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Zoho Books vs QuickBooks Online

Zoho Books vs QuickBooks Online

Published on: February 12, 2019Category: Certified Zoho Consultants, Zoho Books, Zoho CRM, Zoho Finance, Zoho Integrations, Zoho QuickBooks IntegrationLast Updated: July 27, 2023 Comments: 0

Zoho Books vs QuickBooks Online: Two Titans of Accounting Software

It’s true every tax season and usually the times in between, managing your finances has never been more important. But how do you tackle such a task? QuickBooks Online is used by more than 2.5 million companies, an impressive number. However, how many of those business owners are truly satisfied? How many are getting the most out of their accounting software? Zoho Books offers a few very useful features that QuickBooks lacks, especially when under the larger umbrella of Zoho Finance. Zoho Books vs QuickBooks Online is a veritable clash of titans, and both bring particulars to the table that appeal to wide audiences. 

Our goal is to help you make a more informed decision about your accounting software. Whether you are buying for the first time, re-evaluating your current tools, or simply seeing what else is out there, we hope this comparison makes your job easier. Join us as we navigate the waters of financial software:

Comparing the Significant Features of Zoho Books vs QuickBooks Online

A great place to begin when comparing and contrasting these two is their nuts and bolts; in what they do best and offer to the customer. The three things that QuickBooks (QB) offers over its Zoho equivalent are:

Zoho Books vs QuickBooks Online

  1. Payroll Processing
  2. Budget and Forecasting
  3. Online Bill Payments

Conversely, Zoho Books provides its own slate of unique features that do not exist in QB:

  • Workflows: Create different workflows based on your needs
  • Create Users: Add users to your organization for easy collaboration
  • Client Portal: Not only allows for communication with customers in an interactive portal, but you can also send them sales orders once they accept your estimate! Plus, this feature allows you to collaborate with clients by sending messages through the portal.

The Sales Orders issue is incredibly crucial, because QuickBooks Online is severely lacking in this arena, which translates to an inventory tracking system that is not robust. In this sense, the “inventory tracking” feature boasted by QB Online is misleading, because the software simply offers no way to reserve inventory! This inability to create sales orders and therefore an inability to track orders placed by customers is a not-so-subtle blemish on the QuickBooks image/brand.

There are a few other noteworthy Zoho features worth mentioning:

  1. Integrates with multiple shipping options out of the box, including FedEx, UPS, and USPS
  2. Offers a useful multi-currency option for balance sheet accounts (assets, liability, equity)
  3. Zoho Books allows for use with 6-10 payment gateways
  4. Zoho Books includes a Retainer Invoice- affords you the ability to track prepayments

Unraveling the Perfect Fit: Zoho Books vs. QuickBooks Online

  • User Interface: A Delightful Experience

Regarding the user interface, Zoho Books immediately stands out with its clean and intuitive design. Navigating various modules, such as invoices, expenses, and reports, becomes effortless, making it an ideal choice for accounting professionals and small business owners with limited financial expertise. On the other hand, QuickBooks Online boasts a feature-rich user interface that caters to the needs of more experienced accountants, offering advanced customization options and in-depth financial reports.

  • Scalability: From Startups to Enterprises

Moving on to scalability, both Zoho Books and QuickBooks Online have been thoughtfully designed to cater to businesses of all sizes. Zoho Books takes a more budget-friendly approach for startups and small businesses, providing essential accounting functionalities without overwhelming users with unnecessary features. Conversely, QuickBooks Online has established itself as a reliable choice for larger enterprises, offering advanced inventory management, payroll processing, and a broader range of integrations.

  • Integration Ecosystem: Building a Unified Workflow

In today’s tech-driven world, seamless integration between different business applications is essential for optimizing productivity. Zoho Books, part of the Zoho suite, boasts excellent integration capabilities with other Zoho apps, such as Zoho CRM and Zoho Inventory, providing a unified ecosystem for managing various aspects of your business. On the other hand, while having an extensive integration network, QuickBooks Online might require third-party integrations to achieve a similar level of consolidation.

  • Automation and Time-Saving Features

In the race to minimize manual efforts, Zoho Books and QuickBooks Online offer automation features that streamline repetitive tasks. Zoho Books stands out with its intelligent workflows, automating invoice reminders, payment notifications, and bank feeds. Similarly, QuickBooks Online is known for its robust automation capabilities, simplifying tasks like recurring invoices, expense tracking, and automatic backups.

  • Mobile Accessibility: Managing Finances on the Go

Considering the importance of mobile accessibility, business owners are constantly on the move, and having access to financial data at their fingertips is crucial. Zoho Books and QuickBooks Online offer mobile apps that allow users to manage finances, capture expenses, and send invoices from their smartphones or tablets. However, the Zoho Books app excels in user-friendliness and speed, providing a hassle-free experience for on-the-go accounting.



Price Comparison of Zoho Books vs QuickBooks Online

Zoho Books vs QuickBooks OnlineAny comparison is incomplete without evaluating pricing differences and similarities. In this case, if we view the price of Zoho Books on its own, it clearly is more cost-effective. Zoho Books’ standard price is $20 per organization per month*, which includes 500 contacts, three users, and 10 automated workflows. Meanwhile, the “Essentials” package for QB Online is $40 per month, their equivalent of the Standard package. Therefore in this specific price comparison, Zoho Books has the edge.

