MANILA, Philippines (July 2026) — Most Pinoy business owners are currently juggling more than 15 different apps just to keep things running, but a massive shift in how we use software is about to make that chaos a lot more manageable. While digital transformation is a top priority for the local economy, many organizations are still struggling with fragmented systems that do not talk to each other.
According to recent data, 73% of businesses in the region lack complete visibility over their workforce identity and access. As technology becomes more complex, the gap between buying new software and actually making it work together is getting wider.
The rise of autonomous digital agents
Instead of just adding more tools to the pile, the focus is shifting toward “agentic AI.” These are autonomous digital assistants designed to handle specific roles like account management, customer support, and IT help desks without needing constant human supervision.
The new Zia Agents platform allows businesses to deploy these digital workers across a portfolio of more than 50 products. For those who need something more specific, a new studio environment lets partners and developers build custom agents that can access existing skills and data within a secure environment. There is even a marketplace where specialized agents can be published and shared across different organizations.
One platform to rule them all
The goal is to move away from “bolting on” AI as an afterthought. By embedding intelligence directly into the platforms that Pinoy teams already use every day, adoption becomes a natural part of the job rather than a separate chore to learn.
Zoho One, the company’s all in one business suite, now serves over 75,000 customers globally. The latest updates bring workflows and integrations into a single experience, with a cross application assistant available to help with contextual decision making.
“Filipino businesses are figuring out how to adopt AI without driving up costs or creating new security gaps as they scale,” says Gibu Mathew, managing director for Zoho APAC. He notes that the company’s approach integrates with both proprietary and global AI models to give businesses a practical path to success.
Pricing and data privacy
One of the biggest concerns for local enterprises is where their data ends up. The company has committed to a strategy where customer data is not used to train generic AI models. Instead, their proprietary models are hosted within their own data centers, ensuring that sensitive information stays within the business environment.
Zoho One remains accessible for growing businesses, with pricing set at $37 (approx. PHP 2,150) per user per month. This all inclusive model is designed to provide enterprise grade capabilities without the complex pricing tiers often found in the tech industry.
