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Fishbowl
by Fishbowl
by Fishbowl
Profile Information Last updated on: 1 July 2024
Profile Information Last updated on: 1 July 2024
We help make selecting a software for your business effortless, economical and efficient.
by Fishbowl
by Fishbowl
Profile Information Last updated on: 1 July 2024
Profile Information Last updated on: 1 July 2024
The source primarily discusses user experiences and the benefits of using the Fishbowl app for professional networking and support, such as discovering pay disparities, connecting with peers in similar situations, and obtaining honest insights about company cultures.
Yes, Fishbowl software can be extensively customized to fit specific business needs. Here are several data points highlighting the customization capabilities:
Custom Fields
- Custom Fields: Fishbowl allows the creation of custom fields in almost every module. These fields can store various types of data, such as text, dates, money amounts, quantities, and lists. This flexibility enables businesses to track specific information relevant to their operations.
User Rights and Dashboards
- User Rights: Administrators can define user rights, giving different levels of access and control to various users based on their roles within the company.
- Customized Dashboards: Each user can have a customized dashboard that displays the most relevant information for their role, such as pending orders and specific reports.
Reports and Tables
- Custom Reports: Fishbowl supports the creation of custom reports using tools like iReport. These reports can be tailored to meet specific business requirements and can be scheduled to generate automatically.
- Customizable Tables: Tables within Fishbowl can be customized by adjusting column headers and sort orders to display the most relevant data for users.
Integration and Automation
- Integration with Other Software: Fishbowl integrates seamlessly with accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero, as well as e-commerce platforms and shipping solutions. This integration helps in automating data flow and reducing manual entry errors.
- Automation Tools: Fishbowl offers automation features such as barcode scanning, automatic stock replenishment, and workflow automation to streamline operations and reduce human error.
Manufacturing and Inventory Management
- Manufacturing Customization: Fishbowl Manufacturing includes features like material requirements planning (MRP), shop floor control, and quality management. These features can be customized to fit the specific needs of different manufacturing processes.
- Inventory Management: Advanced inventory management capabilities allow businesses to track inventory across multiple locations, manage work orders, and optimize stock levels.
User Interface and Modules
- Customizable User Interface: The user interface can be tailored to make navigation easier and more intuitive. This includes saving specific layouts, automating certain actions, and auto-loading frequently used modules.
- Modular Design: Fishbowl's modular design allows businesses to split operations among different departments or users, ensuring that each part of the process is managed efficiently.
Training and Support
- Onsite Implementation and Training: Fishbowl provides onsite implementation and training to ensure that the software is set up according to the specific needs of the business. This includes customizing the setup and training staff on how to use the software effectively.
Examples of Customization
- Industry-Specific Customization: For example, a car business can create custom fields to track the model, year, and color of vehicles, and use advanced search features to quickly find specific cars.
- Custom Labels and Forms: Businesses can create custom labels and forms to meet specific regulatory requirements or to improve internal processes.
Fishbowl software involves several additional costs beyond the initial purchase price. These costs include setup fees, maintenance, and support charges. Here are the details:
Setup Fees
- Implementation Package: Fishbowl requires an implementation package as part of the purchase. This package is tailored to the specific operational needs of the business and has a one-time cost.
- Setup Fees for Integration: For example, integrating Fishbowl with Web Shop Manager involves a setup fee of $1,500, which includes 2 API keys.
Maintenance and Support Costs
- Annual Renewal Fees: After the first year, users need to renew their licenses to continue receiving software updates, bug fixes, and additional features. The renewal costs range from $1,395 to $7,295 for Fishbowl Warehouse and $1,995 to $9,795 for Fishbowl Manufacturing.
- Support Packages: Fishbowl offers support packages that include phone support, email support, and access to training videos and documents. These packages are available on a subscription basis after the initial 12-month period.
- Maintenance Costs: For cloud-hosted solutions, there are no additional maintenance costs as the hosting provider handles all maintenance.
Training and Customization Costs
- On-site Training: On-site training and implementation services are available, and any changes or cancellations to travel arrangements for these services may incur additional costs. For example, canceling or altering travel arrangements can cost $500 to $1,000.
- Customization Costs: Customization of the software to fit specific business needs may involve additional charges. For instance, creating custom reports or integrating with other systems might require professional services, which are billed separately.
Subscription and Licensing Costs
- Monthly Subscription: Fishbowl offers a monthly subscription model starting at $329 per month, which can be beneficial for businesses preferring a pay-as-you-go approach.
