View source for ATL225

== Episode ATL225: Zoho SMZ and Balance Conferences Recap ==
'''Recording Date:''' September 25, 2025  
'''Duration:''' 31:29  
'''Hosts:''' Randy Johnston and Brian F. Tankersley, CPA.CITP, CGMA  
'''Series:''' Accounting Technology Lab Podcast  
'''Source:''' CPA Practice Advisor  

=== Summary ===
In this episode, Randy Johnston and Brian Tankersley recap their experiences at two major Zoho events — '''Zoho Balance''' in Salt Lake City and '''Zoho SMZ (Small and Medium Business Summit)''' in San Antonio.  
They explain how Zoho has evolved into a serious alternative to QuickBooks, Xero, and FreshBooks by offering an integrated ecosystem for small businesses and accountants. Major highlights include the launch of '''Zoho Start''' (for LLC formation in all 50 states), '''Zoho Solo''' (a free mobile app suite for solopreneurs), '''Zoho Commerce''' (an e-commerce platform), '''Zoho Bigin''' (a lightweight CRM), '''Zoho Contracts''' (for workflow and e-signatures), and '''Zoho Notebook''' (an AI-powered meeting notes app).  
The episode also covers Zoho’s proprietary AI engine, '''Zia''', expanded automation capabilities, and commitment to privacy. The hosts conclude that Zoho’s biggest challenge isn’t technology—it’s awareness, as the company’s suite can run everything from startups to global enterprises.

=== Key Quotes ===
* “Zoho may be the platform of choice for startups and solopreneurs.” — '''Randy Johnston''' (24:10)  
* “Invoice is free — my lawn lady could run her whole business on it.” — '''Brian F. Tankersley''' (06:34)  
* “You can form an LLC in any state in about two minutes.” — '''Randy Johnston''' (17:03)  
* “Zoho’s ecosystem runs everything from startups to global enterprises.” — '''Brian F. Tankersley''' (17:52)  
* “The biggest challenge Zoho has isn’t technology — it’s awareness.” — '''Randy Johnston''' (25:40)  
* “If you start with two modules, most users upgrade to Zoho One for everything.” — '''Randy Johnston''' (07:20)  
* “Their commitment to privacy is extraordinary — even employees can’t see your data.” — '''Brian F. Tankersley''' (26:42)  

=== Companies, Products, and Services Mentioned ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Company / Product !! Description !! X (Twitter) !! Facebook !! LinkedIn !! Instagram
|-
| '''Zoho Corporation''' || Developer of integrated business software suite for SMBs || [https://x.com/zoho @Zoho] || [https://facebook.com/zoho Zoho] || [https://linkedin.com/company/zoho Zoho] || [https://instagram.com/zoho @zoho]
|-
| '''Zoho Books''' || Full-featured accounting and GL platform || [https://x.com/ZohoBooks @ZohoBooks] || [https://facebook.com/ZohoBooks Zoho Books] || [https://linkedin.com/showcase/zoho-books Zoho Books] || [https://instagram.com/zohobooks @zohobooks]
|-
| '''Zoho Invoice''' || Free invoicing software for freelancers and small businesses || [https://x.com/ZohoInvoice @ZohoInvoice] || [https://facebook.com/ZohoInvoice Zoho Invoice] || [https://linkedin.com/showcase/zoho-invoice Zoho Invoice] || [https://instagram.com/zohoinvoice @zohoinvoice]
|-
| '''Zoho Start''' || New LLC formation tool covering all 50 U.S. states || [https://x.com/zoho @Zoho] || [https://facebook.com/zoho Zoho] || [https://linkedin.com/company/zoho Zoho] || [https://instagram.com/zoho @zoho]
|-
| '''Zoho Solo''' || Free app suite for freelancers and solopreneurs || [https://x.com/zoho @Zoho] || [https://facebook.com/zoho Zoho] || [https://linkedin.com/company/zoho Zoho] || [https://instagram.com/zoho @zoho]
|-
| '''Zoho Commerce''' || End-to-end e-commerce and inventory integration platform || [https://x.com/ZohoCommerce @ZohoCommerce] || [https://facebook.com/ZohoCommerce Zoho Commerce] || [https://linkedin.com/showcase/zoho-commerce Zoho Commerce] || N/A
|-
| '''Zoho Contracts''' || Contract creation, approval, and e-signature workflow app || [https://x.com/zoho @Zoho] || [https://facebook.com/zoho Zoho] || [https://linkedin.com/company/zoho Zoho] || [https://instagram.com/zoho @zoho]
|-
| '''Zoho Notebook''' || AI-powered note-taking and meeting management app || [https://x.com/ZohoNotebook @ZohoNotebook] || [https://facebook.com/ZohoNotebook Zoho Notebook] || [https://linkedin.com/showcase/zoho-notebook Zoho Notebook] || N/A
|-
| '''Zoho CRM / Bigin''' || CRM tools for startups and growing businesses || [https://x.com/ZohoCRM @ZohoCRM] || [https://facebook.com/ZohoCRM Zoho CRM] || [https://linkedin.com/showcase/zoho-crm Zoho CRM] || [https://instagram.com/zohocrm @zohocrm]
|-
| '''CPA Practice Advisor''' || Publisher of the Accounting Technology Lab Podcast || [https://x.com/CPAPracticeAdv @CPAPracticeAdv] || [https://facebook.com/cpapracticeadvisor CPA Practice Advisor] || [https://linkedin.com/company/cpa-practice-advisor CPA Practice Advisor] || [https://instagram.com/cpapracticeadvisor @cpapracticeadvisor]
|}

=== See Also ===
* [[Episode_ATL226:_Audit_Automation]]
* [[Episode_ATL227:_AICPA_Blockchain_Symposium_2025]]
* [[Accounting_Technology_Lab_Podcast_Index]]