Skip to product menu
close
  • Sales
    Press Space or Enter to display list of options
EXPLORE ALL PRODUCTS

Sales

 
CRM

Comprehensive CRM platform for customer-facing teams.

CRM
 
Bigin

Simple CRM for small businesses moving from spreadsheets.

Bigin
 
Forms

Build online forms for every business need.

Forms
 
SalesIQ

Live chat app to engage and convert website visitors.

SalesIQ
 
Bookings

Appointment scheduling app for consultations with customers.

Bookings
 
Sign

Digital signature app for businesses.

Sign
 
RouteIQ

Comprehensive sales map visualization and optimal route planning solution.

RouteIQ
 
Thrive

Complete loyalty and affiliate management platform.

Thrive
 
Voice

Cloud Contact Center Software for businesses.

Voice
 
Suites
CRM Plus

Unified platform to deliver top-notch customer experience.

CRM Plus

Marketing

 
Social

All-in-one social media management software.

Social
 
Campaigns

Create, send, and track targeted email campaigns that drive sales.

Campaigns
 
Forms

Build online forms for every business need.

Forms
 
Survey

Design surveys to reach and interact with your audience.

Survey
 
Sites

Online website builder with extensive customisation options.

Sites
 
PageSense

Website conversion optimization and personalisation platform.

PageSense
 
Backstage

End-to-end event management software.

Backstage
 
Webinar

Webinar platform for webcasting online webinars.

Webinar
 
Marketing Automation

All-in-one marketing automation software.

Marketing Automation
 
LandingPage

Smart landing page builder to increase conversion rates

LandingPage
 
Publish

Manage all your local business listings on a single platform.

Publish
 
SalesIQ

Live chat app to engage and convert website visitors.

SalesIQ
 
Sign

Digital signature app for businesses.

Sign
 
Thrive

Complete loyalty and affiliate management platform.

Thrive
 
Voice

Cloud Contact Center Software for businesses.

Voice
 
NEW
LeadChain

Sync, manage, and convert leads across channels seamlessly.

LeadChain
 
NEW
CommunitySpaces

Online community platform for individuals and businesses to grow their network and brand.

CommunitySpaces
 
Suites
Marketing Plus

Unified marketing platform for marketing teams.

Marketing Plus

Commerce and POS

 
Commerce

eCommerce platform to manage and market your online store.

Commerce

Service

 
Desk

Helpdesk software to deliver great customer support.

Desk
 
Assist

Remote support and unattended remote access software.

Assist
 
Lens

Interactive remote assistance software with augmented reality.

Lens
 
FSM

End-to-end field service management platform for service businesses.

FSM
 
SalesIQ

Live chat app to engage and convert website visitors.

SalesIQ
 
Voice

Cloud Contact Center Software for businesses.

Voice
 
Solo

The all-in-one toolkit for solopreneurs.

Solo
 
Bookings

Appointment scheduling app for consultations with customers.

Bookings
 
Suites
Service Plus

Unified platform for customer service and support teams.

Service Plus

Finance

 
Books

Powerful accounting platform for growing businesses.

Books
 
FREE
Invoice

100% Free invoicing solution.

Invoice
 
Expense

Effortless expense reporting platform.

Expense
 
Inventory

Powerful stock management and inventory control software.

Inventory
 
Billing

End-to-end billing solution for your business.

Billing
 
Checkout

Collect payments online with custom branded pages.

Checkout
 
NEW
Payroll

Payroll software with automated tax payments and filing.

Payroll
 
Solo

The all-in-one toolkit for solopreneurs.

Solo
 
Practice

Practice management software for accounting firms.

Practice
 
Sign

Digital signature app for businesses.

Sign
 
Commerce

eCommerce platform to manage and market your online store.

Commerce
 
Suites
Finance Plus

All-in-one suite to manage your operations and finances.

Finance Plus

Email and Collaboration

 
Mail

Secure email service for teams of all sizes.

Mail
 
Meeting

Online meeting software for all your video conferencing & webinar needs.

Meeting
 
Writer

Word processor for focused writing and discussions.

Writer
 
Sheet

Spreadsheet software for collaborative teams.

Sheet
 
Show

Create, edit, and share slides with a sleek presentation app.

Show
 
Notebook

Beautiful home for all your notes.

Notebook
 
Cliq

Stay in touch with teams no matter where you are.

Cliq
 
Connect

Employee experience platform to communicate, engage, and build positive employee relations.

Connect
 
Bookings

Appointment scheduling app for consultations with customers.

Bookings
 
TeamInbox

Shared inboxes for teams.

TeamInbox
 
WorkDrive

Online file management for teams.

