Serverless functions, custom API endpoints, and scalable cloud infrastructure. For when your Zoho ecosystem needs backend logic that goes beyond Deluge.
What we build
Zoho Catalyst is the serverless platform that sits behind the scenes when your Zoho ecosystem needs real programming power. While Creator and Deluge handle most business logic, some scenarios demand custom API endpoints, heavy data processing, third-party system integration, or backend services that need to run in Java, Node.js, or Python.
At Aaxonix, we use Catalyst when the standard Zoho tools hit their limits, complex data transformations, custom webhook receivers, scheduled batch processing, and scenarios where you need full programming language capabilities. Catalyst handles the infrastructure automatically, so you get the power of a custom backend without managing servers.
Serverless functions scale automatically, zero server management, pay only for what you use.
Catalyst handles user authentication and session management natively, no third-party auth services needed.
Write functions in Java, Node.js, or Python, use any npm/pip/Maven library your project requires.
Write backend logic in the language your team knows best. Functions execute on demand, scale automatically, and shut down when idle, no server provisioning required.
Build REST API endpoints that any application can call. Perfect for connecting mobile apps, external systems, or custom frontends to your Zoho data and business logic.
Query Catalyst's data store using familiar SQL syntax. ZCQL lets developers read, write, and aggregate data without learning a proprietary query language.
Store, retrieve, and manage files in Catalyst's cloud storage. Handle document uploads, image processing, and file transformations within your serverless functions.
Run functions on a schedule, hourly data syncs, nightly batch processing, weekly report generation. Catalyst's scheduler handles timing and retries automatically.
Host full web applications on Catalyst's infrastructure. AppSail supports Docker containers, giving you complete control over your runtime environment and dependencies.
Building products on top of the Zoho ecosystem. Catalyst provides the backend infrastructure for custom SaaS features that go beyond what CRM or Creator can offer natively.
When you need to transform data between systems, handle webhook payloads from multiple sources, or orchestrate multi-step API calls that Deluge can't manage efficiently.
Creator handles the frontend, but your portal needs custom authentication, payment processing, or third-party API logic that requires a real backend language.
ETL workflows, batch data transformations, report generation from large datasets, and scheduled data cleanup tasks that need more processing power than Deluge provides.
Receive data from sensors, devices, and equipment via API endpoints. Process, store, and route IoT data to Analytics dashboards or trigger alerts based on thresholds.
When your business needs to expose APIs to partners, mobile apps, or external systems with proper authentication, rate limiting, and auto-scaling capabilities.
We evaluate whether Catalyst is the right tool for your use case, sometimes Creator or Flow can solve the problem more simply. If Catalyst is needed, we define the API contracts, data models, and integration points upfront.
We design the function architecture, set up the Catalyst project, configure authentication, and build the data store schema. Code is written in Java, Node.js, or Python depending on your team's capabilities and the project requirements.
API endpoints are load-tested, edge cases are validated, and integrations with other Zoho apps are verified end-to-end. We test in Catalyst's development environment before deploying to production.
Your development team receives documentation and code walkthroughs. We set up monitoring, error logging, and alerting so issues are caught early. Two weeks of post-launch support covers any production issues.
Custom backend logic for CRM workflows, lead scoring, and data enrichment.
Catalyst as the backend engine powering Creator frontend applications.
Trigger Catalyst functions from Flow automations for complex processing steps.
Connect to any external service, payment gateways, shipping APIs, or custom backends.
Connect to MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB from within Catalyst functions.
Integrate with AWS S3, Google Cloud Storage, or Azure Blob for file operations.
Push processed data from Catalyst pipelines into Analytics dashboards.
Receive and process webhooks from Stripe, Razorpay, GitHub, and any webhook sender.
Catalyst supports Java, Node.js, and Python for serverless functions. For web apps hosted on AppSail, you can use any language that runs in a Docker container, including Go, Ruby, and PHP. Most Zoho ecosystem developers use Java or Node.js.
Use Creator when you need a user-facing app with forms, reports, and workflows, it's faster and requires less technical skill. Use Catalyst when you need backend logic, custom API endpoints, heavy data processing, or integrations that exceed what Deluge can handle. Many projects use both: Creator for the frontend, Catalyst for the backend.
Catalyst has a free tier that includes limited function executions and storage, which is available to all Zoho users. For production workloads, you'll likely need a paid plan. Catalyst pricing is usage-based, so costs scale with actual consumption rather than fixed licensing.
Yes. Catalyst's serverless architecture auto-scales based on demand, you don't manage servers or worry about capacity. Functions spin up on request and scale down when idle. For sustained high-traffic scenarios, AppSail provides always-on hosting with predictable performance.
Build the frontend in Creator, run the heavy lifting in Catalyst. A common pairing for advanced apps.
Use Flow for straightforward automations and hand off the complex processing to Catalyst functions.
Route processed data into Analytics for dashboards and executive reporting.
Tell us what you're trying to solve. 60 minutes with a senior Zoho architect, zero obligation.