| FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Cornell University Hospitality
Conference, March 20, 2000 - Zoho(SM) Corporation announced today the availability
of the Zoho Hospitality Marketplace (www.zoho.com), the first in a new
generation of Business-to-Business Internet marketplaces. Zoho transforms
the economics of hospitality procurement by streamlining the complete supply
chain, bringing together a complete marketplace buyers, suppliers, as well
as transportation and finance companies. Additionally, Zoho is the first
hospitality e-procurement solution to address the entire purchasing lifecycle�from
planning and design, to buying operating supplies and services, and finally
liquidating goods.
�The hospitality industry, one of the world�s largest revenue industries
and largest employers, is now awakening to the tremendous cost savings
possible for automating back-of-house activities,� said Bill Fraine, President
and CEO of Zoho Corporation. �While �yellow pages� style sites are available,
only Zoho is 100 percent hospitality focused, and will enable buyers to
see and control the �real cost� of goods. This is key, as supply chain
costs can tie up nearly one-third of procurement expenditures. Buyers and
suppliers involved with the Zoho service agree that this will significantly
contribute to increased profitability.�
 The
Zoho Hospitality Marketplace was developed with recognized experts in hospitality,
supply chain, and the Internet. Zoho President and CEO Bill Fraine
joins from Federal Express, where he was instrumental in developing the
company�s supply chain strategy. Additionally, Zoho�s board members and
industry advisors come from Cornell University�s School of Hotel Administration,
Harrah�s Entertainment Inc., and Stanford University�s Supply Chain Counsel.
Several leading hospitality organizations and their supply partners are
already part of the Zoho online marketplace, many of whom have been involved
in early release versions of the Zoho service over the last six months.
This includes properties such as Silverado Resorts, San Jose Hilton, as
well as national and local suppliers such as Maintenance Wharehouse and
Blue Ribbon Supply.
�We were impressed with Zoho�s commitment to and focus on the hospitality
market,� says General Manager of the San Jose Hilton, John Southwell. �There
is no doubt that when it comes to the bottom line, improving how goods
are purchased by using Zoho will have a positive impact, including getting
a better price for a better-quality good, as well as reducing the labor
costs associated with procurement, approvals, and payment.�
�Zoho has been working with us to develop an order system that is appropriate
for the way our business runs, and how our customers need to place orders.
The Zoho Marketplace will allow our customers to place orders and check
on order status, in addition to seeing product information and updated
pricing�all in one place,� said John Dilena, General Manager of Blue Ribbon
Supply. �Zoho�s complete supply chain management should benefit everyone
involved. We can now connect with our hotel customers to ultimately service
lodging guests better.�
The One Stop for Simplified Purchasing Processes
The Zoho Marketplace is the easiest-to-use, most complete hospitality
procurement solution, offering access to the full range of products and
services used by hospitality organizations, coupled with ready access Supply
Chain Services that streamline the movement of goods and funds through
shipping and banking services. The first marketplace elements are
Zoho Shop, Zoho Support Services and Zoho Information Services, with Zoho
Auction, Plan and Zoho Supply Chain Services available later this year.
| Zoho Shop Streamlines Procurement
Processes
Zoho reduces the time, cost, and opportunity for error in procurement
activities � automating the entire purchasing cycle.
Sourcing: Zoho presents a broad range of supplier and product
information online, searchable by product, supplier, or manufacturer. All
information is presented in a consistent format, letting buyers make side-by-side
product comparisons to insure best quality and price.
Create Order: With a few mouse clicks, buyers can access their
supplier and contract pricing information to create an online purchase
order. Zoho also automates recurring orders. Zoho Marketplace can be fully
integrated with inventory management, general ledger, and other back-of-house
systems to avoid duplicate data entry and facilitate budget tracking.
Approve and Submit Order: Zoho offers electronic workflow capabilities
customized to each hospitality organization�s procurement and approval
processes. Approved orders are automatically sent to the supplier. For
many properties, controlling spot � buying can significantly improve the
bottom line.
Track and Receive Order: Suppliers use the Zoho site to keep
buyers up-to-date on order status, including when the order is shipped
and expected to arrive. Buyers can also tap onto the online tracking system
of the major transportation providers for real-time delivery status. |
| Zoho Support Services Support
Buyer and Supplier e-Commerce
Zoho Professional Services enable buyers and suppliers to quickly get
the most out of this online marketplace. Buyer Services help hospitality
properties quickly begin using the Zoho Marketplace. Member set-up services
include analyzing internal procurement processes and creating a unique
user account specific to each organization�s approval processes, supplier
base, and recurring orders. Member services also include on-site user training,
as well as systems integration services to link Zoho with back-end financial,
ERP, and inventory management systems. In addition the Zoho Customer Service
Center provides assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, through a first
point of contact for any needs or questions.
Supplier Services simplify entry into the Zoho Marketplace by providing
electronic catalog content creation and management. Member set-up
services include analyzing the order fulfillment process, tailoring the
service to the way each organization works, setting up user accounts, and
conducting on-site user training. In addition, Zoho�s Professional Services
team can help develop direct marketing programs to improve marketing reach.
Zoho also can provide full integration to business systems, and offers
the same Zoho 24x7 Customer Service Center for all inquiries. |
| Zoho Information Services Provide
Business Intelligence
Zoho�s Information Services give hotels, casinos, and their suppliers
a wide range of standard and custom reports, allowing buyers to capture
key information such as spending levels by product, supplier, or general
ledger code. This gives industry executives for the first time, accurate
insight into real-time buying patterns and all costs associated with procurement. |
Zoho Hospitality Marketplace: What the Industry is saying
| Buyers:
�Zoho is more than a Web site for purchasing. For
us, it represents a better way of doing business. Moreover, since
we joined the pilot program the team has listened carefully to our requirements
and bent over backwards to meet them�even calling to remind us to approve
standing orders.��Dan Tierney, Controller, Silverado Resorts |
| Suppliers:
�For suppliers, Zoho is almost like an agency that hits
a whole different layer in the market that our sales reps can�t get to
easily today. I also like the way Zoho works with individual properties
to sell multiple brands at all levels. This is really cutting-edge
marketing and operational technology.��Steve Ladd, Shaw Industries Vice
President Hospitality Sales and Marketing |
| Industry Luminaries:
�The values that Zoho can create for the hospitality industry
are enormous. I have seen how initiatives to integrate manufacturers,
distributors, and operators can save costs and improve operational efficiencies
in the foodservice, grocery, computer, and pharmaceutical industries.
The architecture that Zoho put in place would enable total supply chain
integration, making use of information and the power of the Internet to
replace expensive logistics flows and physical assets. The hospitality
industry will never be the same, benefiting everyone, from suppliers, hotel
operators, to eventually the consumers. I am very excited about this
ground- breaking opportunity.��Dr. Hau Lee, Director of the Stanford University
Global Supply Chain Management Forum
�Shifting economics�such as room supply outstripping demand,
and an increasingly shrinking pool of the most talented labor -- are forcing
the industry to take a hard look at basic business drivers. The Zoho team
has a unique, complete vision and an exceptional depth of operational knowledge.
This will serve the industry well, and enable it to leverage back-of-the-house
operations as a strategic business tool.��David A. Dittman, Dean of Cornell
University School of Hotel Administration |
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