Moodle ↔ Zoho CRM integration
If you sell training, you have the same problem twice: the sales team lives in the CRM and the learner lives in Moodle, and somewhere in between a person is copying data by hand. Connecting them properly removes that work and, more importantly, removes the errors nobody notices until a learner loses access.
I am one of the few people who know both sides well. Five years of Moodle, two of them at Moodle HQ, and daily Deluge work in Zoho CRM for Grupo IOE. That combination is exactly what this needs: a real integration cannot be solved from the CRM alone, nor from the LMS alone.
The proof is published: **local_ioe**, the plugin that centralises Grupo IOE web services, is in the portfolio with real screenshots. It exposes its own web services on Moodle's external API so the CRM can create users, enrol them, read progress and get back what it needs, with the validation and capability checks Moodle demands.
What usually gets automated: creating the learner when the deal closes, enrolling them in the purchased course or programme, suspending or unenrolling on non-payment, pushing progress and grades back so sales sees the real state without opening Moodle, issuing certificates and firing expiry reminders.
How I build it: Moodle REST web services with a per-integration token and minimum capabilities, Deluge functions in Zoho CRM triggered by workflow or by button, retries and a log of every call so a failure is visible instead of silently lost. No loose scripts in a cron nobody maintains.
The reverse direction is covered too: if what you need is Moodle asking the CRM (validate a licence, check payment status before granting access), the same architecture solves it from the other end.
Tell me what your team moves by hand between Moodle and the CRM today, and I will tell you what can be automated and at what effort.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a custom Moodle plugin cost?
Custom plugins start at €500. The final price depends on scope: number of screens, external API integrations, automated test requirements and the maintenance policy you want. You get a fixed-fee proposal within 24 hours of a brief or discovery call.
Do you work with Moodle 4 and Moodle 5?
Yes. I keep plugins compatible with both branches and plan migrations from 3.x to 4.x and from 4.x to 5.x. Audit-only migration reports are available if you just need the report.
Can you audit my Moodle and only deliver the report?
Yes. Audit-only engagements cover performance, security, plugins, accessibility, GDPR and a clear improvement plan, with no obligation to hire the implementation.
Do you work with clients outside Spain?
Yes. I invoice in EUR and USD, sign international contracts and work CET / GMT hours. I have shipped projects with clients in Colombia, Mexico, the United States and across the EU.
Will you sign an NDA?
By default yes. I can sign your standard NDA or supply a GDPR / LOPDGDD-compliant template.
Do you publish my plugin on moodle.org?
Only if you authorise it and the scope is generic (not specific to your organisation). When we do, it is explicit in the contract and you keep all brand and configuration rights.
How do you handle WCAG accessibility?
Every new plugin ships with a WCAG 2.1 level AA checklist covered: contrast, keyboard navigation, visible focus, alt text, HTML semantics, screen-reader compatibility and prefers-reduced-motion support.
Do you build custom CRMs or only configure existing ones?
Both. I build complete CRMs on Laravel when the sales process does not fit an off-the-shelf tool — your own funnel, versioned quotes, staged payments, invoicing and dashboards — and I also configure, automate and maintain market CRMs such as Zoho CRM. Before any code is written I tell you straight which of the two routes pays off for you.
Can you administer the CRM I already have?
Yes. Full administration: modules and fields, roles and fine-grained permissions, email templates, sales targets, automations and workflows (in Zoho CRM, with Deluge), integrations with your ERP, your Moodle or your payment gateway, and data migration with deduplication if you are coming from another system.
How much does a custom CRM cost, and how long does it take?
It depends on the real scope, which is why I never quote a number before your sales process has been mapped. What is fixed is the method: a short scope document you approve before any code is written, a fixed fee per functional block, and deliveries you can use from month one instead of waiting months for a big launch. No per-user licences: you pay for the build, not a fee that grows with your team.
Who owns the CRM code and the data?
You do. The code lives in your repository, the data on your server or the hosting you choose, and you get documentation and credentials so another team could take over if you ever decide to. No lock-in, no proprietary licences, no minimum term — exactly the same criterion I apply with Moodle.
Do you handle hosting and installation too?
Yes, if you want. I install and configure Moodle or your application on your server, in the cloud or in Docker, with HTTPS, automated backups, cron, queues and a sensible firewall. I can also just hand over the deployment documentation so your team or your provider sets it up. What I do not do is resell you hosting: you contract it directly and the credentials are yours.
Do you offer ongoing maintenance or only fixed projects?
Both. Some engagements are fixed-fee with a delivery date; others are a monthly block of hours covering version upgrades, security patches, incidents and small improvements. When I hand a project over I tell you straight whether it genuinely needs maintenance or whether it can sit quietly for a few months.
Do you work with SCORM, H5P and xAPI?
Yes. Moodle supports SCORM 1.2/2004, H5P (in core since 3.9) and xAPI out of the box, and I work with all three: importing existing packages, diagnosing content that fails to report grades or completion properly, building interactive content with H5P, and sending xAPI statements to an external LRS when you need analytics beyond Moodle.