The ERP Effect

Kiara Walker • August 24, 2022

ERP Effect on Small Businesses...

Often, we believe that ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning) are meant only for large-scale businesses. Enterprise is right there in the name; however, ERPs can also help small businesses.

In this edition of Fisher Findings, we focus on ERPs impact on small business and what that could mean for your organization. So, what is the point of an ERP?  Why is it critical to have this as part of your business?


ERP, or Enterprise Resource Planning refers to software designed to gather and organize daily business data through one system. They help manage a multitude of business aspects from planning (resources and financials), accounting, distribution, and everything in between.

Not So Small Challenges

For a small business, an ERP can be used as a management tool to handle internal inventory practices, and maintain employee productivity. ERPs can help organize core processes of a business into one system. Changes in business strategy grant small businesses access to resources in order to keep up with big enterprises. Without an ERP, small businesses can face many challenges.


What makes a business with no accounting software switch to a full-fledged ERP system? Typically, operations are spread across multiple programs instead of one central location, leading to a disconnect between front and back-end systems. Lack of communication between employees, inconsistency of information shared, and losing time focused on manual entry also contribute to a decline in company productivity without an ERP.

But what's the alternative to an ERP for small businesses? Some companies currently use singular accounting products like QuickBooks to manage sales, conduct payroll, or get ready for tax season. ERP systems allow you to manage all your company’s assets beyond finances.


Organizations might also consider manually revamping existing business processes and mitigating pain points in accounting, finance, and other departments before making the switch to an ERP. If your business is continually slowed down by broken or outdated processes that are causing inefficiencies and keeping your business from progressing, then it’s time to think about investing in an ERP system.


Timing is Everything



Because each business has their own set of processes and difficulties, it can vary on the right time to move toward an ERP. Typically, when you notice that challenges begin to accumulate into an inability to meet, or even streamline processes like eliminate purchasing errors and lowering operational costs.

Have you considered preemptively determining when your business should switch to an ERP before challenges begin to overwhelm daily processes or employee workflow? For example, if you find it hard to meet customer demands, ERPs can help  the manufacturing process by collecting data from accounting, order management, and sharing information amongst other departments.


Businesses that lack an ERP typically suffer from inefficient, outdated and costly operations. If a small business resonates with any of these challenges for a prolonged period of time- it’s time to start planning the next steps.


Here’s a few scenarios to consider when deciding when to get an ERP system:
• Your data isn’t organized and is spread between various systems that don’t talk to one another
• Your data is on excel spreadsheets and not backed up anywhere securely!
• Your business lacks flexibility or scalability to grow
• Struggling to manage inventory
• Limited customer base you can work with
• Spending more time fixing issues than being proactive about future business goals


Is an ERP best for all business types? 

Now that your business has decided that it's the right time to get an ERP, a small business should also assess if the ERP fits into their particular vertical.


Do you ever wonder where ERPs thrive the most? Manufacturing, healthcare, construction, real estate, and a few other sectors have the most traction when it comes to using ERP software in their respective industries. Because ERPs make business operations easier to maintain, modernizing business models and resources also become more manageable. It’s important to note that any organization that needs a management system would benefit from ERP software, including small businesses.


No business is too small for an ERP.


“Are you looking for an ERP integration solution to reduce the time and costs of bespoke development? Or are you looking to reduce employee administration and operational costs to drive company performance and revenue by extending the capabilities of your existing ERP software through application extensions?” - Penny Process

Remember, with an ERP you can add integration functionality even if your are a small businesses.


It's important to take into consideration specific business goals when deciding to move to an ERP. If you think your business is too small for an ERP, you might want to reconsider!


FACT:  About 75% of small businesses actually use ERPs for their business operations! ⑴


The Fisher Difference 

For small businesses, there’s many benefits to switching to an ERP. Fisher Technology can help connect you to partners that specialize in ERP's who can share the benefits, and what it would look like for  your day-to-day business operations. In addition once your ERP is in place (or even during the planning phases) we can work with you to define any automation and integration that will ultimately deliver the best solutions for your challenges.


An ERP integration solution allows you to reduce the time and cost of bespoke development. With BPA (Business Process Automation) Platform you can aim to reduce employee administration and operational costs to drive company performance and revenue. How? Simply extend the capabilities of your existing ERP software through application extensions such as WMS (Warehouse Management Systems), CRM (Customer Relations Management) or ECommerce.


