In this episode of Appian Rocks, I had the pleasure of hosting Josh Fischer, the leader of the Appian practice at Blue Ark, a woman-owned small business focused on federal government projects. Our conversation began with Josh's journey into the world of information technology, starting from his time at the State Department to his service in the Navy, where he honed his skills in computer systems and information technology. Josh shared his initial exposure to Appian while working on significant projects for the Federal Communications Commission and the Food and Drug Administration. He reflected on how Appian's training and documentation have evolved over the years, noting the shift from basic PDF guides to comprehensive video training sessions. We discussed the challenges faced by new developers in adapting to the platform's growing complexity, particularly with the introduction of features like data fabric and records. As we delved deeper into Appian's capabilities, Josh highlighted his experience with the Live Build Challenge at Appian World, where he learned the importance of balancing speed and best practices in development. He also shared insights into the evolution of Appian's features, including the transition from process-centric to data-driven applications, and the significance of modular design in handling complex data processing tasks. One of the key topics we explored was the challenges of working with large datasets and the limitations of Appian's current data sync records. Josh emphasized the need for efficient data processing, especially when dealing with millions of rows of data from various sources. He expressed excitement about the upcoming Apex execution engine, which promises to enhance performance but also raised concerns about potential latency issues compared to traditional database processing. Throughout our discussion, we touched on the nuances of Appian's documentation, the importance of understanding the differences between on-premise and cloud implementations, and the need for better visibility into related action security. Josh's passion for Appian and his commitment to optimizing processes shone through, making for an engaging and informative episode. As we wrapped up, we acknowledged the ongoing evolution of Appian and the community's role in shaping its future. Josh's insights and experiences serve as a valuable reminder of the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in the ever-changing landscape of technology.