Hello Everyone!
Welcome back to the Community Learning Series! Today, we explore how Zylker Techfix, a gadget servicing firm, boosted productivity by tracking the time spent at a particular ticket status in Zoho Desk.
Zylker Techfix customized Zoho Desk’s ticket statuses to align with their servicing process. Here’s their workflow: when a gadget was submitted for service, the ticket entered “Open” status. After an initial examination, it moved to “Service” status, mapped to the “Hold” type while repairs were underway. Once repairs were complete, the ticket progressed to “Billing” and then to “Closed” after payment and delivery. To improve operations, Zylker Techfix wanted to know how long tickets stayed in “Service” status, giving them insights into potential delays and resource use. With a custom function, they tracked this time in a custom field, then used it to generate reports that highlighted areas for process improvement.
With this custom function, you can gain a clear view of your support timeline, identify bottlenecks, and serve clients more efficiently. Let’s dive into how you can implement this custom function to refine your own operations and drive productivity forward.
Prerequisites
1. Create a Custom Field
To track ticket duration at a StatusName (call it In progress) mapped to the Status Type On Hold,
1.1 Go to Setup (S) >> Customization >> Layouts and Fields.
Select Tickets under Layouts and the Department in which you would like to track the ticket duration.
1.2 Create a custom single line field in the Tickets layout of the respective department.
1.2.1 Click on the layout, add a single line field with a label StatusTime.
You can label the field with your preferred name.
1.3 Note the API names for the the single line field to insert into the custom function.
To find the API name, Click on the Gear wheel icon of the single line field.
Click on Edit Properties, you will find the API Name under the Edit Field. Refer to Create Custom Fields.
2. Create a connection
2.1 Go to Setup(S) and choose Connections under Developer Space.
2.2 Click Create Connection.
2.3 Select Zoho OAuth under Default Connection.
2.4 Set the connection name as deskconnection.
2.5 Under Scope, choose the below scope values:
Desk.tickets.READ
Desk.tickets.UPDATE
2.6 Click Create and Connect.
2.7 Click Connect and click Accept.
Connection is created successfully.
Create a Workflow Rule
1. Go to Setup, choose Workflows under Automation.
2. Under Workflows, click Rules >> Create Rule.
In the Basic Information section,
3. Select Tickets from the drop-down menu under Module.
4. Enter a Rule Name and Description for the rule.
5. If you want to activate the rule right away, select the Active checkbox. Else, create the rule and activate it later.
6. Click Next.
In the Execute on section, follow these steps:
7. Select Field Update, Choose Status.
8. Click Next.
9. Leave the Criteria section blank and click Next. (Add a criteria if you require it.)
10. In the Actions section, click the + icon and select New next to Custom Functions.
11. Enter a Name and Description for the custom function.
12. Under Argument Mapping, give a desired Method Name. Map the arguments as below:
12.1 In the Argument Name field, type ticketId and from the Value drop-down list, select Ticket Id under the Tickets Section.
