Sridhar Vembu Says Zoho Built Its Own Cloud, Now Offering Free Access to Students

Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu says the company built its own cloud infrastructure from its early years. The company chose this approach instead of depending on major providers like AWS and Google Cloud. Zoho developed core systems needed to run its cloud-based applications. These systems include databases, storage, computing, messaging, identity and search services. Vembu recently explained that Zoho built this infrastructure to support its growing software portfolio. The company later opened parts of this infrastructure to outside developers through Catalyst. Zoho initially created Catalyst to help developers extend its applications. The platform has now expanded beyond the wider Zoho ecosystem. Developers can use Catalyst to build and deploy their own applications. Zoho plans to invest further in the platform and expand its developer reach. The company also plans to make Catalyst free for students. This move aims to help students build projects without facing major infrastructure expenses.

Also Read : Swara Bhasker Criticises Padmaavat’s Jauhar Sequence, Questions Its Message About Women

Zoho Expands Its Homegrown Cloud

Vembu says Zoho continues to operate its services on infrastructure that it controls. He stated that the company develops its products in India and maintains its global headquarters in Chennai. Zoho also operates offices across more than 80 countries. According to Vembu, the company hosts Indian customer data within India. He previously mentioned data centres in Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai. He also said Zoho planned another facility in Odisha. The company operates more than 18 data centres globally. Zoho says it hosts customer information according to local requirements. Vembu also explained that Zoho uses company-owned hardware for its services. Its software frameworks work alongside open-source technologies such as Linux and PostgreSQL. He said Zoho does not host its main products on AWS or Microsoft Azure. However, the company may use some external cloud services for regional switching points. These systems can help improve network performance without storing customer data.

Zoho now wants Catalyst to support a wider developer community. The company plans to offer the platform without charges to students. This initiative could help learners experiment with software development and cloud deployment. Students can use the infrastructure while developing their academic or personal projects. The company wants developers to turn early ideas into working products. Vembu described this goal while discussing Zoho’s plans for Catalyst. The platform provides tools that can support application development and deployment. Zoho originally designed Catalyst around its own application ecosystem. The company now wants developers outside that ecosystem to use it as well. Free student access could reduce the cost barrier for beginners. It could also give students practical experience with cloud technologies. Zoho’s approach reflects its broader focus on developing infrastructure internally. The company continues to expand its cloud capabilities while opening selected tools to developers.

Also Read : From Farms to Factories: How AI Is Transforming India’s Food Supply Chain

Vembu Warns Developers About Excessive AI Dependence

Vembu has also raised concerns about how developers increasingly use artificial intelligence. He recently responded to a developer discussing AI-driven software development at work. The developer described workflows involving AI-generated specifications, code and tests. Vembu said companies should encourage engineers to use AI tools carefully. However, he warned developers against losing their understanding of the software. He believes engineers should remain familiar with the systems they create. Vembu compared the rapid adoption of AI to driving an unfamiliar car at high speed. He argued that developers may face problems if they rely too heavily on automated tools. AI can help engineers complete tasks faster and explore different solutions. However, Vembu emphasized that teams should continue reviewing and understanding generated code. His comments highlight a growing debate around AI-assisted software development. Companies now increasingly balance productivity gains with engineering knowledge and control.

Zoho’s cloud strategy combines internal infrastructure with broader developer access. The company built many of its core systems to support its own software products. It now wants developers to use some of those capabilities through Catalyst. Free access for students forms part of this wider developer strategy. The initiative could give learners more opportunities to build and deploy applications. At the same time, Zoho continues to maintain its own infrastructure across multiple locations. Vembu has repeatedly discussed the company’s focus on controlling its technology stack. He also continues to encourage engineers to use AI without surrendering technical understanding. These priorities show how Zoho approaches cloud services and software development. The company wants to expand access while maintaining control over its core infrastructure. Its student-focused Catalyst plan will give developers another way to gain practical experience. The company is expected to continue expanding the platform and its developer ecosystem.

Also Read : Swara Bhasker Criticises Padmaavat’s Jauhar Sequence, Questions Its Message About Women