However, if you crave the full accounting power from Zoho (which includes a fleet of applications: Invoice, Books, Zoho Inventory, Subscriptions, Expense, Checkout), you will need Zoho Finance. Operating with the integrated capabilities of Zoho Finance Plus does require a more substantial investment, to the tune of $249 per month for 10 users*. This price includes 10 users and a slew of other fantastic features, all of which you can explore here. *Pricing updated June 2021

+ An important note about pricing: QB charges additional fees for data migration, Zoho Books does not.

Overall Comparison

Ultimately, one of the most difficult hurdles for users of QuickBooks is to even consider a switch to another software. Fans of QuickBooks often believe that a transition to another operating platform will be too much of a hassle (if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!). But the truth is that Zoho Books has more than its fair share of advantages over QB Online, and the integrations with other Zoho software make it that much more valuable.Zoho Books vs QuickBooks Online

Plus, a nifty bonus of Zoho Books is that the mobile features can be accessed on phones from Apple, Android, and Microsoft, as well as Kindles (QB can only handle Apple + Android).

In the end, Zoho Books offers a reliable way to completely migrate off QuickBooks. Not completely sold? Check out our Zoho QuickBooks Online integration, which allows you to continue to use QuickBooks Online and share that data with the Zoho CRM.  Our team of Zoho consultants can tell you the best way to set it up based on how you conduct business.

Conclusion

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer in the ultimate showdown between Zoho Books and QuickBooks Online. Each platform has unique strengths, catering to different business sizes and needs. Zoho Books is a top contender for small businesses and startups seeking a budget-friendly, intuitive, and seamlessly integrated solution. On the other hand, QuickBooks Online appeals to larger enterprises, offering advanced features and an extensive integration ecosystem.

Before making your choice, it’s essential to consider the specific requirements of your business, the level of accounting expertise available, and your long-term scalability needs. Ultimately, whether you opt for Zoho Books or QuickBooks Online, you will find a powerful accounting tool that streamlines your financial management and empowers your business to thrive. Happy accounting!

The Joys of Using TaxJar are numerous, a fact which every accountant can get behind.

TaxJar Reviews: The Benefits of Using TaxJar Part 2

Published on: February 11, 2019Category: Certified Zoho Consultants, TaxJar Integration, Zoho Creator, Zoho CRM, Zoho IntegrationsLast Updated: May 16, 2023 Comments: 0

Establishing Nexus and Complying with State, Local, and County Tax Laws

In Part 1 we covered why you should want TaxJar, how the ZBrains CPQ tool integrates with TaxJar, and who TaxJar is for. Join us as we move towards a greater understanding of TaxJar:

When it comes to calculating your taxes and taking advantage of the joys of using TaxJar, tax nexus is vital. Determining nexus is an important element of tax compliance, and how you establish nexus can vary from state to state. Most definitions of nexus include the terms “doing business” or “engaged in business.” This blog details all the specifics regarding the various state laws.

The significant questions to ask yourself are:

  1. Do I have a location, warehouse, or other physical presence in a state?
  2. Do I have an employee, contractor, sales person, installer, or someone else working for me in a state?
  3. Do I have products stored in a state?
  4. Do my sales or number of transactions in a state exceed that state’s economic nexus threshold?
  5. Do I have a drop shipping relationship with a vendor in a state?
  6. Do I have an affiliate program with affiliates in various states?
  7. Do I cross state lines to sell my products at a trade show, craft fair, or other event?

Of note are the most common items that may not be taxable in some states:

-Grocery food

-Clothing

-Certain books (textbooks, religious books, etc.)

-Prescription and nonprescription medicine

-Supplements

-Magazines and subscriptions

-Digital products (books, music, movies, etc.)

Other Noteworthy Tax Nexus Issues

Once nexus is established it is crucial to do these three things:

-Register for a sales tax permit in that state

-Charge sales tax to customers in that state (regardless of how you sold them a product, or from where that product was shipped)

-File sales tax returns in that state

Perhaps the most obvious hurdle is the variability among state laws. For example, if you do not use TaxJar and have nexus in multiple states, you are forced to research the laws for each state on your own. This process can be tedious, especially when considering state, local, and county tax differences. Given all of this, the TaxJar automation of sales tax computation is truly an invaluable resource.

*Sometimes an identical product may be taxable in one state and non-taxable in another. A product may also not be taxable at the state level, but still taxable at the local level. *

Drop Ship, Ship Direct, and Multiple Warehouses with TaxJar

There are a few important scenarios to address when it comes to tax compliance. Drop shipping occurs when you use a vendor to ship an item directly to a customer. For example: you sell phone cases through your website and use a third party printing company to print designs on the cases before they are shipped to the customer.

Three things happen in this process: the customer buys the item from you, you buy the item from the vendor, and the vendor ships it to the customer. If your vendor has nexus in your state they must charge you sales tax on that purchase, unless you issue a resale certificate! The resale certificate indicates that the item you bought is for resale. This is where it can be complicated: you may be required to charge sales tax to your customer, and concurrently your vendor may need to charge sales tax to you.

Conversely, when shipping directly to the customer, you simply have to determine the sales tax in the buyer’s ship-to address.

Last but not least is the multiple warehouses scenario, which dictates that you must charge sales tax to buyers living in every state where your inventory is warehoused. A great example where this law may be overlooked is when sellers put their products Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon). It is easy to forget that you need to charge sales tax for buyers living in each state that your goods are warehoused through Amazon FBA.

API and Customer Service

One beauty of TaxJar is the SmartCalcs Sales Tax service, which is very easy to utilize using modern restful APIs. Once integrated, it can easily determine if, when, and how much sales tax to collect. Collect the right tax amount every time you sell a product! It also makes sales tax reporting and filing easier for you or your merchants. The SmartCalcs Sales Tax service is clearly one of the best joys of using TaxJar.

