DSL Telecom - Blog #Zoho Premium Partner

Zoho Books Support in South Africa: Why Work With A Certified Zoho Premium Partner

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 16:27:19 +0200

If you're running a growing business in South Africa and are using - or considering - Zoho Books for your accounting needs, the platform you choose is only half the equation. How it's set up, configured, and supported makes all the difference.

Zoho Books is a cloud-based accounting platform built for growing businesses. It handles invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, financial reporting, and much more - all from one centralised system accessible anywhere, on any device. Crucially, it includes a dedicated South African edition built specifically to meet local tax and compliance requirements.

Why Zoho Books Works for South Africa

Zoho Books isn't a generic global accounting tool with a ZAR currency option bolted on. The South African edition has been built with local regulatory requirements at its core:

VAT201 Return reporting built to SARS specifications, so your VAT returns are accurate and submission-ready
VAT Audit Report download, ready for SARS audit processes
Domestic Reverse Charge support for qualifying transactions
ZAR pricing and local data considerations
Integration with South African payment gateways

For South African businesses, this means the platform is already doing a lot of the compliance heavy lifting - provided it's configured correctly from the start.

The Challenge: Getting It Set Up Correctly

This is where many businesses run into difficulty. Zoho Books is a powerful platform, but its value depends entirely on how well it's implemented. Without the right expertise, businesses can end up with:

VAT configuration that doesn't account for South African tax rules
A chart of accounts that doesn't reflect their industry or business model
Bank feeds and reconciliation that haven't been set up for local banks
A team that hasn't been properly trained and isn't using the platform effectively

The result is an accounting system that technically works, but isn't working for your business. And when tax season or a SARS audit arrives, the gaps become costly.

Why Local Zoho Books Support Matters

When your business operates under South African tax law, there are realities that only a local partner can address effectively.

VAT Compliance: South African businesses need to comply with SARS VAT regulations, file VAT201 returns, and maintain accurate audit trails. Your Zoho Books setup should reflect this from day one - not be retrofitted later.

POPIA Considerations: When handling customer financial data, it's worth working with a partner who understands the Protection of Personal Information Act and how it applies to your business processes and software configuration.

Local Banking and Workflows: South African bank feeds, payment terms, and business processes have their own specific requirements. Getting these right requires a team that works with them daily.

Context, Time Zones, and Language: Having a local team on hand means fast, relevant support from people who understand your business environment.

Why DSL Telecom

DSL Telecom is South Africa's longest-standing Zoho Premium Partner, the highest tier in Zoho's partner programme, awarded to partners who demonstrate exceptional implementation quality, customer satisfaction, and technical expertise.

Award-Winning Track Record

Zoho Partner of the Year, South Africa, for three consecutive years
Zoho Partner of the Year, MEA - 2024
Zoho Key Business Contributor Award - 2024

17 Years in Business. DSL Telecom has been operating for over 17 years, with a team of 50+ specialists and 16 Zoho certifications held across the business, covering applications including Zoho Books, Zoho CRM, Zoho Creator, Zoho Analytics, and more.

Consistently 5-Star Rated at the highest level of Partner tier on Zoho's Partner platform for implementation, support, training, and service delivery.

Locally Based. We are based in Somerset West, Western Cape, and support businesses across South Africa and beyond. We bring both local expertise and global best practices to every implementation.

What DSL Telecom Zoho Books Support Includes

Our support covers every stage of your Zoho Books journey, from initial setup through to ongoing success:

Initial setup and configuration tailored to your business
VAT and SARS compliance setup, including VAT201 Return configuration and VAT Audit Report
Bank feed and reconciliation setup for South African banks
Opening balance data migration from Sage, Xero, QuickBooks, or spreadsheets
Automation setup to reduce manual work and human error
Staff training, both in-person and online
Integration with other Zoho apps, including Zoho CRM, Zoho Inventory, and Zoho Desk
Ongoing Zoho Customer Success Plans with one-on-one coaching, dedicated support, and proactive guidance

What Our Customers Say

" Working with DSL Telecom has been an exceptional experience. They are quick to respond, hands-on, and consistently deliver effective Zoho software solutions. What sets them apart is their commitment to client empowerment - involving us in the process, explaining every change, and providing thorough training. DSL Telecom has been indispensable in supporting our expansion. Thank you for this profoundly positive partnership! ''

- Titan Secure

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Zoho Books support South African VAT?

Yes. Zoho Books includes native VAT201 Return reporting, a VAT Audit Report download, and Domestic Reverse Charge support - all built to SARS specifications. Our implementation services ensure your VAT configuration is set up correctly from the start.

Can I migrate from Sage, Xero, or QuickBooks to Zoho Books?

Absolutely. DSL Telecom handles data migration from Sage, Xero, QuickBooks, and spreadsheets. The migration process ensures your customers, vendors, items, and chart of accounts with opening balances are transferred cleanly, with minimal disruption to your business.

How long does a Zoho Books implementation take?
Timelines vary depending on the complexity of your business and the amount of data being migrated. Straightforward implementations can be completed in as little as two weeks, while more complex projects with significant data migration may take longer. DSL Telecom will provide a clear project plan and timeline upfront so you know exactly what to expect.

What is a Zoho Premium Partner?

