Fishbowl

Manufacturing businesses face complex challenges in managing their inventory and production processes. From tracking raw materials to coordinating with multiple workstations, maintaining accuracy and efficiency is crucial for success. In this article, we'll explore Fishbowl's manufacturing capabilities, focusing on their Bill of Materials management, production scheduling, and cloud solutions. Through detailed analysis of their features and functionality, we'll examine how this software platform helps manufacturers of all sizes optimize their operations.

Fishbowl's Manufacturing Capabilities

Fishbowl's manufacturing capabilities significantly enhance production efficiency through automated tools and configurable workflows. The system's Bill of Materials (BOM) management supports both simple and multi-level BOMs, with detailed traceability capabilities for accurate production accounting.

Key features include:

• Automated capacity projections to optimize resource allocation

• Work order creation tools that integrate with manufacture orders for streamlined production management

• Production scheduling with real-time visibility into company operations

• Configurable workflows for raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP) items, and finished products

• Integration capabilities with QuickBooks and Xero for seamless financial recording

The system manages variable and configurable items with ease, allowing adjustments to specifications while maintaining production efficiency and consistency. Fishbowl's scalable platform enables businesses to start with basic BOMs and scale to complex configurations, accommodating growth from simple to advanced manufacturing needs.

Bill of Materials Management

Fishbowl's Bill of Materials (BOM) management system supports both simple and multi-level BOM structures for versatile production planning. The platform enables detailed instructions at each production stage through fully customizable BOM configurations. This functionality allows manufacturers to maintain accurate production data while scaling from basic to complex manufacturing processes.

The system tracks all components of a product, including raw materials, labor costs, and finished goods, with traceability capabilities for comprehensive accounting. According to Fishbowl's technical documentation, the BOM management feature creates and manages both simple and multi-level BOMs, providing essential support for both small business and enterprise-level manufacturers.

Key capabilities include:

• Real-time inventory tracking with multi-location management

• Reorder point management for automatic inventory updates

• Customizable approval processes for vendor management

• Automated workflows to streamline purchasing and accounting

• Kitting functionality for bundled product sales

• Point-of-sale integration for retail operations

The company's manufacturing software supports standard and alternate BOMs, allowing for flexibility in production scheduling and material requirements planning. Third-party integration capabilities enable seamless data sharing between Fishbowl's BOM system and various accounting platforms, including QuickBooks Online and Xero, ensuring accurate financial record-keeping throughout the manufacturing process.

Scalability and Integration

Fishbowl's software architecture enables businesses to scale their capabilities from basic inventory management to complex manufacturing operations. The system supports the gradual addition of subassemblies and configurable builds, helping companies adapt to changing production requirements.

The platform's integration capabilities span multiple enterprise systems, including QuickBooks and SolidWorks. This ecosystem supports comprehensive business operations, from financial record-keeping to product design and manufacturing execution. The software's third-party integration extends to Salesforce, providing a seamless workflow between sales management and manufacturing operations.

Fishbowl's scalable design allows users to start with fundamental inventory controls and expand to sophisticated manufacturing processes. This flexibility is supported by the company's robust feature set, which includes real-time visibility into operations, automated workflows, and comprehensive reporting tools. The system's modular approach enables businesses to implement capabilities as needed, from small business operations to enterprise-level manufacturing solutions.

Production and Work Order Management

Fishbowl's work order management system streamlines production processes through comprehensive tools that track and schedule manufacturing activities. The platform organizes work orders under manufacture orders, providing detailed visibility into production progress and enabling precise order management.

The company's solution supports reverse assembly, repair, and custom job tracking, with configurable workflows that allow businesses to assign pick locations, workstations, and staging environments. This functionality ensures that each production step is scheduled and completed on time, with real-time visibility into order status and customer management.

Fishbowl's manufacturing tools include automated capacity projections that optimize resource allocation and reduce bottlenecks. These features enable companies to maintain consistent production quality while managing variable and configurable items with ease. The system's scalable design allows businesses to start with basic production controls and expand to complex manufacturing processes as needed.

The platform's manufacturing capabilities include fully customizable bill of materials (BOM) management, material resource planning (MRP) functionality, and time tracking for labor costing. These tools help manufacturers track part needs, manage production progress, and ensure efficient resource allocation. The company's solution has earned recognition for its effectiveness in small businesses, as demonstrated by its G2 Leader status and SoftwareAdvice's Front Runner award in 2024.

Cloud Solutions

Fishbowl's cloud-based solution, Fishbowl Drive, revolutionizes inventory management through secure, accessible data storage and advanced feature sets. Enhanced with powerful security protocols, the platform safeguards critical business information while ensuring seamless remote access from anywhere. This cloud ecosystem empowers organizations with accurate order management and inventory control tools, crucial for modern manufacturing and warehousing operations.

The system's remote scanning capabilities significantly boost operational efficiency by allowing real-time tracking across multiple locations. Businesses can scan and verify inventory levels instantly, reducing manual errors and enhancing overall accuracy. These data collection tools integrate smoothly with existing workflows, requiring minimal additional effort from staff while delivering substantial operational benefits.

Fishbowl's cloud solution streamlines the shipping process through its ShipExpress plugin, which integrates directly with major carriers including FedEx, UPS, and USPS. This feature enables users to compare shipping rates, purchase labels, and manage delivery functions all within the Fishbowl platform. The integration simplifies logistics operations, saving time and reducing errors associated with manual shipping processes.

The company's comprehensive cloud offering supports both growing businesses and established enterprises, providing scalable growth capabilities to meet evolving needs. From small operations managing local inventory to large enterprises operating across multiple locations, Fishbowl's cloud platform delivers consistent performance and reliability through its robust infrastructure and proven feature set.