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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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:
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.
Zoho vs. NetSuite: Choosing the Right Business Software
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.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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
Ultimately, the frequency of user complaints about NetSuite gives Zoho the edge here.
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.
Zoho ERP with ZBrains Job Costing Extension: Advantages
Job costing is a phenomenal way for businesses owners to stay on top of their finances and ensure they are on budget across all projects. The ZBrains Zoho Job Costing App, built by our Zoho Creator experts, offers businesses of varying industries a pathway towards greater financial management and allocation of resources. When performed correctly, job costing ensures employees are being utilized smartly. Traditionally, job costing is associated with manufacturing and construction companies. However, service companies (law firms, accounting businesses, and private investment companies) also have a lot to gain from this application. Plus, medical services businesses, film studios, and retail companies likewise can utilize job costing to great effect.
Streamline Workflow: Quotes, Proposals, and Planning Made Easy
Companies often rely on multiple software platforms to track expensesThe Advantages of Using Zoho ERP with the ZBrains Job Costing Extension and coordinate their budget planning. The beauty of our job costing app is having all your data conveniently housed in one place. Want to adjust a proposal to include more line items within a single deal? Done. Looking to monitor the work load for multiple employees? You got it. This application takes all expenses into account, including labor, materials, and employee wages, to give you an accurate picture of your business as a whole. Planning for the future is easier with Zoho Job Costing as a result, because you can see the true cost of every job. For a great job costing example, see this job costing example.
Organize your Team and their Individual Workflows
[caption id="attachment_3417" align="alignright" width="500"]Photo Credit: Stand With Main Street[/caption]
Any great manager can speak to the difficulty of monitoring multiple team members at once, and this app significantly eases that process. See where your efforts are pointed, and re-assign team members as needed. Perhaps you have a go-to worker for smaller, short window projects and another ace in the hole for complex, longer term projects — the job costing module lets you track their progress and add to their plates as you see fit. Another aspect to consider is the speed of a worker compared to another. This job costing app enables you to assign a junior employee to a lower priority project and a senior specialist to a project that needs to be completed as quickly as possible.
Optimize your Business Strategy
As with any great tool, the way you use it determines how much value you extract from it. So it is with the job costing module: when used to its full potential business owners can see how their resources are being utilized. For example, maybe there is an uptick in jobs requiring stone, or a decline in jobs requiring lumber. With the job costing module you can take stock of your resources and adjust as needed. This makes life easier for you and your employees and helps you avoid resource shortages and surpluses alike. Job costing is but one element, one spoke in the wheel that is Zoho ERP Software, which helps your business sync with inventory, order management, and financial data.
Zoho integration: The ultimate advantage
Above all else, the reason you’ll want to consider the Zoho Job Costing tool we’ve developed is its deep integration with Zoho CRM. By using our Zoho integration and allowing the two systems to communicate, you’ll be opening your employees’ eyes to a much easier method of calculating job costs. Integration allows for data to be synced between systems at the very least, eliminating double-entry. And, at most, you could even access the Zoho Creator Job Costing module from inside the CRM, for a truly unified user experience.
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.
Published on: September 24, 2018Category: Zoho CRM, Zoho DeskLast Updated: August 16, 2023 Comments: 0
What exactly is Zoho Desk Timer?
When working on tasks or tickets in Zoho Desk, a web-based help desk software, think of the Zoho Desk Timer as your personal stopwatch or timer.
1. Tracking Time Automatically:
Consider having a timekeeper who starts the timer when you open a ticket in Zoho Desk and stops it when you finish an activity, such as writing a reply or posting a comment. It keeps track of the time spent on each task without requiring you to start or stop the timer manually.
2. Manual Time Recording:
Consider having complete control over the timing, much like an actual stopwatch. Manual time tracking requires you to start and stop the timer while you work on tickets or tasks in Zoho Desk. It allows you to track time based on your preferences and pause/resume when necessary.