- Additional User Licenses: Adding more users to the system incurs additional costs. For example, each additional user for Fishbowl Time costs $2 per user per month.
Other Costs
- Pro-rated Charges: If additional licenses are purchased before the renewal of the service subscription, a pro-rated amount may be charged for the period between the purchase date and the renewal date.
- Transaction Fees: Payments made via bank or wire transfer may incur a fixed transaction fee at the discretion of Fishbowl.
Fishbowl offers several training and support options to help new users get up and running with their software effectively. Here are the key training and support resources provided by Fishbowl:
Training Options
1. Training Videos: Fishbowl has an extensive library of training videos covering various topics such as setup, sales, purchasing, manufacturing, transfer orders, integrations, and tips and tricks. These videos are available on their website and serve as a great starting point for self-guided learning.
2. On-Site Training: For businesses that want comprehensive and customized training, Fishbowl offers on-site training packages. Their experts visit the customer's premises, learn about their processes, and provide tailored training sessions for the entire team or specific individuals. Different packages are available based on the business size and requirements.
3. Online Training: Fishbowl also provides online training sessions, which are suitable for single team members who have had prior on-site training and need to revisit specific processes or learn about new features.
4. Self-Service Training Portal: Fishbowl has a self-service training portal with hundreds of how-to videos organized into role-specific tracks. This allows users to learn the features most relevant to their roles.
Support Options
1. Phone Support: Fishbowl offers phone support during business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM Central Time). Users can call a dedicated support number to get assistance from Fishbowl experts.
2. Email Support: Users can email their questions to a support email address, which is suitable for non-urgent issues that can be explained in writing with screenshots.
3. Live Chat Support: Fishbowl's website has a live chat option where users can chat with support specialists for quick questions or to get directed to appropriate resources.
4. Knowledge Base and Documentation: Fishbowl maintains a comprehensive knowledge base and documentation to help users troubleshoot issues and learn about the software's features.
5. Community Forums: Fishbowl has community forums where users can ask questions, share experiences, and learn best practices from other users.
6. Professional Services: For more complex requirements or customizations, Fishbowl offers professional services where experienced consultants work with businesses to implement and optimize the software according to their specific needs.
Fishbowl emphasizes providing comprehensive training and support resources to ensure that users can effectively utilize the software's capabilities and maximize their return on investment. The combination of self-service resources, dedicated support channels, and professional services allows businesses to choose the training and support options that best fit their requirements.
Fishbowl employs a variety of security measures to protect user data, ensuring both data integrity and compliance with relevant regulations. Here are the key security measures in place:
Data Encryption
- Encryption in Transit and at Rest: Fishbowl uses SSL/TLS protocols to encrypt data in transit and industry-standard encryption algorithms to encrypt data at rest. This ensures that sensitive information is protected from unauthorized access during transmission and storage.
Access Controls
- Role-Based Access Control: Fishbowl establishes role-based user accounts with strong passwords and two-factor authentication to ensure that only authorized personnel can view or modify inventory records.
- Strict Access Controls: Access to participant data is restricted to authorized personnel only, with strict access controls in place to prevent unauthorized access.
Regular Security Testing
- Vulnerability Scans and Penetration Tests: Regular vulnerability scans and penetration tests are performed to identify and address any weaknesses that could be exploited by malicious actors.
Audit Logging and Monitoring
- Audit Logging Tools: Fishbowl tracks all changes made within the system using audit logging tools, which helps in identifying any suspicious activity or potential security threats. Reporting features are also used to monitor user activity for compliance purposes.
- Automated Notification Systems: Fishbowl uses automated notification systems, such as PaperTrail and Slack, to respond quickly to crashes and other issues on the Fishbowl web platform.
Data Backup and Recovery
- Regular Backups: Fishbowl performs regular backups of the database to ensure data can be restored in case of data loss or corruption. Backup data is stored in secure locations, such as Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and Frankfurt (Germany).
Compliance with Regulations
- GDPR and POPI Compliance: Fishbowl processes personal data in accordance with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act of South Africa. This includes taking precautions to protect user information from loss, misuse, and unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction.
- PCI Compliance: Fishbowl ensures that its systems comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), which includes not storing credit card numbers or security codes on its servers.
Secure Development Practices
- Secure Development Process: Fishbowl maintains a secure development process to ensure that software and systems are designed with security in mind from the outset. This includes independent audits for secure data protection.