The New Kid on the Block: Economic Nexus

As of June 21, 2018, a new law went into effect: Economic Nexus. This nexus law requires that sellers collect sales tax in a state because:

-They make a certain dollar amount of sales in that state (most common threshold is $100,000 per year)

-Have a certain number of sales transactions in that state (most common is 200 per year)

Approximately half of the states with a sales tax have economic nexus laws, and more states have announced they will soon also pass economic nexus laws or regulations.

The Shortcomings of TaxJar

Although this blog explores the joys of using TaxJar, we would be remiss if we did not mention any of the problems. Despite all of the areas in which it excels, there are some caveats. Most notable is that it is not very flexible. The good news is that within Zoho Creator, you can perform your tax reporting without going to TaxJar. From drag and drop reporting and ad hoc reports to all the transactions in Creator, the bottom line is that it is easier to use than TaxJar. Simply use TaxJar to acquire accurate percentages, and then store that data back in Zoho Creator to generate your own reports.

Whether you are trying to determine tax nexus or simplify your tax compliance process, TaxJar can get you there. Explore this handy software for yourself and ensure you calculate your taxes with accuracy.

The Joys of Using TaxJar are felt by multiple departments and numerous employees

The Joys of Using TaxJar

Published on: January 11, 2019Category: Certified Zoho Consultants, TaxJar Integration, Zoho Creator, Zoho CRM, Zoho IntegrationsLast Updated: June 13, 2023 Comments: 0

The Joys of Using Tax Jar: Why You Should Want It

Maintaining sales tax compliance is not an aspect of running a company that business owners often get excited about. Fortunately TaxJar handles the mundane parts of the tax compliance process. TaxJar is a phenomenal way for business owners to spend less time on sales tax and more time growing the business they love. It is designed for those on an E-commerce platform, and is especially effective for businesses with nexus in multiple states. Join us as we explore and illuminate all the Joys of Using TaxJar!

Nexus, for those who are unaware, is a presence or connection in a state significant enough for you to be required to comply with sales tax law. It is precisely the differences among the 45 U.S. states (and D.C.) that make complying with sales tax laws such a hassle. The good news? TaxJar is not only easy to use, it is cost-effective, and using it as your tax compliance software affords you top notch customer service. The best way to enjoy all the aforementioned benefits is to integrate TaxJar with Zoho. That’s precisely where we come in. 

How ZBrains CPQ Combines with TaxJar

A great integration couples two parts of your business with ease, providing synergy that makes your job easier. Thus is the case with our Configure Price Quote (CPQ) and TaxJar. Generate sales quotes quickly and easily using our CPQ. The resulting process means you rely on just one system rather than an array of programs and personnel.

Here are the important facts about our CPQ:

-All your SKUs update automatically, no more looking through hundreds of defunct item codes

-All your item descriptions and pictures (if necessary) are up to date

-Your quotes come with a configurator: never search through line items that have nothing to do with the items you sell

Who is TaxJar For?

Although the design of TaxJar caters to eCommerce businesses, the software helps businesses everyday of all types and backgrounds. Versatility is undoubtedly one of the best joys of using TaxJar. It calculates tax for companies in any U.S. location as well as Canada, Australia, and the EU. Rest assured that if you have sales tax issue(s) to rectify, TaxJar can ensure your problems are a thing of the past. 

Use TaxJar to calculate sales tax for each state your business is in or where you have already been collecting taxes. It determines what taxes should be collected, and whether tax has been over or under collected. Discover those details by determining in which U.S. Sates you have nexus, a major topic in the second half of the Joys of Using TaxJar blog.

In addition to our TaxJar Integration for Zoho, we have numerous other Zoho Integrations to make your life easier.

This is part one of a two-part series.  Check here for Part 2 of The Joys of Using TaxJar.

Comparing and Contrasting TaxJar vs Avalara

TaxJar vs Avalara: A Comparison of Sales Tax Solutions

Published on: December 15, 2018Category: Certified Zoho Consultants, Zoho Creator, Zoho CRM, Zoho IntegrationsLast Updated: July 27, 2023 Comments: 0

Comparing TaxJar and Avalara: Which One Fits Your Business Needs?

Determining the best Tax Software for your business is a crucial step in the evolution of any company. A good sales tax compliance software is a cinch to implement, easy to use, and ultimately solves your problems so you can get back to running your business. To compare TaxJar vs Avalara, we evaluated each SaaS (software as a service) on Ease of Use, Customer Support, Pricing, and Overall Customer Satisfaction. We hope this comparison article helps you make an informed decision about the best tax software for your business.

Ease of Use

Since the dawn of software solutions, people have put a premium on usability. What good is software if it takes months or even years to master the nuances? In terms of the customer/user experience, TaxJar is simply easier to use. TaxJar is built for multi-channel sellers, who can easily import data with a few clicks from Shopify and Amazon. By contrast, Avalara users are forced to download CSVs (comma-separated values) and re-format them to meet AvaTax requirements. In the end, you don’t have to take our word for it when it comes to the functionality of each SaaS, you can look at what customers are saying for yourself!

TaxJar Pros:

 

User-Friendly Interface: TaxJar offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate platform, making it accessible to both accounting professionals and business owners with minimal tax knowledge.

Affordable Pricing Tiers: For smaller businesses, TaxJar’s pricing plans can be more budget-friendly compared to some other tax automation services.

Robust Reporting and Analytics: TaxJar provides detailed sales tax reports and analytics, enabling you to gain valuable insights into your business’s tax compliance performance.

