APAL cool store stock system (AP09048)

This is a final research report from Hort Innovation’s historical archives. Please note that as these reports may date back as far as the 1990s, the content and recommendations within them may be superseded by more recent research.

What was it all about?

Apple & Pear Australia Ltd (APAL) collect industry apple and pear cool store stocks monthly and provide reports to industry. This is a continuing service delivered by APAL for industry against industry priorities.

Coolstore stock data is important data for managing crop flow.

The purpose of the new APAL Coolstore Stock System [CSS] project is to automate data capture, processing & reporting, and to allow all Australian coolstores to contribute data.

The current paper based system operates in the following way:

• The process is manual with a data capture form emailed to a sample of cool stores on the last day of each month for return on the first day of the new month
• Data supplied by cool stores is manually entered into an XLS
• This data is factored up to deliver numbers representative of all cool stores
• The XLS generates report tables and graphs
• A report is then compiled and distributed.

Deployment of the web based CSS for apple and pear cool stock reporting will mean:

• Data can be contributed by all cool stores, not a sample
• Data is entered by electronic form direct to a web server database eliminating rekeying
• into XLS
• Automated generation of tables & graphs
• Application of access restrictions according to APAL rules eg only access reports if
• contribute data
• APAL management concentrating on ensuring coolstores submit data and
• reconciling reports before their release, rather than having to re-key data and process the XLS.