Zoho Inventory is a robust inventory management solution. In this month’s full product overview webinar, Kody and Josh do a deep dive into not only Zoho Inventory but the two most common platforms that integrate with Inventory, Shopify & WooCommerce. Below is a quick run-through of the various agenda topics discussed in the webinar.
Zoho Inventory Basics
Items
Zoho Inventory allows the creation and management of items, which form the basis of inventory tracking. Each item can have multiple SKUs, and users can easily add, edit, and manage items. The platform offers a quick and straightforward approval process for adding new items into inventory.
Warehouse Management
Warehouses can be effectively managed with Zoho Inventory. The platform allows users to create and manage multiple warehouses and provides a detailed view of stock levels at each location. This feature helps businesses manage their stocks better and fulfill orders promptly.
Sales Order Process
In Zoho Inventory, once an order is placed, the system reduces the stock levels automatically. It keeps the order fulfillment process smooth and efficient. Users can track the order’s progress, from sales order creation to packaging to delivery. It also allows users to directly create a package from the sales order.
Settings
Zoho Inventory provides extensive settings options, including configuring taxes and adjusting other general settings. Users can select additional charges to add to their orders, such as shipping and packaging fees, directly from the settings.
Online Payments
Accepting online payments is smooth with Zoho Inventory. The platform allows the setup of multiple payment gateways, making transactions efficient and hassle-free for customers. Users can also configure payment terms and reminders, facilitating better payment tracking.
Integrations
One of the strengths of Zoho Inventory is its robust integrations with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Zoho Commerce. This interconnectivity enhances the functionality of the inventory management system, as we will explore next.
Shopify Integration
Basics
Shopify is a leading eCommerce platform that enables businesses to create online stores. It is easy to set up and highly customizable, providing a seamless online shopping experience.
Integration with Zoho Inventory
When integrated with Zoho Inventory, Shopify becomes an active sales channel, enabling efficient inventory and order management. Users can sync their Shopify store with Zoho Inventory, allowing automatic inventory updates and streamlined order processing. Shopify’s products and their variants can also be imported directly into Zoho Inventory, saving time and effort.
WooCommerce Integration
Orders
WooCommerce, an eCommerce plugin for WordPress, facilitates the management of orders directly within its platform. It provides detailed order views and allows users to handle refunds and reorders efficiently.
Settings
WooCommerce settings can be adjusted to suit the user’s needs. For instance, users can set their preferred shipping methods and tax settings. They can also enable or disable guest checkout and manage payment gateways.
Integrating With Zoho Inventory
WooCommerce integrates seamlessly with Zoho Inventory. This integration allows users to sync their products between the two platforms, ensuring accurate inventory tracking. It also facilitates efficient order processing, with order details from WooCommerce being automatically updated in Zoho Inventory.
Zoho Commerce
Basics
Zoho Commerce is an eCommerce platform by Zoho that lets users create online stores. It has an easy-to-use, drag-and-drop interface, allowing businesses to set up their online store quickly. However, it offers less customization compared to platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce.
Built Using Zoho Sites
Zoho Commerce is built using Zoho Sites, Zoho’s own website builder. This underlying structure makes Zoho Commerce a reliable platform, ensuring good performance and security.
Why We Generally Don’t Recommend Zoho Commerce
At the time of the webinar, Zoho Commerce was not recommended due to its limited capabilities compared to other platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce. However, it’s important to note that Zoho Commerce still serves as a viable option for businesses looking for a basic, easy-to-set-up online store that integrates well with Zoho Inventory. Businesses are encouraged to test out Zoho Commerce and see if it fits their specific needs.