Zoho Premium Partner is the highest tier in Zoho's partner programme, awarded to partners who demonstrate exceptional implementation quality, customer satisfaction, and technical expertise. DSL Telecom holds this status and is South Africa's longest-standing Zoho Premium Partner, with 14 years of continuous partnership.

From first-time setup to migration and ongoing support, we're here to help make your Zoho Books experience a success.

Why South African Businesses are Replacing Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace with Zoho Workplace - A DSL Telecom Webinar Recap

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 15:50:37 +0200

South African businesses are no longer accepting rising licence costs as “just part of doing business.” With Microsoft 365 prices climbing again in 2026 and Google Workspace costs steadily increasing, many organisations are actively looking for a smarter, more cost-effective workplace solution.

Microsoft has announced further pricing adjustments taking effect in 2026, adding to multiple increases over the past few years. For many organisations, this means:

Higher per-user monthly costs
Additional charges for premium security and compliance features
Paying separately for tools that were previously bundled

Zoho Workplace offers a fully integrated workplace app suite at a predictable, transparent cost, without the layered pricing model that continues to drive Microsoft licensing higher year after year.

In our recent webinar, Adriaan Dijkstra and Gideo Beukes unpacked why more businesses are moving away from Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, and how Zoho Workplace is emerging as a powerful, cost-effective alternative.

About Zoho Workplace

Zoho Workplace is a fully integrated workplace productivity suite built to replace the complexity of Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. Instead of stacking multiple apps, licences, and add-ons, businesses get one connected platform for email, file storage, document collaboration, meetings, and team chat. (Zoho Mail, Zoho WorkDrive, Zoho Writer, Zoho Meeting, Zoho Cliq)

Many businesses don’t realise how much they’re overspending on workplace apps. Between Microsoft 365 licences, Teams add-ons, security upgrades, and third-party integrations, monthly costs quietly escalate.

Over the past four years, Microsoft 365 E3 pricing (combined with Teams and security features) has increased by approximately 26%, and 2026 will introduce additional pricing adjustments.

That means higher recurring costs, with no significant increase in functionality for most SMEs.

Zoho Workplace addresses this by:

Consolidating essential workplace apps into one licence
Removing the need for costly add-ons
Providing enterprise-grade features without enterprise-level pricing

Enterprise-Grade Email and Security

When businesses think of email, they often think “inbox.” But in reality, professional email is far more than sending and receiving messages. It supports your organisation’s identity, protects sensitive data, enables secure collaboration, and ensures communication remains available at all times.

Whether you’re a growing SME or a large organisation, email remains one of your most critical business systems, and it needs to be secure, reliable, scalable, and privacy-focused. Unlike ad-driven platforms, Zoho Mail operates on a privacy-first model, meaning your business data is never monetised.

Zoho Mail for business, as a fully integrated component of Workplace, works seamlessly alongside documents, storage, chat, and meetings within one connected ecosystem.

Zoho Workplace offers:

Predictable, lower licensing costs

Integrated workplace apps
Local migration and support from your Zoho Workplace partner in South Africa - DSL Telecom
Enterprise-grade email and collaboration

With Microsoft 365 prices increasing again in 2026 and Google Workspace costs continuing to rise, now is the time to reassess your productivity stack. Zoho Workplace offers predictable, lower licensing costs, fully integrated workplace apps, secure business email, and collaboration tools - plus local migration and support from DSL Telecom.

Q&A Highlights

The live Q&A session sparked valuable discussion, with attendees raising important questions about migration, security, and scalability. Here are some of the highlights:

Question 1: Can we migrate from Google Workspace to Zoho Workplace easily?

DSL Telecom Team: Yes, definitely. We’ve helped a number of customers migrate from Google Workspace to Zoho Workplace. The process usually starts with a discussion to understand your setup: how many users you have, the number of mailboxes, etc. From there, our team plans the migration carefully to ensure minimal disruption to your business.

Question 2: How does Zoho Workplace compare to SharePoint on permissions and external access sharing?

DSL Telecom Team: That’s a great question. You’ve got plenty of flexibility when it comes to sharing files externally. You can create secure links for specific documents or folders, share them with clients, and set permissions to control access.

For example, you can password-protect links or set them to expire after a certain time. If needed, clients can also be added as users in Zoho WorkDrive - Zoho’s equivalent of SharePoint or OneDrive, giving you even more control over how files are accessed and managed.

Question 3: Can I try out Zoho Mail with only a few of my team members?

DSL Telecom Team: Yes, with Zoho Mail, hybrid setups are definitely possible. A hybrid solution means you don’t have to move everyone over at once, allowing you to integrate Zoho Mail into your existing email environment. This can be helpful if you want to test the platform first, move departments in phases, or keep certain teams on a different system temporarily.

Question 3: What backup measures are in place during migration, and how can data be restored if required?

DSL Telecom Team: Once your data is migrated to Zoho, it’s safely backed up as part of their regular processes. We can also set up extra backups if needed, so your data can be restored anytime.

Key Takeaways

Webinar attendees got a clear look at how Zoho Workplace helps South African businesses work smarter, stay secure, and cut software costs. The session covered its all-in-one apps, and showed how moving from Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace can be smooth and hassle-free.