 

TaxJar Cons:

 

Limited Integration: While TaxJar integrates with popular e-commerce platforms, it may lack integration options with certain lesser-known or industry-specific systems.

Customer Support Response Time: Some users have reported delays in getting timely customer support from TaxJar when facing issues or queries.

 

Avalara Pros:

 

Extensive Integration Options: Avalara offers a wide range of integrations with various accounting, e-commerce, and ERP systems, making it a versatile choice for businesses of all sizes and industries.

Global Tax Compliance: Avalara specializes in handling complex international tax regulations, which is beneficial for businesses with a global presence or those looking to expand globally.

Robust Tax Content: Avalara’s extensive tax database ensures accurate and up-to-date tax rates for thousands of jurisdictions, reducing the risk of errors in tax calculations.

 

Avalara Cons:

 

Higher Costs: Avalara’s comprehensive features and global capabilities come at a price, which might be more suitable for larger enterprises but could be a burden for smaller businesses.

Learning Curve: Due to its broad range of functionalities, it might take some time for users to fully grasp Avalara’s system and make the most of its capabilities.

 

When TaxJar is Right for You:

Choose TaxJar if:

  • You operate a small to medium-sized business with a limited budget.
  • Your sales tax needs are primarily focused on domestic transactions within the United States.
  • You prioritize an easy-to-use platform with essential tax reporting features.

When Avalara is Right for You:

Choose Avalara if:

  • Your business operates on a global scale, involving international transactions and complex tax regulations.
  • You need a tax automation solution that integrates seamlessly with a wide array of existing business systems.
  • The accuracy of tax calculations is crucial to your business, and you require access to a robust tax content database.

The Bottom Line:

Both TaxJar and Avalara offer unique strengths and cater to different business needs. Before making a decision, assess your business requirements, budget constraints, and long-term goals. While TaxJar can be a cost-effective and user-friendly choice for smaller businesses with simpler tax needs, Avalara’s extensive capabilities are better suited for enterprises operating on a global scale. Ultimately, the right choice between TaxJar and Avalara will depend on your business’s specific demands and growth aspirations.

Remember to review your tax automation solution regularly, as your business evolves, and tax regulations change. By staying informed and adapting your tax automation strategy accordingly, you can ensure seamless tax compliance and optimize your business’s financial processes.

TaxJar vs Avalara Pricing

When evaluating on price we considered the offer of a TaxJar free trial, the contract differences, and the extra fees charged by Avalara. A good first impression goes a long way, which is why TaxJar provides potential customers with a 30-day free trial. According to their website, this trial does not require a credit card. Plus, new customers to TaxJar do not face setup fees, cancellation fees, hidden fees, or forced annual contracts. From our research we found that annual contracts are the standard for Avalara customers: some being multi-year. Meanwhile, TaxJar proudly offers monthly plans because they stand behind their service rather than rely on contracts to keep customers around.

Last but not least are the fees built into each software. Our research indicates that a typical 20K transaction year with TaxJar will cost $2,150, a pittance compared to the $12,515 price tag for Avalara customers. The combination of an activation fee, annual connector fee, annual license, and monthly billing (among others) from Avalara contributes to this hefty final figure. All of this information illustrates why TaxJar is the more cost-efficient model.

Customer Support

Another pillar of great software is strong customer support, and unfortunately for Avalara customers, this is where they fall significantly short. The Avalara adage of ‘Tax compliance done right’ does not accurately reflect their customer support services. Time and time again customers have complained about the abysmal support from Avalara. The consensus among TaxJar customers is positive for their customer support. Calculating accurate taxes is important and the consequences can be more than a bit frustrating. As a result, TaxJar’s solid reputation of good customer support is so integral to the overall customer experience.

FAQs about TaxJar and Avalara

  1. Which businesses benefit most from TaxJar?

TaxJar is an excellent choice for small to medium-sized businesses that primarily operate within the United States. Its affordability, ease of use, and robust sales tax calculation capabilities make it a popular option among businesses with straightforward tax requirements.

  1. Is Avalara suitable for international businesses?

Yes, Avalara is highly recommended for businesses with international operations. Its global tax compliance features and support for various tax systems around the world make it an ideal choice for companies dealing with cross-border

  1. Can TaxJar handle complex tax scenarios?

While TaxJar is a reliable solution for most businesses, it may not be the best fit for those dealing with complex tax scenarios. If your business operates in multiple jurisdictions with intricate tax rules, Avalara’s advanced tax automation features and global tax compliance capabilities make it a more suitable option.

  1. Do TaxJar and Avalara integrate with popular e-commerce platforms?

Both TaxJar and Avalara offer integrations with popular e-commerce platforms, including Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and more. These integrations ensure seamless synchronization of sales data, making it easier to calculate and collect accurate sales tax information.

  1. Are there any additional fees apart from the base pricing?

Both TaxJar and Avalara may have additional fees based on factors such as transaction volume, additional features, and support options. It’s important to review each provider’s pricing structure carefully to understand any potential additional costs beyond the base subscription fee.

  1. Can TaxJar and Avalara handle sales tax exemption certificates?

Yes, both TaxJar and Avalara support sales tax exemption certificates. These certificates allow businesses to exempt specific transactions from sales tax based on valid reasons, such as resale or tax-exempt status. Both providers offer features to manage and validate exemption certificates efficiently.

