Archive Article: 1998/01/17
ARE you spending long, tedious hours in the farm office wading through reams of paper? Do you believe there could be a better way to maintain business records, plan future cropping strategies or manage the farms accounts? If so, you are a prime candidate for computerisation.
According to Farmplans Roger da Cunha, farmers and growers who recognise that they need more information or faster answers than they are currently getting are well on the way to understanding the benefits that a computer can bring to their business.
Speaking during a series of open days held at the companys head office in Mitcheldean, Glos, Mr da Cunha said that the computer had the potential to streamline many procedures currently carried out by pen and paper.
However, he warned against over-expectations: "Anyone who thinks a computer can radically improve the success or profitability of their business should think again," he said. "Look on a computer first and foremost as a tool designed simply to ease the day to day running and management of an enterprise. It is pointless buying a computer unless you have a good idea of what you want it to do."
"Ideally, everyone buying a computer system for the first time should make a list of what they want to achieve with it," he said. "That done, it becomes far easier to advise on the most suitable solutions.
"Think of a computer in its simplest form as a filing cabinet capable of storing logically a vast amount of information in individual folders. At the touch of a few buttons, that information can be retrieved, displayed, updated, deleted, printed and used to calculate what if scenarios, all in a matter of seconds."
With an agricultural customer base of around 8,000 businesses built up over the past 25 years, Farmplan claims to have the lions share of the farm computer sector, estimated at some 14,000 installations throughout the UK.
The companys position was strengthened in 1996 with the take-over of arable software specialist, Optimix. Farmplan is now engaged upon a continuing series of open days, seminars and workshops designed to extend farmer awareness and understanding of computer technology and what it is able to achieve.
Having established the need for a computer and the immediate tasks that it will be carrying out within the farm enterprise, prospective buyers need to consider the other potential uses for the machine.
For example, although it may have been purchased initially to assist with day to day financial management, there is the opportunity to expand a computers role into crop management, produce traceability, farm mapping or the completion of IACS returns.
"Start with one topic by all means, but ensure that the computer system selected has the capacity to handle the complete needs of the business," commented Mr da Cunha.
"Think about future planned farm developments, new enterprises and other likely requirements. One area expected to see rapid expansion over the coming month is record-keeping, with particular reference to farm assurance and traceability legislation."
Setting a realistic budget is essential. "Ask for an estimate of the cost and avoid cutting corners," stressed Mr da Cunha. "As suppliers of complete systems, Farmplan is able to advise customers on the optimum computer configuration for the software programs that the machine will be running today and in the months ahead. We rarely get complaints that the computer is too slow or does not have enough storage capacity."
Both first time and experienced computer buyers need to set a sensible timescale for the installation of their new equipment, any training needs and familiarisation. Those selecting a financial package normally aim to be up and running ready for the start of their new financial year. Similarly, if the computer user is involved in farm field work, avoid having a new system installed during the peak harvest or cultivation periods.
In common with most computer suppliers, Farmplan provides comprehensive telephone support both for its hardware and software, dealing with 55,000 calls last year. Response time on software program enquiries was less than 30 seconds during the peak period from January to March, falling to half that figure in the other nine months.
The companys support fee, paid in advance, covers unlimited help line use, updates to installed software and nation-wide workshops for a period of 16 months. Cost is less than £300 on an average computer package costing between £3,000 and £3,500.
Before finally settling on a supplier, Mr da Cunha recommends that farmers obtain references from existing users. "Check out also the firms understanding of your business," he said.
"Farmplan has a major advantage in that the company is owned and run by working farmers. More than 90% of our 62 employees have an agricultural qualification or background which means we can talk to the novice or experienced computer user in their own language.
"Computer jargon is all very well for the informed, but it is of little use to those who simply need to know the ways that a particular machine or software program can help them manage and run their business and make informed decisions."
• Farmplan provides the support service for Farmers Weekly Interac-tive, the electronic news and information service developed for the Internet by Farmers Weekly and Crops, and available to all equipped with a computer, modem and telephone line. https://www.fwi.co.uk
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