If you missed the webinar or want to revisit the insights, you can watch the full recording or reach out to our team for personalised guidance on getting started with Zoho Workplace.

If you’d like a cost comparison between Microsoft 365, Google Workplace, or a Zoho Workplace migration assessment, speak to our team today, or start exploring Zoho Workplace yourself with a free trial by clicking here .

How DSL Telecom Streamlined Sancert Global's Certification Processes With Zoho Software

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:31:42 +0200

Sancert Global

Industry
ISO Certification Services

Type
Privately Held

Location

Somerset West

Sancert Global is a leading internationally accredited certification provider, holding UKAS and SANAS accreditation. With over 20 years of experience and a global footprint, Sancert helps businesses decrease risk and achieve operational excellence through ISO certification services including ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), ISO 27001 (Information Security), ISO 31000 (Risk Management), ISO 13485 (Medical Devices Quality Management), and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety).

Through expert auditors and structured processes, Sancert guides organisations through the full external certification journey.

The Challenge:

As Sancert Global experienced rapid growth, its certification processes became increasingly complex, requiring close coordination between auditors and back-office teams across every stage. Relying on email and messaging tools led to fragmented communication, limited visibility, scheduling challenges, and manual inefficiencies. To sustain growth, Sancert needed a centralised, customisable system to streamline workflows and improve transparency, without compromising efficiency or compliance.

The Solution: A Centralised Zoho System Built for Certification Excellence

To help Sancert streamline its growing operations, DSL Telecom, an award-winning Zoho Premium Partner in South Africa, implemented a fully integrated Zoho ecosystem tailored specifically to the certification lifecycle.

The foundation of the implementation was Zoho CRM, which became the central hub of Sancert’s operations. Instead of tracking certification progress across emails, spreadsheets, and messaging apps, the entire client journey now lives inside one structured system.

DSL Telecom set up custom Zoho CRM modules to match Sancert’s certification workflow, from costing and audits to surveillance and re-certification. Step-by-step blueprints and automated workflows now guide team members, trigger tasks and reminders, and reduce manual work.

One of the standout features for Sancert has been the mail merge functionality. Key details like account names and addresses now auto-populate from the CRM, saving time and eliminating manual copy-and-paste errors.

This gives Sancert clear visibility and control over every client’s progress.

To reduce manual data entry and speed up responses, DSL Telecom implemented Zoho Forms and connected it to Zoho CRM. Website forms now automatically create or update CRM records. This ensures accurate data, avoids duplicates, and makes onboarding faster and smoother for both the Sancert team and their clients.

Certification requires many documents to be signed, from NDAs and quotes to audit agreements. Previously, this was done manually, causing delays and extra follow-ups. DSL Telecom simplified the process by implementing Zoho Sign. Documents are now generated from the CRM, sent electronically for signature, and automatically linked to the client record. This has sped up approvals, improved tracking, and removed administrative bottlenecks.

The subsequent phase focused on structured document management, and to keep certification documents organised and accessible, DSL Telecom integrated Zoho WorkDrive with Zoho CRM. Each new client account automatically gets a structured folder for all relevant files, accessible directly from the CRM. Auditors can securely share and collaborate on documents, making compliance easier and eliminating scattered files.

One of Sancert’s key operational requirements was improved visibility of auditor availability and a simpler way to schedule audits. To solve this, DSL Telecom created a kiosk within Zoho CRM that integrates with Zoho Creator. All bookings now automatically appear on the embedded Zoho Creator calendar, giving the Sancert team clear visibility and streamlining planning across all certification stages.

The next step was to provide leadership with meaningful business insights. DSL Telecom's skilled team deployed Zoho Analytics to deliver real-time dashboards and reporting. Instead of manually compiling reports, management can now access up-to-date performance data at any time. This empowers Sancert to make informed, data-driven decisions and continuously refine their processes.

Finally, to support continuous improvement, Zoho Survey was introduced to gather structured client feedback once a certification is completed. Surveys are linked directly to the CRM records, allowing Sancert to monitor client satisfaction and identify areas for enhancement. This reinforces their commitment to service excellence and long-term client relationships.

The Results: A Structured Environment That Supports Operational Efficiency While Delivering A Smoother Experience

By partnering with DSL Telecom, Sancert Global now operates from a fully integrated, centralised system that connects people, processes, and documentation across the entire certification lifecycle.

The new Zoho software environment has reduced manual workload, improved collaboration, enhanced compliance tracking, and positioned Sancert for scalable growth - all while delivering a more seamless experience to their clients.

To ensure they maximise ROI on their Zoho investment, Sancert also signed up for a DSL Telecom Customer Success Plan, giving them access to expert advice on Zoho best practices, adoption strategies, and proactive recommendations to optimise their certification processes.

Testimonial from Sancert

'' It was an absolute pleasure working with the DSL Telecom team to bring our Zoho system to life. Despite the complexity of our processes, it was amazing to see how every person we worked with at DSL Telecom took the time to truly understand our business in order to provide the best support possible. We genuinely appreciate all their efforts. ''

Ready to Transform Your Operations with a Customised Zoho Solution?

DSL Telecom specialises in delivering expert Zoho implementation, consulting, and support to help businesses streamline workflows, boost efficiency, and gain complete visibility over their processes.

