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

Custom bicycle maker boosts productivity by 500% using Zoho Creator.

The Company

Founded in 2008 in the Mission district of San Francisco, Mission Bicycle Company epitomizes bike customization, and they do it without compromising quality or affordability. They let customers design their own bikes at the store or their website, and then hand-make in the workshop.

The Builder

Ryan is the operations consultant for Mission Bicycle Company. A true DIY guy, he took up the challenge of setting up an automated system for the business.

He started working with Zoho Creator, and within a few weeks, he was all set to try his hand at building the app they required.

"We wanted an electronic version of our build sheet, in a way that could prevent errors." -Ryan Moskal, Operations Manager

The Problem

A popular local business, Mission Bicycle Co. had a growing need to streamline their process. Their paper-based system was no longer adequate. The main difficulty the company faced was the increasing number of errors in order details and bicycle specifications. And organizing the documents, build sheet was a big job on its own.

Solution

Solution

Initially, Ryan made just an order management app. He then extended its functionality to vendor management, after-sales follow-up, etc.

Manufacturing: Order management

The order management module of the app has two parts:

Sales interface: This is the part of the system that is displayed at the storefront. It's non-technical, working much like building blocks, allowing the salesperson to select parts and colors for their bike on the input of the customer.

Before the app was created, people often chose parts for their bikes that weren't compatible. Orders had to be cancelled or redesigned. Now salespeople are shown only those options that work with the frame they've selected.

Ryan also added a feature to display the estimated delivery date when an order was placed, this is set as four weeks from the order date.

Production interface: This is the system that the production team accesses. The manager gets the order in a more production-oriented format than the customer interface. Ryan built a function to show the technical specifications of the selected components. That information is vital for the the person building the bike. Think of it as translating the common man's language into technical terms. This system provides a printable one-sheet build summary, using the record summary feature of Zoho Creator, of the order which the builder uses while making the bicycle.

Supply Chain: Vendor Management

Supply Chain: Vendor Management

With the ordering system taken care of, Ryan turned his focus to the vendor management system. This was an obvious next step since it helped reduce the process time of the ordering app. Large vendors now receive an automated weekly order of the components needed. Smaller vendors who don't support electronic ordering get a printed order sheet.

Finance: Bookkeeping

The thing about people who are self-driven is that they can find opportunities to improve any situation. With vendor management handled, Ryan decided to add even more features to the order management module. He created a function to automatically calculate the cost of making each bike. This, when tallied with the week's revenue, provided the profit earned for that particular week. Similarly, the monthly and yearly figures fell into the basket without much effort.

Customer Relations: After sales experience

Customer Relations: After sales experience

Once a bike is delivered, the next step is the after sales follow-up. Ryan used the automation feature on Zoho Creator to send the following emails:

  • Thank you mail: A thank you message is sent to the customer on delivery of the bike, along with a list of maintenance tips like the ideal tire pressure, the type of oil to use etc.
  • Experience survey: Two weeks from the date of delivery, an experience survey is automatically sent to the customer.
  • Free Bike check-up: Mission Bicycle provides one free bike check-up to their local customers two months after bike delivery. A schedule is made to send these reminder mails.

Bike Registration

If you own a bicycle, theft is your major concern. That's where bikeindex.org helps. The registration website works with local law enforcement agencies and bicycle shops to find stolen bikes and return them to their rightful owners.

Mission Bicycle has partnered with bikeindex.org. When a bike is purchased, the details are updated on the site's registry through an integration with Mission Bicycle's app.

"Just like a bicycle needs different components to work together to run efficiently, the wheels, the frame, the drivetrain—the modules we have created in Zoho Creator all work together to give us the complete business data we need." Ryan Moskal, Operations Manager

"The one word I would use to describe our Zoho Creator experience is "empowering." I now feel like we have the tools to address any problem we come up against. Our only limit is our imagination." -Ryan Moskal, Operations Manager

Add-ons

Aside from building bicycles, Mission Bicycle sells accessories like helmets and riding gloves. A bar-code reader and Zoho Creator were integrated to set up a system to replenish the stock of these goods.

Every item in the warehouse has a threshold limit. The threshold for each type of accessory is decided by demand and past experience. Once the available stock reaches the threshold, the company orders to replenish the stock.

In Mission Bicycle's case, every item has a digital barcode card at the threshold point. When the stock runs low and the card shows, employees scan the card using a barcode reader, and an order for the item is placed automatically through Zoho Creator.

Result

  • A staggering 500% increase in productivity.
  • 45% of work hours saved every week
  • Happy customers
  • 0% errors in taking orders