Computerization geared to perspectives

10-12-2009 | On December 9 a special grower’s meeting was organized at Anthura. The theme of this meeting was ‘Computerization geared to perspectives’. The attendance of growers was good; 115 members were present this afternoon.

The grower’s meeting was one of a series of three meetings and is an initiative of LTO Groeiservice, (growth service) the largest Dutch independent horticulture network. Growers can apply for membership of the growth service as it initiates, stimulates and offers collective transfer of knowledge for the improvement of the operational management of its members.

This autumn the theme meetings took place on October, 1, October 28 and December 9. During these meetings growers and advisors enlarged their knowledge about actual developments in the horticulture.

On Wednesday December 9 the theme ‘Computerization geared to perspectives’ was on the programme. Besides the presentations of two guest speakers, Bas Lagerwerf (Berg Product/Wilgengroep) and Arne van Aalst (growers association Prominent), also a guided tour was given in the new greenhouse of Anthura.

Computerization has been an important pillar at of? the construction of the new greenhouse of Anthura. The greenhouse is provided with interlayer software between computers, PLC and own ERP application.

Guest speaker Bas Lagerwerf gave his view on computerization and standardization. He indicated that more and more industrial processes are computerized. Systems for planning, purchase and sale and order transactions and processing are often not geared to one another. According to Lagerwerf the challenge for the future lies in integration and connection of these processes. Many greenhouse farming companies are able to manage with a standard software pack, but custom-made software remains a necessity. For the feature the expectation is that this will only grow.

The second guest speaker Arne van Aalst spoke about the computerization within growers association Prominent. Prominent has specialized itself in the growing and packing of vine tomatoes. The growers association has 22 members; besides it has another two growing companies and a packing company. Van Aalst emphasized the importance of the commitment of the employees at the computerization.