The Future of Business Management in Tanzania

Zoho + Flashnet?

African businesses are experiencing a period of considerable growth, with the World Bank (WB) predicting Sub-Saharan Africa's (SSA) gross domestic product (GDP) to expand by 3.4% in 2024.

Rising internet penetration, increased mobile phone usage, and a growing young population are all contributing factors.

According to the World Economic Forum, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for 95% of all registered businesses and contribute approximately 50% of total GDP in SSA countries like Tanzania. These enterprises stimulate consumer spending and demand while increasing productive capacity and employment.

However, this expansion often comes with challenges, particularly in managing complex operations efficiently and affordably.

Businesses need to find ways to automate tasks, improve collaboration, and gain valuable insights from their data, all while keeping costs under control. Traditional on-premise software solutions can be expensive to maintain and lack the scalability needed for growth.

Cloud-based solutions like Zoho Workplace provide a convincing alternative. These tools are hosted online, eliminating the need for expensive hardware and software installations. They are also typically offered on a subscription basis, allowing companies to pay-as-they-go and scale their usage as needed. This makes them a particularly attractive option for businesses in Africa, where initial capital investment can be a major barrier.

Zoho's software suite (valued at $5.9 billion) includes over 55 applications. It includes everything from customer relationship management (CRM) and accounting to project management and email. As a result, it is easy to understand why Zoho's tagline, "Your life's work, powered by our life's work," is so effective.

This "all-in-one" approach allows companies to simplify operations and improve collaboration across departments. Unlike some competitors (i.e., Google Workspace and Microsoft 365) heavily reliant on the US dollar, Zoho Workplace allows payments in local African currencies. Thus removing foreign exchange (forex) hurdles for businesses on the continent.

A recent study by nonprofit tech publication

Rest of World

found that Zoho (based in India) offers significant cost savings when compared to competitors (in the US). For example, switching to Workplace saved a Nigerian edtech startup US$6,960 (about TZS 18 million) per year.

While the web-based solution is a powerful toolkit, realizing its full potential may require expertise in specific areas. These include 1) selecting the right tools, 2) configuring them for your specific needs, and 3) providing ongoing support to your team.

That is where Flashnet, a Tanzanian “IT-as-a-service” provider that has an official reseller partnership with Zoho, comes in.

Its engineers will evaluate your business model and recommend the best Zoho tools for your operations. That’s whether productivity, communication, collaboration, or all three are your top priorities. They will then manage the implementation process to ensure a smooth transition and minimal disruption to your workflow. In addition, their culturally relevant guidance on integrating Zoho with your existing systems is beneficial.

Flashnet doesn't just get you started. It provides ongoing training and support, allowing your team to fully utilize Zoho's collection of apps. That eliminates the need for in-house Zoho configuration expertise. It frees your staff to focus on core business activities.

For instance, a growing Tanzanian manufacturing company struggling to manage customer interactions and sales data effectively. Flashnet, upon understanding their client’s challenges, can implement Zoho CRM. Thus centralizing the company's sales process, improving customer communication, and ultimately leading to increased revenue. Zoho's data analytics tools may also provide useful insights that help the manufacturer optimize their inventory management. This is just one example of how Flashnet can empower Tanzanian enterprises with Zoho.

It is cost-effective, secure, and dependable.

In today's context, outsourcing your information technology (IT) needs to Flashnet makes sense if:

1. You’re looking for a better shared virtual location for your team. With Workplace, they can collaborate effectively via email, file storage, word processing, spreadsheets, and video conferencing.

2. You want to manage your finances with ease. Zoho Books offers accounting features, such as invoicing, expense tracking, and accurate financial reporting, to help you make informed business decisions.

3. You want to track customer interactions and improve sales processes.

4. You need to provide digital-first customer support.

5. You’re required to manage projects efficiently and meet deadlines.

If you have questions about Zoho or Flashnet, please reach out to sales@flashnet.co.tz or +255 778 889 180. You'll receive answers and personalized help.

Best wishes!