Zoho integrates Apps with Gmail

Online applications provider Zoho has added new functionality to its Apps suite designed to allow users to work with Zoho information without leaving the Gmail interface.

Zoho has created Contextual Gadgets for its Invoice, Projects and CRM online products, taking advantage of a new Gmail API which lets third-party applications intelligently display relevant information to users as they read their Gmail messages.

Zoho 'evangelist' Raju Vegesna explained that the Gmail integration is the firm's first cross-vendor effort, and paves the way for similar integration with other third-party applications.

"We are committed to contextual integration because it makes life easier for the user," he added.

"Instead of hopping from browser tab to browser tab as they move through a workflow, everything needed to get the job done is presented in a single browser tab."

Zoho CRM Contextual Gadget for Gmail displays CRM information within relevant Gmail messages, allowing users to add an email sender to Zoho CRM as a contact or a lead, or view existing tasks, notes and potentials, for example.

Zoho Invoice Contextual Gadget for Gmail, meanwhile, displays crucial invoicing information within relevant Gmail messages, such as payment histories and organisation details.

Zoho Projects Contextual Gadget presents project-related information within relevant Gmail messages so that users can transform a Gmail message into an actionable task in Zoho Projects or create a new project, among other tasks.

Zoho CRM Contextual Gadget for Gmail, Zoho Invoice Contextual Gadget for Gmail, and Zoho Projects Contextual Gadget for Gmail are free and installable from the Google Apps Marketplace.