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


Our next blog in the Fisher Findings series will focus on managing your supply chain, stay tuned for updates!


P.S. Are you following us on LinkedIn yet? That is the best way to stay connected with us on a daily basis! Like, comment and share all of our posts!

⑴ https://www.geniuserp.com/blog/why-small-businesses-need-an-erp-system

How BPA Platform Transforms Finance Teams into Revenue Drivers

By Nicole Laurier • September 8, 2025
Automation in finance plays an important role for an organization and is a key driver for moving the company forward. With the right automation tools, finance teams can directly impact the bottom line, accelerate cash flow, and unlock new growth opportunities. BPA Platform empowers finance professionals to transform from cost centers into profit generators, delivering measurable revenue impact across every financial process. From Cost Center to Revenue Engine: The Finance Transformation Traditional finance departments focus on expense management and compliance. But forward-thinking organizations are leveraging finance automation to drive revenue growth. BPA Platform enables this transformation by connecting financial processes directly to revenue outcomes, turning every automated workflow into a growth opportunity. When finance teams eliminate manual bottlenecks, they don't just save time—they accelerate revenue recognition, improve cash conversion cycles, and enable faster business decisions that capture market opportunities. This strategic shift positions finance as a competitive advantage and primary driver of company growth. Finance Automation with BPA Platform Cash flow is the lifeblood of revenue growth. BPA Platform's finance automation directly impacts your company's ability to generate and collect revenue by streamlining critical cash flow processes: Automated invoice generation reduces billing cycles from days to hours Intelligent payment routing accelerates customer payment processing Real-time payment tracking eliminates revenue recognition delays Automated dunning processes recover revenue faster from slow-paying customers Poor credit management doesn't just create bad debt—it destroys future revenue opportunities. BPA Platform's credit control automation protects revenue while enabling growth: Real-time monitoring identifies customers before they become collection problems Automated workflows prevent revenue leakage from account management gaps Integrated communication tools maintain sales relationships during collections BPA Platform transforms financial reporting from a backward-looking compliance exercise into a forward-looking revenue optimization tool: Real-Time Revenue Analytics Automated data consolidation provides instant revenue visibility Dynamic dashboards identify revenue trends as they happen Predictive analytics forecast revenue opportunities and risks Automated variance analysis highlights revenue optimization opportunities Strategic Decision Acceleration Automated reporting eliminates month-end delays that slow business decisions Real-time profitability analysis guides revenue-focused resource allocation Instant scenario modeling evaluates revenue impact of strategic options Core BPA Platform Solutions That Drive Revenue Journal Entry Automation: Revenue Recognition Acceleration Manual journal entries create dangerous delays in revenue recognition. BPA Platform's automated journal processing ensures revenue hits the books immediately when earned; eliminating month-end revenue recognition bottlenecks, enabling faster financial closes and more timely business decisions. Expense Management: Maximizing Profit Margins Every dollar saved in expense processing flows directly to profit margins. BPA Platform's expense automation doesn't just cut costs—it amplifies revenue impact. Expense savings from automation can be reinvested into revenue-generating activities, creating compound growth impact. Intercompany Management: Scaling Revenue Across Business Units Growing companies often struggle with intercompany transactions that slow revenue recognition and create compliance risks. BPA Platform enables seamless revenue flow across business entities eliminating intercompany transaction delays that prevent timely revenue recognition and business unit optimization. BPA Platform for Revenue-Driven Finance Transformation  The most successful companies don't just manage finances—they leverage finance automation to drive revenue growth. BPA Platform provides the tools, integrations, and insights needed to transform your finance team from a cost center into your company's most powerful revenue driver. Your digital transformation starts with one conversation—and the sooner it begins, the sooner you gain the competitive edge. Contact Fisher Technology to discover why organizations across North America trust us to deliver automation solutions that drive efficiency, agility, and growth.

