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Think Like a Zoho Certified Consultant Does

Think like a Zoho Certified Consultant Does

zoho certified consultant

Dealing with a new Zoho CRM can be tough, especially if you’ve just implemented it and you aren’t really sure what to do next.  You’ve got users to accommodate, orders to update, data to import… What do you do?  And, more importantly, how do you do it?  And, once it’s done, how do you get your team to actually use it?

At this point, it’s a good idea to enlist the help of a Zoho certified consultant.  A Zoho certified consultant is well-versed in all things Zoho, from CRM to Analytics, and everything in between.

What makes a consultant specifically trained in the intricacies of Zoho unique is his ability to answer certain business-related questions and apply their answers to your selection of Zoho tools.  That way, the consultant can determine what you actually need your CRM (and plugins) to do for you, then train your team accordingly.

Some food for thought zoho certified consultant

Answering some of these business-related questions isn’t a magic bullet, but, it will get you in the right frame of mind to think like a Zoho certified consultant.  These are the questions you may be asked by a Zoho certified consultant; as such, you’ll want to know what their answers are!

1.  Who are your customers?

The answer to this question will dictate things like which modules inside Zoho CRM will be useful for you.  You might be dealing with other businesses, in which case you’ll rely on an Accounts module to look up company details.  Or, you might only be dealing with end-users, which means you won’t need an Accounts module, which comes with Zoho CRM by default, at all.

2.  How long is a typical sales cycle for your business?

This answer is important because it lets the consultant know how you may want to use your calendar for planned or triggered events, as well as open a discussion about drip email campaigns, and your marketing funnel in general.  A longer cycle means a more drawn-out drip campaign, whereas a short cycle may mean you’ll want to focus on a different style of marketing material to reel in your customers.

zoho certified consultant

3.  Do you employ outside salespeople?

This question is important because it lets your consultant know if you’ll want to invoke certain data sharing settings.  Surely if you work in a small office, it might be perfectly acceptable for everyone to share each other’s information for the sake of communication.  But, if you employ an outside sales team – or, even an inside sales team – you may not want every team member to see leads and opportunities assigned to others for a variety of reasons.

4. Is your sales cycle simple or complex?

A consultant might ask you this because a complex process may require some more automation.  Zoho calls this workflow automation, and it’s designed to carry out processes automatically.  That means less time performing repetitive actions or copying data between modules–and less human error.  Besides workflow automation, Zoho CRM (and Zoho Desk) have Blueprint, which is a process organizer that keeps your team in line with whatever process they are currently a part of.

A Zoho Certified Consultant can ease your mind and adapt your Zoho products to fit your business

Planning to implement a Zoho product can be a stressful endeavor – and, those were only three potential questions whose answers would shape which products and services would help you the most.

Getting a lay of the land before we dig in

Just as it would be silly to start constructing a skyscraper without thoroughly surveying a building site beforehand, it’s equally crazy to recommend a solution using Zoho software without fully understanding your business.  Any Zoho certified consultant on our team can attest that knowing a client’s business is paramount when it comes to the final solution.  And, we take the time to understand everything by conducting in-depth interviews and understanding how each of your systems work.  And, what everyone thinks of them, and where the performance gaps are!  This allows us to put together a road map for you, something that will take care of your immediate needs, as well as future concerns as your business continues to grow.

Solutions can be pretty in-depth themselves

If you thought a potential Zoho solution might include just the CRM, that’s certainly possible.  But, it’s not always the norm!  Many times, businesses need the help of other apps, like Zoho Books or Zoho Projects.  Fortunately, Zoho offers something special called Zoho One, which is all of their different apps combined in one package.

You may also want to keep some legacy systems and connect them to Zoho.  We’ve done that before, too!  Use us for our Zoho QuickBooks Desktop integration or custom Zoho ERP platform, too.

Enlist the help of a Zoho certified consultant

You have the talent to run your business better than we would, so it’s no shame at all to come to us asking for help with a totally unfamiliar Zoho software suite.  Leave the workflow streamlining to the Zoho experts!  You’ll be able to focus on the thing you do best, and you’ll be much happier for it.

Speak with a Zoho certified consultant by filling out the linked form.  We’ll reserve an appointment for you.  We’re standing by, and we’re here to help.

Zoho Alliance Partner

What is a Zoho Partner?

zoho alliance partner

With so many Zoho consulting options available to you as a business owner, you want to make sure you’re giving your business to the right one – a Zoho Partner.  But, what is a Zoho Partner, and how is that any different from a regular Zoho partner?

