Zoho implementation for Electrical Contractors and Panel Builders
Zoho for electrical contractors and panel builders: track tenders, BOQs, panel builds, site work, materials and billing for electrical contractors.
Business process workflow
How electrical contractors and panel builders work flows in Zoho
Track tenders, BOQs, panel builds, site work, materials and billing for electrical contractors.
Common problems we fix
- BOQ costing is slow
- Material issue to sites is not tracked
- Running bills are late
The process, step by step
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Zoho Projects
Zoho FSMDepartment by department
How every department of a electrical contractors and panel builders business works in Zoho
An electrical contractor and panel builder estimates and wins jobs, designs and builds LT panels and distribution boards, installs and tests on site, and bills against measured progress. In Zoho estimation, design, the panel shop, site execution, stores, accounts and HR share one project and one bill of quantities.
How the departments hand work to each other
Each arrow is a handover. Because every team works on the same Zoho records, the next department picks up the work without re-entering it.
- 1Sales and Estimation to Design and Engineering: Won order with BOQ, drawings and make list
- 2Sales and Estimation to Finance and Accounts: Contract value, retention and billing terms
- 3Design and Engineering to Panel Manufacturing Shop: Approved drawings and panel BOM
- 4Design and Engineering to Site Execution: Approved layouts and cable schedules
- 5Design and Engineering to Sales and Estimation: Priced variations for client approval
- 6Panel Manufacturing Shop to Site Execution: Tested panels with test certificates for installation
- 7Panel Manufacturing Shop to Finance and Accounts: Panels ready for supply billing
- 8Site Execution to Finance and Accounts: Certified measurements for running bills
- 9Site Execution to Purchase and Stores: Material indents
- 10Purchase and Stores to Finance and Accounts: Supplier bills matched to receipts
- 11Finance and Accounts to Management and Reporting: Project margins, cash and receivables
- 12HR and Payroll to Finance and Accounts: Payroll totals by project
- 13Management and Reporting to Sales and Estimation: Bid strategy and margin targets
Each department in detail
Open a department to see its workflow, its own entity diagram, who does the work, what needs approval, the reports it watches and what it hands over.
Sales and EstimationWins electrical contracts and panel orders with accurate estimates from tender drawings and BOQs.
Workflow
- 1
Register tenders and enquiries
Tenders from consultants, builders and factories are logged in Zoho CRM with due date, scope and drawings.
- 2
Take off quantities
Estimators take off cable lengths, conduits, fittings and panels from drawings into a priced BOQ.
- 3
Price panels and labour
Panel costs are built from switchgear, busbar, enclosure and wiring, with labour per point or per metre for site work.
- 4
Submit and negotiate
The quote with BOQ, make list and exclusions is sent and revisions tracked.
- 5
Win the order
The signed work order or PO opens a project with contract value, retention and payment terms.
Zoho WorkDrive
Zoho SignEntity diagram: Sales and Estimation
The records this team creates and updates, their key fields, and how they link.
- Zoho CRM
- Zoho Creator
Read the relationships as text
- Tender priced in BOQ (1:1)
- BOQ includes Panel Estimate (1:N)
- Tender won as Work Order (1:1)
Who does the work
- Estimation engineer
- Sales engineer
- Commercial manager
Approvals and controls
- Bids below target margin need commercial manager approval
- Make substitutions from the client's approved list need consultant approval
Reports they watch
- Tender pipeline by value and due date
- Hit rate by client type
- Order book by project
Hands over to
- Design and Engineering: Won order with BOQ, drawings and make list
- Finance and Accounts: Contract value, retention and billing terms
Design and EngineeringPrepares approved single-line diagrams, panel GA drawings and cable schedules before anything is built.
Workflow
- 1
Prepare drawings
Engineers prepare SLDs, panel general arrangement and wiring drawings and cable schedules.
- 2
Submit for approval
Drawings go to the consultant or client and each revision and comment is logged.
- 3
Release for manufacture
Approved drawings are released to the panel shop with a bill of materials.