WorkDrive
 
Sign

Digital signature app for businesses.

Sign
 
Office Suite

Powerful collaborative work platform for teams.

Office Suite
 
Office Integrator

Built in document editors for web apps.

Office Integrator
 
ZeptoMail

Secure and reliable transactional email sending service.

ZeptoMail
 
Calendar

Online business calendar to manage events and schedule appointments.

Calendar
 
Learn

Knowledge and learning management platform.

Learn
 
Voice

Cloud Contact Center Software for businesses.

Voice
 
ToDo

Collaborative task management for individuals and teams.

ToDo
 
Tables

Work management tool to connect people, processes, and information.

Tables
 
FREE
PDF Editor

Collaborative online PDF editing tool.

PDF Editor
 
Suites
Workplace

Application suite built to improve team productivity and collaboration.

Workplace

Human Resources

 
People

Organize, automate, and simplify your HR processes.

People
 
Recruit

Intuitive recruiting platform built to provide hiring solutions.

Recruit
 
Expense

Effortless expense reporting platform.

Expense
 
Workerly

Manage temporary staffing with an employee scheduling solution.

Workerly
 
NEW
Payroll

Payroll software with automated tax payments and filing.

Payroll
 
Shifts

Employee scheduling and time tracking app.

Shifts
 
Sign

Digital signature app for businesses.

Sign
 
Suites
People Plus

Comprehensive HR platform for seamless employee experiences.

People Plus

Security and IT Management

 
Creator

Build custom apps to simplify business processes.

Creator
 
Directory

Workforce identity and access management solution for cloud businesses.

Directory
 
FREE
OneAuth

Secure multi-factor authenticator (MFA) for all your online accounts.

OneAuth
 
Vault

Online password manager for teams.

Vault
 
Catalyst

Pro-code platform to build and deploy your apps.

Catalyst
 
Toolkit

Complete resource for any admin-related lookup queries.

Toolkit
 
Lens

Interactive remote assistance software with augmented reality.

Lens
 
Assist

Remote support and unattended remote access software.

Assist
 
QEngine

Test automation software to build, manage, execute, and report testcases.

QEngine
 
NEW
RPA

Automate manual, tedious, and repetitive tasks easily.

RPA

BI and Analytics

 
Analytics

Modern self-service BI and analytics platform.

Analytics
 
Embedded BI

Embedded analytics and white label BI solutions, tailored for your needs.

Embedded BI
 
DataPrep

AI-powered data preparation service for your data-driven organization.

DataPrep
 
NEW
IoT

Harnessing IoT analytics for real-time operational intelligence.

IoT

Project Management

 
Projects

Manage, track, and collaborate on projects with teams.

Projects
 
Sprints

Planning and tracking tool for scrum teams.

Sprints
 
BugTracker

Automatic bug tracking software for managing bugs.

BugTracker
 
Solo

The all-in-one toolkit for solopreneurs.

Solo

Developer Platforms

 
Creator

Build custom apps to simplify business processes.

Creator
 
Flow

Automate business workflows by creating smart integrations.

Flow
 
Catalyst

Pro-code platform to build and deploy your apps.

Catalyst
 
Office Integrator

Built in document editors for web apps.

Office Integrator
 
ZeptoMail

Secure and reliable transactional email sending service.

ZeptoMail
 
QEngine

Test automation software to build, manage, execute, and report testcases.

QEngine
 
Tables

Work management tool to connect people, processes, and information.

Tables
 
NEW
RPA

Automate manual, tedious, and repetitive tasks easily.

RPA
 
NEW
Apptics

Application analytics for all apps.

Apptics
 
Embedded BI

Embedded analytics and white label BI solutions, tailored for your needs.

Embedded BI
 
NEW
IoT

Build, deploy, and scale IoT solutions for connected businesses.

IoT
 
DataPrep

AI-powered data preparation service for your data-driven organization.

DataPrep

IoT

 
NEW
IoT

Low-code IoT platform and solutions for connected businesses.

IoT

Search Result

 
CRM Plus

Unified platform to deliver top-notch customer experience.

Try now
CRM Plus
 
Service Plus

Unified platform for customer service and support teams.

Try now
Service Plus
 
Finance Plus

All-in-one suite to manage your operations and finances.

Try now
Finance Plus
 
People Plus

Comprehensive HR platform for seamless employee experiences.

Try now
People Plus
 
Workplace

Application suite built to improve team productivity and collaboration.

Try now
Workplace
 
Marketing Plus

Unified marketing platform for marketing teams.

Try now
Marketing Plus
 
All-in-one suite

Zoho One

The Operating System for Business

Run your entire business on Zoho with our unified cloud software, designed to help you break down silos between departments and increase organizational efficiency.