Understanding the Essence of Zoho Partners

A Zoho Partner isn’t just any consultant; Zoho Corporation, the renowned software giant behind cutting-edge business applications, carefully selects these entities or individuals for formal collaborations. These partnerships stem from their expertise, unwavering commitment to excellence, and shared vision of harnessing technology to empower businesses. Zoho Partners undergo intensive training and certification, ensuring expertise in Zoho’s products for tailored solutions.

Unleashing the Potential of Zoho Partners

In today’s swiftly evolving business landscape, maintaining a competitive edge requires more than just innovative ideas; it demands access to state-of-the-art technology and solutions that streamline processes, boost productivity, and propel growth. Enter Zoho Corporation, a trailblazing technology partner creating waves in the business realm. You’re in the right place if you’ve come across the term “Zoho Alliance Partner” and are curious about its implications. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of Zoho Partners, investigating their essence, significance, and how they can catalyze your business triumph.

Choosing the Right Partner for Your Business

1. Zoho maintains strict criteria for selecting its partners. To earn the title of Zoho Partner, a consulting firm must fall into one of these categories:

2. Zoho CRM Consulting and Deployment Company: Specializing in Zoho CRM and its corresponding apps.

3. Reseller for Zoho CRM: Offering Zoho CRM and its suite of apps.

4. Reseller for Zoho Creator: Enabling companies to design their programs and apps, including the Zoho ERP suite.

5. Developer: Providing customized Zoho add-ons and integrations.

At ZBrains, we proudly fulfill all four of these categories, granting you access to the full spectrum of Zoho applications, from CRM to Social, and everything in between. When you choose ZBrains as your Zoho Partner, you gain:

  • Expert Deployment: We assist you in deploying Zoho CRM and complementing it with other Zoho apps, offering consulting support along the way.
  • Tailored Solutions: We help you choose the best Zoho suite for your unique needs, whether it’s standalone apps, Zoho CRM Plus, or Zoho One.
  • Custom Integrations: Our team seamlessly integrates Zoho with programs like QuickBooks and Sage Intacct.

However, our partnership doesn’t end there. We provide ongoing support, offer team training packages, and conduct CRM deployment-specific training sessions to ensure you fully harness Zoho’s capabilities.

What we, specifically, can bring to the table

We at ZBrains are happy to tell you we fit into all four of these categories.  This means that when you do business with us, you get the entire Zoho apps experience, from CRM to Social – and everything in between.  As a Zoho partner, ZBrains can:

  • Help you deploy your Zoho CRM, supplement it with other Zoho apps, including Zoho Books, Zoho Desk, and many others–and offer consulting help as well.
  • Help you choose which Zoho suite is the best for your needs, whether it’s standalone apps, a suite like Zoho CRM Plus, or Zoho One.
  • Provide custom Zoho integrations to programs like QuickBooks, Sage Intacct, and many others.

As well as consulting for issues that may arise with Zoho, we also offer team training packages for Zoho’s apps and CRM deployment-specific training sessions.  We take our partnership with Zoho very seriously, and, for that reason, we leave nothing to the imagination when it comes to getting you Zoho help and support.

zoho alliance partner

How does one become a Zoho Partner?

Companies applying for the alliance partner distinction are judged by Zoho on a case-by-case basis since the volume of submissions to the Zoho partner program tends to be quite high.

This stringent requirement means that when you choose to do business with a Zoho Partner, you’re getting the best of what Zoho has to offer – essentially, a hand-picked Zoho partner.  As an alliance partner, we’re one of Zoho’s finest – and, that’s a distinction we don’t take lightly.  Contact us to see the real difference between dealing with a regular Zoho partner and a real Zoho Partner.

Is every Zoho consultant a Zoho Partner?

Unfortunately, no.  Although many companies can claim to have Zoho knowledge, not all Zoho partners are alliance partners.  You’ll be able to tell who you’re doing business with, though, as Zoho Partners have all these things in common:

  1. Listings on Zoho partner program literature, including websites
  2. A dedicated company profile on Zoho’s website
  3. Visible Zoho logos, including Zoho Partner badges, on their websites