- 4
Handle variations
Changes requested after approval are logged as variations with cost impact.
Entity diagram: Design and Engineering
The records this team creates and updates, their key fields, and how they link.
- Zoho WorkDrive
- Zoho Creator
- Zoho Inventory
Read the relationships as text
- Drawing tracked in Approval Log (1:N)
- Drawing defines Panel BOM (1:N)
- Approval Log may raise Variation (1:N)
Who does the work
- Design engineer
- Draughtsman
- Engineering manager
Approvals and controls
- Nothing is released for manufacture without approved drawings
- Variations are priced and approved by the client before work
Reports they watch
- Drawings pending approval
- Revisions per drawing
- Variations raised and approved
Hands over to
- Panel Manufacturing Shop: Approved drawings and panel BOM
- Site Execution: Approved layouts and cable schedules
- Sales and Estimation: Priced variations for client approval
Panel Manufacturing ShopFabricates, assembles, wires and tests panels to approved drawings.
Workflow
- 1
Plan the job card
Each panel gets a job card with fabrication, busbar, assembly and wiring stages.
- 2
Issue materials
Switchgear, busbar copper and enclosures are issued to the job from stores.
- 3
- 4
Run routine tests
Insulation resistance, high voltage and functional tests are recorded on a test sheet.
- 5
Hold factory acceptance
The client inspects the panel and signs the FAT report before dispatch.
Entity diagram: Panel Manufacturing Shop
The records this team creates and updates, their key fields, and how they link.
- Zoho Creator
- Zoho Inventory
Read the relationships as text
- Panel Job Card consumes Material Issue (1:N)
- Panel Job Card tested in Test Sheet (1:1)
- Panel Job Card closed by FAT Report (1:1)
Who does the work
- Shop supervisor
- Panel wireman
- Testing engineer
Approvals and controls
- Panels are dispatched only after passing routine tests and FAT sign-off
Reports they watch
- Panels by stage and due date
- Labour hours per panel
- Test failures by cause
Hands over to
- Site Execution: Tested panels with test certificates for installation
- Finance and Accounts: Panels ready for supply billing
Site ExecutionInstalls cabling, panels, lighting and earthing safely and records measured work for billing.
Workflow
- 1
Plan site work
Each site has a schedule of activities such as conduiting, cable laying, termination and panel erection.
- 2
Run daily reports
Site engineers record manpower, work done and hindrances in a daily progress report.
- 3
Raise material indents
Sites request cables and fittings from stores against the BOQ.
- 4
Measure work
Completed quantities are measured and recorded against BOQ items for the running bill.
- 5
Test and hand over
Earthing, insulation and load tests are done and the handover file is shared with the client.
Zoho FormsEntity diagram: Site Execution
The records this team creates and updates, their key fields, and how they link.
- Zoho Projects
- Zoho Creator
Read the relationships as text
- Site submits Daily Report (1:N)
- Site records Measurement (1:N)
- Site raises Material Indent (1:N)
Who does the work
- Site engineer
- Electrical supervisor
- Project manager
Approvals and controls
- Permit to work and isolation are required before working on live systems
- Measurements are checked by the project manager before billing
Reports they watch
- Progress against schedule by site
- Measured value to date
- Safety incidents and near misses
Hands over to
- Finance and Accounts: Certified measurements for running bills
- Purchase and Stores: Material indents
Purchase and StoresBuys switchgear, cable and accessories at the right price and moves them to the shop and sites.
Workflow
- 1
Buy against BOM and indents
Purchase orders are raised from panel BOMs and site indents, checked against BOQ quantities.
- 2
Receive and inspect
Receipts are checked for make, rating and quantity, with test certificates kept.
- 3
Issue and transfer
Materials are issued to the panel shop or transferred to site stores.
- 4
Reconcile site material
Cable drums and material at site are reconciled against measured work to catch wastage.
Entity diagram: Purchase and Stores
The records this team creates and updates, their key fields, and how they link.
