Zoho CRM 2016 brings to you an enhanced user interface across the product. Following are some of the top changes in Zoho CRM 2016 that you should know.

 Zoho CRM Setup

The Setup screen of Zoho CRM has now been improved from the perspective of design as well as usability.

Earlier, you could access the Setup page by clicking on the Setup link in Zoho CRM.

Now, to access the Setup page, click this icon ( ) on the top right corner of your CRM account.

The changes on the Setup page include:

• Re-grouping of Setup options: The Setup options have been regrouped in order to keep the Setup page simple.
  
• Introduction of a predictive search tool: A Search tool on the Setup page helps you find any Setup function easily. If you cannot find a seup option quickly, simply enter that search keyword in the Search bar and select the desired option from the search results.

 Zoho CRM Home

The Home tab of Zoho CRM, which is a quick indicator of the progress of all your CRM activities, has now been designed better.

• Earlier, in the Customized view of Zoho CRM, you could only add 5 components.
• Now, in Zoho CRM 2016, you can add up to 10 components in the customized view. The components can be resized and moved around to fit well on the page.

 Recent items and Reminders

Earlier, the Recent Items icon was on the left hand side of the screen and displayed 10 recent items.

Now, Recent Items icon is moved to the bottom right of the screen and displays 20 recent items.

Also, you can now find Reminders right beside the Recent Items icon.

 Modules list view

The list view of modules now includes advanced filters. You can hide advanced filters if you do not require them.

Also, options on the list view have now been regrouped under the More icon on the top right corner of the Module list view.

 Records details page

The details page of records in Zoho CRM has been redesigned for better user experience.

Following is a quick summary of what has changed in the Contact's details page. Note that record's details pages of other modules such as Leads, Accounts and Potentials have been redesigned in a similar way.

1. Check record details by clicking on the Info icon.
2. View business card details of the contact.
3. Easily Send Mail to the contact or Edit the contact.
4. Click the More icon to execute further options such as clone, share, customize business card and so on.
5. From the Related List section, quickly access related lists such as Activities, Attachments, Potentials, Zoho Projects and so on from
6. Scroll down to navigate to all the related lists on the record's details page.
7. Access custom links and social links related to the contact.
8. Learn priority details from the Quick-info section, such as Next Action and Potentials associated to the contact instantly.
9. View Notes for the contact.

 Access related lists

Earlier, in a record's details page, you had to scroll down to find the related list you require.

Now you can quickly navigate to the required related list using the Related List finder on left. You can also add a new related list from here.

 Customize related list columns

Earlier, you could customize related list columns from the More icon in a records details page.

Now, to customize related list columns, hover over the required related list in the record's details page, and you will see a drop down arrow. Click on that to see a dropdown list that contains columns of the records. Select the columns to be displayed on the related list and click Save.

 Access record options

You can perform various actions on a record - such clone a record, send a mail, edit, organize record details and so on. You can access these record options from the More icon on a record's details page.

These actions vary depending on the type of record. For example, leads, contacts, accounts, potentials and so on.

 Access the quick stage-update section (for Potentials)

Instantly update the stage of a potential using the quick stage-update section. This will also update the probability and expected revenue accordingly.

This section is available only in the Potentials module.

 Search layout customization

Earlier, to customize the Search layout of a module, you had to go to Setup > Modules > (SelectModule) > Search Layout.

Now, you will not see the Search Layout tab under the selected module. To customize search layout, enter the keyword you wish to search in the Search box. The results will be displayed. Hover over the required related list and you will see a drop down arrow on the right. Click on this arrow and select from the list of available columns and click Save.

 Workflow Automation

The new workflow rules design resembles a flow chart. You can see the rule trigger, criteria and actions, all on the same page as you would on a flow chart. This makes it easier for you to visualize the workflow process configured.

"Time based actions" have now been renamed "Scheduled actions".

Learn more: Workflow rules. 

 Reports and dashboards

Reports and dashboards have been redesigned for better user experience. You now have several default reports and dashboards including Favourite Reports/Favourite Dashboards. You can reorder, edit and search reports on the left panel.

• Earlier, Report Scheduler and Create Report Folder were buttons on the Reports Home page.
  
• Now you will find the New Report Scheduler option under Scheduled Reports folder.
• Now you can create a report folder as the final step of creating a report.

 Zoho Finance Suite Integration (Zoho Books/Zoho Invoice/Zoho Subscriptions)

The Zoho Books integration is now enhanced and part of a larger Zoho Finance Suite integration. This includes Zoho CRM integration with Zoho Books, Zoho Invoice and Zoho Subscriptions.

Learn more: Zoho Finance Suite Integration