Build advanced storage solutions for Zoho apps without external data store

When we build apps, we handle kinds of data - JSON inputs, uploaded images, chat logs, and more. Let's say you need to store a few JSON payloads, some images, and maybe some chat transcripts. You start with an external database for your data, add an S3 bucket for files, and before you know it, you’re creating credentials and IAM roles to keep everything secure. Suddenly, your app now has five dashboards, three storage silos, and no unified data view. 

What started as a Zoho CRM extension became a mini data platform you didn’t sign up to maintain. In most cases, you won’t need additional data stores. A unified storage approach generally makes good use of what you already have.

The stack you already have

Catalyst CloudScale gives you the following storage services, each built for a different kind of data:

• Data Store: Classic, structured, and great for anything relational (like users, transactions, and config tables)
• NoSQL: The “throw it in and query later” store for JSON, payloads, logs, sessions, and unstructured data.
• Stratus: File and object storage; PDFs, media, attachments, and dumps (the stuff you usually toss into S3)
   

No third-party services, no API juggling, and no surprise bills. You can query Data Store like SQL, throw dynamic JSON into NoSQL, and upload backups into Stratus.

Code, debug, and automate the way you want without three different vendor dashboards.

Let’s say you’re building a CRM and Desk integration.

Here’s a simple, realistic setup:

• Ticket data (status, IDs, and contact info) goes into the Data Store.
• Chat transcripts and event payloads go into NoSQL.
• Uploaded files and attachments go into Stratus.
• You wire it all up with Catalyst Functions.

Catalyst CloudScale gives you all the backend infrastructure you need to build your applications, extensions, and custom solutions, without any management headache. It can be the tool that extends, connects, and enhances your Zoho apps and their experiences.

Why you should try Catalyst:

• Native integration: Access Catalyst directly through Zoho API connectors or Deluge functions.
• Unified governance: Get one identity model, one billing layer, and one audit trail.
• AI-ready storage: Feed your ML models from Zoho app data.
• Developer-friendly: Use SDKs in Python, Node.js, and more to automate workflows.
• Cost transparency: Store confidently with no hidden egress or API costs; what you store is what you pay for.

Wrapping up

Every Zoho app is powerful on its own, but the real magic happens when they share data natively, orchestrate workflows, and work in sync. Catalyst makes the data flow, the workflows move, and the businesses scale.

If you think Catalyst could be the right tool for your next project, try Catalyst now. If you want to learn more about the backend components on Catalyst CloudScale, you can read about them in our documentation.