Software programs aimed at ag retailers offer increased sophistication in bookkeeping, inventory and analysis programs, yet are easier to learn and use than ever before. Retailers' options range from linking several business locations to providing whole farm cropping analysis for their customers and managing risk through grain-hedging programs.

“We're seeing more dealers and cooperatives looking for a single software vendor to handle all their needs — not just agronomy or accounting functions,” says Dave Craft of Software Solutions Integrated (SSI) and Agvance software. Most software companies are striving to offer a complete suite of products designed to meet each retailer's business needs.

Handheld software packages, including GPS and pocket PCs, are playing a bigger role in retailers' businesses, providing the ability to correctly identify application locations, satisfy government regulations and interact with CDMS programs.

“Farm Works Software's customers can load work orders into their pocket PCs and have information on the correct crop protection product, rate, location and field boundary at their fingertips,” says R. Scott Nusbaum of Farm Works Software. “The software integrates with controller and guidance systems for accurate field placement.”

When the operation is complete, information from the pocket PC, laptop or tablet PC can be downloaded into the desktop software to generate reports, maps and additional work orders, Nusbaum adds.

Rob Poultney, CFO for London Agricultural Commodities, headquartered in London, Ontario, relies on AGRIS software to handle grain elevator and trading office business, in addition to accounts payable/receivable and company payroll.

“You need to be hedged properly to manage risk in the grain business, and AGRIS Version 9 does that for us,” Poultney says. “With more than 25 million bushels of grain annually, keeping track of the grain futures and basis levels is critical.”

Michigan Agricultural Commodities has relied on AGRIS software for the past 10 years to handle seven locations in addition to the corporate office.

“AGRIS software tracks inventory at each location and monitors their profit centers,” says Stacey Dickman, accounting manager for Michigan Agricultural Commodities, headquartered in Lansing, MI. “Corporate has the ability to view each location as a separate business and, at the same time, consolidate everything into one business enterprise.”

Over the past two years, SSI incorporated grain into its software product lineup. “The addition of the grain package to our existing Agvance suite allowed us to offer a totally integrated management system for today's full-service agribusiness,” Craft says.

Jennifer Carr, office manager for Northeast Agricultural Sales, located in Lyndonville, VT, and Leeds, ME, counts on Agvance software to handle everything from custom blending to inventory to accounting at its three business locations.

“Northeast Ag switched to Agvance software in 2002 because it offered us better control of inventory, accounting and multiuser access on everything from ag solutions to ATVs,” she says.

When it comes to GPS and mapping, many retailers look to Farm Works. “Farm Works' guidance and mapping programs, including Site Pro and Site Mate, provide us and our customers a tremendous amount of power for the price,” says Roger DuMond, precision ag manager for Kova Fertilizer, headquartered in Greensburg, IN. Kova Fertilizer uses Farm Works software for precision ag applications at its 10 locations across Indiana.

Michigan Agricultural Commodities relies on AGRIS's extensive knowledge and tech support. “They really function as our information technology department,” Dickman says, “as well as our complete software company.”

In 2005, Farm Works will roll out advanced analysis tools focusing on yield, soil test data and soil recommendations, according to Nusbaum. “This will give us the ability to query fields by soil test, for example, enhancing our statistical capabilities,” he says.

Other software changes are customer driven — like those at Agvance. “If we need something and take the time to explain why, it will usually appear within the next upgrade,” Carr says. “You really can have what you want and need in your software package.”

AGRIS Corporation is planning a “replacement and expansion upgrade” for some of its heritage agronomy software products by the end of the year, according to Susan Mann, agronomy product manager.

“This new agronomy product will add functionality on several levels,” Mann points out. “Crop planning and financial analysis capabilities will allow grower decisions to be based on cost options offering enhanced sales and service opportunities for retailers.”

The system also incorporates enhanced reporting, pricing, invoicing and inventory control for effective business management. Standard template and custom reports are available. Flexible price levels and schedules can be set up, and split information can be easily assigned for accurate invoices. Inventory control and integration with back office systems will help to increase office efficiency while providing real-time inventory information.

“Custom blending functionality enables formulation and blending through traditional means as well as least cost inventory and least price formulas,” Mann points out. “The program also provides an equation builder and tables for use in the planning process to design customized, sophisticated fertilizer blends from soil test results.”

With clients in the U.S., Canada and abroad, software companies are increasingly adding online learning to their businesses.

“Online training is one additional training option we can provide our customers,” says Dave Craft of Software Solutions Integrated (SSI). “We prefer face-to-face training especially with new installations; however, online training can provide both a convenient and cost-effective option for ongoing product education and support.”

Craft adds that customers are able to access the online knowledge base through the SSI Web site and are doing so more frequently. SSI also partners with colleges that use the Agvance-4-Education curriculum to offer training sessions at convenient locations across the U.S.

“Farm Works' online discussion groups provide an easy method for our customers to ask questions or search for similar questions that have already been answered,” says R. Scott Nusbaum of Farm Works Software. “They like the ability to receive answers from our support technicians as well as from other users who often provide unique solutions.”

As a Farm Works software reseller, Kova Fertilizer, headquartered in Greensburg, IN, relies on online tutorials and discussion groups. “The programs have a user-friendly interface, and the unlimited phone and e-mail support is unbeatable,” says Roger DuMond, precision ag manager.

AGRIS's online software training saves London Agricultural Commodities time and money. “I had to travel and spend three days in training when I started six years ago,” says Rob Poultney, the company's CFO. “Today our staff members register online for training time and then are able to work interactively through the Internet for their training sessions.”

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