TRY ZOHO ONE
Zoho One
Zoho Marketplace

With over 2000 ready-to-use extensions across 40+ categories, connect your favorite business tools with the Zoho products you already use.

EXPLORE MARKETPLACE
Marketplace
Skip to main content

Contract approval: Importance and challenges

The contract approval stage opens up an early opportunity for stakeholders to review a contract's terms and conditions and stay aware of the involved risks and opportunities. With the fast-growing emphasis on risk mitigation and improved compliance, an approval process for critical contracts becomes crucial. However, with manual processes, approvers struggle to

 Perform timely reviews

 Keep track of contract approval status

 Meet deadlines

 Conduct audits

Benefits of CLM in contract approval

Implementing a holistic contract lifecycle management (CLM) system provides contract admins complete control over approval activities while promoting internal transparency and informed decision-making. Other key benefits include:

Streamlined
approval process

Streamlined approval process

Customizable
approval workflows

Customizable approval workflows

Effortless collaboration
among approvers

Effortless collaboration among approvers

Increased
transparency

Increased transparency

Reduced
contract cycle times

Reduced contract cycle times

Ability to compare
approval cycles

Ability to compare approval cycles

Granular visibility

Granular visibility

Analytical insights

Analytical insights

Approval in Zoho Contracts

Creation of approval workflows

In Zoho Contracts, admins can create multiple approval workflows and associate them with different contract types. By setting up an approval workflow, admins define the approvers of a contract and the approval process it has to go through. If no approval workflow is associated, the contracts go directly for negotiation after completion of the draft. There are two types of approval workflows: sequential and parallel.

Sequential approval workflow Sequential approval workflow
Data Security

Sequential approval workflow

A sequential approval workflow comprises multiple levels of approval with one or more approvers in each. When there are multiple approvers in the same level, the contract moves to the next level if one of the approvers approves it. Admins can add as many approvers in each level as desired.

Parallel approval workflow Parallel approval workflow
Data Security

Parallel approval workflow

A parallel approval workflow constitutes a single level of approval with one or more approvers. When a contract associated with a parallel approval workflow is submitted for approval, approval requests will be sent to all the approvers simultaneously. The contract moves to the approved state after all the approvers approve it.

Everything you need
to get reviews up to speed  

Automated Alerts

When a contract owner submits a contract for approval, the approvers receive in-app and email notifications for it. Approvers can directly access the contract document from these notifications. They can also manage all their contract approvals from the Activities module. During an approval process, the approvers receive automated alerts on peer approvers' actions and the contract owner can send reminders to approvers based on the progress of approval.

Data Security  
Data Security

Approval Review

During approval, approvers can add contextual comments to the contract terms and set visibility for them. An approver can also collaborate with other approvers and the contract owner in real-time via comments. Approvers can approve the document if it can go for negotiation as is. If there are changes to be made, approvers can add comments and reject the document with a message to the contract owner. Also, when a document undergoes multiple approval cycles, the approvers will have the option to compare the changes between versions.

Approval Delegation

If an approver wants to reassign their pending approval to a different user in the organization, they can delegate the approval to the user. Zoho Contracts will notify the new approver and the contract owner of this change.

Data Security

A modern toolkit
for seamless approvals

Contextual Tabs

When a contract owner submits a draft for approval, the tab in the contract details panel automatically switches from Summary to Approval, where only information that is contextual to the approval stage will be displayed. The details panel helps the contract owner and co-authors closely track approval status and activities performed by approvers. They can also view the approval workflow associated with the contract.

Granular Activity Tracking

The activity section in the Approval tab allows contract owners to closely monitor the progress of approval using the status icons. Each icon represents a specific action. On hovering over an icon, a tool-tip displays the timestamp when the respective action was performed. This feature, while promoting better visibility, eliminates the need for inquiry emails back and forth.

Comments and Changes Management

Contract owners can view and reply to comments made by approvers in real time during approval review. If a contract draft gets rejected, the contract owner can edit the draft and re-submit for approval. In that process, if a draft undergoes multiple approval cycles, Zoho Contracts enables the View Previous Cycles option. With this feature, contract owners can view the document version that was sent during each cycle, eliminating recurring errors and reducing revision cycle times.

Approval Recall

When contract owners reconsider the approval request, the recall option allows them to immediately withdraw it. Recalling an approval is possible even if the approvers have viewed or added any comments to the draft. Also, the comments made by approvers, if any, will be visible to the contract owner despite recalling approval.

Contextual Tabs Contextual Tabs Granular Activity Tracking Approval Recall  

Automate approvals.
Accelerate reviews. Mitigate risks.