The Relevance of Zoho Partners

  • Expertise and Guiding Insight: Zoho presents a diverse range of applications designed to streamline various business operations—ranging from customer relationship management (CRM) to finance, marketing, collaboration, and beyond. However, navigating this extensive suite of tools can prove daunting for businesses seeking adoption. Zoho Partners serve as seasoned mentors, aiding clients in selecting the optimal blend of applications that harmonize with their unique needs and aspirations.
  • Tailored Customization: One size seldom fits all in software solutions. Zoho Partners bring their expertise to the fore, customizing Zoho’s applications to harmonize with a business’s specific workflows and processes. This tailoring guarantees that companies can harness the full potential of Zoho’s technology, all without undergoing significant disruptions or upheavals to their existing operations.
  • Seamless Implementation: Transitioning to new software can pose a formidable challenge, often accompanied by unforeseen obstacles. Zoho Partners facilitate a seamless implementation process, extending hands-on support during the setup phase to minimize disruptions and ensure smooth assimilation of Zoho’s applications into the existing systems.
  • Continuous Support: The journey doesn’t culminate with software implementation. Zoho Partners provide ongoing support, assisting businesses in troubleshooting issues, fine-tuning processes, and extracting the maximum value from the software’s features. This enduring partnership ensures that companies are well-equipped to adapt to evolving needs and dynamic technological landscapes.
  • Access to Exclusive Resources: Zoho Partners often enjoy exclusive access to resources, training, and updates directly from Zoho Corporation. This empowers them to stay abreast of the latest features, enhancements, and industry best practices, guaranteeing their clients receive the most pertinent and productive solutions.

Propelling Business Triumph Through Zoho Partners

  • Augmented Efficiency: By harnessing Zoho’s suite of applications, thoughtfully tailored and implemented by Zoho Partners, businesses can streamline processes, automate repetitive tasks, and eliminate manual errors. This newfound efficiency translates to saved time, diminished operational costs, and heightened productivity.
  • Holistic Customer Insights: Zoho’s CRM system is a cornerstone of its offerings, empowering businesses to manage customer relationships masterfully. Zoho Partners adeptly customize this CRM to monitor and dissect customer interactions, yielding invaluable insights that steer informed decision-making and personalized customer experiences.
  • Informed Decision-Making Anchored in Data: In the digital era, data reigns supreme. Zoho’s applications generate a trove of data that can be transformed into actionable insights. Zoho Partners can assist businesses in configuring analytics and reporting systems, empowering them to make well-informed decisions supported by real-time data.
  • Scale with Ease: As businesses burgeon, their software requisites evolve. Zoho Partners ensure that the technology solutions implemented are scalable, accommodating augmented workloads and expanding operations seamlessly.
  • Cultivating Innovation: Zoho is renowned for its unwavering commitment to innovation. Collaborating with Zoho Partners grants businesses access to emerging tech, keeping them at the forefront of industry trends.

Update: ZBrains is now a Zoho Premium Partner

Recently, Zoho has changed some of its nomenclature.  Whereas Alliance Partner used to be the top designation, Premium Partner has now taken that position.  And, we’re happy to inform you Zoho has designated us as one of their Premium Partners.

Zoho Premium Partners have some extra responsibilities, like releasing periodic case studies.  These attest to their customers’ success with the Zoho platform.  Additionally, Premium Partners have to maintain a certain amount of revenue growth year-over-year for Zoho.  This means we’re more than eager to help you, as our status depends on it!

At ZBrains, being recognized as a Zoho Premium Partner is not just a badge of honor—it’s a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence. As a Zoho Premium Partner, we are proud to go the extra mile to ensure your business thrives on the Zoho platform. From periodic case studies to steady revenue growth, our dedication knows no bounds.

Rest assured, our passionate team is fully invested in your success because our status as a Zoho Premium Partner depends on it. Together, let’s embark on a journey of growth, innovation, and unrivaled triumph. Contact us today and experience the unparalleled expertise and support that sets us apart as one of Zoho’s premier partners. Your success is our top priority, and we can’t wait to exceed your expectations.

Ready to Partner with Zoho’s Best? Fill Form Below

Are you prepared to elevate your business with one of Zoho’s premier partners? Complete the linked form to connect with a Zoho-certified consultant. When choosing the right partner, make the wise choice with ZBrains – your pathway to success in the world of Zoho.

Please fill out this form if you have any questions about how doing business with a Zoho Partner can propel your business much further than doing business with a different Zoho partner.


10 Benefits of Quickbooks Zoho Integration for Financial and Customer Management

Creating an atmosphere of cooperation between front and back offices can become strained even in the best companies, add to that the frustration of not having coordinated systems and the result can be disastrous. If you are a small or medium business looking to add a CRM component or integrate your CRM and accounting systems be sure to consider the dynamic duo, the Zoho Quickbooks integration.

