April 1st, 2009
Zoho hooks up chat to other IMs, its app suite
Zoho Chat has launched a new version that supports other instant messaging systems and connect them to other applications from the company.
In a blog post, Zoho outlines the new features, but the big pitch is the integration with its other applications such as Zoho Writer, Sheet, Show, Mail, Notebook, Docs and business applications like Zoho Meeting and Business.
By itself, Zoho Chat isn’t a big deal, but it does show the company’s strategy off well. Zoho keeps launching applications and adding incremental improvements to entice you to give its software a spin. When you do—for instance I’m aggregating my IM chats on Zoho Chat now—you’re likely to send a Zoho Writer doc or some other item to someone.
Meanwhile, Zoho has made it really easy to get an account since you can use your Yahoo or Google username and log-in. Will Zoho Chat make the company a household name? No. But the company will keep throwing cool features at you until you try something Zoho out. Once you’re into Zoho the chances are decent you’ll stick around.
Larry Dignan is Editor in Chief of ZDNet and Editorial Director of ZDNet sister site TechRepublic. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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