AI: A New Partner in Our Everyday Journey

Artificial Intelligence is the science of making machines think and act like humans AI is all about building machines that can think, learn, and solve problems like humans. The purpose of AI is not to replace humans but to assist us in saving time,improving decisions, and handling routine work so we can focus on Creativity and Innovation

As the quote goes,“AI is not here to replace the humans, but to work with us and make us better”

Do You Know How Machines Learn Like Us?

Deep Learning

Deep learning is a special branch of Artificial Intelligence that teaches machines to learn from data, just like humans learn from experience.It uses a structure called neural network, inspired by how our brain’s neurons work.

Think of AI as a student. A student learns by studying examples, practicing, and correcting mistakes Machines learn in a very similar way. This learning process is what makes AI smart.

There are three main types of machine learning technology that guide AI.

Supervised Learning

In this method, machines learn from labeled data —> kind of like a teacher giving a correct answer in advance

Example: If you give a computer 1000 photos labeled “Tiger” and “Lion”, it will learn the different and then correctly identify a photo

Unsupervised Learning

Here, there’s no teacher. The machine tries to find the pattern on its own

Example: If you feed a program a lot of customer shopping data, it may group customers with similar buying habits without anyone telling it what the groups mean.

Reinforcement Learning

In this method, Machines learn by trial and error, receiving rewards for correct actions and penalties for mistakes — like learning to play a game.

Example: Training a robot to walk, teaching AI to play chess, or helping self-driving cars make safe driving decisions.

As the quote goes, “Machines are fast,but humans are wise”

Manual Workflow for CRUD Operations in ZOHO CRM

What is Zoho CRM

ZOHO CRM is a cloud-based platform that helps Businesses manage their interactions with Customers and leads, and in simple terms , it helps companies work smarter ,save time ,and build stronger Relationships with Customers.

How to Get Zoho API Credentials and Access Token

Notes: "The purpose of this guide is to show how to generate Zoho API credentials and access tokens , which are required to fetch information from Zoho using APIs. Without an access token, external applications cannot securely connect to zoho crm or retrieve data."

Step 1:

URL: https://api-console.zoho.in/

Navigate to the Zoho API Console page

Click on Add Client to create a new client

Step 2:

Click on Create the self client

In the Scope field, enter this value: ZohoCRM.modules.ALL.

Based on your requirement , you can change the scope fields. If you need only read , write , or operation permissions ,refer to the link below for details.

Documentation link : Zoho CRM API Scopes

In the Time Duration field , enter this value: 10 minutes.

In the Scope ????? Enter this value: write anything.

Here ZohoCRM.modules.ALL ,

ZohoCRM is the service API name

modules is the scope name

ALL is the operation type

Service API name is the name of the service the client is making API calls to

Operation type is the type of operation that is permissible for the client. It can be ALL, CREATE, READ, UPDATE, DELETE. (ALL gives access to perform all operations).

Click the Create button — it will generate a code like the one shown in the image.

Copy the code and paste it into your Notepad for future use.

Step 3:

Copy the code , along with the Client ID and Client Secret.

Paste and Save them in your Notepad for future use.

Very important

You must use your domain-specific Zoho accounts URL to generate access and refresh tokens. The following are the various domains and their corresponding accounts URLs.

For US : https://accounts.zoho.com

For AU: https://accounts.zoho.com.au

For EU : https://accounts.zoho.eu

For IN : https://accounts.zoho.in

For CN : https://accounts.zoho.com.cn

For JP : https://accounts.zoho.jp

For SA (Saudi Arabia): https://accounts.zoho.sa

For CA (Canada): https://accounts.zohocloud.ca

If you have more than one organization, then the grant token generated will be specific to a particular organization, and the same applies to the access and refresh tokens generated using the grant token.