3. Efficiency and simplicity:
The Zoho Desk Timer tries to make time tracking easier. It has a simple interface that allows you to effortlessly start, pause, resume, or reset the timer. It makes it easier to track your productivity by correctly quantifying the time spent on each ticket or job.
4. Billing Time Tracking:
Zoho Desk Timer, like a professional service provider that charges by the hour, allows you to add billable time entries to tickets. You can establish predetermined fees to make it easier to calculate and bill clients based on time spent.
Understanding these sub-components allows you to grasp how the Zoho Desk Timer functions as a time management tool, whether it’s automatically tracking time as you execute actions or allowing you to manually control and record your work hours. It streamlines the process and keeps you organized, whether you’re tracking time for personal productivity or billing.
Track Time Automatically or Manually with the Zoho Desk Timer
A recent upgrade to Zoho Desk has made this web-based help desk software even more valuable. Zoho Desk Time Tracking is the newest feature, allowing you to track time spent on tickets and add billable time entries based on predefined costs. The ease and efficiency of this new component is instantly identifiable — it’s such a no-brainer that you may wonder how Zoho Desk ever existed without it! We’ve spelled out the details of this streamlined process below:
The timer is a stopwatch on the top of the page that tracks the amount of time spent working on a ticket or task. Press pause and start to pause and resume the timer as needed. When you click pause, the accumulated time is held for you. You can restart the timer to pick up where you left off, or you can apply the accumulated time to your timesheet. There is also a refresh button to reset the timer, allowing you to start the timer over.
Timer displays accumulated time in the HH:MM:SS format, starting at the one-second mark
Timers can be run on multiple tickets simultaneously
Zoho Desk Time Tracking for Tasks
Simplicity is the name of the game, which is why tracking time for tasks is very similar to tickets. The chief difference? An administrator could restrict you from running the timer on multiple tasks at once. When this happens, a pop-up on the upper right area of the screen prompts you to submit the time spent on the current task before beginning the timer on the new one.
Clicking “Yes” in the above box will submit the timer for the accumulated time for the current task and start the timer on the new task.
How to Track Active Timers
Although you could run the timer on multiple tickets and tasks, it’s useless if you don’t remember to stop and submit their time. When you have lots of work on your plate, paying extra attention to a timer is the last thing you want to do. That’s why Zoho Desk includes My Active Timers, a view that lists all of your active timers in the department. (Because let’s face it, multitasking is no longer just a mark of efficiency, it’s a way of life.)
To view your active timers:
1. Log into Zoho Desk 2. Check the Pending Activities icon
3. A new window slides open on the right hand side of the screen
4. Click the My Active Timers icon at the top of the window.
Your active timers along and their accumulated time are listed here. You can pause, stop or reset the timer corresponding to a ticket or a task from here.
Automatic Time Tracking for Tickets
In automatic tracking, the timer starts every time a ticket is opened in your browser and stops when an action is completed. The actions to be tracked are set up at the department level by your administrator. For example, sending a reply, drafting a response, leaving a comment, etc. If no action is completed the timer does not record an entry. Also, while you can pause, resume, and reset time on an automatic timer, you cannot stop or submit your time since it gets added once you complete an action on a ticket.
*The timer is visible only if your administrator has enabled your ability to view the timer under settings. Otherwise your time will be submitted in the background.*
Reviewing Time in Zoho Desk
If you started the timer one hour ago, but at some point you took a 15 minute break, you must discard this time before submitting it. That’s why Zoho Desk allows you to review and edit your time spent on a ticket. A pop-up window appears with the choice to submit or ignore the spent time. You have 10 seconds to review the time before it gets auto-submitted.
For example in the image above, you have 10 seconds from when the window appears to submit the accumulated time. Failure to do so will automatically submit the displayed time. However, if you need more than 10 seconds for review, click on the tracked time to remove the countdown and remain on the window.