13. In the script window, insert the Custom Function given below:
- ///----<<<< User Inputs >>>>----
- deskURL = "https://desk.zoho.com";
- //Replace with your custom domain
- //Replace your Custom Field API Name to Update Desired Type Status Duration Ex: Open
- durationApiName = "cf_status_name";
- // ex: "cf_open_time"
- //Replace your Desired Status Type Name Ex: Open
- statusType = "On Hold";
- // Open or On Hold or Closed
- //Replace the Status Name
- statusName = "In Progress";
- // Ex: In Progress, Waiting for Reply, etc
- // ----<<<< Initial Configs >>>>----
- logs = Map();
- logs.insert("ticketId":ticketId);
- openHoursToUpdate = 0;
- openMinutesToUpdate = 0;
- onHoldHoursToUpdate = 0;
- onHoldMinutesToUpdate = 0;
- //---------------------------
- try
- {
- // ---- start your logic from here ----
- ticketStatusLifeCycleInfo = invokeurl
- [
- url :deskURL + "/api/v1/tickets/" + ticketId + "/statusLifeCycle"
- type :GET
- connection:"deskconnection"
- ];
- logs.insert("ticketStatusLifeCycleInfo":ticketStatusLifeCycleInfo);
- if(ticketStatusLifeCycleInfo != null && ticketStatusLifeCycleInfo.containsKey("statusLifeCycle") && ticketStatusLifeCycleInfo.get("statusLifeCycle").size() > 0)
- {
- for each statusInfo in ticketStatusLifeCycleInfo.get("statusLifeCycle")
- {
- statusType = statusInfo.get("statusType");
- statusName = statusInfo.get("status");
- if(statusType == statusType && statusName == statusName)
- {
- statusDuration = statusInfo.get("duration");
- if(statusDuration != null && statusDuration != "")
- {
- statusDuration = statusDuration.replaceAll(" hrs","");
- durationCollection = statusDuration.toCollection(":");
- hourDuration = durationCollection.get(0);
- minuteDuration = durationCollection.get(1);
- openHoursToUpdate = openHoursToUpdate + hourDuration.toNumber();
- openMinutesToUpdate = openMinutesToUpdate + minuteDuration.toNumber();
- }
- }
- }
- openHoursToUpdate = (openMinutesToUpdate / 60).toNumber() + openHoursToUpdate;
- openMinutesToUpdate = openMinutesToUpdate % 60;
- logs.insert("openHoursToUpdate":openHoursToUpdate);
- logs.insert("openMinutesToUpdate":openMinutesToUpdate);
- ticketUpdateParams = Map();
- ticketUpdateParams.insert("cf":{durationApiName:openHoursToUpdate + ":" + openMinutesToUpdate});
- logs.insert("ticketUpdateParams":ticketUpdateParams);
- ticketUpdate = invokeurl
- [
- url :deskURL + "/api/v1/tickets/" + ticketId
- type :PUT
- parameters:ticketUpdateParams + ""
- connection:"deskconnection"
- ];
- logs.insert("ticketUpdate":ticketUpdate);
- }
- }
- catch (errorInfo)
- {
- logs.insert("errorInfo":errorInfo);
- }
- info "logs: \n" + logs;
- logs.insert("errorInfo":errorInfo);
- info "logs: \n" + logs;
NOTE
a. In Line 2, Replace ".com" with the domain extension based on your Data Center.
b. In Line 5, add the API name of the custom field created within the Tickets layout.
c. In Line 8 and line 11, enter the status type and status name.
14. Click Save to save the custom function.
15. Click Save again to save the workflow.
Creating Ticket Tracking Reports
You can generate Reports under Analytics to view the time duration of your tickets in one go.
Go to the Analytics module >> Choose Reports >> Add Report >> Select Tickets module and Time Entry under Related modules. Refer to Create Custom Report
Let us know how this custom helps improve your ticketing process.
Until next week,
Warm regards,
Lydia | Zoho Desk
Recent Topics
Archiving Contacts
How do I archive a list of contacts, or individual contacts?
Custom Related List Inside Zoho Books
Hello, We can create the Related list inside the zoho books by the deluge code, I am sharing the reference code Please have a look may be it will help you. //..........Get Org Details organizationID = organization.get("organization_id"); Recordid = cm_g_a_data.get("module_record_id");
Contact data removes Account data when creating a quote
Hi, Our customer has address fields in their quote layout which should be the address of the Account. They prefill the information, adding the account name - the address data is populated as per what is in the account - great. However when they then add
filter broke my data
I uploaded a file recently from Sheets and it has top 2 rows frozen, with table headers in second row and each one is filterable. somehow my first 2 columns became unfiltered and no matter what I do I cannot reapply the filter?? also didn't realize they
What is your opinion of the new UI?
Hi Everyone, I would like to see what everyone thinks of the new Zoho One Dashboard. I don't get it, but perhaps I'm missing something. What are your thoughts?
Zoho Workdrive for Office, "vsto runtime not found"
Hi all, I have been trying to get ZohoWorkdrive_MS-addin_1.4.exe installed, but I keep getting the error "VSTO Runtime Not Found!" - even though I have installed it ... Anyone else hear had problems with the MS addin? FYI, I am using O365 on A Dell laptop running Win 10 Home - fully patched and up-to-date. I have tried compatibility modes and running explicitly as Administrator - the usual steps. Any advice would be appreciated.