Power of Integration

When everyone from the receptionist, bookkeeper, salesperson and service personnel all have access to the same information, wonderful things can happen. Imagine a situation where the salesperson collects an outstanding invoice from a client in arrears during a routine sales call because the information was available to them on their smartphone. Or a receptionist that sends a quick email direct to a sales rep that a client is looking for a quote and the information is posted to the clients account for the rep to see instantly. This way to integrate QuickBooks is possible and enhances all aspects of your business, front to back.

Data Transfer

Keep tabs on all your information with automatic or manual data transfer: integrate QuickBooks and Zoho. This allows for all information to be instantly updated automatically or at a time of your choosing. Keeping all systems up-to-date allows better work flow processes.

One Entry

With an integrated system, any information entered into Zoho CRM or QuickBooks is automatically transferred to the other. This one entry saves immense amount of time over traditional double entry systems. You could literally save an entire salary with this feature alone.

Remote Access

Let’s face it, ERP systems have not always been the easiest systems to access remotely. With the combination of Zoho and QuickBooks your data is available from any web browser on any device anywhere in the world at any time. This is the advent of cloud computing at its finest.

Always Updated

Tired of wasting time looking for the most recent and updated transaction record? With a synchronization of your records you can simply sync your programs and know that the information is up to date.

Easy Export

Implementation could not be easier than with these two software environments. Integrate QuickBooks and Zoho and simply export and import the records you need from one to the other to get started. This simple process allows instant implementation instead of weeks of manual entries.

Mapping

This export and syncing process gets even easier with field mapping capabilities between the two ensuring that all your information is deposited into the right places without deleting or overwriting important information.

Sync Tracking

Do you need access to tracking of your synchronization activities with the ability to delete the most recent transfer? With Zoho and QuickBooks this is easy and available allowing you the flexibility to ensure your data transfers are accurate.

Accounting Info on the Go

One of best parts of this combination is the ability of sales histories, invoice histories and estimates to be cross transferred into Zoho CRM allowing the information that truly empowers your sales reps. It also lowers your overall cost by reducing your number of QuickBooks user licenses needed.

Quotes to Orders

Being able to the convert Zoho Quotes into QuickBooks Orders or Invoices is a must-have for sales organizations. This feature makes the efficiency and workflow of order processing efficient.

Contact us today to learn just how we integrate QuickBooks with Zoho CRM. Hundreds of customers are using our integration, and we’re happy to report that dozens of customers are happy with their improved CRM/ERP workflows!

The Zoho / Quickbooks Integration

The Zoho Quickbooks Integration

quickbooks crm integration

The integration of Zoho CRM and QuickBooks is a match made in heaven. Unfortunately, too many businesses have had a failed integration of their CRM and ERP systems in the past causing wariness of CRMs that may miss the mark. It has been proven that the front office staff is less likely to adopt the CRM if it is not connected to the back office ERP accounting software in a way that empowers them. There are several questions and concerns you need to be aware before entering any CRM-ERP union.

Integration is Key

One of the most critical pieces of the equation is ensuring that your CRM module can be fully integrated into your ERP software, like Quickbooks. If your front line customer service agents and salespeople do not have access to important data such as sales history, complaint history, communication history and have to enter information twice, once into each system; your CRM adoption is doomed to fail from the start. Only consider options such as Zoho CRM Online and Quickbooks where complete integration of the two actually automates a number of processes and provides accurate and up-to-date information to everyone that needs it.

This integration is critical to the success of the system, not only from an adoption standpoint but also to ensure that the extra cost of a CRM system is made up for in workflow efficiencies. Enabling salespeople to make sales on the road be productive in the field with information available on their mobile devices with access to documents and reports ensures increased production.

quickbooks crm integration

Red Flags

If you experience any of the following issues in your company then your current solution may actually be doing more harm than good. It may be time to reconsider your options.

Is all your information available in a central way to all the stakeholders that need it? Can sales people access customer sales information? Can customer service access customer communication histories?

Have there been issues of miscommunication between your accounting team and the sales team?

Do your sales people consistently sell items that are not in inventory, sold out, back-ordered, or discontinued? If they do not have access to inventory it may worsen this situation.

Does the sales team over sell client’s credit limit increasing your businesses risk to bad dept? Are sales being held up because of the credit department?

Are the note systems of customer service, sales and accounting integrated? Or does each department keep separate notes?

Are your salespeople helping accounting by collecting on outstanding invoices during routine sales calls? Or are they missing the opportunity because they do not have access to this information?

Is too much time being spent researching answers across multiple departments causing customer service lags because the information is not readily available?

