Zoho Corporation has launched Projects Plus, a new AI-driven project management platform aimed at mid-sized and large enterprises. The move comes as Zoho Projects reported 32% year-over-year growth in the Middle East and Africa, with a notable increase in businesses migrating from Microsoft Projects and JIRA. The question now is whether this new platform offers a true competitive advantage or if it simply consolidates existing tools under a new name.
Projects Plus integrates four key Zoho applications — Projects, WorkDrive, Analytics, and Sprints — allowing for more seamless collaboration, advanced data-driven decision-making, and hybrid project management methodologies. According to Zoho, the platform is designed to address growing enterprise needs, particularly as organisations adopt a mix of Agile and Waterfall workflows.
“With Projects Plus, which can be easily customised and integrated with other apps, we have brought together key tools like analytics, file management, collaboration, and blended project management methodologies,” said Andrew Bourne, Regional Head, Zoho South Africa. “Furthermore, Projects Plus synthesises the latest AI-driven tools, data-first analytics, and privacy-focused protections into software that anticipates the evolving needs of international enterprise organisations.”
AI-Powered Project Insights: A Game Changer?
One of the standout features of Projects Plus is its integration with Zia, Zoho’s AI assistant. Zia helps automate data analysis, providing predictive insights that can identify inefficiencies, optimise workflows, and even forecast potential risks. With AI-driven resource allocation, businesses can theoretically prevent bottlenecks and improve overall project efficiency. But how well does this hold up in practice?
Predictive analytics is becoming a critical tool in enterprise project management, and Zoho is betting on AI to set Projects Plus apart from competitors. By analysing past project performance, Zia can help businesses refine their planning strategies, reduce cost overruns, and improve deadline accuracy. However, the success of AI-driven project management often depends on data quality and user adoption—areas where many enterprises still face significant challenges.
The Shift to Data-Driven Project Management
The broader industry trend towards Data-Driven Project Management (DDPM) means businesses are moving away from intuition-based decision-making in favour of real-time data and analytics. With Projects Plus, Zoho aims to offer a more holistic view of project health, tracking everything from time management to deliverability metrics.
A key feature of the platform is its real-time dashboards, which go beyond traditional Gantt charts to provide dynamic, up-to-date insights. This could be a major advantage for enterprises looking to gain a clearer picture of project progress. However, adoption challenges remain—especially for companies that have long relied on legacy systems that lack the depth of analytics now available in modern platforms like Projects Plus.
Pricing and Competitive Landscape
At R225 per user per month (when billed annually), Zoho positions Projects Plus as a cost-effective alternative to assembling multiple tools separately. Zoho claims this pricing is 27% lower than purchasing Projects, Sprints, WorkDrive, and Analytics individually. Still, for businesses already invested in Microsoft 365, Asana, or JIRA, the challenge will be in justifying a switch.
While Zoho touts the benefits of an all-in-one solution, the reality is that enterprises often require deep integrations with existing ecosystems. One of the biggest hurdles Projects Plus may face is how seamlessly it integrates with tools outside of Zoho’s ecosystem. For businesses already using third-party apps for advanced analytics or DevOps, will the platform’s built-in features be robust enough to replace them?
The Verdict: An Evolution, Not a Revolution
Zoho Projects Plus undoubtedly represents a strategic move for Zoho, bringing more AI and data-driven functionality into the project management space. Its focus on predictive analytics, workflow automation, and collaboration aligns with the broader industry shift towards smarter, integrated work environments.
However, success will depend on adoption rates and the platform’s ability to provide tangible efficiency gains over existing solutions. While Zoho has made inroads in capturing market share from Microsoft Projects and JIRA, the question remains: Will Projects Plus be compelling enough to convert larger enterprises that are deeply embedded in competing ecosystems?
For more information, visit www.zoho.com/projectsplus.