Third-Party Software and Services
- Use of Trusted Third-Party Services: Fishbowl uses third-party software, such as Firebase Crashlytics, to handle app crashes and improve service reliability. These third-party services are carefully selected to ensure they meet Fishbowl’s security standards.
Data Anonymization and Aggregation
- Non-Personal Data Collection: Fishbowl collects non-personal log information for monitoring, debugging, and improving the service. This data is anonymized and aggregated to ensure user privacy.
Physical Security
- Secure Data Centers: Fishbowl’s data is stored in secure data centers with robust physical security measures to prevent unauthorized access.
These comprehensive security measures help ensure that Fishbowl can protect user data effectively, maintain compliance with relevant regulations, and provide a secure environment for its users.
Fishbowl releases updates on a regular basis, typically once a month. These updates include new features, improvements, and bug fixes to ensure the software remains up-to-date and functional. Here are the key points regarding the frequency and management of Fishbowl updates:
Frequency of Updates
- Monthly Updates: Fishbowl typically releases updated versions of its software once a month. These updates include new features, improvements, and bug fixes.
Management of Updates
- Automatic Notifications: Users are notified when a new update is available. This ensures that they are aware of the latest features and improvements that can enhance their use of the software.
- Update Process: The update process is straightforward and can be initiated through the Fishbowl software interface. Detailed instructions for updating Fishbowl to the latest version are provided in the support documentation.
- Release Notes: Fishbowl provides detailed release notes for each update. These notes outline the changes, new features, and bug fixes included in the update, helping users understand what has been improved or added.
- Support for Older Versions: Release notes for older versions are also available, allowing users to track the history of changes and updates over time.
Additional Considerations
- Continuous Improvement: Fishbowl emphasizes continuous improvement, regularly evaluating the software's performance and gathering feedback from users to identify areas for enhancement.
- Compatibility: Updates are designed to be compatible with existing systems and integrations, ensuring that users can seamlessly incorporate new features without disrupting their operations.
Fishbowl's policy on data ownership and portability is outlined in several of their legal and privacy documents. Here are the key points:
Data Ownership
- Client Data Ownership: Fishbowl acknowledges that clients retain ownership of their data. This includes any data, code, software, customer information, content, notes, and other materials provided to Fishbowl by the client.
- User Content: Users retain ownership of all content they upload to the Fishbowl platform. This includes any personal data or other information that users submit.
Data Portability
- Right to Data Portability: Fishbowl provides users with the right to data portability. This means that users can request Fishbowl to send the personal data they hold about the user to another entity or service.
- Data Transfer: Fishbowl may transfer personal data across state and country borders for purposes such as data consolidation, storage, and simplified customer information management.
Data Access and Control
- Access by Fishbowl: Fishbowl may access client data for limited purposes, such as maintenance, support, and training services. This access is typically requested by the client and is subject to strict controls to ensure data security.
- User Rights: Users have the right to access their data and request corrections or deletions as needed. Fishbowl's privacy policies outline the procedures for users to exercise these rights.
Legal and Compliance
- Compliance with Laws: Fishbowl complies with relevant data protection laws and regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). This compliance includes providing users with rights related to data access, correction, deletion, and portability.
Data Security
- Security Measures: Fishbowl employs robust security measures to protect client data, including encryption, access controls, and regular security audits. These measures help ensure that data is secure during storage and transfer.
However, Fishbowl's offerings, here are some relevant points about scaling their solutions:
1. Fishbowl offers different product editions tailored for different business sizes - Fishbowl Drive for smaller businesses and Fishbowl Advanced for larger enterprises. This allows companies to choose the appropriate edition based on their current scale and requirements.
2. The software licensing model is typically perpetual/one-time purchase rather than subscription-based. This means companies can continue using the same software version even if their needs change, without having to immediately upgrade or downgrade licenses.
3. Fishbowl allows adding more user licenses as the organization grows and requires more concurrent users of the system.
4. The sources mention that Fishbowl's solutions are designed to be scalable to support business growth in areas like increased order volumes, more complex inventory needs, and a larger workforce.
5. Companies can potentially upgrade to a higher Fishbowl edition (e.g. from Drive to Advanced) if their requirements expand significantly over time and they need access to more advanced features.
6. Fishbowl emphasizes the importance of reviewing and adjusting the software setup regularly to ensure it aligns with evolving business needs for scalability.
