How to Back Up Fishbowl Inventory (and Restore It)
how backup fishbowl inventory software
Also searched as
- fishbowl backup database
- fishbowl restore backup
- fishbowl inventory and quickbooks online
- fishbowl training method
Short answer
Fishbowl stores everything in a MySQL database on the Fishbowl server, so a backup means copying that database plus your attachments and custom reports. Use Fishbowl's built-in backup for a quick copy, schedule it, add a mysqldump or file-level backup for redundancy, copy the result offsite and test a restore regularly.
Applies to: Fishbowl Advanced and Fishbowl Drive on-prem; hosted customers should ask Fishbowl or their host what is included. Menu names vary by version.
Set up a reliable backup
- 1Log in to Fishbowl as an admin and find the backup option in the server/administration menu for your version.
- 2Run a manual backup and note the folder it writes to. Confirm the file size is sensible.
- 3Schedule recurring backups, daily at minimum, outside working hours.
- 4Include attachments, images, custom reports and the Fishbowl configuration files by backing up the Fishbowl application folder as well.
- 5Copy backups to a different machine or cloud storage, not just another folder on the same disk.
- 6Optionally add a mysqldump with the single-transaction option for a second, independent copy.
- 7Keep several generations (for example daily for two weeks and monthly for a year).
- 8Test a restore on a spare machine at least quarterly and record how long it took.
Built-in backup versus database dump
The built-in backup is the simplest option and is what Fishbowl support will expect to see. It is good for routine protection and before upgrades.
A mysqldump gives you a plain SQL file that you can load into any MySQL compatible server. It is useful for audits and migrations. Use the credentials your administrator holds and connect to the Fishbowl MySQL port, which is commonly set to a non-default value by the installer.
mysqldump --single-transaction -u <user> -p -P <fishbowl-mysql-port> <database> > fishbowl-backup.sql
Restore and test
Restore to a test machine with the same Fishbowl version first. A restore that works on an unrelated version may not start, because the schema is versioned.
Time it. When the server fails you want to know whether recovery is thirty minutes or half a day. If it is too slow, keep a warm standby.
QuickBooks Online in the picture
Fishbowl pushes accounting transactions to QuickBooks Online, but QuickBooks is not a backup of your inventory. Restoring Fishbowl to an earlier date does not roll back what was already posted to QuickBooks.
After a restore, check the last sync date and review postings so you do not duplicate or miss entries. See the QuickBooks integration page for mapping and errors.
Try it here, free
Backup Restore Test Log Worksheet
Record each restore test, compare restore time to the target and see which systems miss their RTO.
Common pitfalls
- !Backups stored only on the same disk as the database.
- !Never testing a restore.
- !Forgetting attachments and custom reports.
- !Restoring to a different Fishbowl version.
- !Restoring and then re-syncing to QuickBooks without checking for duplicates.
How an ERP-grounded AI assistant handles this
Backup is an operational job, not an AI one. Once data is safe, a private assistant over the Fishbowl database can answer inventory questions in plain language without sending data to a public service.
Frequently asked questions
How do I back up Fishbowl?
Use the built-in backup from the admin menu, schedule it daily, and copy the files offsite. Add a MySQL dump and a copy of the application folder for attachments and reports.
Where does Fishbowl store its data?
In a MySQL database on the Fishbowl server. Attachments and some configuration live in the Fishbowl folder on disk.
How often should I back up Fishbowl?
At least daily, with extra backups before upgrades and large imports. Test a restore at least quarterly.
Does QuickBooks Online back up Fishbowl?
No. QuickBooks holds posted accounting entries, not your inventory, orders or settings.
Related
Fix Fishbowl Error: MySQL Server Has Gone Away
This error means the Fishbowl Server lost its connection to the underlying MySQL database, usually because a session sat idle past MySQL's wait_timeout, MySQL itself restarted, or a large import or report exceeded max_allowed_packet. Raise the relevant MySQL timeout and packet settings, confirm the MySQL service is actually running, and restart both MySQL and the Fishbowl Server service.
How-toFishbowl SQL Query for Inventory by Location
Fishbowl stores physical inventory as rows in the tag table, one per part per location per tracking combination. Join tag to part and location, group by part and location, and sum quantity to get on hand by location. Run it read-only through Fishbowl's reporting module or a read-only MySQL user, and verify column names against your version.
