Groundwork BioAg boosts sales approval rates by 95% with a custom database built on Zoho Creator

Groundwork BioAg presents an innovative solution to a pressing environmental issue: the need to remove 20 gigatons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to combat climate change. Founded in 2014, this company specializes in natural agricultural solutions, emphasizing soil carbon sequestration, fertility enhancement, and agricultural efficiency through research, development, and production centered on mycorrhizal fungi. These fungi enhance nutrient and water absorption, bolstering soil resilience against diseases and extreme weather conditions. Additionally, they contribute significantly to carbon sequestration in the soil, playing a crucial role in the fight against climate change.

For Groundwork BioAg, everything, from experiment results and production process records to day-to-day operations, must be documented accurately and in a manner that allows proper use of the data. While initially relying on electronic spreadsheets for documentation, the need for a more robust data management system became increasingly apparent.

Groundwork BioAg wanted a system that seamlessly integrates diverse information, enables advanced analysis, and remains flexible for future needs. Only a built-in database can ensure the required storage, interaction, and efficient data utilization.

After lengthy searches, Groundwork BioAg consulted with a professional database developer, who presented two options: either the company could build A physical on-location database or opt for an online cloud service. That was the first time the company encountered Zoho.

The first product to enter Groundwork BioAg's toolkit was Zoho Creator. This low-code application development platform allows users to design, develop, and run any business software and application through an accessible, user-friendly interface. Using Zoho Creator, Groundwork BioAg created a platform to store all the data needed for its operations, from business information to field trial results. In fact, the company's ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system was built entirely using Zoho Creator.

Groundwork BioAg integrated additional Zoho solutions such as Zoho Projects, Zoho CRM, and Zoho Inventory for efficient project, customer, inventory, and warehouse management. They switched to Zoho One, a platform that centralizes all Zoho solutions in one place for better efficiency and affordability.

Choosing Zoho Creator empowered Groundwork BioAg to develop in-house solutions independently, ensuring control over sensitive enterprise aspects. With swift system modifications and changes, formerly costly and time-consuming, now accomplished in minutes without external aid, the company achieves agility and responsiveness, implementing requested changes promptly, even before meetings end. Integrated within Zoho One, this solution crafts Groundwork BioAg's ideal virtual work environment tailored to its needs. Additionally, this solution has led to a remarkable 200% increase in productivity, far surpassing initial expectations. Implementing Zoho's solutions has also led to a 95% increase in sales approval rates, a significant and unexpected boost. This improvement is largely due to automated processes built using Zoho's tools, which have been incredibly effective given the wide geographical spread of their clients and sales agents.

Today, Groundwork BioAg continues to advance its vision of making global agriculture more efficient and environmentally friendly while maintaining soil fertility and increasing farmers' revenues. They aim to make their technology accessible to farmers worldwide, allowing everyone to better the environment and lead towards a sustainable agricultural future. Here at Zoho, we are excited to be a part of this journey and proud to play an active role in a better future.