Book a free consultation

DSL Telecom Wins Zoho Partner of the Year South Africa 2025 for 3 Years Running - Awarded at Zoho Inspire MEA in Dubai

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 11:51:26 +0200

We're proud to share that DSL Telecom has been named Zoho Partner of the Year, South Africa for 2025, for the third year running. The award was presented at the Zoho MEA Regional Inspire 2026 event on 21 January 2026, hosted at The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC in Dubai.

Representing DSL Telecom on the day, Managing Director Dean Schreuder and Technical Director Paul Wilson accepted the award on behalf of the entire team. For us, the recognition is not about the moment on stage. It's a reflection of the work behind it - carefully-crafted Zoho implementations and solutions built to deliver real, lasting value for our customers.

What Is Zoho MEA Regional Inspire?

Zoho MEA Regional Inspire is where Zoho partners across the Middle East and Africa come together to learn what's coming next, share what's working in the field, and connect directly with Zoho's teams. It's a day built around practical insight - product direction, partner enablement, and the conversations that help turn new capability into real-world outcomes.

Beyond the formal sessions, Inspire creates space for collaboration. It is where partners compare notes, trade best practices, and return with ideas that can immediately improve how customers use Zoho.

What This Award Means for Our Customers

Being named Zoho Partner of the Year, South Africa is a proud moment for DSL Telecom, but the real value of this recognition is what it signals to the businesses we support, and it would not be possible without the ongoing trust of our customers. We sincerely thank you for choosing DSL Telecom and for allowing us to support your business journey.

This recognition confirms you are working with a partner trusted by Zoho for the standard of delivery, the quality of implementation, and the consistency of results.

In practical terms, it means your Zoho environment is implemented with care and guided by experience. It means you receive advice that is clear and grounded, focused on what will genuinely improve your operation rather than adding features you do not need. And it means you are supported by a hands-on South African team that understands local business realities, while applying global best practices that keep your setup stable as you grow.

Highlights from Zoho Inspire 2026

Winning the award wasn't the only highlight from Zoho Inspire. The event also gave us clearer insight into Zoho's roadmap and the improvements partners can bring back to their customers. We use what we learn there to keep customer systems aligned with best practices and to identify updates worth adopting - practical changes that strengthen performance, usability, and long-term value.

DSL Telecom's Partner of the Year award

The main stage at Zoho Inspire 2026

Paul connecting with fellow Zoho partners

A keynote session exploring Zoho’s AI capabilities

Retail industry insights on stage

Dean and Paul alongside Zoho experts

Great energy at Zoho Inspire 2026

Proud recipients of the Zoho Partner of the Year award

Celebrations with the Zoho team in the UAE

What's Next

With fresh insight from Zoho Inspire - and our continued standing as a top-performing partner in South Africa - we're even more focused on one thing: helping businesses get more from Zoho.

Whether you're looking to improve customer experience, automate workflows, unify your data, or scale smarter, DSL Telecom is here to help you unlock the full value of Zoho's suite, drive efficiency, and support long-term growth.

Want to see what an award-winning Zoho implementation looks like for your business?

2025: Our Year In Review

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 11:09:10 +0200

2025 has been a standout year for DSL Telecom, marked by major achievements, global recognition, meaningful partnerships, high-impact events, and team moments that strengthened our culture. Across every event and initiative this year, we remained committed to quality, innovation, and prioritising our customers' needs.

Here's a look back at the milestones that shaped our year.

Growing With Top Talent

A key part of our success this year has been our ongoing investment in people. We actively recruit top talent and continue to grow our team to meet the evolving needs of our customers. Across technical, sales, support, and implementation roles, we look for individuals who share our passion for problem-solving, innovation, and exceptional service. This focus on building and developing a team of driven individuals has helped us scale smarter, innovate faster, and deliver even stronger results.

Supporting Our Customers Every Step Of The Way

Assisting Customers With Their Connectivity Needs

Zoho Implementation Team Members Brainstorming

Collaborating To Deliver World-Class Technology Solutions

Our Dedicated Consumer Division Sales Team In Action

We Support Our Team Members To Achieve Excellence

Zoho Awards, Events And Workshops

Our partnership with Zoho reached new heights in 2025 - it was a year full of awards, workshops, and events that showcased our expertise as a Zoho Premium Partner and strengthened our commitment to delivering world-class technology solutions for our customers.

We kicked off the year by being awarded Zoho Partner of the Year - MEA region 2024 at the Global Partner Summit in Chennai, India. DSL Telecom's Managing Director, Dean Schreuder, and Technical Director, Paul Wilson, attended the summit to receive the award and connect with the Zoho team and other partners, exchanging fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to drive growth and collaboration.

Next up, DSL Telecom received Zoho Partner of the Year - South Africa 2024 at the Zoho Inspire MEA event held in Dubai. Representing DSL Telecom, Tremayne Burns, Head of Operations, and Hansie Swanepoel, Success and Implementation Manager, proudly accepted the award.

Back on home soil, Zoho Inspire Johannesburg offered industry-changing insights and practical strategies. Dean participated in an insightful Q&A session, highlighting winning strategies and the impact of fully embracing the Zoho ecosystem.