If you have had any of these issues actually cause a loss of business, missed sales opportunities, increased labor costs, missed month end sales targets, cash flow deficiencies then you may be suffering from an integration that ended in separation with your CRM and ERP systems. Contact us today and let us help you identify the right integration solution to get your business back on track – or, take advantage of our Zoho certified consulting for any other aspect of your business with Zoho CRM.

zoho vs sage act logo

Zoho CRM vs. ACT!

zoho vs act

versus…

zoho vs act

Clash of the Titans: Zoho CRM vs ACT!

Zoho CRM vs ACT: Do you need a full CRM or a simpler Contact Manager?

One of the first issues that small businesses run into when they start to grow is the problem of dealing with the increased data flow.  This is especially apparent when dealing with multiple business apps and departments. One of the most damaging information overloads revolves around your customers.

Business gather customer information in many ways, and use it for product development, social media, sales, billing, and customer service. Making this kind of information available to the right people at all times can be challenging in our very diverse software environments. Your first order of business is to decide if you need a true Customer Relationship Management (CRM) suite or a simple Contact Manager program. Do you need Zoho CRM or ACT! by Sage?  Let’s see how Zoho CRM vs ACT stack up…

zoho vs act

Zoho’s CRM

Zoho CRM is a robust CRM module that can integrate with other platforms; it can also automate workflow. It provides full collaboration ability between multiple departments like accounting, sales, marketing, and customer service to ensure everyone has correct information. As a cloud service, you can access Zoho from anywhere with an internet connection.  This gives Zoho users much more flexibility than they would have while tied to their desktop computer.

Zoho even has email marketing functionality to keep you in contact with your leads automatically. Zoho also provides unparalleled security features, including industry-leading data encryption, field-level security, and security profiles. Zoho’s Google Apps integration also enables even better productivity and access to information for integration and automation. ACT does not have the security parameters of Zoho.  For that reason, we don’t recommend it for organizations with more than five users.

Zoho CRM may be a better fit if you need the following:

  1. Sales – billing and invoicing, mobile access, remote tracking, territory management, workflow rules and management.
  2. Marketing – email marketing, mailing list management, catalog integration of items.
  3. Help Desk – FAQ, forums, knowledge base, online self-serve, recorded demos.
  4. Customer Service – customer service integration and tracking, customization of user interface.
  5. Model and License – SaaS with monthly billing options – 3 user Free Edition – Professional & Enterprise Editions, the number of users that you can add is based on the user licenses purchased.
  6. Security – data encryption, field-level security, create roles and groups, and set up multiple administrative security profiles.
  7. Analytics – Executive dashboards, dashboard customization, forecasting and reporting.
  8. Extra Apps and Add-Ons – Google Apps, Zoho Apps, Microsoft Outlook integration, QuickBooks desktop integration, Zoho Books for light finance, and many other apps.

 zoho vs act

ACT! by Sage CRM

If you run a small business and need constant access to your customer data, ACT’s contact management attributes can save you money while keeping your team up-to-date. With internal memo templates and easy ways to communicate with all sorts of contacts, it makes things much quicker in general. Managers or administrators can pull reports on performance indicators and forecasts by their salespeople.  This, in turn, gives them a better idea of the health of the company in genersal.

ACT also provides another feature not available in most other contact management software; the ability to help manage customer tickets or technical support cases with specific tracking options. This keeps all issues up-to-date and ensures better customer service with accurate tracking. ACT also integrates with Sage products and provides online access but is not as versatile as Zoho. It is also not well suited for mobile device use as is Zoho.

ACT! contact management may be a better fit if you need the following:

  1. Sales – no billing and invoicing – otherwise no obvious differentiation – same available features as Zoho as mentioned above.
  2. Marketing – referral tracking where Zoho does not.
  3. Support – has email and phone capabilities and request forms that Zoho does not.
  4. Model and User License – on premise (not SaaS) with monthly billing option – Windows and MS SQL based database (no for Zoho) – limited to 10 users.
  5. Extra Apps – QuickBooks and Sage 100 integration available.

Why move to Zoho in the cloud?  There are two big reasons

zoho vs act cloud software

Especially as the 21st century moves along, businesses that once used on-premise CRM solutions like Sage ACT find themselves looking for alternatives.  The reasons for this, aside from those aforementioned, are the long-term scalability of a cloud-based solution, as well as security.  The fact that Sage ACT is installed on-premise accounts for both of these reasons.  Relying on a business’s own server to host a CRM and account for changes in users and login locations can (sometimes) render a system unstable.  As well, cloud-based systems are inherently more secure than their on-premise brethren.  They do this by providing an off-site entry point, which means business owners aren’t liable for data breaches, if they occur.