BPA Platform: Bridging On-Premise and Cloud Systems Together

By Nicole Laurier • August 5, 2025
Organizations struggle with a fundamental challenge: their critical business data lives in two worlds. Essential systems remain on-premise for security and compliance reasons, while new cloud applications promise enhanced functionality and scalability. The result is often data silos, manual processes, and frustrated users who can't access the information they need when they need it. BPA Platform recognizes this reality and delivers what organizations actually need: a single integration and automation platform that works seamlessly across Cloud, On-Premises, or Hybrid environments without forcing businesses to choose just one deployment model. How BPA Platform Addresses Hybrid Integration Challenges Modern enterprises operate in a complex ecosystem where legacy on-premise systems must work harmoniously with cloud-based applications. This hybrid environment presents unique challenges including data synchronization, security concerns, varying communication protocols, and the need for real-time connectivity. Organizations require solutions that can maintain data integrity while enabling seamless workflows across both environments. BPA Platform addresses these challenges through: Tasks & Steps Framework - BPA platform provides the ability to build flexible automation processes with logical building blocks using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. Comprehensive Tool Library - BPA platform includes tools used to create steps within a task, providing functional building blocks that interface with common technologies, systems, and applications across cloud and on-premise environments. Secure Integration - BPA Platform integrates cloud-based, on-premises, or hybrid hosted business systems using end-to-end AES 256 security with double encryption to protect business data and transactions. This security-first approach ensures that sensitive data remains protected regardless of where it travels. Flexible System Architecture - BPA platform can be deployed on-premises or as an iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service). It uses client software to design tasks, a server for connectivity and processing, and a data store for data and tasks. Multi-Protocol and Format Support - BPA Platform empowers you to bring all your data workflows together, supporting a wide variety of file formats and protocols including XML, CSV, JSON, HTTP, SMTP, OAuth, and more to drive your business forward seamlessly across different systems and applications. This comprehensive protocol support ensures that virtually any system can be integrated without requiring costly custom development. For organizations looking to optimize their hybrid IT architecture, BPA Platform's cloud integration solutions offer a proven path to success, combining the reliability of on-premise systems with the scalability and innovation of cloud platforms. Benefits of BPA Platform BPA Platform delivers comprehensive integration value through key capabilities that address critical enterprise needs: Reduced Development Time and Costs - BPA Platform significantly reduces system integration development times and costs while supporting integration with any data source. The platform provides flexibility to maintain, configure, and adapt data synchronization as business requirements change. Universal Connectivity - Connect to any SaaS or on-premises application or system through an extensive library of pre-built connectors and business process automation tools. This eliminates integration limitations and reduces implementation time. Scalable Architecture - Multi-instance architecture ensures reliable performance with multiple integration processes running simultaneously. Enhanced fault tolerance maintains system stability and business continuity. Flexible Processing - Support for both real-time processing and batch data integration handles different business requirements within a single platform, from immediate data synchronization to large-volume reporting tasks. Enterprise Security - Powerful authentication, access control, and data encryption protect sensitive information throughout the integration process, ensuring compliance with regulatory and corporate security requirements. These benefits deliver immediate ROI through faster integration development, improved operational efficiency, and reduced maintenance overhead while positioning organizations for long-term integration success. Hybrid Integration Excellence with BPA Platform As organizations advance, the need for flexible, secure, and scalable integration solutions becomes increasingly critical. BPA Platform empowers businesses to achieve true hybrid integration, seamlessly connecting systems and applications across both cloud and on-premises environments. Designed to support a multilayered, enterprise-wide technology architecture, BPA Platform enables complete interoperability between your existing tools and future innovations. This not only solves today’s integration challenges but also provides a resilient foundation for growth, adaptability, and the adoption of emerging technologies. By choosing BPA Platform, organizations position themselves for long-term success — with the agility to support evolving business models and ever-changing market conditions. Ready to Transform Your Integration Strategy? For organizations looking to optimize their hybrid IT architecture, BPA Platform's comprehensive integration solutions offer a proven path to success, combining the reliability and control of on-premise systems with the scalability and innovation of cloud platforms. Whether you're supporting multiple applications across multi-cloud environments, enabling digital transformation initiatives, or ensuring compliance with industry regulations, BPA Platform delivers the secure, flexible connectivity your business needs to thrive.  Ready to discover how BPA Platform can transform your organization's integration capabilities? Contact Fisher Technology today; we can assess your current environment, understand your business objectives, and provide you with a clear roadmap to integration success!

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.