In June, Zoho delivered two incredible Zoholics events in Johannesburg and Cape Town, packed with product updates, customer success stories, and deep-dive sessions. DSL Telecom was well represented at both events, where team members got the opportunity to network with customers and partners, gaining firsthand insights into Zoho's latest developments.

The Zoho GrowthShow offered even more inspiration, featuring insights from Zoho leadership. Our team walked away taking key lessons on leadership, resilience, and navigating growth in a rapidly changing business environment.

We also levelled up our financial know-how at the Zoho Finance Workshop, learning new skills to deliver even better Zoho Solutions.

Another highlight of 2025 was hosting a Zoho Voice Launch Webinar. Account Manager, Gideo Beukes, and Head Of Customer Services, Calvin Van Rooyen, demonstrated how Zoho's newly-launched cloud telephony platform fits seamlessly into the wider Zoho ecosystem, and enjoyed sharing insights and answering questions.

Dean and Paul, With Ajeet and Vincent, At The Zoho Global Partner Summit

Tremayne and Hansie With Hyther At The Zoho Inspire Event

DSL Telecom Team Members At The Zoholics Cape Town 2025 Event

DSL Telecom and Zoho Team Members At The Zoho GrowthShow Event

Paul and Carin Attending The Zoho Finance Workshop

Zoho Voice Webinar - Hosted By DSL Telecom

Telkom Events And Industry Engagement

2025 was also a big year for strengthening our partnership with Telkom, as we continued to work closely together to drive mutual growth and success.

At the Telkom Summer Roadshow, held at Kirstenbosch Gardens, our B2C Consumer Division Manager, Emily Nightingale, and Head of Sales, Gerhard Dempers, used the opportunity to explore new strategies and share industry insights.

The momentum carried through to the Telkom Dealers' Conference in Mauritius, where Tremayne Burns, our Head of Operations, and Paul Wilson, our Technical Director, joined partners from across South Africa for a series of sessions focused on customer experience, AI-driven innovation, and the evolving future of telecommunications.

Emily and Gerhard from DSL Telecom, at the Telkom Summer Roadshow

Tremayne Enjoying the Golf Activities at the Telkom Dealers' Conference

Tremayne and Paul Accepting Their Golf Awards from Telkom's Nonhlanhla

DSL Telecom's Events And Functions

One of our most energetic moments of 2025 was our mid-year padel team-building event. Teams rallied, strategised, and cheered each other on with enthusiasm, teamwork, and a willingness to have fun.

We wrapped up the year with a bang at our Country Western-themed year-end celebration - complete with cowboy hats, boots, live music, and tons of festive energy. It was a lively, memorable night filled with fun and laughter, and was the perfect way to celebrate the successes, growth, and hard work that defined 2025.

Taking Teamwork Beyond The Office and Onto The Court

DSL Telecom Energy - Fast, Fun, and Always Playing To Win

Competitive spirit and Great Energy = Winning Team Culture

Closing Out The Year With The People Who Make DSL Telecom Shine

Award-Winning Team Members Celebrated Their Achievements

Capturing The Spirit That Drives DSL Telecom Ahead

Watch our 2025 highlights come to life:

A Strong Finish, And Even Stronger Future

To our customers and partners, thank you for your support throughout the year. And to our incredible team, your hard work and passion are what make DSL Telecom an exceptional place to grow and succeed.

Zoho Voice Launches In South Africa - Highlights From The DSL Telecom Webinar

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 13:50:34 +0200

DSL Telecom recently hosted an insightful webinar introducing Zoho Voice to the South African market, showcasing how businesses can now enjoy seamless, Zoho-integrated telephony with local VoIP calling rates. The session offered a deep dive into the platform's key features, integrations, and cost-saving potential for local businesses.

About Zoho Voice

Zoho Voice is a cloud-based telephony solution that allows businesses to manage all calls - inbound and outbound - directly from within the Zoho ecosystem. Whether your team works remotely, in-office, or across international borders, Zoho Voice ensures smooth communication through an intuitive interface and rich integration options.

One of the highlights of the session was Zoho Voice's "Bring Your Own Carrier'' (BYOC) capability, now available in South Africa through DSL Telecom's SIP integration. This allows businesses to:

Use their existing business numbers or port them to DSL Telecom.
Access true per-second billing for more accurate cost management.
Benefit from superior call quality and lower latency, as calls are routed locally instead of internationally.

Key Features And Integrations Showcased

During the live session, attendees were guided through some of Zoho Voice's most powerful features and real-world use cases.

1. Centralised Communication with WhatsApp Integration

Zoho Voice integrates seamlessly with WhatsApp, allowing teams to communicate with customers via calls or messages from a single unified interface. This not only improves response times but also enhances customer satisfaction by meeting clients on the platforms they already use daily.

2. Call Transcription and Sentiment Analysis

The webinar highlighted how Zoho Voice's AI-driven transcription converts voice calls into searchable text while also detecting sentiment. These insights help businesses:

Improve training and quality assurance.
Identify customer sentiment trends.
Make data-driven decisions based on real conversations.

3. Deluge-Powered Automation and Integrations

Through Zoho Deluge scripting, Zoho Voice can automate key processes and integrate with both Zoho and third-party applications. For example:

Automatically create a follow-up task in Zoho CRM after a missed call.
Trigger customer feedback surveys once calls are completed.
Update deal stages based on call outcomes without manual output.

