Fishbowl Reviews

Pros

Implementing Fishbowl has been easy, and it has been functioning smoothly thus far.

Cons

There is a lack of simple customization options for reports and other features.

Pros

The support provided by Fishbowl is helpful for the most part, adding value to the overall experience.

Cons

I haven't learned enough to provide a comprehensive evaluation. However, there are instances where the system does not allow certain actions once an order is closed, requiring backtracking on mistakes or missing information entered before my employment.

Pros

Fishbowl's ease of implementation and wide range of integration options make it a versatile tool for manufacturing needs. It gets the job done effectively.

Cons

The software integrates well with QuickBooks, but it's important to have someone on the team who is proficient with QuickBooks and understands account mapping. Fishbowl utilizes default accounts, which may not align with the setup in QuickBooks. Investing additional resources initially to ensure proper mapping is highly recommended. Additionally, it's important to consult Fishbowl's development team before pushing updates if custom plugins are in use to avoid surprises.

Pros

Fishbowl is a comprehensive program that caters to businesses, whether they are involved in manufacturing or not. The attention to detail in accurately tracking inventory is impressive. Although not yet implemented, it is evident that Fishbowl is well-equipped to handle the entire manufacturing process, from production to fulfillment. The competent and friendly support adds the final touch to the positive experience.

Cons

Fishbowl may be confusing for users transitioning from programs like QuickBooks, as there are certain aspects that may not make complete sense. The user interface can be overwhelming at first, leading to confusion and getting lost. The most frustrating aspect of Fishbowl is that the correct workflow is not always intuitive, considering the abundance of features, making it challenging to determine the optimal course of action in certain situations.

Pros

Fishbowl impressively tracks the inventory of products with multiple components, ensuring accuracy. Its user-friendly interface allows for seamless navigation between modules, thanks to convenient shortcuts.

Cons

During the demonstration, our views for this software was different. But we come to know that Fishbowl is not as customizable to our specific needs as expected. Currently, there is no report that provides the desired information when filtering products based on specific criteria. For example, if we want to know how many red products we have in stock and how many need to be coated red, there is no existing report that can provide this answer. Fishbowl allows filtering of individual products, but not groups of products.

Pros

Fishbowl serves as a one-stop shop for comprehensive inventory management needs.

Cons

Still in the process of exploring all the features, would like to gain a comprehensive understanding of its utilization.

Pros

The integration process was straightforward, allowing for easy training of staff on the software.

Cons

Some reports were lacking initially, but the Fishbowl team provided assistance in creating new custom reports.

Pros

Initially, the integration seemed easy, including integration with Salesforce. However, the lack of historical data availability is a drawback.

Cons

Many of our processes occur outside of our current ERP system, and Fishbowl cannot fully replace them. Transitioning from QuickBooks for accounting purposes with new customers, vendors, and parts becomes challenging due to the absence of historical identifiers. A seamless transition is not provided by Fishbowl in this regard.

Pros

The software's ease of use and intuitive interface make it accessible to new users from day one. Unlike other systems, such as SAP, the learning curve is significantly shorter, ensuring that the software is utilized effectively.

Cons

No issues to mention, the software fulfills our requirements effectively.

Pros

This software provides the necessary tools for efficient inventory management and maintenance.

Cons

Training is necessary due to the software's lack of intuitiveness.

Pros

The ease of setup and intuitive manufacturing process in Fishbowl require minimal training for new users. Once it is set up, new users can start working with little guidance.

Cons

The initial training provided by Fishbowl was satisfactory. However, as a startup, we believe that additional training time post-implementation would be valuable. Unfortunately, we experienced a lack of follow-up communication from Fishbowl, with no further calls, emails, or support to address any additional questions or concerns. Prompt and ongoing support is crucial when using software, and we felt this was lacking. Furthermore, we continue to encounter issues with the integration of Fishbowl with QuickBooks accounting, and we have not received adequate support from Fishbowl in resolving these issues. Overall, while the training was decent, we believe that consistent and proactive support is essential for a positive software experience.

Pros

Fishbowl offers a comprehensive and complete solution with the capacity for detailed drill-down analysis.

Cons

Customizing reports is difficult, and it is not possible to drill down from a part to its receptions, such as the purchase order it was bought on and when the last receipts occurred.

Pros

For our specific needs, Fishbowl fulfills our expectations perfectly. It helps us manage inventory with precision and simplifies order management.

Cons

Strengthening the notification system would be useful. It took some time to figure out the setup, but once configured, the notifications worked well.

Pros

Fishbowl stands out with its extensive features for inventory control and manufacturing, seamlessly integrating with QuickBooks. The recently improved Material Requirements Forecasting feature is a valuable addition for just-in-time purchasing. Customers under the support contract benefit from consistent product improvements at no additional cost.

Cons

The inventory module should integrate more seamlessly with other modules like purchasing and sales orders, eliminating the need for relying solely on reports. The availability of online documentation, especially for integration plugins and lesser-used features, is insufficient.

Pros

The ease of use and excellent customer service make Fishbowl a top choice.

Cons

It is not possible to make additions to a purchase order after it has been issued.

Pros

The user-friendly Fishbowl software is loved by us for its ease of use. The availability of step-by-step instructions and helpful videos ensures a guided experience. In case of any queries, prompt support is just an email away, providing quick assistance.

Cons

While Fishbowl offers multiple reports to choose from, there is room for improvement. It would be beneficial if some reports could include analysis of multiple products simultaneously. For instance, when searching for products sold on a specific day, the ability to select and view multiple products at once would greatly enhance usability. This enhancement would allow for a more efficient and comprehensive analysis, rather than examining products one at a time.

Pros

Fishbowl excels in inventory control, work orders, and managing Bill of Materials (BOMs).

Cons

Contacting someone by phone was challenging due to long wait times and dropped calls.

Pros

The seamless integration of Fishbowl's Inventory Management with popular platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Shopify allows for streamlined syncing. Having order processing capabilities under one roof adds to the ease of use for my staff.

Cons

The data migration process should involve more hands-on assistance from the Fishbowl team.

Pros

One of the standout features of this program is its versatility, allowing companies to accomplish various tasks, provided they have the knowledge to do so. Additionally, it has helped our company establish a more structured approach and standard procedures, whether intentional or not.

Cons

Our experience with Fishbowl has been disappointing given the significant investment we made of over $30,000. The program suffers from basic functionality issues, such as problems with scanning products, entering data, and synchronizing inventory with our online store. The kitting function, which initially attracted us, is fundamentally flawed and we have stopped using it altogether. These individual issues may not be critical, but their accumulation creates a software program that does not justify its cost. Another major concern is the frequent freezing of the program, leading to constant restarts, especially in the Checkout program used by our Sales team. This freezing issue has caused significant disruptions, including the loss of entire purchase orders. Additionally, the Checkout program itself is subpar and lacks improvement. Furthermore, Fishbowl does not integrate with any other POS programs suitable for basic retail applications, leaving us without alternatives. Overall, our experience with Fishbowl falls short of our expectations and does not meet the standards of a robust manufacturing software.

Pros

Unfortunately, this software has not contributed anything to make our jobs easier or more convenient. It lacks any notable features or improvements that positively impact our workflow.

Cons

I have numerous complaints about Fishbowl. It seems like a software that was initially developed with a great idea but was abandoned or left incomplete due to lack of interest or funding. While it may work for a few industries, it cannot be described as a robust manufacturing software.