Tested Zoho One for our company: The Result...I have no idea what app to use when.

Tested Zoho One for our company: The Result...I have no idea what app to use when.

Hi,

I want to give my first-time user experience of Zoho One. 

Having set up and configured many apps, systems and automation for our company and other companies over the years I am pretty competent at testing new solutions. 

This brings me to Zoho One. 

On the front end the app and solution range is extensive and seems to cover nearly every eventuality that a company may need. Which is very promising, especially with every app being created by the same company and Zoho One give you access to all apps. Great!

Then comes the real-world testing... 

Which in a nutshell is basically pure confusion as to which app to use for which purpose...

A few examples...

CRM: This handles all contacts and leads in your company, tags, deal pipelines and custom data, plus many many more options. It ie even marketed as an email marketing system https://www.zoho.com/crm/what-is-marketing-automation.html... This is great as a standalone product until you realise it doesn't really do email marketing. So you then need to use campaigns, which is great until you realise that there is a 1:1 sync (Both ways) for contacts. you can sync CRM to campaigns but updates to Campain contacts will not sync back... Which leaves you with a huge mess of different information. You could use Marketing Automation... which leads me to my next example

Marketing Automation: If you came to Zoho for email marketing your first stop would quite rightly be the Campaigns app. Because that makes perfect sense and all Zoho information points towards Campaigns as the go to app... This is fine until you realise that automation isn't great (and in this day and age, automation is key to streamlining a business and reducing human error) Which leads you to click on Marketing Automation....

Once clicked you quickly realise this is not what the name suggests. This is not an automation app for your marketing Campaigns app... No, this is a completely separate Email Marketing app which you can't use in conjunction with campaigns, infact you can't even sync your campaign contact data with this app! You have to start from scratch or try to figure out which of the many many syncs, automation, and journey services you need to cobble together to get information from one app to the other. If you do get your contacts to sync, which I've still not figured out (luckily I'm just testing) you start using MA app, which refers to all contacts as leads, unlike CRM these are not leads at all and there are no deal pipelines here. MA leads are basically any contact that has signed up to a newsletter etc... which is the very broad sense leads because you hope to eventually convert these to paying customers/ clients. But the choice of words here is very confusing. I have never seen an email marketing app refer to newsletter sign-ups as leads. What's more confusing is that MA has Lead stages, which are not to be confused with CRM pipeline stages. 

MA also has website tracking... not to be confused with SalesIQ which also has website tracking, but SiQ is more advanced and links to CRM. And again MA and SiQ site tracking are not synced. They each produce their own data on visitors. I am yet to find information on whether you need separate tracking codes for each app. But this is looking very likely. And as many of you know, more tracking codes with more website bloat, and slower speeds. I've not look into how different the data is from each app. But from a quick glance the SiQ has much better information and syncs with CRM.

MA then has Journeys (automation), forms, tags, popups. All of these functions are available in different app. And the latter all have better functions, so which one do we use? 

This leads me on to automation... CRM has 'Workflow Rules', MA has 'Journeys', Campaigns has 'Workflows' Then there is a completely separate app called Zoho Flow. And every single one of these has their own triggers but also share triggers, their own actions but also share actions. It is near impossible to know what you should be using. There is also sync, and webhooks. some apps have sync, some only sync one way, some have webhooks other don't. 

Then there is the sign app: It allows you to send documents for signing. You can add templates but this seems to just be an uploaded document which can't be edited... Pretty useless. You can send a custom document to be signed and signatured it just involves multiple apps and a little confusion. 1st: You create a document on the Writer app. 2nd: create a Form using forms. Then create the automation directly from the Writer doc... Not confusing at all... 

Then we have the Social app: Which looks great, but there is also a demi version of this is Marketing Automations. So which to use? and do they sync...? I am yet to find out as I have wasted far to much time trying to navigate this confusing App collection.