4. Advanced Telephony Tools for Teams

From IVR menus and call queues to whisper and barge modes for coaching and escalation, Zoho Voice equips businesses with advanced tools to manage more calls more efficiently.

Affordable Local Calling with DSL Telecom

With the new Zoho Voice + DSL Telecom SIP setup, South African businesses can now enjoy local VoIP rates, improved call quality, and flexible billing options. Businesses can even port their existing numbers to DSL Telecom without service interruption, ensuring brand continuity and minimal downtime.

Q&A Highlights

During the live session, attendees had the opportunity to submit their questions. Here's a summary of the top questions and answers from the webinar:

Question 1: Does Zoho Voice integrate with Zoho Desk?

DSL Telecom Team: Yes, Zoho Voice offers native integrations with several Zoho applications, including Zoho CRM, Zoho Desk, Zoho Bigin, Zoho Recruit, and ManageEngine Service Desk. Additionally, integrations can be extended beyond the Zoho ecosystems using Zoho Deluge scripting, allowing Zoho Voice to connect with third-party platforms and custom workflows.

Question 2: When does call transcription start in Zoho Voice?

DSL Telecom Team: Immediately. Call transcription begins from the first second of the connected call. This includes IVR messages and all interactions throughout the conversation, ensuring a full and accurate record of each call from start to finish.

Question 3: Will Zoho Voice be included in the Zoho One licence in the future?

Question 4: Can Zoho Voice integrate with WhatsApp for sending and broadcasting messages?

DSL Telecom Team: Yes, Zoho Voice supports WhatsApp messaging integration through approved message templates. However, broadcast messaging is subject to Meta's policies and restrictions, so bulk or promotional broadcasts would need to comply with WhatsApp's official API rules. DSL Telecom can assist clients in setting up approved templates for compliant usage.

Question 4: Does Zoho Voice integrate with Zoho Analytics for reporting?

DSL Telecom Team: While Zoho Voice already includes comprehensive built-in reporting, you can push data to Zoho Analytics using Zoho Deluge scripting. This allows businesses to create custom dashboards and combine call data with analytics from other Zoho applications for deeper insights.

Key Takeaways

The webinar gave attendees a clear understanding of how Zoho Voice can enhance business communication through seamless Zoho integrations. advanced telephony features, and affordable local VoIP calling rates powered by DSL Telecom.

If you missed the session or would like to revisit the insights and live demo, you can watch the full recording or contact our team for personalised guidance on getting started with Zoho Voice.

Ready to explore Zoho Voice for your business?

If you'd like to learn more about Zoho Voice or need help getting started, our team is ready to assist.

Zoho Voice Launches In South Africa And DSL Telecom Is The First VoIP Provider Offering SIP Trunk Integration For Cost-Effective Local Calling

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 11:13:40 +0200

South African businesses can now enjoy a seamless, professional, and cost-effective way to manage their communications with the arrival of Zoho Voice, Zoho's native telephony solution. DSL Telecom is proud to be the first South African SIP provider able to integrate our VoIP service directly with Zoho Voice.

For the first time, companies in South Africa can connect DSL Telecom's reliable and affordable voice services straight into the Zoho Voice platform. This integration gives businesses access to competitive local calling rates while taking full advantage of Zoho Voice's powerful, unified communication features.

Zoho Voice Explained: What It Is and Why It Matters

Zoho Voice is an advanced online telephony platform that allows businesses to make and receive local and international calls, and manage all communication within the Zoho ecosystem. Instead of juggling multiple systems or relying on third-party calling applications, Zoho Voice places everything under one roof.

Customer interactions, call data, and records are automatically linked to tools like Zoho CRM, Zoho Desk, Zoho Bigin, and ServiceDesk Plus from ManageEngine, enabling teams to work more efficiently and deliver a superior customer experience. By unifying calling and messaging, businesses can simplify operations, eliminate unnecessary complexity, and maintain a professional, consistent presence with every customer interaction.

DSL Telecom's SIP Trunk Integration With Call Rates That Deliver Real Savings

DSL Telecom's ability to integrate our SIP service into Zoho Voice represents a significant advantage for local businesses. By connecting directly with DSL Telecom, companies can benefit from our affordable South African VoIP rates while still enjoying the power of Zoho Voice. Businesses no longer have to rely solely on international SIP providers. With DSL Telecom, you gain the reassurance of local expertise, transparent pricing designed for the South African market, and a seamless setup process that ensures your telephony system works exactly as you need it to.

If you already have a voice provider that you are happy with, you can still sign up for Zoho Voice and continue to use your current VoIP provider. Alternatively, you can choose to move your voice service to DSL Telecom and take advantage of our competitive voice rates. Either way, our team will guide you through the Zoho Voice implementation to ensure that it works perfectly for your business.

The Key Benefits Of Combining Zoho Voice With DSL Telecom VoIP

By combining DSL Telecom voice services with Zoho Voice, your business unlocks powerful advantages:

Business Calling Made Easy: Make and receive calls to both local and international destinations, expanding your reach without inflating telephony costs.
Geographic Numbers And Number Porting: Use local numbers for a stronger regional presence or port your existing number for a seamless transition.
Exceptional Call Quality: Enjoy crystal-clear voice connectivity through our reliable local VoIP integration with Zoho Voice.
Unified Communication Platform: Centralise calling, messaging (SMS and WhatsApp), and customer data within Zoho Voice to improve productivity, streamline workflows, and deliver outstanding customer service.

