Head in the Clouds: Floating toward Cloud-based Solutions

Kiara Walker • July 11, 2022

Should I stay or should I go...

Within the ERP eco systems, a push toward cloud-based solutions from on-premise has been in recent time accelerated. Rapid growth and development from legacy and new systems are growing the number of available options for those looking to leverage a cloud infrastructure. But it leaves us to wonder- why now and what could it mean for your business processes going forward?


When you imagine cloud-based solutions, we don’t necessarily mean stratus or cumulus ones but instead a new way to manage solutions in real-time from any location around the globe, even a beach! Cloud based solutions refer to using a network of solutions connected to the internet and grants you the ability to access services from anywhere via the internet. Businesses are starting to step away from the hassle of dealing with on-premise solutions and on-site maintenance. With products like SAP S4 Hana and Sage Intacct, it is becoming increasingly popular to move toward cloud-based solutions for several reasons.


  • Cost 
  • Security 
  • Accessibility 
  • Reduced Risk 

“You know what's unique about Fisher Technology? Whether or not you decide to stay on-premise or explore the opportunities of a cloud-based solution, our experts will guide you through all options for your BPA Connections and help you figure out the best next steps” - Penny Process

Why the Switch?

As mentioned previously in an earlier blog, it is no secret that businesses are not too fond of dealing with on-premise issues and on-site server maintenance. After switching to the cloud, there are a far less tasks to worry about. While directly handling on-premise solutions may seem like an advantage, that's not always the case. Employees may end up spending more time on maintaining servers, updating software, or creating backups instead. Additionally, there may be certain system requirements needed for on-premise servers and, in all likelihood, need an IT services team to keep systems running at peak efficiency.


Thinking about switching to the cloud? It's important to advancing your business goals when determining which solution best fits your needs. Take time in exploring both the advantages and disadvantages of integrating. Here's a few key points to keep in mind:


Advantages Disadvantages
No need to use on-premise hardware and reserve server space Data limitations based on storage and cost availability
Access key information at anytime and anywhere Internet outages cuts access to your information
Ability to back-up data in regularly scheduled intervals Time consuming data recovery
Software updates and maintenance handled by the cloud provider Dependence on cloud provider
Cost can be low, spread evenly through a subscription-based model Discontinued support if a product successor is released


What do cloud-based solutions mean for you? 

It is important to address the elephant in the room…Yes, I’m looking at you, on-premise solutions. With the great migration to on-cloud, there becomes less of a roadmap for products like Sage 100 or 300 as well as SAP Business One, the predecessors to Intacct and S4 HANA.


Security and control play a factor in whether a company decides to switch from an on-premise solution to a cloud-based solution. In an on-premise environment, enterprises retain all their data and are fully in control of what happens to it, for better or worse. Companies in certain industries with extra privacy concerns are more likely to hesitate to leap into the cloud before others because of this reason.


In a cloud-based environment, the validity of ownership of data is one that many companies – and customers, tend to have doubts about. Unexpected errors or system outages can render your software unusable, meaning during that time you may not be able to reach valuable information and data.


Because the software does not often run on allocated hardware, this makes local hardware requirements significantly lower. Additionally, maintenance of the hardware and software is also carried out automatically by the cloud provider. Software updates are installed automatically. Those advantages significantly reduce the workload for the company's IT department (if they have a department at all, and they could choose to outsource IT entirely).

The Fisher Difference 

We challenge you to look at what a cloud based solution means for your day-to-day business operations. Can you avoid manual entry and avoid critical business errors by optimizing your workflow?


Regardless of whether you are using an on premise system or and in-cloud solution, the bottom line is that BPA Platform will fit perfectly into either environment. For existing customers, we want you to know that Fisher Technology is here to help you move toward a system that works for your business process. If you currently host an on-premise environment, we encourage you to see what your future may look like if you decide to stay with your existing configuration or explore the possibility of moving to a cloud-based solution. Whether it is ease of use or convenience, those using a cloud-based system should know that there are numerous features accessible to use through BPA Platform, we’re here to connect with you and demonstrate which ones best suits your needs in any environment of your choosing.


That is where BPA Platform comes in. More than just offering a piece of software, Fisher Technology provides unparalleled service, and consulting that not only gets your automation started, but optimizes and enhances your existing processes.