My belief is that Zoho has been built one app at a time over many years, by different dev teams, using different codes and practices. The core apps like CRM and campaigns were probably built long before interconnectivity was a thing.  Each app that has followed has been built to solve a particular problem but no-one has considered how each app will mesh and co-exist with previous apps. The apps feel like they connect via a basic form of Zapier. One that is missing core actions and triggers, like a loosely compacted ball of apps, all being held together by string and putty. 

It's a huge shame. There is such promise, but sadly the cohesiveness of the apps just isn't there. There is one path to achieve what you need, just many potential paths for you to walk down before eventually find the right path (Maybe) 

Someone needs to be appointed to a new role. One that tests the entire range as a user and not a developer, as developers know all the shortcuts, the custom codes and 'right way' to use things. 

Real user: " I can't get information from app1 to transfer to  app 2"

Developer: " Oh thats easy, you use app1, find this tiny little option, which links to app3, where you add this code, which sends information back to app1, when you can then send this to app4, which does this using this custom code, and you then get your information in app2, as needed," "See, Easy"

The above example is an exaggerated example of my time going through the Zoho forums to find solutions.

Zoho One 2.0 is needed. As it stands is feels like we have Zoho One 1.98728937. Instead of spending hundreds of hours creating patch after patch to satisfy an endless request of connectivity issue. Create Zoho 2.0, build a core program that every other app can be built upon. 

The Zoho one App suit is great! and they do cover every need of a business. But sadly is just confusing and too disjointed to use multiple apps. 

    • 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. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    • Recent Topics

    • Quick Item Search & Auto-suggestion for Invoices

      Hi Team, I am facing an issue while creating invoices in Zoho Books. Currently, I have to type the full item name in the correct sequence and spelling for it to appear. For example, my item name is: "Distemper Acri Silk Special White 10kg" If I type something

    • Empowered Custom Views: Cross-Module Criteria Now Supported in Zoho CRM

      Hello everyone, We’re excited to introduce cross-module criteria support in custom views! Custom views provide personalized perspectives on your data and that you can save for future use. You can share these views with all users or specific individuals

    • Ticketbai! en el Pais Vasco

      Hola a todos, En enero de 2.022 se va a implantar en el país vasco un nuevo sistema de facturación, denominado ticketbai!, ¿hay alguna previsión de realizar las adaptaciones en zoho books o zoho invoices? Ignoro la cantidad de clientes que tienen estas

    • Zoho CRM mobile app feature update: home page widgets, field tooltips and user image upload

      Hello everyone! Your business doesn't pause when you're on the move, and neither should your CRM. That's why in our latest update, we've introduced a few new features to make your mobile CRM experience smoother and more efficient. Let's take a quick look

    • Zoho CRM Plain Text Template: Line Breaks and Formatting Issue

      Hello, I'm following the instructions to create email templates in Zoho CRM, but I'm having a problem with the plain text version. https://help.zoho.com/portal/en/kb/zoho-sign/integrations/zoho-apps/zoho-crm/articles/zoho-crm-email-templates#Steps_to_create_a_custom_email_template

    • Optimizing Task Handling: Auto-Remove Recurrence for cancelled Tasks.

      Hello Everyone, A Custom function is a user-written set of code to achieve a specific requirement. Set the required conditions needed as when to trigger using the Workflow rules (be it Tasks / Project) and associate the custom function to it. Requirement:

    • Important updates to your connectors

      Hello everyone, Greeting from Zoho Creator! We're excited to announce that we'll be rolling out significant backend updates to Zoho Creator's built-in connectors to enhance security by following the latest frameworks. The existing version of some of the

    • Create, collaborate, and manage agreements with Zoho Sign

      Agreements drive business. We launched Zoho Sign in 2017 as a simple digital signature tool to sign agreements from anywhere, at any time. Over the years, we've learned that most agreements go through last-minute changes before they're signed. Our users

    • Function #25: Automatically generate purchase orders from a sales order

      We kicked off the "Function Fridays" series with the goal of helping you automate your everyday accounting tasks. As we delve into today's post, I'm delighted to announce that we're here to present the 25th custom function in this series. While it is

    • Has Anyone successfully integrated Zoho and Sage Intact?