Key Zoho Voice Features To Enhance Communication

Outbound Service

Initiate cost-effective outbound calls to both mobile and landline numbers across the globe, and pay only for what you use.

Call Recording

Record calls and analyse them later to track performance, ensure compliance, and maintain high service standards.

Two-Way SMS & WhatsApp

Centralise calls, messages, and customer data in Zoho Voice to boost productivity and enhance service.

Interactive Voice Response

Easily set up IVRs to automatically guide customers to the right team or department, saving time and streamlining requests.

Listen, Whisper, Barge

Monitor calls to ensure quality. Listen in silently with whisper mode or step in with barge mode to boost customer satisfaction.

Call Forwarding

Reroute calls to any number and keep customers supported after hours by forwarding their calls to active agents.

Expert Zoho Voice Implementation And Local VoIP Rates From DSL Telecom

As a trusted Zoho Premium Partner with extensive experience in both VoIP and the Zoho ecosystem, DSL Telecom can implement Zoho Voice for your business seamlessly and efficiently. If your organisation is ready to modernise its communication systems, simplify operations, and take advantage of competitive local VoIP pricing, our team will tailor the implementation to suit your specific needs.

Zoholics 2025 Recap: Insights, Innovation, And Connection

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 09:50:14 +0200

Zoholics is Zoho’s flagship event, and 2025 marked another standout year. Hosted in both Cape Town and Johannesburg, Zoholics South Africa brought together hundreds of Zoho users, partners, and product experts. The DSL Telecom team was there in full force to engage, learn, and share how South African businesses can get more value from the Zoho ecosystem.

AI Takes Center Stage at Zoholics 2025

AI was the central theme at Zoholics 2025, and Zoho delivered practical tools to help businesses work more efficiently. A standout announcement was Zoho Solo, a new mobile-first app built for solopreneurs. With Zoho Solo, users can manage tasks, track income, control payments, and stay on top of their business from one app. It’s currently available only in South Africa and the USA.

Other key AI-driven features announced included:

Zia Agent Studio (Coming Q3) – Think of this as a central hub for building your own AI agents that work across Zoho apps. You can create custom Zia agents that answer questions, automate tasks, and support both your team and your customers. No coding needed.
Creator AI Builder – This new tool inside Zoho Creator helps you build apps even faster. Just explain what your app should do, and AI creates your app for you, with fields, forms, and logic. It's like having a smart assistant help you build business tools in minutes instead of hours.
AI Upgrades In Zoho CRM – Zoho CRM now lets you use natural language to create modules or automation. You can type something like ''create a task when a deal moves to negotiation'', and Zoho will build it. It also recommends next steps, highlights key data, and saves your team time with AI-powered suggestions.

Real Takeaways, Immediate Impact

One of the biggest takeaways from Zoholics 2025 was the clear, practical insights our team gained. We left with ideas we could implement right away, helping us deliver more value to our clients and strengthen our overall approach. As a Zoho Premium Partner, our focus is always on applying what we learn to drive real results.

Looking Ahead To Zoholics 2026

Zoholics South Africa 2025 proved again why it's a must-attend event for Zoho customers and partners. DSL Telecom is already looking forward to Zoholics 2026, where we'll continue our journey of learning, growth, and delivering success to businesses across South Africa.

Why Zoho One Is At The Core Of Client Success: A Testimonial By Dean Schreuder

Fri, 09 May 2025 09:01:55 +0200

In January, Dean Schreuder, Founder and Managing Director of DSL Telecom, travelled to India to attend an exclusive Zoho Partner event at Zoho's global headquarters in Chennai. While there, he shared a powerful testimonial about his experience as a Zoho Premium Partner in South Africa - a relationship built on innovation, trust, and consistent customer success.

In this blog, we unpack his story, highlight his favourite Zoho application, and share why DSL Telecom continues to be the partner of choice for businesses across South Africa.

Who Is DSL Telecom?

DSL Telecom is a leading Zoho Premium Partner in South Africa, helping local businesses adopt, integrate, and maximise Zoho's suite of software applications. From CRM to finance, inventory to support - DSL Telecom delivers hands-on service with expert technical support and implementation.

With over a decade of experience in cloud communications and business software, DSL Telecom has helped hundreds of businesses streamline operations and grow faster with Zoho.

What Is Your Favourite Zoho Application And Why?

In his testimonial, Dean shared why DSL Telecom strongly advocates for Zoho One - an all-in-one business software suite that replaces disconnected systems and brings everything into a unified ecosystem.

With over 45 integrated applications, Zoho One allows teams to collaborate, automate processes, and gain end-to-end visibility across the entire customer journey. Whether it's tracking a lead from first contact to closed deal, managing support tickets, running marketing campaigns, or generating business reports, Zoho One powers it all - efficiently and intelligently.