Zoho gives a big advantage with Zoho One

zoho vs act zoho one

In the past couple of years, Zoho has significantly widened their advantage over other CRM apps by providing not only a family of integrated business apps, but offering all of them (over 40 in total) in one software suite called Zoho One.  Zoho One, like all Zoho apps, is cloud-based, and features many integrations with the CRM.  By using Zoho One, you could theoretically run your entire business – as opposed to just your CRM – from Zoho.  This would give your staff and other users a more unified experience.

Ready for some more?

There are many more specific comparisons that can be made between Zoho CRM vs ACT, and these depend on your specific needs as a company, including CRM consulting, CRM training, or support plans. Contact us today and we’ll help you decide which of the two is right for your company.

Zoho CRM vs Salesforce — 3 Reasons why Zoho Is The Better Choice

zoho crm vs salesforce

Are you looking into options for adding an online CRM solution for your business? If so, you are most likely looking at Salesforce, along with a few other options. Did you know that Zoho is another leading solution that is just as good (if not better) as Salesforce at a fraction of the cost? When you compare Zoho CRM vs Salesforce, we feel strongly that you will find there are 3 key benefits with Zoho that will help you avoid overpaying for an online CRM solution. Let’s look at these 3 differentiators that will help you decide the winner when it comes to Zoho vs. Salesforce. In our analysis, we will look at:

  1. Overall features
  2. The total cost of ownership
  3. The ability to integrate with your back-office accounting software

Zoho CRM Feature Comparison: Zoho CRM vs Salesforce

Zoho has superior inventory management functionality when compared to Salesforce. Zoho recognizes the importance of your sales team to have real-time access to open quotes, invoices, vendors and products. If you are in Sales, you know that if inventory isn’t available to sell when you need to sell it, then you can’t deliver the sale to the customer as promised. You are also at risk of missing your month end sales goals. The bottom line is: if your product isn’t available to ship then you can’t book it. Zoho CRM gives you instant access to your inventory quantity on-hand and what is available to ship from what warehouse. Visibility into your inventory availability is just one example of how Zoho helps your Sales team gain a competitive edge to meet or beat sales quotas.

Here are a few leading benefits of Zoho CRM:

  • Feature rich set with an intuitive web-based interface
  • Affordable CRM solution at a fraction of the cost
  • Available as an on-demand service accessible from anywhere – including your mobile device
  • Fully customizable user interface to match any organization’s CRM workflow process
  • Export your Zoho data anytime
  • Increase your business productivity by automating key aspects of the customer lifecycle
  • Continuous Zoho product updates without service disruptions and extra costs
  • Dedicated customer support during implementation and deployment
  • Local Zoho CRM certified consultants available for additional training and integration work

Please contact us for a more in-depth feature by feature comparison of Zoho vs. Salesforce.

Zoho Online CRM at a Fraction of the Cost: Zoho CRM vs Salesforce

Zoho Online CRM is 1/5th the cost of Salesforce and has similar features that you would expect from a leading online CRM solution. Salesforce has a big reputation for being one of the market leaders for leading online CRM solution. Did you also know that Salesforce is widely known to be expensive, costly and hard to manage and implement? Zoho’s business model is to provide customers with an affordable, easy to use solution that offers the flexibility to run your business the way you need to run it. Zoho is easily customizable to capture the data you need to help your Sales and Marketing teams increase sales and profitability.

Unlike Salesforce, Zoho’s “pay-as-you-go” model clearly gives customers the flexibility of shorter or longer-term commitments minimizing the risk of being forced to use a system also known as software “vendor lock-in.” This diagram below illustrates how a 5 year investment with Salesforce compares to Zoho CRM. Clearly, the Zoho versions in blue and red are at a fraction of the cost of an investment with Salesforce.

Zoho Online CRM and Accounting System Integration: Zoho CRM vs Salesforce

Are you using QuickBooks? Zoho offers Zoho QuickBooks integration. Our certified Zoho consultants are available to help integrate Zoho with your system. Zoho also integrates with a number of robust Zoho Business Apps and the Zoho Office Suite (Mail, Meeting, Sheet, Writer, etc.). Zoho is available on your mobile device so you can take your data on the road.

