says. "The Netherlands can no longer distinguish itself by the quality of the product, but can by that of the chain. The investments are sometimes substantial, but so are the potential returns.
Harrij Schmeitz is, as he says of himself, a man with a mission. This he propagates with conviction. "Our vision is: information and communication technology is a strategic advantage, which adds surplus value to your company. Unfortunately it is not looked at in this way everywhere. Even in 2012 ICT is often viewed as an expense item. Not counting exceptions of the average entrepreneur, scientist or public servant of 50+ has taught 'himself the digitals'. I am talking about people without a specific ICT-background as far as training and experience are concerned. Sometimes it is a challenge when as an ICT-man you show your plans and people with this profile decide about your project."
Schmeitz continues: "Think about the discussion about the digital packing voucher, which is being made compulsory internationally by the supermarket branch with effect from 1 January 2013. The first reaction of the producer is: OK, we scan the paper packing slip, produce a pdf and send it. End of story."
But it is rather different. It involves, the customer - before transport starts - is told what is in the lorry, but also on which pallet, what the origin is, the durability and a lot more relevant information. Really on the level: there are tomatoes with 400 boxes from grower Jansen and 200 boxes from Pietersen, behind these 300 boxes of peppers with 60 boxes red from grower Klaas, 40 boxes yellow from grower Piet and so on. In short, your warehousing has to be in order. In such a way that the preparation of orders can be scanned and traced completely. Many companies only compare this situation when packing the final delivery, whilst the in-between stages of their own company process are a black box for them."
Pure necessity
Pure necessity
It is not only possible, but it has to be different, because the market requires it. A company, which does not invest in this and does not change in time, will meet with serious problems. We talk about food safety and quality, but efficiency is certainly also a factor.
According to Schmeitz a fruit and vegetable entrepreneur must view this as one of the company processes creating more insight in possible difficulties. He adds: "Looking at it nationally then one sees that companies use different techniques all the time for the same thing. And therefore one tries to come to standardisation for the Netherlands with the same underlying motivation of efficiency, food safety and quality."
"To be part of international standardisation in terms of GS1 and IFPS has to do with
being in front of the chain digitalisation" as per Schmeitz. "The Netherlands have been a spider in the web of trade in agrarian products for decades already. If we want to remain in this position we will have to play our role in the international movement of digitalisation of the agricultural chains."
Bilaterally the Netherlands cooperate as a production country with the most important export country Germany. "It is of course absolutely first class when one as the first one develops a standard with the client, which is accepted worldwide. As far as product classification is concened this has now happened."
Current projects
Frug I Com is therefore busy with logistics of optimization such as standard pallet labels on the basis of Global Location Numbers (GLN). In addition the so-called electronic cultivation report is being developed. Before the harvest this report contains location and plant related information, such as GLN, type of products, method of cultivation, treatment with protection means and/or fertilizer. In this way the information is already available to the trade. After harvesting this information is supplemented by lot and product related information, such as identification, test results and certification. It is the intention that this concept after starting in the Netherlands will be implemented slowly internationally.
Another present project is digital invoicing undertaken by Frug I Com in coopertion with ZLTO, Frugi Venta and the cooperation connection of accountants EDI-circle.
'Face ability' is about the use of smaller, stackable bar-codes able to be scanned by a mobile telephone to join grower to product for instance via a small film. This project is in cooperation with the GroentenFruit Bureau. Furthermore Frug I Com is also involved with CLIENT Export.
Does Schmeitz still have a heartfelt cry? "The Dutch government should promote the chain digitalisation in a much stronger way. Various things are already happening, but so much more could be done with it in the agrarian sector, also in developing countries, where the Netherlands are well represented in the agrarian sector. Then even in a modern way we are contributing as well."
Source: Berichten Buitenland, Ministerie ELI