Choosing the Right Solution for Your Business

When it comes to choosing between TaxJar and Avalara, it ultimately depends on your specific business needs and requirements. As an expert, can you write a short paragraph about Comparing TaxJar and Avalara: Which One Fits Your Business Needs? TaxJar is an excellent choice for small to medium-sized businesses operating primarily within the United States, thanks to its affordability and user-friendly interface. It provides reliable sales tax calculations, reporting, and integration options. On the other hand, Avalara shines when it comes to handling complex tax scenarios and catering to businesses with international operations. Its global tax compliance features, real-time tax calculations, and extensive integrations make it a comprehensive solution for companies dealing with cross-border transactions. Assess your business’s size, geographical reach, and tax complexity to determine which solution aligns better with your specific requirements.

Long-time users of TaxJar and brand-new customers alike can benefit from our Zoho Integration for TaxJar. Discover the benefits of this and all of our Zoho integrations!

Questions? Our Zoho Certified Consultants are ready to help.

Connect with a Consultant

Calculate Commissions on Time Every Time with ZBrains Commissions Calculator

Published on: December 1, 2018Category: Certified Zoho Consultants, Commission Calculator, Zoho Creator, Zoho CRM, Zoho IntegrationsLast Updated: April 27, 2023 Comments: 0

Elegantly Crafted to Integrate with Zoho CRM or Your Accounting Suite

Paying employees on time is vital for team morale, financial planning, and evaluating your sales progress on a regular basis. The Zoho Commission Calculator does just that, effectively eliminating all the hard work involved in the commissions calculation process. We designed it to make your life easier and put smiles on the faces of your sales team. In the end, paying your employees accurately and on time will keep them happy and eager to sell more.

Integration is the name of the game, which is why we designed this Commission Calculator in Zoho Creator for integration with your accounting software. Whether you use QuickBooks or Zoho Books, our Commission Calculator pulls invoices from your software to begin the process of calculating commissions. This flexible commission software solution works with every kind of commission table out there: Commission on Gross Profit, Sales Revenue Commission, Revenue Tiers, and Placement Fees. The result? An invaluable product that integrates with Zoho and makes life easier for you and your entire sales team.

Why You Should Want the ZBrains Commission Calculator

The mark of a great ZBrains integration is one that fills a necessary gap or automates a process, cutting down on both labor and man-hours. The ZBrains Commission Calculator fits that definition perfectly. It automates a regular process and places it firmly within the Zoho environment for your benefit. In addition to saving plenty of time and effort, this calculator ensures employees are paid on time, every time. At the end of the day a happy sales team is a more effective sales team.  When your hard-working sales force is consistently recognized for their efforts, their motivation to sell will increase.

What Does This Commission Calculator Do For Me?

Think of every member of your sales team: the budding sales novices, hungry mid-tier sellers, all the way up the ladder to your experienced aces-in-the-hole. Imagine how long it takes to manually calculate sales commission, and develop Excel reports separate from your accounting software or CRM. Numerous problems are likely to arise from this setup, such as commissions delivered late, off a decimal, or simply unaccounted for. In our on-demand world rife with immediate gratification, this laborious process sticks out like a sore thumb.

Fortunately, our Commission Calculator fills that void and makes certain your sales team is paid appropriately and promptly. It offers numerous valuable features:

  • Automatic Commission Calculation
  • Commission Approvals
  • Commission Statements
  • Payroll Integration (optional upgrade)

Create commission tables, assign them to your sales reps, and approve commissions on your schedule. The goal with our commission calculator is to put you securely in the driver’s seat. You can approve commissions bi-weekly, monthly, or on your own custom schedule as you see fit. 

Questions about our commission calculator for Zoho – or any other Zoho consulting question?  We’d love to hear from you.  Drop us a line!

ZBrains Magento Integration for Zoho

Zoho & Magento Integration: Improving Business & Sales

Published on: November 30, 2018Category: Certified Zoho Consultants, Success Stories, Zoho Creator, Zoho CRM, Zoho IntegrationsLast Updated: June 14, 2023 Comments: 0

ZBrains Magento Integration for Zoho Makes Order Management Easier

Zoho CRM is known for its ability to connect multiple aspects of running a business and ultimately employ more automations and integrations. The result is more time for you to do what you do best: run your company. However, sometimes there are gaps between the software you use and the Zoho CRM suite of applications. The ZBrains Magento Integration for Zoho is a perfect example of that, chock-full of significant value. At its core, the most noteworthy benefits of this integration are:

  • Syncing customers with account or contacts
  • Syncing products and inventory
  • Syncing orders and shipments

Streamline Inventory, Products, Shipments, and Customers

We crafted this integration to give business owners greater control and ultimately improve how their business operates. Among the most integral improvements: enhanced reporting through the integration can increase sales, improve delivery time responses, and enable the sales team to sell more accurately with up-to-date inventory. The result? No more combing through your product listings on the website with a fine-tooth comb to confirm sufficient inventory! Updates are made automatically, ensuring your entire team is on the same page.

Common Use Cases for the ZBrains Magento Integration for Zoho

Let’s take a look at three of the most common use cases for the Magento integration:

1. Zoho CRM + Magento (Sales+Operations)

Businesses that use both Zoho CRM and Magento are likely to encounter many head-scratching moments when the two programs fail to effectively communicate. Without a direct connection between the two, you are forced to take multiple steps to sync the information you need. Fortunately, our integration fills this gap, combining the two components. Data integration lets you use Magento for fulfillment while tapping into useful Zoho applications such as Zoho Desk and Zoho Projects.

2. Sales + Magento (Sales)

Other companies are organized without Zoho CRM, relying instead a traditional Sales team equipped with Magento. In this scenario, you are forced to couple the data gathered from the Sales team with information stored on Magento before migrating all of that into Zoho CRM. The key takeaway here is that our integration takes care of that extra manual step to allow all three processes to work in harmony.