Would you like to have a more in-depth comparison of Zoho CRM vs Salesforce? Our experienced, certified Zoho consultants will be happy to help you with your Online CRM selection process. If you already own Zoho, take some time to learn more about our Zoho training options! Zoho Online CRM users can join our monthly classroom training sessions and request individual appointments both on-site and remote via webinar. If you’re just starting out, we suggest attending one of our free monthly webinars. We offer both basic user level and admin training so you can harness the full potential of the software. Remote training of our boot camp as a webinar is also available. Contact us today and let our team of support experts take your Zoho experience to the next level!

Develop a KPI Strategy

Developing a KPI Strategy: Measuring you Organization’s Success

Knowing the data you’re already collecting and defining your business goals is the first step in developing a KPI strategy for your organization. (Finding the data that’s missing is where ZBrains can help.) However, today we’re going to share the types of KPI’s you should consider when creating a KPI strategy for your organization. Finally, make sure not to miss the end of the article.  We share an infographic of KPI’s you could consider for each department or area of business.

A majority of today’s businesses use multiple systems to capture data about their customers, leads or website visitors, financials, projects, and more.

Many of these companies aren’t fully utilizing the information they can access. Usually, it’s too difficult, time consuming, and cost prohibitive to do reporting on regular intervals, much less on-demand. Does this sound a little too familiar? 

While making data-driven decisions probably isn’t new to you, you can take it to a whole new level with Zoho CRM and its many integrations when you develop KPI’s for each of your organization’s departments. Using your financial and organizational metrics to define strategic KPI’s will result in useful reports and gained visibility to your organization.  

Where should you start your KPI Strategy plan?

When you have a well-rounded knowledge of the different types and functions of key performance indicators you are able to collect and using the correct data needed to analyze your business. As a result, you’ll get a stronger strategy.

And for you Zoho users who already know about Zoho’s end-to-end solution, we hope this refresher can help you find even more opportunities to capitalize on the data you collect for increased successes.

Firstly, let’s start by defining the most common types of KPI’s. Then we’ll share a big list of Key Performance Indicators by organizational departments for you to consider as you are developing a KPI strategy.

What are the types of KPI’s you can use in your strategy?

Quantitative: This is among the most common types of KPI because it relies on data measurement. Generally speaking this is measurable by numbers such as total count, averages, or addition.

Qualitative: This KPI is more subjective, or based on opinions rather than hard numbers. An example could be the results from a customer or employee satisfaction survey. While you may use a numerical rating, the number is based on the individual’s opinion or experience.

Input: The money or resources that you invest to generate results in your organization are considered “input.” Measurable KPI’s of Input include dollars spent on training your staff, research and development, and materials. 

Output: Output KPI’s are calculated from both the financial and non-financial outcomes of your business tasks. For example, outcomes such as revenue are financial and number of new customers acquired in a specific time frame is non-financial. Zoho Books or your Quickbooks integration provides this data.

Leading: Keeping future performance in sight means employing Leading KPI’s because they are the business activities that are commonly predictive of future success or failure. An example is Daily Website Traffic, Leads Generated, New Projects Signed, etc. Leading measures can indicate success in other metrics and initiatives. (For example, a marketing project to improve SEO on site could positively impact website traffic and leads generated.) 

Lagging: Lagging measures show the success or failure of a business event that has already passed. Firstly, this data is helpful in determining if the event should be repeated. Next, you can determine how to revise it for future iterations when working on new strategies and business planning.

Directional: This KPI shows whether your trends are heading in the right direction. Are your directional KPI’s indicative that you need to make improvements, or are you maintaining or exceeding goals? For field services and technology companies this includes measurements like Service Level Agreement Compliance and On-Time Delivery.

More Key Performance Indicator Types for Strategy!

This set of KPI types are slightly more in depth. Challenge your business leaders, department managers, and other decision-makers. Ask them to consider how their area of business can use this type of KPI for deeper, performance improving insight.

Process: This KPI is an efficiency measure and keeping an eye on KPI’s for process help you answer the question, “Is my XYZ process efficient, or can we improve?” The data provided in this KPI informs process changes helping your organization increase efficiencies. Ticketing systems like Zoho Desk can provide many process KPI’s like new tickets created or resolution time. 

Outcome: Outcome KPI’s quantify the performance of a business task. You define a goal or target for your budget and “outcome” is the result. (For example customer retention improvements.) Look at churn rate or customer lifetime value KPI’s for types of Outcome. 

Practical: Practical KPI’s are the results of your business’ most personalized or unique metrics. These are based on your organization’s processes and the impact of those processes on the business and can be hard to track. In other words, maybe you already know what these are, but have difficulty capturing and reporting on them. This is where the ZBrains Difference comes into play! 

