From Data Silos to Self-Service Insights

The Challenge

Cannon Instrument Company's teams were drowning in data but starving for insights. Despite having rich ERP and CRM systems tracking everything from sales forecasts to inventory levels, getting answers required IT support for every question.

"Our teams were spending too much time fighting with systems instead of focusing on strategic goals," explains CFO Peter Clarke. "A simple question like 'What's our inventory turnover by product line?' could take days to answer."

The Solution

Working with Technology Coast Partners, Cannon implemented Fluent's AI Analytics platform—enabling anyone to query their business data in plain English, no technical skills required.

Now teams simply ask questions like:

• "Show me sales trends for Q4 by region"
• "Which customers haven't ordered in 90 days?"
• "Predict next quarter's cash flow"

Fluent instantly generates advanced SQL queries, creates visualizations, and delivers actionable insights.

Results in Action

• Instant Data Access: Sales reps now get customer insights in seconds, not days. Product managers analyze inventory trends without waiting for IT reports.
• Smarter Forecasting: Built-in AI models help Cannon predict sales patterns and optimize inventory levels, improving cash flow management.
• Team Empowerment: "We've seen a shift in mindset," Clarke notes. "Our teams are no longer hesitant about data—they're excited by what they can discover."

The Bottom Line

Cannon transformed from data-rich but insight-poor to a truly data-driven organization. Teams that once depended on IT for basic reports now confidently explore complex business questions independently.

"It's not about replacing people—it's about giving them the tools to make better decisions faster," Clarke concludes. "That's the real competitive advantage."