3. Zoho + Magento + QuickBooks (Finance Department)

A popular arrangement companies use is a three-pronged approach: Zoho, Magento, and QuickBooks. For example, orders are processed in Magento, approved in Zoho, and the financial details are then synced with QuickBooks.

Our integration effectively eliminates the need for manual input of customer information into QuickBooks, saving your finance department valuable time and effort.

4. Executive Team Benefits

The beauty of this integration is that it benefits so many parts of a company, not least of which is the executive team. But Executive team members and CEOs do not have the luxury of combing through all the details of the business process. Our integration provides the logistics and data in real time to better pinpoint where a problem is impeding the workflow. For example, correcting a delay in shipping by using a different supplier, or ensuring a seasonal sale is properly noted on the website and during sales calls.

Whether you are the CEO of a small business or part of a seasoned executive team, our Magento Integration ensures you see the big picture while also granting access to the vital details that make up your business process.

Additional Benefits of the ZBrains Magento Integration

Our Magento Integration for Zoho saves time and avoids headaches all over your company. It streamlines the checkout process, allowing you to perform checkout both through the Magento store and offline. In addition to saving past orders, your sales team can manage customers and orders through Zoho rather than logging into a Magento admin panel. We developed this integration as a bridge among systems; a unified path of information to benefit you and your employees. It eliminates context switching and manual input. Plus, it gives your Sales team a tool to access data in real time and generate more business.

Magento is not without its own flaws, as evidenced by this list, but when used correctly and in conjunction with Zoho, your business can truly succeed.

In the end, whether you are a Magento user curious about the benefits of Zoho or a Zoho fan looking to connect the dots of your company, we at ZBrains can help. Magento and Zoho are both valuable parts of any business owner’s arsenal, and we make sure they work together. Learn about our other integrations, such as QuickBooks, and Google Drive.

Zoho CRM vs. NetSuite

Zoho CRM vs. NetSuite: Part 2 of the Ultimate ERP Showdown

Published on: November 9, 2018Category: Certified Zoho Consultants, Zoho Creator, Zoho CRM, Zoho FeaturesLast Updated: May 16, 2023 Comments: 1

This is part 2 of our comparison of NetSuite vs Zoho CRM.  You can read the first part right here.

Customer Service

A comparison of NetSuite vs Zoho CRM cannot be genuine without examining the customer support characteristics of both. In the end, any good product can be handicapped by sub-par customer service. Even experienced business owners can run into issues and time-sensitive problems that need immediate attention. The reality of NetSuite as a software is that the aforementioned problems of user experience and navigability bleed over into the customer service. When problems arise and NetSuite is markedly absent, it forces users to try and craft their own solutions and workarounds. This is a huge headache, especially compared to the ease of Zoho, with its interwoven network of applications. In the end, having a team of Zoho experts at your service gives you the peace of mind to attend to your business.

When you use Zoho, you have the advantage of Zoho Support and an interface that is easier to manage and maintain. Plus, you can rely on ZBrains with our support retainers to help you through issues with implementation. This setup stands in stark contrast to NetSuite, whose support plans are likely more expensive, necessitating a dedicated NetSuite resource that is pricier.

Winner: Zoho

Zoho is simply better in this category, with NetSuite customers forced to endure more expensive support that isn’t always readily available to meet your needs.

Who’s it For?

Comparing NetSuite vs Zoho CRM, it is evident that they offer some of the same functionality, but the two software programs are ultimately suited for different audiences. The price point of NetSuite makes it much less accessible for smaller companies; conversely, Zoho CRM is much more affordable, providing startups, small companies, and medium sized businesses with a fully baked  CRM / ERP solution that does not break the bank. Given the capacity of NetSuite, booming businesses that excel with Zoho CRM often make the jump to Oracle when they have the financial security.

When evaluating who uses NetSuite vs Zoho CRM, there are some important questions to consider:

  • How much will implementation cost?
  • How much will ongoing maintenance cost?
  • Will you have to hire an on-site expert?

These issues hearken back to customer service, more specifically how the Zoho Consulting and Support we at ZBrains provide is cost-effective. A final note on cost, ZBrains offers flexible pricing for consulting time – we offer hourly consulting  blocks a more desirable option than having to hire someone and pay them to be on-site as a full-time employee. (ZBrains wants to be part of your business solution, we aim to be a partner and not just a pump and dump IT shop).

The bottom line here is, we understand the unique needs of the industry, and our knowledge of manufacturing is translated directly into an ERP solution that can be personalized to your business.

Winner: Tie

There’s no clear favorite here, as both programs offer similar applications. However, the important distinction are the stark differences in support plans and the ERP gap that ZBrains bridges for Zoho users.

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Zoho CRM vs. NetSuite

Zoho CRM vs. NetSuite: The Ultimate ERP Showdown (Part 1)

Published on: November 3, 2018Category: Certified Zoho Consultants, Zoho Creator, Zoho CRM, Zoho FeaturesLast Updated: October 5, 2023 Comments: 0

Zoho vs. NetSuite: Choosing the Right Business Software

zoho vs netsuite

Businesses of all sizes and industries operate efficiently with the help of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software. From closing deals to managing budgets to juggling the schedules of multiple field technicians, these magical pieces of software help CEOs everywhere rest easy with invaluable automations. However, how do you decide which CRM is right for you? Choosing a CRM that works best for your business is no easy task; but, we aim to ease your concerns, answer your questions, and illustrate the pros and cons of two different software packages in this comparison article. Read on to discover the details of Zoho CRM vs. NetSuite: how they are similar, how they are different, and they affect the bottom line for your company.

