Why Use Deluge and Intro to Functions in Zoho CRM
Most client requests can be solved with built-in features in Zoho, but occasionally you might receive one that just you just can’t figure out.
This is where Deluge might serve you well and where Zoho Flow or Zapier fall short. Here are some Deluge benefits:
- Whereas Zapier and Flow cost money and you can quickly run into API limits, you’d rarely run into custom function trigger limits within various Zoho apps
- They’re great for simple stuff, but they can start to get really messy wanting to do more complex things (see example use case flowchart)
- Flow and Zapier can, let’s face it, be a bit unreliable. Any time you make an external API request, issues can arise. Deluge has the advantage of all running within the Zoho environment. It’s faster and often safer to write custom functions.
- You’re INEVITABLY going to run into a situation where Zoho Flow/Zapier CAN’T handle what you need. If you learn Deluge now, you’ll be prepared for when those times arise!
Other Deluge use cases include:
- When a client submits a form that is integrated to a custom module, use a custom function to also update specific fields in that client’s contact record and connect the two modules via a lookup field
- At the close of a deal in CRM use a function to create and send an automated invoice and customize it as much as you’d like
- Create or trigger all sorts of records or actions in other Zoho apps, like tickets in Zoho Desk and projects or tasks in Zoho Projects
- Data-bind two fields in separate modules so that whenever one is updated the other reflects that change
Really, if you can think it up, it can probably be accomplished via Deluge custom functions in the Zoho Suite. Let’s get started!
Quick note before you start: the ideal way to work through this course (and subsequent Deluge courses) is to have the videos going on one screen and your own demo account on another.
However, not all of you may have multiple screens. If that is the case, learn some basic keyboard shortcuts here to have the videos in full-screen mode but quickly be able to toggle back and forth between tabs and pages!