I highlight the one text that my domain I was using and based on that you will use

URL: https://www.zoho.com/crm/developer/docs/api/v8/access-refresh.html

How to Get Zoho API Credentials, Access Token, and Refresh Token Using Postman

Basic API setup for Postman

Open Postman

Set request Type to POST URL:https://accounts.zoho.in/oauth/v2/token

Go to Headers , choose key : Content Type value: application/x-www-form-urlencoded

Go to Body Tab , Choose x-www-form-urlencoded

Add the following key value pairs.

code: you save it code your notepad, take it, and paste it

redirect_url: https://www.google.com/

client_id: you save it client_id code, your notepad, take it, and paste it

client_secret: you save it client_secret code your notepad take it and paste it

grant_type: authorization_code

CLICK on the SEND Button

get the access_token and refresh_token

curl --location 'https://accounts.zoho.in/oauth/v2/token' \
--header 'Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded' \
--header 'Cookie: _zcsr_tmp=812eef80-2297-4606-bbb8-ec70006c8368; iamcsr=812eef80-2297-4606-bbb8-ec70006c8368; zalb_6e73717622=cc36c6f8a6790832246efd66c032e512' \
--data-urlencode 'code=1000.08ec333bee96artfytfhgvytdgcjiku5621332a9848ecb7161bc.1dfd44a492a11edd4cd7cb697691668e' \
--data-urlencode 'redirect_url=http://example.com/yourcallback' \
--data-urlencode 'client_id=1000.YERKGFPT7677676JT hgfh gdt3543ABFX096JL581CH1DGIK' \
--data-urlencode 'client_secret=59bfc6779ff96d540575625445gfd76758fc9b39eb8fb7747893efce8' \
--data-urlencode 'grant_type=authorization_code'

We performed CRUD operations using a UI and Python code

Create operation: How to create a lead using ZOHO UI

In zoho crm , click Leads in the left-hand navigation panel to open the leads module, click create lead in the top-right corner to add a new lead.

The lead modules in zoho crm is designed to capture details , such as first name , last name, and company name

Create operation: How to create a lead using Python code

Now, let’s implement a POST function in Python to Create a new lead in Zoho CRM.

import requests

def create_zoho_lead():
    client_id = "YOUR_CLIENT_ID"
    client_secret = "YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET"
    refresh_token = "YOUR_REFRESH_TOKEN"
    redirect_uri = "https://www.zoho.com"
    token_url = "https://accounts.zoho.in/oauth/v2/token"
    base_url = "https://www.zohoapis.in"
    # Step 1: Get access token
    params = {
        "refresh_token": refresh_token,
        "client_id": client_id,
        "client_secret": client_secret,
        "redirect_uri": redirect_uri,
        "grant_type": "refresh_token"
    }
    response = requests.post(token_url, params=params)
    response.raise_for_status()
    data = response.json()
    access_token = data["access_token"]

    # Step 2: Prepare new lead data
    lead_data = {
        "Last_Name": "Ramesh",       # REQUIRED
        "First_Name": "Kumar",
        "Email": "ramesh.k@example.com",
        "Phone": "+91-9876543210",
        "Company": "XYZ Pvt Ltd"
    }

    # Step 3: Call Zoho API to create Lead
    url = f"{base_url}/crm/v2/Leads"
    headers = {
        "Authorization": f"Zoho-oauthtoken {access_token}",
        "Content-Type": "application/json"
    }
    resp = requests.post(url, headers=headers, json=lead_data)
    return resp.json()

# Example usage
print("Lead Created:", create_zoho_lead())

Get operation: How to get a lead using Zoho UI

Click Leads in the left hand Navigation Panel to view all existing leads

Get operation: How to get a lead using Python code

Let’s create a GET function in Python to retrieve leads from Zoho CRM.

import requests

def get_all_leads():
    # Hardcoded Zoho credentials 
    client_id = "YOUR_CLIENT_ID"
    client_secret = "YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET"
    refresh_token = "YOUR_REFRESH_TOKEN"
    redirect_uri = "https://www.zoho.com"
    token_url = "https://accounts.zoho.in/oauth/v2/token"
    base_url = "https://www.zohoapis.in"

    # Step 1: Get access token using refresh token
    params = {
        "refresh_token": refresh_token,
        "client_id": client_id,
        "client_secret": client_secret,
        "redirect_uri": redirect_uri,
        "grant_type": "refresh_token"
    }
    response = requests.post(token_url, params=params)
    response.raise_for_status()
    data = response.json()
    access_token = data["access_token"]

    # Step 2: Call Zoho API to fetch Leads
    url = f"{base_url}/crm/v2/Leads"
    headers = {"Authorization": f"Zoho-oauthtoken {access_token}"}

    resp = requests.get(url, headers=headers)
    return resp.json()

