Tag: Zoho

Categories
1 Minute-Read

Accounting glitch in Zoho Books sparks dispute

A Bengaluru startup founder has alleged that a glitch in Zoho Books led to significant financial losses. Azeem Hussain, co-founder of FlexyPe, said the software wrongly marked failed transactions as successful, causing accounting errors.

The issue reportedly went unnoticed until a manual audit revealed discrepancies, leading to losses and operational challenges. Hussain has said he plans to take legal action against Zoho.

Zoho responded by saying the problem could be linked to a payment gateway issue and added that it is reviewing the case. The incident has raised concerns among startups about relying fully on automated accounting systems.

Categories
Beyond

Government shifts 16.68 lakh emails to Zoho cloud

The Central government has transitioned 16.68 lakh official email accounts to a cloud platform developed by Zoho Corporation, spending approximately ₹180 crore to upgrade its digital communication infrastructure.

The migration, carried out by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), marks a shift from the older email system to a more advanced and scalable cloud-based solution. The initiative is intended to strengthen security, improve efficiency, and support the government’s growing digital needs.

A key objective behind the move is to enhance control over official data. By adopting a domestically developed platform hosted within India, the government aims to ensure that sensitive information remains secure and under national jurisdiction. This aligns with broader efforts to promote digital self-reliance and reduce dependence on global technology providers.

The new system goes beyond basic email services, offering integrated tools such as file sharing, collaboration features, and communication support. These additions are expected to help government departments work more efficiently and coordinate better across functions.

To avoid disruptions, the migration was implemented in phases. A significant number of accounts had already been transferred earlier, and the latest figures indicate the continued expansion of the project across departments.

The initiative is part of a larger plan to modernise government IT systems through secure cloud adoption. Zoho was chosen as the technology partner following a formal selection process, while NIC continues to manage and oversee the platform’s operations.

Also Read: Centre puts 60% free airline seat rule on hold

Categories
Leaders

Human skills will survive AI wave, states Sridhar Vembu

Sridhar Vembu, co-founder of Zoho, has weighed in on the growing debate around artificial intelligence and jobs, arguing that not all careers are at risk from automation.

In a recent public post, Vembu said the real concern about AI should not just be job displacement, but how people define their sense of worth. According to him, individuals who tie their identity solely to economic productivity may feel more threatened by technological change.

Rather than focusing on technical or high-paying roles, Vembu highlighted professions built around human connection and intrinsic motivation. He said caregiving,  including looking after children and the elderly,  is unlikely to be replaced by AI because it depends on empathy and emotional understanding. Teaching, he added, also requires mentorship and human engagement that machines cannot fully replicate.

Vembu also pointed to work rooted in tradition and community life. Small-scale farmers who cultivate land out of passion, forest conservation workers committed to environmental protection, and local priests who serve religious communities were among the examples he cited. Classical musicians and artists who continue practicing their craft regardless of commercial success were also included in his list of resilient professions.

His comments sparked discussion online. Some critics argued that even passion-driven fields require financial support and cannot exist entirely outside economic systems. Others agreed with his broader point that AI may struggle to replace roles grounded in care, culture and lived experience.

Vembu suggested that as AI increases productivity, societies may need to rethink how wealth and time are distributed. Instead of measuring success only by output, he said, greater value could be placed on activities that strengthen families, communities and cultural traditions.

Also Read: WPP to operate as unified company, says CEO Cindy Rose

Categories
Corporate

Zoho launches made‑in‑India ERP

Chennai‑based Zoho Corporation has launched its new enterprise resource planning (ERP) software from Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, marking a significant push to offer a homegrown alternative to global ERP systems. The launch reinforces Zoho’s focus on building deep‑tech products domestically while expanding technology jobs beyond major cities.

The Zoho ERP platform integrates key business functions including financial management, billing, supply chain, payroll, compliance, and asset tracking into a single system. Unlike conventional ERP solutions that add artificial intelligence (AI) as an afterthought, Zoho’s platform embeds AI across modules, enabling predictive insights, voice‑based assistance, anomaly detection, automation, and continuous intelligence for finance and operations. The system also offers low‑code and no‑code customization, allowing businesses to adapt the platform without heavy reliance on consultants.