While specific contractual terms are not provided, Fishbowl seems to offer flexibility in scaling user licenses and potentially upgrading product editions to accommodate changing organizational requirements over time. However, the sources do not explicitly mention downgrading options if a company needs to reduce its Fishbowl capabilities.
Fishbowl's terms and conditions for contract renewal and cancellation are detailed in their legal documents and support guidelines. Here are the key points:
Contract Renewal
1. Automatic Renewal: Fishbowl's subscription terms typically include automatic renewal clauses. Unless otherwise specified in the Order Form, the Subscription Term will automatically renew for successive terms equal to the initial Subscription Term specified in the Order Form.
2. Renewal Notification: Fishbowl will notify customers 60 days prior to the end of the initial term or any renewal term for perpetually licensed software. This notification allows customers to decide whether to renew their support and maintenance contracts.
3. Renewal Fees: The fees for renewal are generally specified in the Order Form. Customers are required to pay the renewal fees within 30 days from the invoice date to continue receiving support and updates.
4. Support Package Renewal: At the expiration of the initial 12-month period, customers may purchase a support package on a subscription basis or a subscription license for the then-current software products, which will include Fishbowl's standard support.
Contract Cancellation
1. Cancellation Notice: Customers must provide written notice of their intent to cancel the subscription. The specific notice period required for cancellation is typically outlined in the Order Form or the subscription agreement.
2. Termination for Convenience: Fishbowl allows customers to terminate the agreement for convenience, but this may be subject to certain conditions and fees as specified in the contract.
3. Termination for Cause: Either party may terminate the agreement for cause if the other party materially breaches the terms and fails to cure the breach within a specified period (usually 30 days) after receiving written notice of the breach.
4. Effect of Termination: Upon termination, the customer's right to use the software and receive support services ceases immediately. Fishbowl may also require the customer to return or destroy any copies of the software and related documentation.
5. Refunds: Fishbowl's terms generally do not provide for refunds of any fees paid prior to termination. However, specific terms regarding refunds, if any, would be detailed in the Order Form or the subscription agreement.
Exclusions and Limitations
1. Support Exclusions: Fishbowl's support and updates services do not include support for hardware, operating systems, networks, or third-party software. Support is only provided for the current release of a major version of the software products.
2. Modification and Misuse: Fishbowl is not responsible for providing support if the software has been modified by someone other than Fishbowl, if the customer changes its operating system or environment in a way that adversely affects the software, or if the software is used in a manner not authorized under the agreement.
Additional Considerations
1. Usage Limits: The subscription terms may include usage limits, such as concurrent or named user restrictions, which are specified in the Order Form.
2. Changes to Order Form: Any changes to an Order Form must be mutually agreed upon by the parties in writing and may require a change in fees.
3. Compliance with Laws: Fishbowl complies with relevant data protection laws and regulations, and customers are required to use the software in accordance with these laws.
Fishbowl software meets several compliance standards to ensure data security and regulatory adherence. Here are the key compliance standards that Fishbowl adheres to:
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- GDPR Compliance: Fishbowl processes personal data in accordance with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This includes taking precautions to protect user information from loss, misuse, and unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction.
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
- CCPA Compliance: Fishbowl secures Personally Identifiable Information (PII) based on CCPA standards. This ensures that the data of California residents is handled in compliance with state regulations.
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
- PCI DSS Compliance: Fishbowl ensures that its systems comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). This includes not storing credit card numbers or security codes on its servers and ensuring secure payment processing.
SOC 1 Type II and SOC 2 Type II
- SOC Certifications: Fishbowl Hosted Services is SOC 1 Type II and SOC 2 Type II certified. These certifications indicate that Fishbowl has implemented stringent controls to protect data and ensure the integrity and security of its services.
Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act
- POPI Act Compliance: Fishbowl processes personal data in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act of South Africa, ensuring that user data is protected and handled responsibly.
Additional Security Measures
- Data Privacy Agreements (DPAs): Where applicable, Fishbowl maintains Data Privacy Agreements (DPAs) with integration partners to ensure that data shared with third parties is protected and handled in compliance with relevant regulations.
- Regular Security Audits: Fishbowl contracts out twice-per-year security audits, including white-hat penetration tests, to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
These compliance standards demonstrate Fishbowl's commitment to data security and regulatory adherence, providing users with confidence that their data is handled securely and in accordance with relevant laws and standards.
By Fishbowl