''If I had to choose just one Zoho app, it would be Zoho One. It's also one of our top-selling bundles in South Africa. When we show customers the value of paying a single, rand-based price - and how quickly they can replace multiple existing apps with Zoho's integrated suite - they quickly realise the true benefit of a simplified, cost effective solution that avoids the pitfalls of currency fluctuations while reducing complexity.''

What Value Does DSL Telecom Bring As A Zoho Premium Partner?

As a long-standing Zoho Premium Partner, DSL Telecom has helped hundreds of businesses streamline operations, improve productivity, and grow faster using the power of Zoho. From hands-on implementation and custom development to data migration and support, Dean highlighted several key areas of value:

Rapid implementation tailored to local business needs
Custom integrations between Zoho and third-party tools
Dedicated success plans to ensure customers never feel stuck
Expert consulting from certified professionals

'' Our customers know they're not just buying software - they're partnering with a team that walks alongside them on their digital transformation journey and genuinely cares about their success. ''

Watch Dean's Full Testimonial

Ready To Experience Zoho The Way It's Meant To Be?

Partner with South Africa's leading Zoho expert.

Book my free consultation

How To Add South African Public Holidays To Zoho Calendar

Fri, 09 May 2025 08:59:02 +0200

Whether you're managing your inbox in Zoho Mail or planning your week in Zoho Calendar, syncing South African public holidays is a simple step that can make a big difference. It helps you stay organised, avoid scheduling conflicts, and keep your team on the same page.

Here’s why it’s worth doing:

Avoid Booking Meetings on Holidays: Prevent awkward scheduling clashes on days like Heritage Day or Freedom Day.

Simplify Leave Planning: Make it easier for your team to plan time off around official public holidays.

Improve Team Coordination: Ensure everyone is aligned with shared calendar visibility.

Pro Tip: When set up correctly, Zoho Calendar automatically blocks out public holidays, saving you time and avoiding unnecessary admin.

How to Add South African Public Holidays to Zoho Calendar

Syncing public holidays with your Zoho Calendar is quick and easy. Just follow these steps:

Step 1: Log In to Zoho Calendar

Go to calendar.zoho.com and sign in using your Zoho Mail credentials.

Step 2: Access Calendar Settings

Once logged in, click the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner of the page to open your Calendar Settings.

Step 3: Subscribe to South African Holidays

In the Settings menu, select the “Subscribe” tab.
Click on “Holidays” from the options listed.
Use the search bar to find “South Africa.”
Click “Subscribe” next to the South African holiday calendar.

Once subscribed, public holidays will automatically appear in your Zoho Calendar—no manual entry needed!

Step 4: Confirm the Holidays Have Been Added

Return to your main Zoho Calendar view. You should now see South African public holidays automatically highlighted in your calendar. To personalise the experience, you can customise the holiday calendar’s colour, notification preferences, and visibility by going back into Calendar Settings and selecting the holiday calendar under “My Calendars.”

Bonus Tip: Sync Zoho Calendar Across All Your Devices

Using Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or Microsoft Outlook in addition to Zoho? No problem—Zoho Calendar makes it easy to stay in sync across all platforms.

Here’s how you can keep everything connected:

Export Your Zoho Calendar: Share your Zoho Calendar (including South African public holidays) by exporting it in iCal format. This ensures your calendar events are visible on any external calendar app you use.

Sync with Mobile & Desktop Apps: Set up calendar sync on your smartphone, tablet, or desktop to keep your schedule up to date, no matter where you are.

Stay Connected On-the-Go: Whether you’re travelling, in meetings, or working remotely, you’ll always have access to an accurate, synced calendar.

With these sync options, your South African public holidays, and all your events will appear seamlessly across every device and calendar app you use.

South African Public Holidays In 2025

Here’s the official list of South African public holidays for 2025 and 2026. Once added to your Zoho Calendar, these dates will be automatically highlighted and blocked out, making planning easier and more accurate.

Date	Holiday
1 January	New Year's Day
21 March	Human Rights Day
18 April	Good Friday
21 April	Family Day
27 April	Freedom Day
1 May	Workers' Day
16 June	Youth Day
9 August	National Women's Day
24 September	Heritage Day
16 December	Day of Reconciliation
25 December	Christmas Day
26 December	Day of Goodwill

South African Public Holidays In 2026

Date	Holiday
1 January	New Year's Day
21 March	Human Rights Day
3 April	Good Friday
6 April	Family Day
27 April	Freedom Day
1 May	Workers' Day
16 June	Youth Day
9 August	National Women's Day
24 September	Heritage Day
16 December	Day of Reconciliation
25 December	Christmas Day
26 December	Day of Goodwill

Final Thoughts

Syncing South African public holidays with your Zoho Calendar is a small step that brings lasting benefits. From avoiding meeting clashes to simplifying leave planning, a synced calendar helps keep your team organised and informed.

Take just five minutes to subscribe to the holiday calendar today, you’ll save time, reduce confusion, and stay effortlessly ahead all year long.

Need Help? Ask A Zoho Premium Partner

At DSL Telecom, we help South African businesses unlock the full potential of Zoho, whether you’re using Zoho Mail, Zoho CRM, Zoho Calendar, or the entire suite. As an official Zoho Premium Partner, we’re here to support you with expert guidance on setup, automation, and seamless integration.

Contact DSL Telecom