Sridhar Vembu, the CEO and co-founder of Zoho Corporation, announced on December 21, 2025, that the company is actively developing new features for its messaging application, Arattai. This announcement comes as part of Zoho’s ongoing efforts to enhance its suite of productivity tools and strengthen its position in the competitive landscape of communication applications.
Arattai, which was launched in 2023, is designed to facilitate seamless communication among users, particularly within business environments. The app aims to integrate various functionalities, including messaging, video calls, and file sharing, into a single platform. Vembu’s recent comments indicate that Zoho is committed to expanding Arattai’s capabilities to better serve its user base.
In his statement, Vembu emphasized the importance of the new features being developed, although he did not disclose specific details about what these enhancements would entail. He noted that the updates are part of Zoho’s broader strategy to innovate and adapt to the evolving needs of its customers. “We are working on some very important features that will significantly improve the user experience,” Vembu said, highlighting the company’s focus on user feedback and market trends.
The announcement is significant as it underscores Zoho’s commitment to maintaining a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. The messaging app market has seen substantial growth in recent years, driven by the increasing demand for remote communication tools, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As businesses continue to adapt to hybrid work models, the need for reliable and feature-rich communication platforms has become more pronounced.
Zoho, which is headquartered in Chennai, India, has positioned itself as a major player in the software-as-a-service (SaaS) market, offering a wide range of applications for businesses, including CRM, project management, and accounting tools. The company’s focus on developing Arattai aligns with its strategy to provide an integrated ecosystem of applications that cater to the diverse needs of its clients.
The competitive landscape for messaging applications includes established players such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom, as well as newer entrants that have gained traction among users. By enhancing Arattai, Zoho aims to differentiate itself from these competitors and attract a larger share of the market. The development of new features could potentially include improvements in user interface design, enhanced security measures, and additional integrations with other Zoho applications.
The implications of this announcement extend beyond just the features of the Arattai app. As Zoho continues to innovate, it may also influence the broader trends in the messaging app market. Companies that prioritize user experience and integrate multiple functionalities into a single platform may set new standards for communication tools. This could lead to increased competition among software providers, prompting them to invest more in research and development to meet user demands.
Furthermore, Vembu’s announcement reflects a growing trend among technology companies to prioritize user feedback in their product development processes. As businesses increasingly rely on digital communication tools, understanding user needs and preferences will be crucial for companies looking to succeed in this space.
Zoho’s commitment to enhancing Arattai also aligns with its broader mission to empower businesses with technology that is both accessible and effective. The company has a history of developing products that cater to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which often face challenges in accessing sophisticated software solutions. By improving Arattai, Zoho aims to provide SMEs with the tools they need to thrive in a digital-first world.
In conclusion, Sridhar Vembu’s announcement regarding the development of new features for the Arattai app highlights Zoho’s ongoing commitment to innovation and user satisfaction. As the demand for effective communication tools continues to rise, the enhancements to Arattai could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of messaging applications. The company’s ability to adapt to market trends and user needs will be critical as it seeks to solidify its position in the competitive SaaS landscape.


