FOCUS - Innovative online platform for more efficient cooperation within the agri-food chain
Companies that do a lot of business with each other benefit from computer systems that are compatible with each other. If companies do business with many different suppliers and buyers, heavy-duty and expensive software packages may be required in order to interpret and process each other's data. A much simpler option is for all the companies to make use of an online platform for the sharing of information. European companies and research institutes will be developing such a platform for the agri-food chain over the next two years under the leadership of organisations including LEI Wageningen UR.
The innovative aspect of this platform is the fact that it is an open environment in which, under certain conditions, app developers are able to bring new applications onto the market in the same way as the App Store and Google Play but for business-to-business applications.
Development of platform for apps
Partners from Germany, Great Britain, Belgium, Greece, Norway, Turkey, Switzerland, Israel, and the Netherlands met in The Hague on 9 April 2013 for the official launch of the project, named FIspace (Future Internet space). Together they are developing a virtual environment that will make is simpler for companies within the agri-food chain to share relevant information. Through FIspace, applications will be made available that will be of use and benefit to companies within the chain. Work is already under way on a number of apps, but agri-food and logistics companies are being called upon in particular to provide additional ideas. External app developers can also register for the ‘open calls’ that will follow in the next few months.
The basis for a few apps has already been laid in two previous EU projects: SmartAgriFood and FInest. For instance, there are apps that continually measure the conditions under which fresh produce is being kept; from the time when they are still growing on the grower's land until they arrive at the retailer's premises after harvesting, storage, and transportation. Thanks to that information, it is possible to accurately determine how much of a particular product is available for trading, and the quality of it. This enables parties to better tailor supply and demand to each other. For instance, fruit that will be over-ripe within a few days can be sold better by a market seller than a specialist greengrocer's shop. Perfectly tailoring quality, quantities, and the market results in a lot of potential wastage being prevented. All the parties in the chain stand to benefit from this.
Supporting chain cooperation
The sum of 20 million euros has been made available for the establishment of a virtual network, relaxing the cooperation between chain parties. The European Commission is contributing 13.5 million euros. At the same time, a further four similar platforms are being designed: for the health sector, the energy sector, the media, and the manufacturing industry. All these sectors work together on certain points, such as guaranteeing a safe, reliable system.