Is there good affordable standard software for small farmers?

"Now the answer is: 'Yes'. But that has to be explained, because experience is often different. Anyone who has once purchased standard software can tell you in detail: the purchase price is high and it takes a long time with added costs, before it can be used."

These are the words of Joop de Jong from Agriware Online. Agriware Online is software from Mprise which relieves in particular the smaller grower. He elaborates on recent technological developments, that considerably facilitate the deployment of and working with software.

"In itself, the start-up difficulties are not strange. The software development is labor intensive and therefore expensive. In addition, a one-off development is not sufficient. The demands that a breeder expects of software are ever increasing and new technology is developing very rapidly. We all want to access the software through a Web browser. We all expect that the software in the office is also accessible through our tablet or outside in the barn or in the greenhouse via our mobile phone. And we haven't even mentioned the rise of camera systems, sensor technologies and the like which generate a tsunami of data that has to be analyzed further, because why else do we have it?

And what about the lead time between purchase and actual use: software that supports more and more business functions, that are integrated together, is simply not easy to implement. It requires people to work differently and not everybody is inclined to do so. Moreover, learning to work with a new system must take place alongside all the usual working activities.

"Should the smaller growers quit," Joop asks himself rhetorically, "or is modern software available to them?” The answer is: "Yes, there is." There's a big shift visible at the moment: the software goes in the ‘cloud’. No server with software and database anymore in the corner of the office. Today ICT is, like electricity, coming out of the wall socket. The software and the database are on the internet. Not accessible for anyone, but only for you if you are qualified for it. Access the internet with your PC, tablet or phone and log into the software that you want to use.

The advantages are numerous. So you don't have a computer any more under the desk in a position that actually is in the way and no worry about managing it (this is now available 24/7 via the internet, wherever you are). The software does not need to be purchased. You just have to pay a monthly fee for each user that needs to have access to the system. In fact it is like a subscription to the software which may be terminated any time you choose to do so."

But how about the lead time between purchase and the start moment of usage? Is that also different? "Firstly, implementation is never automatic. It's still about the same functionalities that you want to use, and an organization that must start to work with it. But the smaller farms will notice the difference. Smaller nurseries are, much more than the larger ones, suited for rapid deployment and want three things: (1) software that is suitable for their business, (2) tell me how it works and no further fuss, and (3) if I have a question then I want a phone number of someone who can help me. No extensive changes, not resisting users who, for whatever reason, want it just to be a bit different. What they are waiting for is a designed database, a hidden complexity, a short implementation with no room for debate about 'we must do it differently' or need for customization. No, one accepts what is there, and is going to discuss with the vendor about wishes that should be realized in the next version."

For more information:
Mprise
Jelte Kooistra
Sales Consultant
Newtonstraat 2
3902 HP Veenendaal
T: +31 (0)318 508810
M: +31 (0)6 51097718
E: jkooistra@mprise.nl
www.mprise.nl