At Manchester Digital, we like to interview our members to find out a bit more about what they do and their work in the Greater Manchester digital and technology sphere. This week we're speaking with Zoho, Cloud Software Suite for Businesses.
As a global company, what attracted Zoho to focus on expanding its presence in Manchester's business community?
Zoho is new to the UK, having established a presence here just over two years ago. We’ve been steadily raising our profile since the beginning of this year – perhaps you've noticed some of our ads on your travels. At Zoho, we have a deep-rooted commitment to supporting local communities wherever we operate. Manchester, with its dynamic and thriving tech scene, is a natural fit for us.
Manchester’s rich history of cultural and industrial leadership signals its pivotal role in future trends. We see Manchester as a hub for the next wave of innovation, and Zoho is eager to support its businesses in this journey. Our suite of apps helps companies grow and challenge the status quo, making us the perfect partner for Manchester's vibrant business community.
How do Zoho's CRM, HR, and finance solutions specifically benefit SMEs in the digital and tech sectors?
Well, where do we begin? Sales, HR, and finance are the core functions of any business, so having the right tools in place is crucial. Each of our apps comes packed with fantastic features. For instance, you can record voice notes on your mobile after sales calls, which are then automatically updated in your CRM (yes, it really does that!). There's also an AI assistant that helps predict sales spikes.
Our HR app, Zoho People, manages the entire employee lifecycle—from shift-scheduling and leave-booking to training and performance reviews. Our finance solutions, cherished by the SME community, offer an intuitive interface for managing invoicing, monitoring cash flow, and tracking expenses.
All these features save time and boost efficiency.
But let's talk about the added value these apps bring to tech businesses. Your sales, HR, finance, marketing, operations, and IT departments don't operate in isolation—they're interconnected.
If your business apps don't communicate, you lack visibility of your data, leading to silos and issues. Zoho’s apps seamlessly integrate, allowing businesses to manage everything from one place. It's like a futuristic control centre designed to enhance efficiency, enabling your team to focus on their work rather than juggling multiple systems and sources of information.
Can you share an example of how a Manchester-based company has successfully implemented Zoho's software to improve its operations?
Barings Law are a leading Manchester-based law firm representing around half a million clients. They champion the rights of consumers against data breaches and financial mis-selling. Its move to Zoho was initially driven by the need to update their CRM software, but quickly moved into adopting the comprehensive Zoho One suite—our 45+ app bundle, which includes everything from CRM for sales to Creator to build your own bespoke apps.
Barings Law has made full use of the apps, and now Zoho touches most parts of their business from claims-handling to improving communications via social and email channels.
Implementing Zoho One has brought them significant advantages, including cost savings, streamlined processes, increased efficiency, and doubled caseload capacity. It also reduced customer complaint resolution times and enabled secure remote work for agents and paralegals, transforming the firm's operations.
What unique challenges do you see Manchester SMEs facing regarding software adoption, and how does Zoho address these?
For SMEs, the biggest challenge in software adoption is often the cost versus value battle. You need to keep overheads down, but skimping on software means sacrificing functionality. This leads to manual workarounds—your contacts are in a CRM, but you're still manually sending emails, for example.
With Zoho, SMEs don't need to make that difficult decision. We believe cost shouldn't be a barrier to accessing the tools you need. SMEs can access a myriad of apps that deliver real value without breaking the bank.
This keeps your board happy and allows SMEs to realise the efficiency gains promised by technology. We achieve this by putting our customers and people before profit. We're not investor-owned; we're independent, which means we can reinvest in developing our platform and keeping our prices affordable. This way, we’ve evened the playing field—making top-notch business software accessible to everyone, regardless of size.
As new members of Manchester Digital, how do you plan to engage with and contribute to the local tech ecosystem?
As new members of Manchester Digital, we're eager to contribute to the vibrant tech ecosystem in the city. We will share best practices on using core business software apps effectively and offer advice on sales, marketing, and more. Our goal is to inspire and guide fellow members in their tech journeys and learn how we can better support the community.
We also believe in the power of putting a face to a name—Zoho is all about the people. So, members will see our team at events. We promise they won’t try to hard sell Zoho—they’re lovely people who bring a wealth of experience. We encourage members to come and say “Hi”.
Finally, we’ve just launched Zoho for Start-Ups, an amazing program designed to support businesses as they get off the ground. The program offers up to £2,500 worth of credits for eligible businesses, usable for any of our app subscriptions. Imagine having access to Zoho One for an entire year. We also offer guidance in choosing the right apps to support growth.
This isn't just a startup boost; it's a game-changer. Plus, our costs remain affordable in subsequent years, ensuring long-term value for your business.
Start-ups can find out more and apply here
Thank you Zoho!
If you would like to find out more about Zoho, Click here.