      Hey all, We’re evaluating Zoho One + Sage Intacct and I’m trying to connect with anyone who has actually implemented the two together.Specifically, I’d love to know: -- Which functions you kept in Zoho vs. Intacct (e.g., Product Catalog, AR/AP, invoicing,

    • 5名限定 課題解決型ワークショップイベント Zoho ワークアウト開催のお知らせ (9/25)

      ユーザーの皆さま、こんにちは。Zoho ユーザーコミュニティチームの藤澤です。 9月開催のZoho ワークアウトについてお知らせします。 今回はZoomにて、オンライン開催します。 ▷▷参加登録はこちら：https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/6OSF2Bh6TumsMIlDwaY_PQ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Zoho ワークアウトとは？ Zoho ユーザー同士で交流しながら、サービスに関する疑問や不明点の解消を目的とした「Zoho

    • hiding a topic from all but one segment (or list)

      My organization sends out a number of newsletters using Zoho Campaigns. One of those newsletters is for volunteers. In order to become a volunteer, a person has to first go through our volunteer orientation (training). After that, they can receive newsletters

    • How do I set up this automation correctly?

      When contacts enter my Subscribers list, I want it to reference a custom field to see if it is empty. Then I want it to do two things: If empty: Assign a tag based on a different custom field. If that custom field is empty, assign a different tag. If

    • Custom confirmation message

      How can I change the message that users see after they submit the booking form? I have to confirm some details before their appointment is officially "confirmed", so I want to change it where it doesn't say their appointment is "confirmed" but rather

    • Has anyone integrated SMS well for Zoho Desk?

      Our company does property management and needs to be able to handle inbound sms messages which create a ticket for Zoho Desk. We then need to be able to reply back from Zoho desk which sends the user an sms message. This seems like a fairly common thing

    • Desk x CRM Integration

      Howdy! We currently use SalesIQ but we are considering moving across to Desk as it seems to have more functionality that we want. One of the pulls is the ability for our customers to self serve. But, I might be getting over excited and not actually need

    • Client Script refuses to set an initial value in Subform field

      I tried a very simple, 1 line client script to set a default value in a custom subform field when the "Add Row" button is clicked and the user is entering data. It does not work - can someone tell me why? ZDK documentation suggests this should be doable.

    • Issue with Save & Share Link – Works for Others but Not Creator

      I’ve enabled the "Save and Share" feature in Zoho Forms, and it works correctly for all users accessing the public link—except for me (the form creator). Issue Details: When I save and share the link, recipients see a “no permission” error. The form is

    • Save the pdf report from a registration form in a Folder

      Through Zoho Forms I created a registration form with quite a lot of rules to handle different variables (TEAM types, payment in installments, etc.), and the result is pretty good. The automatic PDF that is sent to the respondent upon submission is already

    • zoho forms integration to zoho work drive

      Scenario: A user fills out a Zoho Form, entering details such as email, mobile number, and other required information, and uploads supporting documents like PAN, Aadhaar, etc. Upon submission, the data is available in Zoho Forms Reports. Requirement:

    • Zoho Forms to Zoho CRM Integration failed - can I restart it?

      The integration of Zoho Form to Zoho CRM has failed. Is there a way for me to restart it for the impacted entry?

    • insert an equation, but in document, it shows an image not available.

      I'm new to Zoho writer and used Zoho writer in desktop app version . When I inserted an equation, I got an image not available sign. Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Charles

    • Zoho Desk Android app update - Swipe action customization

      Hello everyone! We have brought in support for the swipe action customization in latest version(v2.9.13) of the Zoho Desk Android app update, enabling you to configure left and right swipe gestures on tickets to carry out the actions swiftly without opening

    • Import KB template OR Export template for zoho desk?

