Understanding the New Zoho UI: A Comprehensive Guide
Hello, everyone. Today, we’re diving into the exciting new updates in Zoho’s user interface (UI). These changes, while fundamental, bring about significant improvements that can enhance your user experience. Over the past two months, we’ve seen Zoho’s UI evolve, and we are here to guide you through these changes, ensuring you understand both the basics and the more substantial updates.
Zoho for Everyone has been our focus, and during this period, we’ve observed both the benefits and some challenges encountered by our clients. This week, we are releasing three informative videos to address these updates. Today’s video focuses on the new UI. In the following days, we will release videos discussing potential issues and the new features being introduced.
To start using the new version, go to your profile and click “try new version.” Although you might be hesitant to switch, it’s essential to adapt now because Zoho will eventually make this version mandatory. Carol and Lior had mixed initial reactions to the new UI, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the changes. However, once we adapted, we found the new version more intuitive and efficient.
Key Changes in the New Zoho UI
The most noticeable change is the repositioning of the top navigation bar to the left side. This layout shift might seem jarring at first, but it organizes your workspace more efficiently. Previously, navigating between modules required multiple steps. Now, you can easily manage and customize modules directly from the left panel.
In the new UI, you can drag and drop different modules and save your customized layout with a click of a button. This streamlined process is much simpler compared to the old version, where you had to navigate through several settings menus to achieve the same result. This change aims to make the interface more user-friendly and accessible, even for those who are not tech-savvy.
Another significant update is the addition of the “plus” button on the right side, allowing administrators to create new modules quickly. However, this ease of access comes with potential risks. If everyone in the company has the ability to create modules, it could lead to a cluttered and disorganized system. Therefore, it’s crucial to manage permissions carefully to prevent unauthorized changes.
The new UI also introduces “team spaces,” a feature that replaces the old “tabs” system. Team spaces allow specific teams to access only the modules relevant to their work, improving focus and efficiency. For instance, you can create a team space for your sales team, assigning them modules like contacts, deals, and accounts. This feature helps streamline workflows by ensuring that each team only sees the information pertinent to their tasks.
While exploring the new UI, remember that some familiar functionalities remain unchanged. For example, the right-hand side of the screen still displays records and data in the same format. The main difference lies in the navigation and module management, which are now more intuitive and accessible.
Addressing Potential Issues
In our next video, we will delve into some of the potential issues you might encounter with the new UI and provide solutions to mitigate them. For instance, the simplified process for creating and modifying modules means that improper permissions could lead to significant disruptions in your system. We’ll discuss best practices for managing permissions and maintaining a clean, efficient workspace.
Additionally, we’ll cover the new “babysitting mode” in the third video, which allows you to control access to specific records. This feature ensures that employees can only view the records they need, enhancing data security and preventing unauthorized access.
The Bottom Line
The new Zoho UI brings a fresh, user-friendly approach to managing your business operations. By relocating the navigation bar and simplifying module management, Zoho aims to enhance your productivity and streamline workflows. While there are potential risks associated with these changes, proper management and understanding of the new features can help you leverage Zoho’s full potential.
We encourage you to spend some time exploring the new UI. The transition might seem daunting at first, but with a little practice, you’ll find it to be a powerful tool for your business. Stay tuned for our upcoming videos, where we’ll provide more insights and tips to help you make the most of Zoho’s latest updates.