"The SS Rotterdam used to bring people to a new world," says Harrij Schmeitz at the opening of the second EU Fresh Info. With the forum, the organization hopes to lead the sector into a new world: Horticulture 4.0. With a two-day, full programme, the last ins and outs regarding automation and ICT applications are discussed and illustrated.
Harrij Schmeitz (left) opened the EU Fresh Info together with Ed Tracey (IFPS), Hans van Luijk (FrugiCom) and Pieter Maarleveld (GS1 Europe).
Mario Campolargo (European Commission): "The internet of things is everywhere."
About seven years ago, the search for a product classification started. Looking at stonefruit, for instance, there are many types and varieties. A standard was necessary to create clarity. The result was a Global Product Classification (GPC), a standard next to the PLU. Ed Tracey from IFPS explains during the opening: "GPC is a classification for trade, so between seller and buyer. PLU is a code for retail." Together with GS1 and FrugiCom, IFPS continues to work on further standardization of standards.
Arie Lagerwerf of Alfa Pro IT still wonders why the fresh produce sector doesn't switch to an 'amazon.com structure' that's been used in floriculture for years.
Eline Dams of Cegeka. The company recently acquired Edan Business Solutions. Apart from a different business card and more colleagues, nothing has changed.
Left to right: Werner Kastelein, Rick Rebergen and Paul van der Es of RPO.
Left to right: Mark Dimmers, Marlie van Meer and Joris Kolff of Schouw Informatisering.
Human capital necessity
The arrival of the internet and 'internet of things' results in new business models. "Internet of things surrounds us everywhere," says Mario Campolargo of the European Commission. "When your GPS automatically recalculates your route based on traffic information, or when you track a flight through the internet, that's internet of things."
Marco de Wilde of Goldfish.
Angelique Stigter of Indicium poses for a photo.
The European Commission sees opportunities for ICT applications, and focuses on new applications based on open data and open platforms. That's why the AIOTI (Alliance for Internet Of Things Innovation) was established, and millions of Euro are invested to develop applications in various sectors. "The openness of the platform is important," Mario says. "In order to make use of the data, human capital is needed." This combination of a digital platform with the environment creates a new ecosystem, in which new models are developed.
Marco Nous and Wim L. J. Ceelen of Logident. "The technical applications are here. Now it's time for social innovation."
Martijn van Es of AgriPlace, an online platform to easily get insight in certification information.
Sharing data
It's important that the data is shared between various parties, a call that's been heard before. The relevant and useful information isn't exclusively found within a company or sector. Other sectors also have relevant information. As an example, Mario mentions Dutch start-up Connecterra. The company developed an application with which the health of dairy cattle could be tracked through data about things like movement and grazing behaviour of an individual cow.
Jurriaan Pasma of Descartes.
Ftrace builds apps consumers can use to trace products. The service is managed by GS1 Germany.
All in all, the programme had ten lectures about varying themes. Sharing data to track containers, robots that use precision fertilization in Australia, AH's efforts in this regard and the founder of Chinese Fruitday.com, China's biggest online retailer. Between lectures, there were brief periods to network. The day ended with a 'running dinner' in the Markthal. On December 2, 2015, a full programme is planned, with workshops, all with the door open, because "we know that the programme is full and that it's impossible to attend everything. So have a walk around and cherry-pick something," Harrij says.