      Greetings. Can you tell me if there is a way to get an EXPORT of my KB articles? OR is there a template you supply for importing KB articles into my zoho desk? I am looking for a method of understanding what fields can be imported, and what their possible

    • XML format to import knowledgebase into Zoho Desk

      Hi, We just started to use Zoho Desk and want to import our knowledgebase from our old support system (Freshdesk) to Zoho Desk. Can anyone give us information about the format of xml file to import? There is no explanation on the related page.

    • Zoho Desk integration with Power BI

      Hi, I want to be able to create a Power BI report which has live updates of ticket data from zoho desk, is this possile at all? Thanks Jack

    • Arranging Ticket Templates

      Is there any way to arrange our ticket templates? It doesn't look very organised when it's just arranged according to when they were created. We want the list to look more organised, by arranging/grouping them by topics, or even just by alphabetical

    • New Mandatory One-Click Unsubscribe Link Overshadowing Custom Unsubscribe Link

      I was recently informed by Zoho CRM Support that they are now mandated by the large email service providers like Google and Yahoo to provide a one-click unsubscribe option in the header (not the body) of all mass emails. I have a custom unsubscribe link

    • What they mean with "Portal"?

      I just downloaded this app to take my personal notes on digital art studio because it seemed to me the most comfortable app to do it, I use it very often, what do they mean by “no activity on your portal”? I have about 1 year of work here and I don't

    • Inactive User Auto Response

      We use Zoho One, and we have a couple employees that are no longer with us, but people are still attempting to email them. I'd like an autoresponder to let them no the person is no longer here, and how they can reach us going forward. I saw a similar

    • favorites no longer listed

      Hello, I can no longer navigate to my Favorites from the pulldown at the top of my grid view (see attached screenshot). I wasn't able to find it anywhere! Please help me display my Favorites. Thank you!

    • Notecards Disappeared

      Got a new phone. Downloaded and signed in Zoho Notebook. Not finding the Note cards. Just Empty Note books. Frustrating.

    • Table Errors

      Hello, I'm new to Zoho Notebook and using it on several Mac/Apple devices. My question is regarding tables: Why do they become broken, and how to fix the error without retyping all my data? (Please see the screenshot attached.)

    • Aggregating the First Value in the Group By of a dataset

      Hi I am trying to get the following Aggregate Formula to work in my chart, but cannot seem to get the right format. I have a series of data that I am running an include_groupby and want to SUM only a column in the first row of each group. So for example.

    • Zoho Tables instead of Zoho Creator Spreadsheet reports <3

      That would make my day for sure. Zoho Creator is create, but miss data entering as AirTable/Spreadsheet can. Seeing Zoho putting effort in this makes me think maybe one day we could see a similar interface for Zoho Creator spreadsheet reports. B.

    • Zoho Sheet - Desktop App or Offline

      Since Zoho Docs is now available as a desktop app and offline, when is a realistic ETA for Sheet to have the same functionality?I am surprised this was not laucned at the same time as Docs.

    • Notebook Stack

      Hi Everyone I Hope you´re fine, I´m sorry if this idea was posted before (I made a search but I haven´t find anything related). So, Having the possibility of stacking notebooks would be an interesting way to order notebooks that correspond to the same

    • Writing on sketch cards is bugged when zoomed in

      When zoomed in, it writes a noticeable distance above or to the side of where you're actually trying to write. The further you're zoomed in, the more noticeable it is. Zooming is also entirely absent on the desktop version.

    • Swipe between notes on iPhone

      It'd be convenient if I could move from one note to the next in a notebook simply by swiping left to right.

    • Sales IQ chat is not working in signed android apk

      I have integrated ZOHO sales IQ support chat and i have followed each step and its working fine in my development build but when i create signed APK for it. Chat does not work in it and showing awaiting for detail. I previously asked the same query but

    • Next Page