The Story

CANNON Instrument Company, a mid-market leader in high-tech viscosity equipment, is undergoing a bold transformation to achieve its five-year growth plan. While their legacy of innovation includes decades as an Epicor Kinetic ERP customer and recent adoption of SugarCRM for sales automation, the heart of their journey lies in empowering their people with cutting-edge tools.

Partnering with Technology Coast Partners (TCP), CANNON integrated the Fluent Platform to unify ERP and CRM systems. Spearheaded by CFO Peter Clarke, the implementation included the Fluent Natural Language Query (NLQ) module, designed to give employees the freedom to access and analyze data intuitively—no IT support required.

“At its core, this project is about giving our teams the tools they need to do their best work,” says Clarke. “It’s not just about technology; it’s about making their day-to-day lives easier and helping them unlock their potential.”

Company Overview

Founded in 1938 by scientist Dr. Michael R. Cannon, the company’s pioneering Cannon-Fenske Routine Viscometer revolutionized viscosity measurement. Today, CANNON serves industries ranging from petroleum and polymers to food and beverages, delivering state-of-the-art instruments and customer-focused solutions.

CANNON’s team—spanning product managers, sales reps, and executives—works collaboratively with global partners. This people-first approach, combined with a commitment to quality, fuels their success in innovation and customer satisfaction.

The Challenge

Despite their expertise, CANNON faced challenges common to organizations navigating digital transformation:

• Disconnected Systems: Critical data was siloed, limiting collaboration and insights.
• Manual Workloads: Teams were burdened with time-consuming, repetitive tasks.
• Dependence on IT: Data analysis required constant IT support, slowing decision-making.

Clarke recognized the need for change:
“Our teams were spending too much time fighting with systems instead of focusing on strategic goals. We needed a solution that would put the power back in their hands.”

The Solution

CANNON collaborated with TCP to implement the Fluent Integration Platform and Fluent NLQ module. The focus wasn’t just on technology—it was on enabling people.

With this integration, teams now:

• Access Data Instantly: Natural language queries eliminate the need for technical expertise.
• Collaborate Seamlessly: Unified ERP and CRM systems foster better communication across departments.
• Focus on Strategy: Automation reduces repetitive tasks, freeing time for higher-value work.

This human-centric approach transforms how employees interact with data, empowering them to make smarter, faster decisions.

Key Benefits

• Empowering Teams: Employees—from sales reps to C-level executives—can now access the information they need, when they need it. Real-time insights enable autonomy and confidence in decision-making.
• Reducing Stress: By eliminating the reliance on IT for ad hoc reports, teams feel less pressure and more ownership of their work.
• Fostering Innovation: With routine tasks automated, employees have the bandwidth to think creatively and focus on strategic initiatives.
• Building Confidence in AI: Through hands-on training and collaboration, teams are learning how to use AI tools effectively, reducing fear and uncertainty around new technologies.

“We’ve seen a shift in mindset,” Clarke explains. “Our teams are no longer hesitant about AI—they’re excited by what they can achieve with it.”

The Integration Process

Over four to five months, TCP worked closely with CANNON to ensure a smooth implementation. Training sessions emphasized how to craft effective queries and use AI tools confidently.

“The process wasn’t just about plugging in a tool,” says Clarke. “It was about understanding how AI thinks and learning to communicate with it. That learning curve brought our teams together and strengthened their skills.”

The Future Outlook

As CANNON continues its journey, the focus remains on supporting its people. Over the next six months, employees will gain deeper familiarity with the Fluent NLQ platform, expanding its use across more departments.

Clarke envisions a future where AI enhances, rather than replaces, human expertise:
“AI isn’t about taking over—it’s about working alongside us, giving us the insights and tools we need to make better decisions. That’s the real value.”

Key Takeaways

1. Put People First: The success of any AI project lies in empowering employees to embrace and utilize the technology effectively.
2. Foster Collaboration: Work closely with teams to ensure the tools fit their needs and workflows.
3. Demystify AI: Provide training and support to help employees feel confident and capable using AI.
4. Focus on Enablement: Use technology to reduce stress, automate routine tasks, and create space for innovation.

By placing people at the center of its digital transformation, CANNON Instrument Company demonstrates that the greatest breakthroughs happen when technology and human potential align