- Zoho Inventory
- Zoho Creator
Read the relationships as text
- Purchase Order supplies Material (1:N)
- Material moved by Site Transfer (1:N)
- Site Transfer checked in Site Reconciliation (1:N)
Who does the work
- Purchase executive
- Store keeper
- Site store in-charge
Approvals and controls
- Purchases above BOQ quantity need project manager approval
- Purchase orders above the limit need management approval
Reports they watch
- Material cost against budget per project
- Cable wastage by site
- Pending deliveries
Hands over to
- Finance and Accounts: Supplier bills matched to receipts
Finance and AccountsRaises running bills, tracks retention and project cost, and pays suppliers and subcontractors.
Workflow
- 1
Raise running bills
Certified measurements and panel supplies are billed as running account bills with GST in India or VAT in the UAE and UK.
- 2
Track retention and advances
Retention held and mobilisation advance recovered are tracked per bill.
- 3
Pay subcontractors
Labour subcontractor bills are checked against measured work before payment.
- 4
Cost the project
Material, labour and overhead costs are compared with the budget for each project.
Zoho AnalyticsEntity diagram: Finance and Accounts
The records this team creates and updates, their key fields, and how they link.
- Zoho Books
- Zoho Analytics
Read the relationships as text
- Running Bill holds Retention (1:N)
- Subcontractor Bill feeds Project Cost (1:N)
- Running Bill compared in Project Cost (1:N)
Who does the work
- Billing engineer
- Accountant
- Finance manager
Approvals and controls
- Running bills are approved by the project manager before submission
- Subcontractor payments above the limit need finance manager approval
Reports they watch
- Billed versus certified by project
- Retention receivable
- Project profit against budget
Hands over to
- Management and Reporting: Project margins, cash and receivables
HR and PayrollHires licensed electricians and engineers, keeps safety training current and pays site and shop staff.
Workflow
- 1
Hire staff
Electricians, wiremen and engineers are hired with licence and competency checks.
- 2
Track licences and training
Electrical licences, safety training and medical checks are stored with expiry dates.
- 3
Record site attendance
Site staff mark attendance by geo-location and overtime is recorded per project.
- 4
Run payroll
Wages, site allowance and overtime are paid in Zoho Payroll where it is available, or your local payroll provider.
Zoho Recruit
Zoho People
Zoho Learn
Zoho PayrollEntity diagram: HR and Payroll
The records this team creates and updates, their key fields, and how they link.
- Zoho People
- Zoho Payroll
Read the relationships as text
- Employee holds Licence (1:N)
- Employee records Attendance (1:N)
- Employee receives Payslip (1:N)
Who does the work
- HR executive
- Safety officer
- Payroll officer
Approvals and controls
- Workers without valid licence or safety induction are not sent to site
Reports they watch
- Licences expiring
- Labour cost by project
- Overtime by site
Hands over to
- Finance and Accounts: Payroll totals by project
Management and ReportingGives directors one view of the order book, progress, billing and margin on every project.
Workflow
- 1
Combine data
Tenders, projects, shop jobs, stores and accounts sync into Zoho Analytics.
- 2
Review projects weekly
Directors review progress, billing, cost and delays per project.
- 3
Watch cash
Receivables, retention and supplier dues are reviewed against the cash plan.
- 4
Escalate delays
Alerts for late panels, stalled sites and unbilled work go to managers in Cliq.
Zoho Flow
Zoho CliqEntity diagram: Management and Reporting
The records this team creates and updates, their key fields, and how they link.
- Zoho Analytics
- Zoho Creator
Read the relationships as text
- Project KPI triggers Escalation (1:N)
- Cash Position triggers Escalation (1:N)
Who does the work
- Managing director
- Projects head
Approvals and controls
- Bids above the set value and new client credit are approved by the directors
Reports they watch
- Order book and execution status
- Margin by project
- Unbilled work and retention
Hands over to
- Sales and Estimation: Bid strategy and margin targets
What to expect when you start
A typical plan for a focused project of one to three apps. Larger scope or messy data takes longer; we confirm the timeline after discovery.