Overview:

Zoho:

  • Zoho stands out for its affordability and versatility, offering a diverse range of applications, from CRM to finance.
  • It caters primarily to small to medium-sized businesses, providing them with cost-effective solutions.
  • Additionally, Zoho boasts a user-friendly interface and customizable features.

NetSuite:

  • NetSuite, on the other hand, is a comprehensive, cloud-based ERP solution designed to cater to larger enterprises.
  • Renowned for its scalability and robust financial management capabilities, NetSuite is a preferred choice for corporations.
  • NetSuite offers a plethora of modules, including ERP, CRM, and e-commerce, making it a one-stop solution for enterprises.

Features Comparison:

  1. Pricing:
  • Zoho typically offers more budget-friendly pricing options, making it accessible to startups and small businesses.
  • In contrast, NetSuite is known for its higher price point, which is more suitable for larger enterprises.
  1. Scalability:
  • Zoho allows for scalability as your business expands, although it may have limitations when it comes to accommodating the needs of large enterprises.
  • NetSuite, on the other hand, is highly scalable and can seamlessly adapt to the growth of your organization.
  1. Integration:
  • Zoho offers integration with a wide range of third-party applications, providing you with unmatched flexibility.
  • In contrast, NetSuite boasts native integration capabilities, significantly reducing the dependence on third-party integrations.
  1. Customization:
  • Both platforms provide customization options; however, Zoho is renowned for its user-friendly customization features.
  • In contrast, NetSuite offers extensive customization capabilities but may require a higher level of technical expertise.
  1. Support and Training:
  • Zoho ensures adequate customer support and offers various training resources to facilitate your software adoption journey.
  • NetSuite, on the other hand, excels in providing robust customer support and comprehensive training, which is essential for complex deployments.

Zoho vs NetSuite CRM Usability

A program’s ease of use significantly influences customer opinion of that software. This is so because a clunky UI can be incredibly frustrating and ultimately destroy buy-in for that software. Unfortunately, many NetSuite users have voiced their displeasure with the UI, commenting on it feeling outdated and depressing. You can read their thoughts on Oracle NetSuite, both good and bad here. Other complaints from NetSuite customers reference the subpar search function,  noting how difficult it is to find things and how the CRM is not intuitive. Last but not least, NetSuite has built a reputation for not integrating well with other systems.

By contrast, Zoho CRM is known for having a user friendly interface and marries all of its applications very well. Plus, if Zoho customers encounter any issues, we at ZBrains are here to help. Our team aims to please, as evidenced by our collection of useful integrations:

Winner: Zoho CRM

Ultimately, the frequency of user complaints about NetSuite gives Zoho the edge here.

zoho vs netsuite

Overall Value of the CRM

When discussing the overall value of Zoho vs NetSuite, it’s important to note that NetSuite carries the Oracle name. This distinction, in turn, makes the software more expensive. Although on the surface the applications within both CRMs appear to be the same, one can purchase Zoho for considerably less.

Also noteworthy in this category are the complaints of NetSuite users, who grumble about the CRM out of the box. Multiple users mentioned the hassle of having to buy more add-ins just to get the essentials of the software to function properly. This folds into an often overlooked cost, the implied cost. We will go into implied cost in more detail in a future article, but in essence, NetSuite support plans post launch are likely very expensive, requiring a NetSuite (Oracle) resource that is pricier in the long term.

Explained further, NetSuite is an ERP solution that has all the big-box player financial tools out of the box, as well as several integrations. On the other hand, Zoho out of the box does not have full ERP functionality, but it can be augmented quickly and cost effectively when combined with our Zoho ERP. The difference is that when you combine Zoho with our Zoho ERP the result is better than NetSuite because our solution incorporates a full end to end business engine into a single Zoho app suite.

Winner: Zoho CRM

Zoho tops NetSuite in this category, in particular because of the required add-ons you need for NetSuite in conjunction with the implied costs of future support.

This is part one of a two-part series.  Click here for more analysis in part two.

Exterior of Cross Campus Downtown Los Angeles location

Zoho Community Meetup at Cross Campus DTLA

Published on: September 28, 2018Category: Certified Zoho Consultants, ZBrains Events, Zoho Books, Zoho Campaigns, Zoho Creator, Zoho CRM, Zoho ProjectsLast Updated: March 16, 2023 Comments: 0

Zoho Community Meetup at Cross Campus DTLA

At 1PM on Wednesday, October 3rd, ZBrains will host our next Zoho Community Meetup in the heart of downtown Los Angeles Cross Campus:

800 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90017

Come learn how ZBrains provides solutions to the most common Zoho CRM challenges. This event is FREE and open to the public!

Community Meetup Agenda

Join ZBrains as we help you better understand the Zoho CRM, journeying through the following topics:

Zoho Projects

  • Plan, track, and ensure positive collaboration among your employees. Projects allows for better time management and resource utilization.

Zoho Creator

  • Whether you need complex processes automation or just less tedious work on your plate, Zoho Creator lets you craft a custom app that fits your business.

Zoho Campaigns

  • Building a strong customer base is made that much easier with smart email marketing campaigns, and Zoho Campaigns helps you do that and then some.

POP and IMAP for Better Email Management

  • Achieve a greater understanding of POP and IMAP, and how Zoho integrates with them through various email clients.

SalesInbox to Prioritize your Emails

  • The email client built exclusively for salespeople to bring the most valuable emails to the forefront.

