Most integration platforms are designed exclusively for cloud-to-cloud connections, but many organisations still rely on on-premise software that runs on local servers rather than in the cloud. Zoho Flow addresses this through its on-premise integration capability, allowing you to create automated workflows that bridge your local applications with cloud-based services.

What Is On-Premise Integration?

On-premise integration refers to connecting software that is installed and runs within your own IT infrastructure (rather than being hosted in the cloud) to other systems, whether those are other on-premise apps or cloud-based services. Common examples include legacy ERP systems, local databases (such as MySQL or Microsoft SQL Server), and older CRM or accounting platforms that have not yet migrated to the cloud.

The On-Premise Agent

Zoho Flow provides a lightweight on-premise agent that you install on a server within your local network. This agent acts as a secure intermediary between your on-premise applications and the Zoho Flow cloud platform. It establishes an outbound connection to Zoho Flow, meaning you do not need to open inbound firewall ports, which keeps your network security intact.

Once the agent is running, Zoho Flow can communicate with the apps and databases on your local network through it, making those resources available as triggers and actions within your flows just as if they were cloud applications.

Setting Up the On-Premise Agent

1. Download the agent. In Zoho Flow, navigate to Settings and then On-Premise Apps. Download the agent installer appropriate for your server's operating system (Windows or Linux).
2. Install and configure. Run the installer on a server that has network access to the on-premise applications you want to connect. During setup, enter the agent token provided by Zoho Flow to register your agent with your Flow account.
3. Verify the connection. Once installed, return to Zoho Flow and confirm that the agent status shows as connected. The agent must be running for any flows that use on-premise connections to function.
4. Add on-premise connections. With the agent active, you can add connections to on-premise apps (such as a local MySQL database or a SOAP/REST API hosted on your intranet) from the Connections section in Zoho Flow.

Supported On-Premise Apps and Databases

Zoho Flow's on-premise integration supports a range of local systems, including relational databases such as MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and Oracle. It also supports SOAP-based web services and custom REST APIs running within your network. This means you can trigger a flow from a database event or write data back to a local system as part of a cloud-initiated workflow.

Security Considerations

All communication between the on-premise agent and Zoho Flow is encrypted using TLS. The agent initiates the connection outbound, so no inbound firewall rules are required. Data processed by on-premise flows passes through Zoho's infrastructure only transiently; Zoho Flow does not store your on-premise data beyond what is needed to complete the flow run.