Week 1 to 2
Map and agree
We walk through your electrical contractors and panel builders process from "Tender and enquiry" to "Handover and AMC", list the records and fields you really need, and agree the scope.
Week 3 to 4
Build the core
We configure Zoho CRM and Zoho Creator with your stages, roles, approvals and templates.
Week 5 to 6
Connect and migrate
We clean and import your data, connect email, payments or other tools, and build the reports you will use every week.
Week 7 to 8
Test and go live
Your team tests with real cases, we train each role, and we cut over with a checklist.
Mistakes to avoid
- Copying the old spreadsheet column for column. Keep only the fields that help someone decide or act.
- Leaving out exceptions such as returns, changes and cancellations. Model them early so the team does not work around the system.
- No owner per stage. Name one person for "Tender and enquiry" and one for "Handover and AMC".
- Going live without checking reports against numbers you already trust.
A good first win
Start with the problem that hurts most: BOQ costing is slow. Fixing one visible problem in the first month builds trust and adoption for everything after it.
What you can measure
- Tender win rate
- Material variance
- Billing lag
Questions about Zoho for electrical contractors and panel builders
Which Zoho apps suit electrical contractors and panel builders businesses?
A typical electrical contractors and panel builders setup uses Zoho CRM, Zoho Creator, Zoho Inventory, Zoho Projects, Zoho Books, Zoho FSM. We confirm the exact apps after mapping your own process in a discovery call.
How does the business process flow in Zoho for electrical contractors and panel builders?
1. Tender and enquiry; 2. BOQ and quote; 3. Procurement; 4. Panel build or site work; 5. Running bills; 6. Handover and AMC.
Which departments does a Zoho setup for electrical contractors and panel builders cover?
A full setup covers Sales and Estimation, Design and Engineering, Panel Manufacturing Shop, Site Execution, Purchase and Stores, Finance and Accounts, HR and Payroll, Management and Reporting. Each department works in its own Zoho screens, but they share the same customer, order and finance records, so work moves from one team to the next without being retyped.
Zoho apps we set up for electrical contractors and panel builders
Zoho CRM
Zoho Creator
Zoho Inventory
Zoho Books
Not sure which apps fit your business? Book a free 30-minute call or see all Zoho products we implement
Zoho services for electrical contractors and panel builders
All Zoho services →- Zoho implementationZoho CRM live within 2 weeks, fixed price agreed in writing
- Zoho support100-hour support packs, first reply within 1 hour
- Zoho consultingChoose the right apps and plan before you build
- Data migration to ZohoMove from Salesforce, HubSpot, Tally, QuickBooks or spreadsheets
- Zoho integration servicesConnect Zoho to payments, ads, telephony, e-commerce and more
- Zoho auditA scored review of your current Zoho setup
More industries we build Zoho workflows for
Zoho adapts to almost any business that has leads, orders, projects, people and money to track. A few examples are below; the industries page lists all 179 with a typical process flow and the Zoho apps behind each.
- Construction and ContractingControl tenders, project costs, subcontractors, site materials and progress billing from one system.
- Wholesale and DistributionRun orders, stock across warehouses, credit limits and collections for dealers and retailers.
- Food and BeverageTrack outlet and central kitchen stock, recipes, suppliers and daily sales with branch-wise accounts.
- Fitness and WellnessConvert enquiries into members, manage bookings and recurring fees, and keep members engaged.
- Staffing and RecruitmentManage client job orders, candidate pipelines, placements and invoicing in one flow.
- Travel and TourismTurn enquiries into itineraries, bookings and payments with supplier and customer tracking.
- Telecom and ISPsRun activation, installation, support and recurring billing for subscribers and enterprise accounts.
- Media and AdvertisingManage clients, briefs, campaign projects, approvals and retainer billing for agencies and media firms.
- Import and Export TradingHandle enquiries, proforma invoices, shipments, documentation and multi-currency accounting.