Add "Fetch Composite Item" Action for Inventory
I want to make a Flow that uses information returned in the GET call for Composite Items, and it's not currently available in Zoho Flow. Please consider adding this functionality.
Inactive Items - Make Less Prominent by Default
Currently, when one marks an Item as "Inactive", it really doesn't do much of anything to hide it or get it out of the way. Search and reporting within Finance should, by default, hide inactive Items from standard reports, searches, etc. If one specifically
Why is Zoho Meeting quality so poor?
I've just moved from Office 365 to Zoho Workplace and have been generally really positive about the new platform -- nicely integrated, nice GUI, good and easy-to-understand control and customisation, and at a reasonable price. However, what is going on
Can no longer export as pdf
In NOTEBOOK I am no longer able to export notes to pdfs as I used to be able to. When I hit that command it asks where I want to send it, but no matter what I chose there is no pdf attachment that shows up in order to send. Nothing happens.
Emails are going to notification folder and not in inbox
emails are going to notification folder and not into inbox
Zoho Books | Product updates | November 2025
Hello users, We’ve rolled out new features and enhancements in Zoho Books. From translating email notification templates to the new transaction locking restrictions, explore the updates designed to enhance your bookkeeping experience. Making Tax Digital
Flow - Fetch info from drop down in another module
I am running into a road block which I thought would be a simple task. My goal - The account is assigned to a "route" which can be selected from a drop down menu and adds a tag to the account accordingly (easy enough). Now when I create a task for this
Send WhatsApp voice messages from Bigin
Greetings, I hope all of you are doing well. We're happy to announce this enhancement we've made to Bigin. Bigin's WhatsApp integration now supports audio messages, so you can record and send voice messages. This makes it easier to handle customer questions
How can I prevent the Zoho Vault extension from automatically logging me out?
Hi, I want the Zoho Vault Chrome extension to never log out. How can I do this? It only allows me to log out for 1 week, and the same applies to the Android app.
Zia Profile Summary now supports six languages and responds faster
After numerous customer requests, we’ve expanded Zia Profile Summary to do more than just summarize resumes quickly. It can now summarize them in six different languages and deliver results even faster. What’s New 1. Extended language support Zia can
Multiple currencies - doesn’t seem to work for site visitors / customers
I am trying to understand how the multiple currency feature works from the perspective of the website visitor who is shopping on my Zoho Commerce site. My site’s base currency is US Dollars (USD) but my store is for customers in Costa Rica and I would
Reopen ticket
Hello! Can I reopen a ticket just using the API ticket/sendReply ? What's the rules to do it? I'm trying but it doesn't reopen the ticket, it just send the reply
Zoho CRM App - Links
Hi Is there are plan for making Custom Links available in the Zoho CRM Android App? I can't see them being added? Thanks Gene
Templates
Trying to sort out / get rid of unwanted invoice templates, the error msgs are not at all helpful. Surely it's easy to amend the error msg by including a list of the names of the customers / vendors that use it, denying deletion or making it inactive
Contacts limit in basic vs standard - what counts? Are customers contacts?
I’ve been using books for a number years for my small business. I only ever work with 20 clients at any given time. I do purchase services from a number of vendors to run my business, so there are some comtacts there too. I used to use the basic package,
Finding missing records
I have a challenge and I am not really sure where to start with it. I can't find any similar threads on here, can anyone help: I have two forms, FormA and FormB. Both forms have records that contain a field called Job_Number. What I am trying to achieve
Zoho CRM - Option to create Follow-Up Task
When completing a Zoho CRM Task, it would be very helpful if there was an option to "Complete and Create Follow-Up Task" in the pop-up which appears. It could clone the task you are closing and then show it on the screen in edit mode, all the user would
Read webpage - MSXML2.ServerXMLHTTP
I have the following VBA script, put together from various sources (mainly zoho forum/help/support, so it once worked, I guess): private Sub GetListOfSheets() Dim url As String Dim xmlhttp As Object Dim parameters As String Dim html As String range("B1").value
Addin Support in Zoho Sheet
Is there any addin support available in zoho sheet as like google marketplace to enhance productivity by connecting with other apps, providing AI data analysis, streamlining business processes, and more?
