • Limited review (/questions) for Bookings 2.0

                                                                                                          Hi all, I'm writing this review of Bookings 2.0 for two reasons: 1) it may be of interest to others, and 2) I'd like to be corrected if I'm wrong on any points. It's a very limited review, i.e. the things that have stood out as relevant, and particularly
                                                                                                        • Zoho Books | Product updates | June 2025

                                                                                                          Hello Users, We’ve rolled out new features and enhancements in Zoho Books, from the option to record advances for purchase orders to dynamic lookup fields, all designed to help you stay on top of your finances with ease. Introducing Change Comparators
                                                                                                        • Best Practices - Extensions for Zoho Finance Suite

                                                                                                          With Sigma, the extension developer platform, you can create custom extensions that enhance the functionality of Zoho Finance apps like Zoho Books, Zoho Billing, Zoho Inventory, Zoho Expense, and Zoho Invoice. Here’s how to get started: Sign up: Create
                                                                                                        • MS Teams Meeting to Zoho CRM

                                                                                                          Has anyone figured out a good way to push MS Teams meeting info on a trigger of "meeting end" to Zoho CRM? We're looking for a way to take attendees of a meeting and meeting duration and push it into Zoho CRM after the meeting has ended. If I can just
                                                                                                        • QR code image is not exported in PDFs

                                                                                                          The new QR code field works fine when I include it in a report template and I choose the print option: https://creatorapp.zoho.com/<username>/<app_link_name>/record-print/<report_link_name>/<record_ID>/ But when I try to save the document to a .pdf file
                                                                                                        • Zoho Form to Zoho Form Integration

                                                                                                          I've created an application form that asks for references. I would like the submission of the application form to trigger a form to the reference using the email id and name entered in the first form. In the reference form that is triggered I need to
                                                                                                        • Get Workflow Metadata via API

                                                                                                          Is there a way to get metadata on workflows and/or custom functions via API? I would like to automatically pull this information. I couldn't find it in the documentations, but I'm curious if there is an undocumented endpoint that could do this.
                                                                                                        • CRM: related table using module queries, are links possible?

                                                                                                          Hello. I was exploring the possibility of using a module query to get a filtered related list. For example, I'm using a Canvas custom details page and if an account has an open deal I'd like it to appear at the very beginning of the account page, with
                                                                                                        • Posibility to add Emoticons on the Email Subject of Templates

                                                                                                          Hi I´ve tried to add Emoticons on the Subject line of Email templates, the emoticon image does show up before saving the template or if I add the Emoticon while sending an Individual email and placing it manually on the subject line. Emoticons also show
                                                                                                        • Introducing Assemblies and Kits in Zoho Inventory

                                                                                                          Hello customers, We’re excited to share a major revamp to Zoho Inventory that brings both clarity and flexibility to your inventory management experience! Presenting Assemblies and Kits We’re thrilled to introduce Assemblies and Kits, which replaces the
                                                                                                        • Global Sets for Multi-Select pick lists

                                                                                                          When is this feature coming to Zoho CRM? It would be very useful now we have got used to having it for the normal pick lists.
                                                                                                        • Update Lead Status in Zoho CRM When a Meeting is Booked via Microsoft Bookings

                                                                                                          Hi everyone, I’m trying to streamline our lead management process and would like to automatically update the Lead Status in Zoho CRM whenever a meeting is booked through Microsoft Bookings. Has anyone successfully implemented this kind of integration
                                                                                                        • 【開催報告】名古屋 ユーザー交流会 Vol.1 2025/06/06 Zohoで社内システム管理を実現するユーザー事例の共有

                                                                                                          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。 6/6(金)に名古屋 ユーザー交流会 Vol.1を開催しました。当日は11名の皆さまにご参加いただきました。 本投稿では、当日実施したセッションの様子と投影資料をご紹介します。会場にお越しいただけなかった方も、ぜひご覧ください。 ユーザー活用事例セッション:Zoho CRM Plusによる引合~見積~受注までのプロセス統合 日本アイリッヒ株式会社の清水裕さんに登壇いただきました。以下に一部抜粋して掲載しています。ぜひご覧ください。 セッションの後半は、清水さんの環境を投影いただき、実際の画面上で操作しながらご説明いただいたため、本記事では掲載しておりません。予めご了承ください。
                                                                                                        • Convert Multiple PO in 1 Bill

                                                                                                          Does anyone know how to convert multiple POs in 1 Bill? Thank you
                                                                                                        • Better reorder point functionality?

                                                                                                          1. How about having item reorder point warehouse level instead branch? 2. Considering committed stock and to be received quantity also as reorder point calculation? 3. Considering associated items as committed when sales order created on composite i
                                                                                                        • Batch tracking updates

                                                                                                          I applaud the Zoho team for their recent updates to batch tracking information and even though I have 'chatted' to the Zoho team, I'm still batteling to understand the reasoning on the below. We buy stock in bulk and it is received into the Bulk Warehouse.
                                                                                                        • Can we have Bills of Material Module ?

                                                                                                          Can we have Bills of Material Module ?
                                                                                                        • Custom Button in Shipments

                                                                                                          Custom buttons feature is very much needed in shipments. Please work on this feature request!
                                                                                                        • Zoho Support is Dysfunctional & Don't Know Their Own Support Hours

                                                                                                          Seeking clarification on Zoho support hours and contact numbers please. We have been trying to phone Zoho support on +61 2 8066 2898 at 9:20am AEDT for the second day in a row, and gotten a message on Zoho's support line: "support is open monday through
                                                                                                        • CRM Custom function updating a module record shows the Super Admin user as the record modifier

                                                                                                          Dear Zoho CRM Team, Is there any way to update this so that when a custom function has updated a record the Super Admin user doesn't become the modifier? This happens on the record as a modifier and shows up in the audit logs. It would be more useful
                                                                                                        • View Answer Bot conversations?