*This review window is visible only if your administrator has enabled your ability to edit your time spent on tickets.*
**You cannot review or edit the time spent in manual Zoho Desk time tracking mode.**
The Significance of Time Tracking
Time management is fundamental to achieving business success in the modern world. Whether you’re a burgeoning startup or a well-established enterprise, understanding how time is allocated to tasks, projects, and customer interactions is imperative. Time tracking furnishes insightful data that informs decision-making, resource allocation, and process enhancement. With Zoho Desk Time Tracking, real-time visibility is at your fingertips, enabling the identification of bottlenecks and optimization of workflows.
Streamlined Task Management
Zoho Desk Time Tracking integrates seamlessly with your existing task management system, offering a holistic view of tasks, their statuses, and time allocation. This integration obviates the need for manual data entry, minimizing errors and saving valuable time. Whether tasks are assigned to your team, or you’re working on individual projects, Zoho Desk’s intuitive interface simplifies time logging against specific tasks. This ensures an accurate record of time distribution across diverse activities.
Boosting Productivity
A productive workforce is the bedrock of any successful business. Zoho Desk Time Tracking empowers your team to remain focused and efficient through real-time tracking and insights. As team members log their time, supervisors can monitor progress, identify roadblocks, and provide timely assistance. Furthermore, Zoho Desk’s reporting and analytics capabilities offer actionable individual and team performance insights. This data-driven approach allows you to celebrate accomplishments, address challenges, and implement strategies for enhanced productivity.
Effortless Customer Support
Exemplary customer support necessitates swift responses and efficient issue resolution. Zoho Desk Time Tracking revolutionizes this aspect. With its integrated time tracking features, your customer support agents can log the time spent on each customer interaction – from responding to inquiries to resolving intricate problems. This data aids in measuring the efficiency of your support team and also assists in setting realistic customer expectations. Analyzing time spent on different types of tickets allows you to optimize support processes, ensuring every customer receives stellar assistance.
Precise Billing and Invoicing
Precise time tracking is non-negotiable for businesses billing clients based on worked hours. Zoho Desk Time Tracking simplifies the billing process by providing accurate records of billable hours. This reduces disputes and enhances transparency with clients. Integrating time-tracking data with your invoicing system expedites invoice generation with precision. This streamlined approach saves time and cultivates a professional and trustworthy image of your business in the eyes of clients.
Flexibility in Remote Work
The modern work landscape is evolving, with remote work becoming increasingly prevalent. Zoho Desk Time Tracking accommodates this shift by offering remote access to the platform. Whether your team works from the office, home, or anywhere worldwide, they can effortlessly log their time and remain connected. This flexibility supports a remote workforce and ensures accurate time tracking, irrespective of geographical location.
Informed Decision Making
Informed decisions serve as the cornerstone of successful business operations. Zoho Desk Time Tracking equips you with the data needed for strategic choices. The platform’s reporting features offer insights into time allocation trends, team performance, and project timelines. By analyzing this data, you can make informed decisions regarding resource allocation, project prioritization, and process refinement. With Zoho Desk’s analytics, you can continually enhance your strategies for superior outcomes.
Conclusion
Effective time management is a critical asset in achieving business excellence. Zoho Desk Time Tracking presents a comprehensive solution for effortlessly managing and tracking time, enabling you to optimize productivity, enhance customer support, and make informed decisions. As businesses strive to maintain competitiveness and provide exceptional services, Zoho Desk’s time-tracking features emerge as a dependable ally on this journey. Embrace the capabilities of Zoho Desk Time Tracking and propel your business toward enhanced efficiency and success.
Published on: July 24, 2018Category: Zoho CRMLast Updated: June 14, 2023 Comments: 0
Streamlining Your Business: The Process of Continual Improvement
The only way to succeed is to put in your time and take your blows.
Employees will only work if you crack the whip around them.
If you’re leaving less than a cup of coffee, make a new pot or risk certain demise.
What does this have to do with the process of improving your business? Most businesses have maxims they live by – maybe yours is one of those. We all have certain things we harp on each other about, maybe because we know our companies function better when things are done a certain way, maybe just because of personal preference (and, at the end of the day, we all like to be catered to a little bit).