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Our Opinion on Ai: A Tool, Not a Magic Wand

By Nicole Laurier • June 26, 2025
It seems like everywhere you turn—from coffee shop conversations to boardroom meetings—artificial intelligence dominates the discussion. As someone who's spent years in the technology industry, I've watched this wave of Ai enthusiasm with both excitement and a healthy dose of realism. The AI Conversation Everyone's Having There's no denying that Ai has captured our collective imagination. Social media feeds are flooded with ChatGPT screenshots, businesses are scrambling to integrate AI solutions, and investors are throwing money at anything with "Ai-powered" in the pitch deck. The enthusiasm is infectious, and frankly, some of it is well-deserved. Working in technology, I've been hearing countless questions from colleagues and partners about how they can leverage Ai to transform their operations. The questions range from the practical "Can Ai help us automate our customer service?" to the almost magical "Can Ai solve all our efficiency problems?". This spectrum of expectations tells a story about where we are in the Ai adoption curve—somewhere between realistic optimism and unrealistic expectations. Ai's Real Role in Technology Here's the thing about Ai that I wish more people understood: it's incredibly powerful, but it's not omnipotent. In the technology industry, Ai serves as an amplifier of human capabilities, not a replacement for human judgment and creativity. The most successful Ai implementations I've observed across the industry have been those where Ai addresses specific, well-defined problems. For example, companies are using machine learning to optimize supply chain logistics, reducing waste and improving delivery times. Others are leveraging it to automate quality control processes, catching defects that might slip past human inspection. Many businesses are also deploying Ai-powered phone systems to handle initial customer inquiries and schedule meetings, eliminating the need for expensive answering services while freeing up employees to focus on higher-value client interactions. A Powerful Assistant, Not the Whole Team This brings me to my main point—Ai is an assistant. It’s sophisticated, intelligent, and powerful, but not a standalone solution. Too often, I see businesses approaching Ai as if it's the missing puzzle piece that will magically solve all their operational challenges. The reality is messier and more nuanced. Successful Ai implementation requires the same fundamentals as any other technology project: clear objectives, quality data, proper infrastructure, and ongoing maintenance. You need to understand your current processes before you can improve them with Ai. Most importantly, you need humans who understand both the technology and the business context to make Ai work effectively. Looking Forward Realistically As we continue to navigate this Ai revolution, I encourage business leaders to maintain a balanced perspective. Embrace the possibilities that Ai offers, but approach them with realistic expectations and solid planning. At Fisher Technology, we're excited about the future of Ai and its potential to drive innovation across industries. But we're equally committed to helping our clients understand that Ai's greatest value lies not in replacing human judgment, but in augmenting it.  The conversation about Ai will undoubtedly continue to evolve, and that's a good thing. As the technology matures and our understanding deepens, we'll find even more creative and effective ways to harness its power. Just remember: Ai is a powerful tool in our technological toolkit, but like any tool, its value lies in how skillfully and thoughtfully we use it.

Empowering Everyone through BPA Platform's Automation Tools

By Nicole Laurier • June 2, 2025
Automation has become essential for organizations seeking efficiency and competitive advantage. BPA (Business Process Automation) Platform provides powerful tools that streamline operations across departments, empowering employees at all levels to accomplish more with less manual effort. Warehouse Management Transformation Warehouse operations rely on precision, speed, and real-time visibility—BPA Platform delivers all three by seamlessly integrating with your existing warehouse management systems. By automating inventory tracking, order fulfillment, shipping notifications, and stock reconciliation, the platform eliminates tedious manual processes and reduces the risk of errors. Additionally, it can trigger automatic reordering when stock reaches critical thresholds, synchronize picking, packing, and shipping to cut down fulfillment time, and generate actionable performance analytics to identify bottlenecks before they disrupt operations. With BPA Platform, your warehouse team can focus on value-added tasks and exception handling, driving both efficiency and customer satisfaction. Support Ticket Resolution Acceleration BPA Platform empowers customer service teams by automating key aspects of support ticket management. Through intelligent routing based on predefined rules and content analysis, tickets are automatically assigned to the appropriate specialists, reducing response times and ensuring consistent, high-quality support. Issues are prioritized according to customizable business logic, while automated status updates keep customers informed every step of the way. The platform also integrates with knowledge bases to suggest solutions for common problems, enhancing both agent efficiency and customer satisfaction. With comprehensive performance reporting and pattern analysis, BPA Platform not only improves resolution times but also delivers the insights needed to continually refine support operations. CRM Enhancement for Deeper Relationships When integrated with CRM systems, BPA Platform empowers sales and marketing teams to build deeper, more personalized customer relationships. Automated data enrichment pulls insights from multiple touchpoints, creating comprehensive customer profiles and enabling precise segmentation. Timely alerts for follow-ups and renewals ensure sales teams never miss an opportunity, while intelligent lead scoring streamlines qualification efforts. Marketing campaigns benefit from behavior-triggered communication flows and synchronized data across departments, resulting in a unified customer view. The outcome: improved conversion rates, stronger forecasting, and more effective, personalized engagement at every stage of the customer journey. ERP Integration for Operational Excellence BPA Platform transforms fragmented ERP systems into a unified, agile ecosystem by seamlessly connecting data across departments like finance, HR, procurement, and production. By eliminating duplicate data entry and automating key workflows such as financial reconciliation, reporting, and approval routing, the platform reduces errors, improves compliance, and accelerates processes like financial close. With real-time data flowing between modules, leadership gains comprehensive visibility and actionable insights to drive smarter, faster decision-making. Transform Your Business Today with BPA Platform Don't let manual processes hold your business back any longer. Fisher Technology can help bring the full power of BPA Platform to your organization, customized to your unique processes and integration needs.  Contact us today for a personalized consultation and discover how our automation solutions can drive efficiency, reduce costs, and position your business for sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