                                                                                                          We are trialing Zia and are experimenting with Answer Bot on our knowledge base. So far so good! Management asks me if it is possible to view Answer Bot conversations, the purpose being to look over its shoulder and confirm that it is working as des
                                                                                                        • What are the knowledge database limit for AnswerBot and which app its integrate?

                                                                                                          1) Can AnswerBot be integrated in Trainer Central? 2) Can AnswerBot learn from external websites and excel spreadsheets? 3) Is there a limit size or number of documents for the knowledge based content to train AnswerBot? Thanks
                                                                                                        • Re-Apply SLA When Ticket Reopened from Closed Status?

                                                                                                          If you have an SLA applied, timers are deactivated when going to "On Hold" status type and reactivated when going back to an Open status type. What we discovered is when a customer replies to a closed case and it reopens, the SLA is not applied and timers
                                                                                                        • Reports showing 24hr days instead of business hours

                                                                                                          I am not sure what I am missing, I created a report to look at resolution times in business hours but it is displaying hours based on 24hr days. I have business hours set (7am-5pm) and all that functionality is working, the reports are displaying 2 days
                                                                                                        • HOW TO VIEW INDIVIDUAL COST OF NEWLY PURCHASED GOODS AFTER ALLOCATING LANDED COSTS

                                                                                                          Hello, I have been able to allocate landed costs to the purchase cost of the new products. however, what i need to see now is the actual cost price (original cost plus landed cost), of only my newly purchased products to enable me set a selling price
                                                                                                        • Skip Pages - Zoho form

                                                                                                          Hi Team, I need help with skipping pages based on the below logic in Zoho form: If field number of borrowers is 1 and field number of dependants is 0 then do not show page borrower 2 and 3 If field number of borrowers is 2 and field number of dependants
                                                                                                        • How to print blank form and also how to use form offline

                                                                                                          I have created a form in PC and want to use the form in the field to gather information. Can I use the form offline in PC - in case I have no internet access? As a fail safe, I'd like to print the blank form ut just in case the PC form doesnt work for
                                                                                                        • Using Marketing Automation Journey to associate lead record with a campaign?

                                                                                                          Hello, I am trying to push people from a Marketing Automation Journey to a CRM campaign so I can track lead journeys and lead conversions however I am hitting a roadblock. When a lead hits particular scores or does specific actions in marketing automation
                                                                                                        • Customer Parent Account or Sub-Customer Account

                                                                                                          Some of clients as they have 50 to 300 branches, they required separate account statement with outlet name and number; which means we have to open new account for each branch individually. However, the main issue is that, when they make a payment, they
                                                                                                        • Switching Between Multiple Zoho One Organizations in New UI

                                                                                                          Here’s a polished version in English that you can use on Zoho’s support or community forum: Subject: Switching Between Multiple Zoho One Organizations in New UI Hello Zoho Community / Support Team, I’m currently managing two independent Zoho One organizations.
                                                                                                        • Refunds do not export from Shopify, Amazon and Esty to Zoho. And then do not go from Zoho inventory to Quickbooks.

                                                                                                          I have a huge hole in my accounts from refunds and the lack of synchronisation between shopify , Amazon and Etsy to Zoho ( i.e when I process a refund on shopify/ Amazon or Etsy it does not come through to Zoho) and then if I process a manual credit note/
                                                                                                        • Package Geometry

                                                                                                          how can i add the dimensions and weight capacity of the available boxes to be default in the system everytime we use it ?
                                                                                                        • Drag-and-Drop Customization Interface for Help Center in Zoho Desk

                                                                                                          Hi Zoho Desk Team, We hope you're doing well. We’d like to submit a feature request regarding the customization of the Help Center in Zoho Desk. 🔧 Current Limitation: At present, Help Center customization options are quite limited through the Zoho Desk
                                                                                                        • Parent-Child Tickets using API or Deluge

                                                                                                          Hi Everyone, We are looking at the parent-child ticketing features in Zoho Desk. We want to be able to create a parent ticket at customer level and nest child tickets underneath. The issue we are facing is to be able to automate this. I'm checking the
                                                                                                        • hide resolution from help centre

                                                                                                          to my surprise, i just found out that the resolution text is public in the helpcenter, even if 'notify customer' is off. is there a workaround to that? how do others deal with this? How zoho support does this and I don't think its used by Zoho in the first place. the resolution is meant to be private, not public
                                                                                                        • Stop selling out of stock Items.

                                                                                                          Hi I have been using Zohobooks for a around 8 month now. I am not involved in selling process but my staff cant stop selling product which they do not hold in stock, this is a big headache for me as physical count never matches what is shown on the books. 
                                                                                                        • CRM->INVENTORY, sync products as composite items

                                                                                                          We have a product team working in the CRM, as it’s more convenient than using Books or Inventory—especially with features like Blueprints being available. Once a product reaches a certain stage, it needs to become visible in Inventory. To achieve this,
                                                                                                        • Importing New Items to be Added to Existing Item Group

                                                                                                          How to use the import sheet to import new items to be added to an existing item group. The import gives me an error that the item group name already exists and won't proceed. If it's possible, how should my import spreadsheet should look like?
                                                                                                        • Sortie de Zoho TABLE ??

                                                                                                          Bonjour, Depuis bientôt 2 ans l'application zoho table est sortie en dehors de l'UE ? Depuis un an elle est annoncée en Europe Mais en vrai, c'est pour quand exactement ??
                                                                                                        • Next Page