But, when it comes to Zoho CRM, you might be in the dark – especially if you find yourself reading this blog! (There’s no shame in that.)
Here’s another adage for your repertoire: Stick to the process.
You might be nodding your head…or, you might not.
So, what does it mean to stick to the the process of improving your business?
Well, here’s what it DOESN’T mean:
1. Doing the fifteen-step of sales, ops, underwriting, development, accounting, and fulfillment… all in one fell swoop. 2. Going to great lengths to streamline one part of your business while ignoring another part simply because it’s not your area of expertise or you’re getting pushback. 3. Sifting through volumes of abstruse information looking for something that might, just perhaps, be the solution to an equally difficult business problem.
If you weren’t nodding your head before, maybe you are now.
And, if you are… there’s nothing wrong with that.
These are really common problems to have. Running a business isn’t a walk in the park.
However, if you’re using Zoho CRM or Zoho One, you have the tools to help you with problems like those, or at the very least point you in the right direction. Rome wasn’t built in a day, so here’s another maxim, no matter what: Knowledge is power. Without further ado…
Use Zoho to Separate Work Into Departments
If your head is swimming with the scores of complicated (or even mundane) tasks you need to do just to keep your head above water, it probably wasn’t always like that – but, now maybe you’re in a little too deep to come out, stop everything, and figure out how to get your Zoho suite to handle it all.
Rather than perpetuate the cycle of you doing everything yourself, you can take a small step towards improving your lot simply by exploring, turning on, and connecting the various apps in Zoho One to your Zoho CRM:
1. Zoho Projects, great for project-based businesses 2. Zoho Finance Suite, great for any business, even manufacturers and distributors 3. Zoho Desk, great for routing help desk-style inquiries
These apps connect with the CRM in different ways, but all can help you ultimately by conforming to your process if they’re used the right way.
Zoho: Not Just a CRM, and Not Just for Sales
Even after you’ve turned on various Zoho apps, connected them, and even configured them somewhat, there’s no guarantee you’re getting the buy-in you need from your staff, or maybe there’s an area of business you’re letting lag because it isn’t your forte.
If there’s a clear bottleneck in your process, there’s no better solution that using what you already have in Zoho One – a full suite of applications – to solve that problem. For example, if your sales staff has adopted Zoho fully, but operations still tracks their projects on spreadsheets, we recommend introducing Projects at the very least – and perhaps even using the built in custom function (from the Zoho CRM Custom Function Gallery) to create new projects in Zoho Projects when you close deals in Zoho CRM.
Googling: Great for looking up words, terrible for solving complex business process flow problems
When your business’s very success is on the line, the worst thing you can do is continue to spend time doing something that may not necessarily help, like scouring the internet for solutions to issues you have that may be quite complex. Or, worse yet, thinking you’ve found the solution to a problem you have, only to find it isn’t correct because of a simple misunderstanding.
Rather than put yourself through more misery, stick to doing what you do best – running your company – and let Zoho’s built-in AI tell you what you can improve on. Zoho’s AI bot, called Zia, is designed to analyze your daily activities and inform you about where you can possibly save time doing repetitive tasks, as many repetitive tasks can be automated using workflow automation or macros.
Taking Zia’s advice won’t solve the most complex problems, but it will save you valuable time, which could give you just the edge you need to extricate yourself for ten minutes, pick up the phone, and…
Let the Experts Do What They’re Best At
If you’ve already gone through the issues and you’re still stuck behind an insurmountable wall, just remember this. No, not another maxim.
You know your business better than anyone else. We know Zoho just as much. Your best possible version of the Zoho suite is waiting for you somewhere in the middle, and that version of Zoho will be molded, conformed to your processes. Sticking to the process of improving your business might be a good thing to talk about, and it might be something you wish Zoho would help you do. But, with the proper planning, it’s a real possibility. And with expert execution, it can be a reality.
Call ZBrains toll-free and mention QuoteSmarter for a free CRM consultation.
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.
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