How-toFishbowl Inventory and QuickBooks Integration: Setup, Mapping and Sync Errors
Fishbowl runs inventory, orders and manufacturing, and posts the accounting results to QuickBooks. Inventory quantities stay in Fishbowl; QuickBooks receives journal-style postings and documents mapped to its accounts. Most sync errors come from account mapping, missing customers or vendors, closed periods or mismatched names.
How-toHow to Create a Generic Inquiry in Acumatica
Generic Inquiries (GI) are Acumatica's no-code query builder for joining tables, adding filters, and exposing the result as an inquiry screen, dashboard data source, or API endpoint. Open System > Customization > Generic Inquiry, add your base table, define joins and conditions, then run and save. No SQL or customization project is required.
Error fixFix Odoo AccessError: You Are Not Allowed to Access Records
Odoo raises AccessError when a user's security groups do not grant a CRUD right on a model through ir.model.access.csv, or when an ir.rule record rule filters the specific record out for that user or company. Fix it by adding the user to the group named in the error, editing the model's access rights, or reviewing the record rule's domain under Settings > Technical > Security.
How-toHow to Void a Check in Sage 100
Sage 100 voids checks through Accounts Payable > Main > Check and Payment Voiding. Select the bank code, choose the check number, and Sage reverses the Cash Disbursements Journal entry and reopens the invoice it paid. A check that already cleared in Bank Reconciliation or falls in a closed period needs an extra step before it can be voided cleanly.
AI for ERPAI for Fishbowl Manufacturing and Warehouse
Fishbowl on-premise API for custom integrations: socket API, REST API and read-only replica options, plus private AI that leaves the QuickBooks sync alone.
Stuck on Fishbowl Inventory?
Talk to engineers who work inside Fishbowl Inventory every week, and who build private AI that answers these questions from your own ERP data.
Keep exploring
Free tools
- Backup Restore Test Log WorksheetRecord each restore test, compare restore time to the target and see which systems miss their RTO.
- ERP Database Backup and Restore Time (RTO and RPO) CalculatorEstimate backup size, restore time (RTO) and worst-case data loss (RPO) for an ERP database from full, differential and log backups.
- Fishbowl Inventory Import WorksheetAn editable opening-inventory worksheet with part, location, quantity and cost columns and a valuation total to reconcile before importing into Fishbowl.
ERP fixes and how-tos
- Fishbowl Inventory and QuickBooks Integration: Setup, Mapping and Sync ErrorsSet up and troubleshoot the Fishbowl and QuickBooks integration: how posting works, account mapping, common sync errors, and checks for accountants.
- How to Back Up the JobBOSS DatabaseBack up and restore the JobBOSS SQL Server database: scheduled full and log backups, verification, SQL Express options and pre-upgrade snapshots.
- Fishbowl Inventory Release Notes, Updates and Upgrade ChecklistWhere to find Fishbowl Inventory release notes, how version updates work for the server and clients, and a safe upgrade checklist for admins before updating.
Guides
- How to Set Up Database Backup Automation in SyteLineAutomate SyteLine database backups with SQL Server maintenance plans, transaction log management, and disaster recovery procedures for Infor CloudSuite Industrial.
- SyteLine Database Backup and Recovery StrategyPlan database backup and disaster recovery for Infor SyteLine SQL Server environments. Configure full, differential, and transaction log backup strategies.
- ERP Database Maintenance Plan Best PracticesBuild a comprehensive ERP database maintenance plan covering backup strategies, integrity checks, index optimization, statistics updates, and job scheduling.
AI on your ERP
- AI for Fishbowl Manufacturing and WarehouseFishbowl on-premise API for custom integrations: socket API, REST API and read-only replica options, plus private AI that leaves the QuickBooks sync alone.
- AI for QuickBooks Enterprise, Built for Small ManufacturersAdd AI to QuickBooks Enterprise Manufacturing and Wholesale without sending books to the cloud. Private LLMs grounded in your QODBC or SDK data.
Integrations
- How to add AI agents to FishbowlHow to add AI agents to Fishbowl: a tool layer over the Fishbowl REST API and MySQL read replica, with human approval before any purchase order or work order write.
- How to build an MCP server for FishbowlHow to build a Model Context Protocol server for Fishbowl: which read-only tools to expose, how to authenticate, stdio versus HTTP, and audit and permission scoping.