zoho

The QuickBooks integration is as straightforward as straightforward can be: activate the accounting software’s web connector and you can synchronize data with Zoho CRM, with an entry field-mapping feature ensuring that conflicts are resolved as they’re encountered. That’s sold on a per-organization basis for $25/month, according to Zoho’s Raju Vegesna.

On another interesting note, Zoho CRM now integrates with PBX solutions from Asterisk, Avaya, Elastix, and Trixbox, such that when CRM contacts call in all their information is displayed. And calls can be placed from the CRM itself, to boot, with administration options for things like displayed extensions and dial-out codes. This kind of functionality costs $6/user/month and requires no setting changes on the client side.

Vegesna says that the Zoho CRM PBX integration, which goes by Zoho PhoneBridge, is only the tip of the iceberg — they’re planning on slowly-but-surely integrating it with other Zoho Apps in situations where it makes sense. That includes Zoho Support, their helpdesk offering.

Zoho now claims 4 million users at a rate of 150,000 new sign-ups every month, and Vegesna says that they plan on building their momentum by integrating their cloud offerings tighter and tighter, enhancing cross-functionality for all users. The Zoho Apps suite’s main point of differentiation from Google’s offering has always been its development focus on the enterprise, rather than the consumer, and it sounds like they plan on hammering on that point.

Talkin’ Cloud definitely has Zoho on its radar going into 2011, so keep watching.

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