# Example usage
print("All Zoho Leads:", get_all_leads())

Update operation: How to update a lead using Zoho UI

Click leads in the left-hand Navigation Panel, then select a specific lead from the list

To Update a lead , open the desired lead record from the display List

On this screen, update the lead details of your choice

Update operation: How to update the property or information using Python code

Let’s create an update function in Python to modify an existing lead in Zoho CRM.

import requests

def update_zoho_lead(lead_id):
    # Hardcoded Zoho credentials 
    client_id = "YOUR_CLIENT_ID"
    client_secret = "YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET"
    refresh_token = "YOUR_REFRESH_TOKEN"
    redirect_uri = "https://www.zoho.com"
    token_url = "https://accounts.zoho.in/oauth/v2/token"
    base_url = "https://www.zohoapis.in"

    # Step 1: Refresh access token
    params = {
        "refresh_token": refresh_token,
        "client_id": client_id,
        "client_secret": client_secret,
        "redirect_uri": redirect_uri,
        "grant_type": "refresh_token"
    }
    response = requests.post(token_url, params=params)
    response.raise_for_status()
    data = response.json()
    access_token = data["access_token"]

    # Step 2: Data to update
    updated_data = {
        "Last_Name": "Kumar Updated",
        "Email": "kumar.updated@example.com",
        "Phone": "+91-9123456780"
    }
    # Step 3: API call to update Lead
    url = f"{base_url}/crm/v2/Leads/{lead_id}"
    headers = {
        "Authorization": f"Zoho-oauthtoken {access_token}",
        "Content-Type": "application/json"
    }
    resp = requests.patch(url, headers=headers, json=updated_data)
    return resp.json()

# Example usage:
print("Lead Updated:", update_zoho_lead("3477061000007429001"))

Delete operation: How to delete a lead using Zoho UI

Click leads in the left hand Navigation Panel, select a lead from the list , then click the three dots menu and choose Delete

Delete operation: How to delete a Lead using Python code

Let’s Create a delete function in Python to remove a lead from Zoho CRM.

import requests

def delete_zoho_lead(lead_id):
    # Hardcoded Zoho credentials 
    client_id = "YOUR_CLIENT_ID"
    client_secret = "YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET"
    refresh_token = "YOUR_REFRESH_TOKEN"
    redirect_uri = "https://www.zoho.com"
    token_url = "https://accounts.zoho.in/oauth/v2/token"
    base_url = "https://www.zohoapis.in"

    if not lead_id or not isinstance(lead_id, str):
        raise ValueError(" Error: 'lead_id' must be a valid string inside double quotes.")

    # Step 1: Refresh access token
    params = {
        "refresh_token": refresh_token,
        "client_id": client_id,
        "client_secret": client_secret,
        "redirect_uri": redirect_uri,
        "grant_type": "refresh_token"
    }
    response = requests.post(token_url, params=params)
    response.raise_for_status()
    data = response.json()
    access_token = data["access_token"]

    # Step 2: API call to delete Lead
    url = f"{base_url}/crm/v2/Leads/{lead_id}"
    headers = {"Authorization": f"Zoho-oauthtoken {access_token}"}
    resp = requests.delete(url, headers=headers)

    return resp.json()

# Example usage:
print("Lead Deleted:", delete_zoho_lead("3477061000007429001"))

Turning Python Code into an MCP Server

What is the MCP Framework

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open framework designed to help AI assistants (like ChatGPT or other LLMs) Interact with external tools , APIs , and data sources in a secure and standardized way.

If you’re building an AI agent in Python ,you can use the MCP framework

Expose your custom Python functions as MCP tools

Let AI models call those functions via MCP

Connect your AI assistant to external APIs (CRM, Databases, Cloud Services)

Example: Simple MCP Server in Python

import asyncio
from mcp.server.fastmcp import FastMCP

# Create MCP server instance
mcp = FastMCP("example-server")

# Register a simple tool
@mcp.tool()
async def greet(name: str) -> str:
    """Say hello to someone"""
    return f"Hello, {name}"

# Start MCP server
if __name__ == "__main__":
    asyncio.run(mcp.run())

Here’s what happens:

We created an MCP server called example-server

Defined a greet function as a tool

Any AI assistant that supports MCP can now call this tool

📂 A typical MCP folder structure to follow

zoho-crm-mcp
│
├── .env (Environment variables eg: ZOHO_CLIENT_ID, ZOHO_CLIENT_SECRET, ZOHO_REFRESH_TOKEN, etc.)
├── requirements.txt (Project dependencies eg: MCP SDK, requests, dotenv, etc.)
│
├── lead.py  (Handles Zoho Lead operations CRUD APIs)
├── zoho_crm.py  (Core Zoho CRM API integration logic)
│
├── zoho_mcp_server.py  (MCP server exposing Zoho CRM as MCP tools/resources)
├── zoho_mcp_client.py  (MCP client to interact with the MCP server)

Please refer to the image below for understanding the MCP folder structure

High-level workflow

Zoho REST wrapper: zoho_crm.py defines ZohoAPI (OAuth2 refresh + GET/POST/PATCH/DELETE helpers).

Lead domain layer: leads.py defines UserAPI (business methods for Leads using ZohoAPI).

MCP tool server: zoho_mcp_server.py exposes lead operations as MCP tools.

CLI + LLM router: zoho_mcp_client.py turns a natural-language question into a specific MCP tool call and prints the result.

Sequence diagram

File-by-file

zoho_crm.py

ZohoAPI:

Refreshes access token using client_id, client_secret, refresh_token, redirect_uri against https://accounts.zoho.in/oauth/v2/token.

Adds Authorization: Zoho-oauthtoken to each request.

Helpers: get, post, patch, delete against https://www.zohoapis.in.

leads.py

UserAPI:

get_leads(lead_id=None): GET /crm/v2/Leads or /crm/v2/Leads/{id}; returns JSON string.

create_lead(lead_data): POST to /crm/v2/Leads with {"data":[...],"trigger":["workflow"]}; requires Last_Name.

update_lead(lead_id, updated_data): PATCH /crm/v2/Leads/{id}.

delete_lead(lead_id): DELETE /crm/v2/Leads/{id}.

search_lead_by_email(email): GET /crm/v2/Leads/search?email=...; returns {id} or {error}.

get_lead_by_name(name): GET /crm/v2/Leads/search?criteria=(First_Name:equals:n)or(Last_Name:equals:n)or(Full_Name:equals:n); returns data or {error}.

zoho_mcp_server.py

Loads env: ZOHO_CLIENT_ID, ZOHO_CLIENT_SECRET, ZOHO_REFRESH_TOKEN, ZOHO_REDIRECT_URI.

Constructs ZohoAPI and UserAPI.

Registers MCP tools:

get_leads()

get_lead_by_id(lead_id)

create_lead(fields)

update_lead(lead_id, fields)

delete_lead(lead_id)

get_lead_by_email(email)

get_lead_by_name(name)

Runs an MCP server (FastMCP("zoho-crm-server")).

zoho_mcp_client.py

Loads OPENAI_API_KEY and optional OPENAI_MODEL.

LLM router llm_route(question) coerces a natural query into:

operation ∈ {get_leads, get_lead_by_id, get_lead_by_email, create_lead, update_lead, delete_lead, get_lead_by_name}

arguments dict matching the MCP tool signature; normalizes field names.

Spawns the MCP server (same repo file) over stdio.

Calls the resolved MCP tool with arguments, prints the returned JSON text.

Environment and dependencies

Required env vars:

ZOHO_CLIENT_ID, ZOHO_CLIENT_SECRET, ZOHO_REFRESH_TOKEN, ZOHO_REDIRECT_URI

OPENAI_API_KEY (for client-side routing), optional OPENAI_MODEL (defaults to gpt-4o-mini)

Python deps used in code: requests, python-dotenv, openai, mcp (fastmcp/client stdio), and standard libs.

Example CLI usage

python .\zoho_mcp_client.py -q "list all leads"
python .\zoho_mcp_client.py -q "get lead 1234567890"
python .\zoho_mcp_client.py -q "create lead: last name=Karthick, company=Episyche, email=karthick@example.com"
python .\zoho_mcp_client.py -q "search lead named John Doe"

How to Build your own AI Agent for Zoho CRM to unlock your sales potential