The Power of iPaaS: Streamlining Business Integration

By Nicole Laurier • March 22, 2025
When your business uses different tools and softwares that don't communicate, critical information can get lost and workflows can break down. This blog explores how Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) solves this problem by connecting your essential business applications. We'll cover why iPaaS is the best choice to help businesses overcome common challenges, the key benefits of implementing an integration platform, and a look at BPA Platform's specific iPaaS capabilities. Keep on reading to discover how the right integration strategy can transform scattered data into a powerful, unified business resource. Why iPaaS? Data visibility across an organization is crucial for improving efficiency, seizing new opportunities, and identifying potential threats. In the past, businesses operated within a single system, but today, the vast array of available software has led different departments to adopt applications tailored to their specific needs. While these tools enhance departmental efficiency, they also contribute to data silos, where critical information is stored in separate locations. This fragmentation can disrupt sales and accounting processes, hinder collaboration, create inefficiencies, and increase the risk of data errors. Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) provides a cloud-based solution that seamlessly connects, automates, and manages applications, systems, and data across business environments. By replacing traditional middleware with a standardized approach, iPaaS delivers cost-effective integration capabilities. How does iPaaS work? iPaaS is a cloud integration platform that creates a centralized ecosystem for managing data workflows. The platform offers pre-built connectors and automation tools that seamlessly link applications, services, and databases. With iPaaS, businesses gain a unified view of their integration landscape, allowing them to control and modify data flows across their infrastructure. As organisations grow, iPaaS scales effortlessly; new systems and services can be connected without significant cost, and custom functionality can be implemented to meet evolving business needs. The Advantages of iPaaS Reduced costs: Saves costs by automating integrations, reducing manual processes, and improving operational efficiency, which minimizes IT expenses and resource allocation. Reduced resources: Reduce the amount of time and number of personnel concentrating on system integration and data migration. Improved scalability: Easily add new applications and tweak business processes as the business grows. Centralised management: Once central ecosystem to manage data, integrations, processes, and workflows. Improved decision making: With access to real-time data across an organisation, employees and management can make better decisions to help improve efficiencies. ROI: iPaaS can help businesses drive company revenue and go to market quicker. BPA Platform’s iPaaS Solution BPA Platform’s iPaaS tool capabilities include: Drag and drop integration between cloud-based and on-premises systems and applications so that system integration steps are visually represented within a wider automated process. Innovative transformation functions that can be dragged onto the mapping area to change the data between inputs and outputs. RESTful web service integration by removing the need for bespoke development. SOAP web services integration Support OData and SData services Transform Your Business Integration Strategy with iPaaS As businesses continue to navigate the complexities of digital transformation, iPaaS solutions stand out as essential tools for maintaining competitive advantage. By breaking down data silos and creating seamless connections between applications, iPaaS empowers organizations to harness the full potential of their data. The result is not just improved operational efficiency, but also enhanced agility to respond to market changes, better customer experiences through integrated data flows, and ultimately, accelerated business growth.  Ready to eliminate data silos in your business? Contact Fisher Technology today to learn more about how BPA Platform's powerful iPaaS capabilities can transform your integration challenges into competitive advantages. Don't let disconnected data hold your business back!