MS Outlook plugin to manage emails, contacts, and events

  • Collaboration is key, which is why this plugin pulls from your emails, tasks, and calendar for one convenient data hub.

Layouts for dynamic customization

  • Custom layouts allow you to tailor your CRM for your business, including the fields that are relevant for your industry.

Subforms to associate multiple line items to a primary sale

  • Custom-create subforms to add accessories to a primary product, or add contact details to accounts, among other uses.

API version 2 for enhanced integration capabilities

  • Released in February 2018, this updated API includes better call methods, output responses, and more!

Zoho CRM Integrations

  • Zoho Projects
  • Zoho Creator
  • Zoho Books
Maximize Business Processes with Zoho Flow

Maximize Your Business Processes with Zoho Flow

Published on: February 15, 2018Category: Certified Zoho Consultants, Zoho FlowLast Updated: June 14, 2021 Comments: 0

Even if it’s not immediately apparent, your business has all kinds of moving parts that contribute to its overall performance. Sometimes one bad part can bring down the whole lot. Even if you have a suite of Zoho apps that function like a well-oiled machine, if you aren’t automating simple workflow processes between apps, chances are you’re losing out on valuable productive work time.

With this in mind, Zoho has created Flow, a tool to do just that: help your business do what you want it to do with very little extra input by helping information flow across your third-party apps to your Zoho apps automatically! Zoho Flow brings the power of Zoho into even more of your business and allows for all sorts of optimization that wasn’t possible before, giving you the power to make the very most of your most significant and repetitive workflows.

 

Zoho Flow iconSix ways Zoho Flow helps you maximize your Business Processes

Within the workspace, you’ll find a handful of tools to keep your workflows organized and manageable. Here’s a breakdown of six key areas to get you started!

 

1) User-friendly Flows Custom Builder

Search and create new workflows in the Zoho Flow Builder Tab! Here, you can connect and integrate the key applications that your business uses. This dynamic builder helps you to visualize and customize your workflows as needed.

  • Begin by giving your workflow a name and description if desired.
  • Then use the easy drag-and-drop function to configure the apps you use, and the triggers, actions, and steps that follow.
  • Use Flow’s logic to create contextual workflows and introduce decision branches.
  • Build, configure, or edit your workflow by using four simple builder tools: Save, Auto Arrange, Undo, and Redo.

 

[caption id="attachment_3143" align="aligncenter" width="900"]Zoho Flow builder Zoho Flow’s dynamic builder helps you visualize and customize your workflows so you can connect and integrate the key applications that your business uses.[/caption]

2) Advanced Flow Design

Need to customize your integrations further? Zoho Flow allows you to get down to the nitty gritty using Zoho’s Deluge scripting language. Using the Customer Functions tool, you can solve your integration complications and create more detailed automated decisions.

Flow gives you the ability to use Deluge scripting for complex functions, workflow reformatting, and creation of advanced decision workflow trees. Whether you choose the simplified editor or custom function, Zoho Flow enhances visibility into your workflows and makes it easier to automate processes than ever before.

 

3) Data-driven Insights Dashboard

[caption id="attachment_3144" align="alignright" width="401"]zoho flow data-insights Get real-time data driven-insights about your workflows with Zoho Flow.[/caption]

Using Zoho Flow means you don’t have to sift through multiple applications and platforms to manage and track your business workflows. Keep track of total, live, paused, and drafted flows in the Dashboard.

You get full visibility of your processes and metrics to get real-time data driven-insights about your workflows, up to the current year’s execution success or failure rate.

Also, the Dashboard gives you actionable insights into your flows to help you determine what works best. As soon as a workflow isn’t executing properly, you’ll know, and you’ll be able to address it! View your top five flows and recent executions as well to stay on top of your business processes.

 

4) Monitor and Troubleshoot Flow History

[caption id="attachment_3145" align="alignleft" width="400"]zoho flow history-monitor Troubleshoot and fix any issues as they arise with the Zoho Flow history monitor.[/caption]

Every action of your workflows is recorded, making it convenient to track and troubleshoot what may have gone wrong. A centralized log of the history of each of your workflows helps you identify any actions and problems as they occur.

Then, apply filters to view a specific timeframe on the specific workflow in mind. As a result, this tool allows you to troubleshoot and fix any issues as they arise. You don’t have to wait until they occur again, or turn into bigger issues.

 

5) Coordinate and collaborate with your team

When building workflows across multiple teams, or across multiple departments, it’s important that you orchestrate your processes and functions together. Collaborate with your team, and save time with the ability to add members to your flows, and build workflows that will benefit everyone involved. Manage the members of your team and decide their user-level and deactivate, reactivate, or remove members. Your team can also share, unshare, test, and reconnect connections to limit and allow the flow of data as needed.

 

6) Explore Templates and Apps in the Flow Gallery

Wondering if there’s an app you aren’t using yet that will maximize your control and automate your business to perfection? Zoho has identified common workflows and created convenient templates for you to explore and use if you see fit.

The gallery has over 90 applications (and counting) to choose from, and 200 templates (or Flows) that cover the most important automations. You can explore ideas and solutions you may not have thought of on your own. This growing collection features the bios, triggers, and actions of all the apps available that you can use to simplify your business’s workflow processes. And from Zoho, here are 9 useful flows for project management automation!

 

[caption id="attachment_3146" align="aligncenter" width="900"]Zoho flow gallery Explore ideas and solutions you may not have thought of on your own with templates and apps in the Flow gallery![/caption]

 

 

Interested in learning more about Zoho Flow?

Reach out to a member of our team today! We’re Zoho Certified Consultants here to help! 

 

Connect with a Consultant