Zoho Invests $13 Million to Boost Digitalization in UAE

India-based global technology company Zoho Corp. announced an investment of AED 46 million (US$12.52 million) in strategic partnerships with local public and private entities in the UAE this week. The investment will support over 7,000 UAE businesses in their digitalization efforts. 

During a press conference at GITEX, Zoho also introduced Zoho IoT, a low-code platform designed to help businesses create and deploy custom Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, to help UAE businesses optimize their digital transformation and gain a competitive advantage. 

Zoho’s partnerships with local government entities have facilitated access to wallet credits and upskilling programs, equipping businesses across key sectors — including IT hardware and services, real estate, construction, retail, transportation, and logistics — with the necessary tools and resources. Zoho's popular products, including Zoho One, Zoho Books, Zoho Workplace, Zoho CRM Plus, and Zoho People, have recorded a conversion rate of 57 percent among UAE businesses. 

"We believe that strategic partnerships are essential for driving digital transformation in the UAE. By investing in partnerships with local organisations, we are able to provide comprehensive solutions to businesses of all sizes, helping them migrate to the cloud and realise the benefits of digital technologies. Our goal is to empower UAE businesses to achieve their full potential and contribute to the nation's economic growth and development," said Hyther Nizam, president of Middle East and Africa, Zoho Corp.

Since last year, Zoho has seen increased adoption among large organizations in both the public and private sectors, driven by the need to control costs and enhance competitiveness. Since 2020, the company has collaborated with various local entities, including the Dubai Economy and Tourism Department (DET), Flat6Labs, Dubai Culture, and IFZA, to ensure businesses of all sizes have access to digital tools and training. 

Additionally, Zoho has focused on upskilling through partnerships with institutions like Middlesex University Dubai, Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, and Manipal Academy of Higher Education in Dubai. 

The newly launched Zoho IoT platform offers industry-specific solutions, either as pre-built options or as solutions customized to integrate with existing systems. It offers pre-built solutions for industries like Industrial IoT, which enables users to manage productivity and machine uptime, and Energy Management, which allows for monitoring energy consumption patterns.

Zoho IoT integrates with other Zoho applications, offering a comprehensive view of business operations and enhancing visibility and control. It also facilitates process automation and data-driven decision-making without extensive technical expertise. The platform is designed with security in mind and adheres to global standards for data privacy and compliance. 

Zoho IoT also integrates with third-party hardware, collecting and managing data from IoT devices in real time, providing actionable insights and streamlined operational analysis. The platform also offers capabilities for remote management, operational visibility, and specific monitoring challenges like gas and water leaks. 

With over 55 applications in nearly every major business category — including sales, marketing, customer support, and accounting — Zoho Corporation has over 100 million users worldwide. 

Based in Chennai, India, Zoho also has a footprint in the US, Japan, China, Canada, Mexico, Australia, the Netherlands, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.