Data capture unit puts pig feed on the net

Animal feed specialist Wheyfeed has chosen Dedicated Engines to help increase its supply chain efficiencies.

To compete in today's farming markets, suppliers and farmers have to use every tool available to make them competitive.

Wheyfeed, one of the more successful players in the UK livestock and animal feed industries, actively promotes the use of appropriate technology to make its business thrive.

Wheyfeed is a family business which, in addition to supplying quality feed materials to the UK pig industry, operates its own 500 sow pig breeding and rearing unit.

The company collects raw feed materials from 20 sites across the UK and distributes to over 150 customer sites.

Wheyfeed has chosen Dedicated Engines to help increase its supply chain efficiencies.

The Internet-based "plug 'n' play" telemetry system from Dedicated Engines allows Wheyfeed to monitor stock availability at the supplier of raw feed materials, so that the company can make best use of its fleet of haulage tankers and drivers.

The Internet-based system allows Wheyfeed to remotely monitor stocks via its standard Internet service provider (ISP) using only a web browser, such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer.

The Dedicated Engines data capture unit is connected into a silo level sensor on the supplier's site.

It automatically makes telephone calls to Dedicated Engines' Internet-based central hosting computer, where the silo levels are displayed on web pages.

A 24-hour trend of silo levels is provided and the user can set alarm points at which the system will automatically generate e-mails to alert staff that the silo is ready for a collection.

By using the hosted Internet service from Dedicated Engines, Wheyfeed has avoided the need for expensive bespoke software and hardware installations.

Equally, there is no need for additional IT systems support at its offices, as the company is simply using its existing Internet connection and e-mail system.

Equally, as the data capture unit uses 'by exception' reporting techniques (otherwise known as 'data push'), it uses a standard telephone line and only makes a phone call to the Internet a few times per day, avoiding the need for permanent Internet connections.

Data security is protected by user name and password log-in and Wheyfeed retains all system configuration and user access through its web browser.

Dedicated Engines provides a 24/7 service that can be deployed on a global scale.

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