Scheduled Reports - Do not send empty report
Hello, We are intensively using reports in the CRM, especially for sales managers. When data is empty, they still receive an email. Can you add an option to avoid sending the report when data is empty?
Prevent Unapproved Quotes from Exporting to Zoho CRM Finance Module
Is it possible to prevent unapproved quotes in Zoho Books from being exported from Zoho Finance module inside Zoho CRM?
ZOHO BOOKS - RECEIVING MORE ITEMS THAN ORDERED
Hello, When trying to enter a vendor's bill that contains items with bigger quantity than ordered in the PO (it happens quite often) - The system would not let us save the bill and show this error: "Quantity recorded cannot be more than quantity ordered."
CRM x WorkDrive: File storage for new CRM signups is now powered by WorkDrive
Availability Editions: All DCs: All Release plan: Released for new signups in all DCs. It will be enabled for existing users in a phased manner in the upcoming months. Help documentation: Documents in Zoho CRM Manage folders in Documents tab Manage files
Updates for Zoho Campaigns: Merge tag, footer, and autoresponder migration
Hello everyone, We'd like to inform you of some upcoming changes with regard to Zoho Campaigns. We understand that change can be difficult, but we're dedicated to ensuring a smooth transition while keeping you all informed and engaged throughout the process.
Sending email notifications based on language
Hello. I would like to know how we can bypass the default notifications (which are just in English) for when a ticket is created/replied to/closed, to be in other languages, based on the language field in the ticket? I can create other email templates,
Process between CRM and Campaigns to ensure double opt-in contacts?
I would like to ask for a few clarifications to ensure we fully comply with best practices and legal requirements: According to the documentation (Zoho Campaigns CRM sync – Default option), the best and recommended way to sync contacts is by using the
What's New in Zoho Inventory | August – October 2025
Hello customers, The last quarter has been incredibly productive! We've released a powerful slate of new features and enhancements in Zoho Inventory designed to give you better control, greater efficiency, and expanded functionality across your inventory
Let's Talk Recruit: Meet Zia, your all-in-one AI assistant (Part-2)
Welcome back to Let’s Talk Recruit series. In Part 1, we introduced Zia and how AI is reshaping the way recruiters work. This time, we’re taking a closer look at how far Zia has come and how each update continues to simplify your everyday tasks. When
Zoho Developer - Feature Request Platform
Zoho Developer is one of the most underatted platform in zoho ecosystem, however, it may just be what zoho needs to welcome more people to use Zoho Services. The more developers you have creating zoho creator applications and zoho extensions the more
Download a file from within a zoho creator widget
I have a widget running in Zoho Creator , it displays uploaded documents in a table file, and I have added a download link in the view. ( The widget is created with html, css and javascript). I do not succeed in getting the download working. Do I have
Last/Previous month in relative date filter
In the relative date filter, what is the difference between "Last 2 months" and "Previous 2 months"? So, if we are on 25-July, then is my understanding correct of the following: Last 2 months :=: 25-May~24 July Previous 2 months :=: 01-May~30-June Thanks.
Tags get removed from notes on mobile
I don't know why this keeps happening even after all these app updates but if you log out and log back into the app or you reinstall it, all the tags you assigned to your notes get taken off, but if you go on the desktop version the tags are still there.
How to fetch custom fields for time entries in Zoho Project API v3
In the previous Zoho Projects REST API, we were able to retrieve custom field details for time entries, including picklist options, using the endpoint: GET /restapi/portal/[PORTAL_ID]/timesheetcustomfields
In the new Zoho Projects API v3, we tried using
Possible to connect Zoho CRM's Sandbox with Zoho Creator's Sandbox?
We are making some big changes on our CRM so we are testing it out in CRM's Sandbox. We also have a Zoho Creator app that we need to test. Is it possible to connect Zoho CRM's Sandbox to Zoho Creator's Sandbox so that I can perform those tests?
Next Page