The ERP targets industries such as manufacturing, distribution, retail, and non‑profits, with future updates planned to expand sector‑specific functionalities. Zoho emphasizes that the product is developed primarily by its Kumbakonam team, reflecting the company’s commitment to tech sovereignty. Founder Sridhar Vembu highlighted the importance of nations controlling critical technologies, positioning Zoho’s solution as a cost‑effective, flexible alternative to legacy global ERP systems, which are often expensive and slow to deploy.

As part of its growth strategy, Zoho plans to significantly expand its Kumbakonam operations. The regional office, established in 2020, currently employs around 200 professionals. The company intends to build a new campus capable of accommodating up to 2,000 employees by 2026, reinforcing its hub‑and‑spoke model of cultivating tech talent in smaller towns. Zoho will remain privately held, focusing on reinvesting in research and development rather than pursuing an initial public offering.

With this launch, Zoho aims to strengthen India’s presence in the global ERP market while creating high‑skilled technology jobs in rural regions, demonstrating that world‑class software innovation can thrive outside metropolitan hubs.

Also Read: Adani Group fully acquires IANS

Categories
Leaders

Zoho founder faces $1.7bn bond in divorce case

Zoho co‑founder Sridhar Vembu has been asked by a California court to post a $1.7 billion bond as part of his ongoing divorce proceedings with his estranged wife, Pramila Srinivasan. The unusual order, issued in January 2025, is intended to protect her share of marital assets while the case continues.

Vembu, who relocated to India in 2019, and Srinivasan, who remained in the US., had been married for nearly 30 years. Their divorce, which began in 2021, involves complex disputes over property and financial interests accumulated during their marriage. Under California law, assets acquired while married are generally considered joint property, and both parties have a right to an equitable share.

The court order included the appointment of a receiver to oversee several US-based entities linked to Vembu and temporarily blocked certain corporate restructuring moves, aiming to prevent any transfers that might affect Srinivasan’s potential claims. Court filings suggest that Srinivasan’s legal team alleged Vembu transferred significant business stakes and intellectual property without her consent, prompting the court to act.

Vembu’s US attorney, Christopher C. Melcher, has strongly criticised the bond order, calling it “invalid” and legally impossible to meet. He said the order was issued on limited notice and based on incomplete information. Melcher also highlighted that Vembu had already offered Srinivasan a 50 percent share in Zoho Corporation Pvt Ltd and had transferred ownership of their family home to her, offers which she reportedly declined.

Melcher further pointed out that some of Srinivasan’s legal counsel were not licensed in California and accused them of misleading the court. He added that the matter is not about alimony, as no support order has been requested.

This case illustrates the challenges of high-stakes, cross-border divorces, especially when major business interests are involved. While the bond order has made headlines for its unprecedented size, insiders say the situation is less about money and more about ensuring fair treatment under the law.

Vembu and his team have indicated they will continue to contest the bond while the legal proceedings move forward, aiming for a resolution that respects both parties’ rights.

Also Read: Alphabet beats Apple to become No. 2 company

Categories
Leaders

Zoho co-founder receives AI apology over secret leak

In a surprising incident, Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu revealed how an AI assistant accidentally leaked sensitive information from a startup acquisition pitch. The initial email included confidential details, like the name of a competing bidder and the proposed price.

Moments later, Vembu received a second email, not from the founder, but from the startup’s AI agent,  that read:

“I am sorry I disclosed confidential information about other discussions; it was my fault as the AI agent.”

In other words, the AI confessed to its own mistake, leaving Vembu both amused and concerned.

The incident highlights a new challenge in the age of “agentic AI” — AI systems that act autonomously, make decisions, and send messages without human oversight. While AI can improve efficiency, this episode shows how easily it can mishandle sensitive information, especially in high-stakes situations like mergers and acquisitions.

Experts say the story is a reminder that humans still need to be in control of critical communications. A humorous apology aside, the leaked information could have serious consequences if it reached the wrong hands.

As AI becomes more involved in business decisions, companies are being urged to review governance and oversight policies, ensuring that an AI’s autonomy doesn’t come at the cost of confidentiality or trust.

Also Read: SC affirms NCLAT stance on Byju’s plea