Potted and bedding plant growers make daily decisions that significantly affect their business returns. However, many of these decisions are still driven by intuition. Greenplan, a new program from Delphy, aims to change this. According to Klaas van Egmond, manager of Delphy Digital, and Erik de Rooij, an advisor for potted and bedding plants at Delphy, the program provides growers with valuable insights into the actual costs of cultivation and the expected returns.
© Delphy B.V.
What is it?
Greenplan is a sophisticated crop management program that emphasizes two key areas: planning the crops and calculating the financial costs and returns. "This offers growers a comprehensive tool to manage their crops from start to finish. It includes everything from cuttings and labor to energy consumption."
What sets Greenplan apart is its dual focus on planning and providing an accurate financial overview. "You input all necessary details for each phase of cultivation, including labor, materials, machinery, and energy," explains Klaas. "This way, you can determine exactly what each batch costs and what it can yield, allowing you to see your potential return automatically."
Erik played a key role in the development of Greenplan. "The program was initially created in Denmark by our sister company," he explains. "We quickly recognized its potential for the Netherlands and collaborated with Delphy Digital to tailor it to the needs of Dutch growers. The new cloud-based version is now being used by three companies in the Netherlands."
One major challenge in potted plant cultivation is managing the complex use of space and various growth phases. Erik tells us how this works: "Different pot sizes, cultivation stages, and plant types all require varying amounts of space. Greenplan helps by visually indicating when your greenhouse is full, where space is available, and when it's needed. You can even plan backward from a sales order, such as one for Mother's Day, so you know precisely when to start potting."
Furthermore, Greenplan leverages climate tables and historical data to determine the cost price for different times of the year. "By inputting your gas expenses, the system calculates your cost price for specific months like June or January, which can vary significantly," Erik explains.
Scenario planning and sales
Another feature of Greenplan is scenario planning. "It allows you to explore different scenarios, such as what happens to your yield if you replace one crop with another. This capability helps you make well-informed decisions," says Erik.
Additionally, Greenplan offers integration options with sales channels, Klaas adds. "The program tracks when crops are harvested. By connecting it to platforms like Floriday or your webshop, you can also see what has already been sold. This feature makes Greenplan an ideal foundation for an ERP system."
Checking gut feelings
Many cultivation companies still rely on Excel spreadsheets or standalone tools, which often lack a clear connection between planning, cost pricing, and sales. Erik points out, "No one else provides a complete overview, which often leads growers to make decisions based on intuition."
That intuition can often be misleading, as experience shows. "Growers might consider discontinuing a particular pot size because they assume it isn't profitable. However, when we analyze it with Greenplan, it may turn out to be the most lucrative option," Erik says. Klaas adds, "High sales volume doesn't necessarily equate to high profits. Greenplan helps clarify this difference."
Practical experience
One company that recently adopted Greenplan is the Dutch palm nursery Hartog Palmen. "We deal with long-term cultivation involving around forty different pot sizes," says owner Dirk van Rijn. "In the past, we relied on manual calculations and intuition, which risked selling below cost price. Greenplan assists us in improving our planning and provides more precise insights into the actual cost price."
Dirk notes that the system requires thorough preparation and an understanding of its underlying concepts. "You need to input historical data and become familiar with using the program. However, after six months, we've begun to see its added value. The cost price calculations are becoming more precise each month, and we're definitely pleased with the results."
Support and motivation
Implementing Greenplan requires a company-wide commitment, Klaas notes. "You can't simply purchase the program and expect immediate insight. It involves adjusting your processes and having a determined motivation to engage with it. However, more companies are increasingly willing to make this effort."
Delphy advises growers to actively engage with Greenplan right from the beginning. "To become proficient, you need to learn how to use it yourself," they suggest. The initial experiences with the program are encouraging: "It's an eye-opener for growers to discover that some crops are much more profitable than they initially thought. These insights are crucial."
Applicability of Greenplan
Greenplan is suitable for various types of cultivation, from pot and bedding plants to young and mother plants. Erik mentions that the greatest benefit currently lies in pot and bedding plant cultivation. "This is where financial insights are often the least clear. Greenplan helps to provide better justification for important decisions."
For more information:
Delphy
Klaas van Egmond
[email protected]
Erik de Rooij
[email protected]
https://delphy.nl/
Dirk van Rijn
Hartog Palmen
06-18800679
[email protected]
https://www.hartogpalmen.nl/
