Zoho Corp Expands in India with New Products

Chennai-based tech giant Zoho Corp. has made two significant product announcements at its annual user conference, Zoholics India. These launches come alongside growth figures, with Zoho reporting a 31 per cent increase in its Indian customer base in 2023.

• Zoho has launched Vikra, a seller app on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
• Zoho has also launched Zoho IoT, a low-code platform for developing and deploying custom Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.

Vikra: Empowering SMEs in India's E-Commerce Landscape

Vikra, Zoho's new seller app, is designed to empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in India's growing e-commerce market. Despite the boom, SMEs account for just 7 per cent of India's retail sector, often hindered by high fees and technical hurdles in online marketplaces.

• Vikra aims to simplify the process for small businesses to set up shop on the ONDC network, a government-backed initiative to promote open and accessible e-commerce.
• With Vikra, businesses can create product catalogs, manage operations, and sell via popular buyer apps like Paytm, Ola, and Snapdeal.
• The app also provides support for order fulfillment, integrating with delivery partners like Delhivery and allowing sellers to manage payments and customer queries seamlessly.

Zoho IoT: A Flexible Solution for India's Digital Transformation

Zoho's new IoT platform aims to help businesses in India easily develop, deploy, and manage IoT solutions. With pre-built vertical solutions for industries like manufacturing, smart buildings, and energy management, Zoho IoT empowers businesses to harness real-time data for operational efficiency.

• The platform's AI-driven insights help companies predict system outages, monitor machine productivity, and optimize energy consumption.
• Zoho IoT is positioned to play a key role in India's digital transformation, supporting businesses across various sectors.

Zoho's Commitment to India's Digital Economy

Zoho Corp.'s CEO and co-founder, Sridhar Vembu, highlighted the company's focus on research and development (R&D) to drive product innovation. He emphasized the company's commitment to applying AI technology to enhance customer experience and offer deeper insights.

• India, which has become Zoho's second-largest market, is witnessing increasing demand for software solutions that provide value without unnecessary complexity.
• Zoho is capitalizing on this trend by offering efficient and scalable platforms that cater to the specific needs of Indian businesses.

ONDC's Vision for Inclusive E-Commerce in India

T Koshy, MD & CEO of ONDC, expressed his enthusiasm for Zoho's contributions to the platform. He stated that by integrating advanced solutions like Vikra, ONDC is not only simplifying technology for businesses but also opening doors to a vast, inclusive digital economy. This is a step forward in democratizing e-commerce in India, where even the smallest businesses can now thrive in the digital marketplace harnessing the power of technology.

• ONDC's mission is to make e-commerce accessible to all, and Vikra exemplifies this by empowering SMEs to participate in the digital economy.
• The platform is designed to promote fair competition and break down barriers to entry, creating a more inclusive e-commerce ecosystem in India.

Zoho's Growth in India

Zoho's focus on India is evident in its significant increase in Indian customer base. This growth reflects the company's understanding of the market's needs and its commitment to providing innovative solutions for Indian businesses.

• Zoho's expansion in India is a testament to the country's growing digital economy and its potential for further development.
• The company's new products, Vikra and Zoho IoT, are poised to further enhance Zoho's presence in India and contribute to the country's digital transformation journey.