Actionable: Whenever you are performing organizational changes, it’s essential to determine if your teams are dedicated to the change, and if it is effective for your business. An actionable key performance indicator distills the project or program metrics.  It shows you where to take the action that ensures that business change efforts remain on track.

Financial: Finally, at the heart of your business are financial metrics. Pairing your financial KPI’s with other metrics allows you to craft a data story for your business. Net profit, Gross Profit Margin, and other familiar KPI’s tell you if your business is healthy, viable, growing, or unstable.

Build KPI Strategy for Your Business

Looking at your business and its goals, next select the KPI’s for each department. Next, select which are necessary to determine whether or not initiatives and teams are on track. In conclusion, this isn’t a comprehensive list, but we hope that the KPI’s by department shared here will be helpful.

As always, if you’re developing a KPI strategy and taking the next steps to gain business insights and efficiencies with improved KPI tracking with Zoho’s suite of solutions, contact us any time.

KPIs by Organizational Departments

KPIs for sales pipeline

With your KPI’s in place and tracking correctly in the Zoho ecosystem, you can create dashboards for areas or departments of your business, like the Sales dashboard seen here. Likewise, you can create executive summary dashboards. The permissions in Zoho allow you, as ever, to display data to only the relevant audiences.

Does this interest you? Then take a look at KPI’s by department to get started with your strategy.



Develop a KPI Strategy

Calculate Commissions on Time Every Time with ZBrains Commissions Calculator

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!

The ZBrains Fit and Partnership Business Growth with Zoho

The ZBrains Fit – A Partnership Focused On Your Growth

When it comes to choosing a Zoho partner to be your number one resource for all things Zoho, you already know you have options – pages and pages of them, according to Zoho’s list of resellers.  We’re acutely aware of this, and we’re so glad we have your attention right now.  Knowing you have so many options means we’ve had to go to great lengths to differentiate ourselves from other firms – and, having spent nearly six years as a Zoho partner, we can confidently say we offer just the service you need to ensure your success on the platform. Whether it’s a customized consulting session, a made-to-order automated solution, or even an integration to a third-party system, we’re committed to growing your business with Zoho.

Unlock Success with Our Zoho Implementation Partnership

zoho surveyConsulting Services

As a Zoho Premium Partner and Zoho Certified Consultancy, we focus on expertise, impact, and efficiency. We aim to bridge the gap between a business’ needs and available technology solutions, bringing a specialized skill set that enables you to make smart technology investments, improve your practices, and save time and money. Our Business Process Analysis (BPA) aims to increase your company’s efficiency, using the Zoho stack as a framework, and ensure a successful implementation by allowing us to truly understand your sales and operations processes with an in-depth review and analysis. And, with a range of options for your other Zoho needs, we are here to maximize your potential!

zoho surveyZoho ERP

Not all businesses are alike, and this is especially true of manufacturers and distributors. With Zoho ERP software, you’ll be able to customize every aspect order management and vendor tracking with the power of Zoho Creator, as well as generate accurate insight into performance by syncing with inventory and financial data. Zoho ERP is the solution for businesses who are seeking to create efficiency, automate processes, gain insights and more.  Update: Zoho ERP has evolved into the FieldTech suite, which packs all the features above and more.  It’s great for businesses in field services, construction, manufacturing/distribution, and tech/SaaS.

zoho surveyIntegrations and Custom Solutions

We are proud to have a team of developers and strategists who are focused on solving any problem that comes our way.  Having this team in our very own office means we can think of solutions and build them relatively quickly. In fact, this is how we created custom add-ons like our Commission Calculator and our SmartScheduler. We also provide completely customized integrations to programs like QuickBooks Desktop, Online, and Sage Intacct, and we provide even more plugin power for Google Apps, and more.

zoho surveyTeam Training and Support

When it comes to an implementation of any kind, if your staff is not trained on the new software system, they won’t know what to do once the job is over and the consultant is gone. With the ZBrains team, you don’t have to worry about that! We offer training on Zoho applications to ensure that your team has everything it needs to be fully on board. We work with every level of management to ensure success, and even provide annual support plans for that extra push you might need throughout the year.

The ZBrains Team Members Zoho Consulting and Consultants

Want to learn more about us? Check out our one of our case studies here or here to learn about how we’ve helped them or Meet the Team!

Interested in learning more about Zoho? Give us a call at (888) 207-4111 or click the button below and we will contact you!

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Zoho Integrations