Are there better ways to use AI, besides text generation?

When GenAI came into a majority of workplaces, marketing departments and those affiliated with creative work were quick to rave about its swift text and image generation capabilities. But, can it be more than just a creative engine?

At Zoho, we've put deep R&D thoughts into integrating AI across our portfolio of apps for context-aware intelligence. Looking at marketing activities, our AI assistant, Zia, when integrated within our Marketing suite, can help brainstorm campaign plans and tailor them for varying marketing objectives. Besides proposing content, we're looking at identifying marketing channels and demography for optimal engagement, where prompts can be iterative so marketers get the most accurate output for their creative use.

Marketing bots aimed at priming MQL engagement for SQL conversion also got an upgrade. Building a custom bot on Zoho SalesIQ not only got easier, but also smarter with its Nova release, packed with over 25 upgrades. Today, a SalesIQ bot flow displays trackable interaction trends and drop-off stats to help users optimise bot building with flow reports. Zia's GenAI capabilities in it also scans for articles and knowledge base information for more conversational and comprehensible replies to visitors.

Digging for more insights? Our LLM work layered beneath an AI-powered DMS tool

In our effort to make AI truly effective, we've built Zia LLM, our very own in-house large language model which is running securely on NVIDIA GPUs located in Zoho’s private data centers. No third parties, no compromises, just contextual intelligence that works seamlessly across our apps that keeps your data safe and secure.

One example is how Zia Hubs helps make sense of the copious number of files, videos, documents, and meeting notes in a document management system like Zoho WorkDrive. This is a new AI layer that combs through your unstructured data to uncover insights you need.

That's just the start; we’ve got plenty more for you in this edition.

2025 SG big announcement

Zoho Books Singapore edition is live!

Recently, we've launched the Singapore edition of Zoho Books to help businesses better manage their finances and operations while staying compliant with Singapore's regulations.

In our recent talk with MoneyFM 89.3, our VP and GM of Zoho APAC, Gibu Mathew highlighted: "The launch of the Singapore edition of Zoho Books represents a significant step forward in enabling businesses and accountants to embrace digital transformation in financial compliance. With built-in AI capabilities and automation, Zoho Books simplifies GST calculations, ensures adherence to IRAS regulations, and helps mitigate compliance risks."

Zoho on the ground - Malaysia edition

(PMAX Manufacturing Penang 2025)

Penang is now proving itself as one of Southeast Asia’s manufacturing powerhouses. Over the three days, we toured the expo and saw some pretty impressive tech in semiconductors, electronics, precision engineering, and more.

Our discussions with the manufacturing community help us learn that tools for rapid prototyping and modular app development are now sought after, where their adaptable and easily scalable nature helps tackle the complicated workflow and integration gaps manufacturers still face with traditional ERP systems. Instead of ripping and replacing, AI-powered low-code platforms like Zoho Creator can help employees or citizen developers produce MVP products that usually take weeks of coding to get them ready in minutes.

(BNI Malaysia National Conference 2025)

We were proud to join Malaysia’s passionate business leaders at the BNI Malaysia National Conference 2025 where the members truly lived out the "Givers Gain" philosophy.

Together with our fellow BNI members and partners, Aplikasi.us and Ooroboros, we explored opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional and strategic networking from the perspective of digital transformation for businesses.

(Philippines IBMC 2025)

We also attended the international business matching conference hosted at Newport World Resorts, where delegates from 12 countries came together to exchange insights, referrals, and cross-border collaboration. Read more on the event theme by BNI Beyond here.

Taking center stage with our event management app

Calling our event pros out there—we've rolled out Zoho Backstage 3.0 with more inclusive event pages, smoother RSVPs, built-in certificates, and a new mobile app. Whether you’re running a local meetup or a global summit, this version helps you do it all better.

A creative push, exactly when you need it

Not every link is eye-catching. That’s where Postify, a part of the Social Toolkit, comes in, turning URLs into ready-to-share visuals. And for Instagram fans, InstaScript lets you play with styled captions that actually stand out in the feed.

For creators who like things a little smarter

Struggling with your slides? You’re not alone. Zia AI in Zoho Show now lends a hand, helping you build entire decks, tweak your content, adjust tone and length, and even generate visuals. It's like having a co-presenter who quietly takes care of the heavy lifting.

Fonts may seem like a small thing until brand consistency is on the line. With Zoho Writer, you can now upload your own TrueType fonts (TTFs), so every document looks unmistakably yours across your entire organisation.

If you're moving to Zoho Connect, there's one less thing to worry about. Now you can bring your one-on-ones and group chats from Meta Workplace so all discussions and decisions stay where you need them.

When your apps keep up with your logic

Let’s say you’re collecting RSVPs or product orders. With the Choice Availability option in Zoho Forms, you can now set how many slots are open for each choice, and the form updates availability as responses roll in. No overbookings, no surprises.

Need a new project base built? Try asking Siri! In the latest Zoho Tables update, Siri and Zia team up to set up linked tables, create reports, and even send instant updates on Cliq. And the upgraded mobile app makes it all smoother, even on the go.

Signing, storing, and scheduling—now with WhatsApp

The back-and-forth of document signing just got simpler. Zoho Sign now lets you send signing links and OTPs through WhatsApp. And if someone’s on leave or busy, they can assign a delegate to sign on their behalf without any hold-ups.

Need to reschedule bookings on the fly? Over in Zoho Bookings, WhatsApp steps in again. Customers can now book, reschedule, or cancel appointments directly from WhatsApp chat threads. Less emailing, less friction.

If your team’s out in the field, Zoho FSM helps manage WhatsApp service chats better. Create work orders, share files, and keep conversations moving, all within the app. Want to test it first? Use the WhatsApp Sandbox—no verified business number needed.

With all that said, we’ll leave you to explore. As you try out these features, remember we’re just an email away for any feedback, ideas, or even a quick note. We’re always open to hearing your thoughts.

Until next time,

Nicholas Koh from Zoho