Gleadell turns the tide of paperwork
Yorkshire arable farmer John Swiers has a complete record of all his grain sales literally at his fingertips - without ever having had to put a pen to paper, or record a single figure.
Mr Swiers is a pioneer user of Gleadell Extra - an internet-based system which enables Gleadell Agriculture customers to have instant access to all aspects of their dealings with the company.
This week Gleadell announced that Gleadell Extra has gone nationwide. The revolutionary online transaction management system is now available to all its customers - both for selling grain and for purchasing seed and fertiliser.
"We used to operate with hand-written notes and diaries," explained Mr Swiers, who farms in partnership with brother Steven, and father Robert, as RW Swiers. "Now we just put our password into the Gleadell extranet and up comes every detail of my transactions with Gleadell - from sample results, through contract prices, movements, weight ticket data and explanations of claims and premiums, through to final payment.
"One of the biggest pluses is not having to check through and collate a whole raft of books, correspondence and notes to get the full picture. I can easily compare this year with last and even look at my futures market commitments," said Mr Swiers who produces wheat, barley and oilseed rape on 300 hectares at Manor Farm, Norton le Clay, York.
Gleadell Extra was developed from the internal system used by the Gleadell farm traders. It supplies customers with exactly the same data as used inside the company - in real time, as opposed to end of day emails or postal notification.
"We believe that no other merchant in the UK is offering farm customers such a comprehensive online system for contract, order, sample and accounting information," says Gleadell finance director, Mike Thompson. "Farmers buying inputs can see all their historical, current and future fertiliser and seed orders. Data supplied includes full analysis of every load sent to our major modern port facility at Immingham."
In rolling out this service Gleadell has made sure that the system delivers the data that farmers really need for their businesses. For example, allowance details are provided independently of contract allowing the farmer to view allowances by date range or contract. Gleadell Extra even generates average net contract prices and average claims and premiums.
The system was developed to be easy to use. There is point and click operation wherever possible. Farm groups can gain access to all their farm accounts with a single login.
"Any time, day or night, I can keep in touch with what is going on," says Bob Sherriff who manages 1,000 ha for Revesby Farms at Boston. "I can see exactly which grain went where, what the weight was and even the lorry number, " he said.
"Farmers can manage their whole account with us on the internet in minutes," says Gleadell managing director, Jon Duffy. "Internally the Gleadell extranet has helped make this company exceptionally efficient traders. Now Gleadell Extra is doing the same for our customers - by decreasing their desk hours and vastly improving the quality and speed of their management information.
"They do not have to be at their own desk. They can log in from any location where there is internet access - even keep an eye on transactions from an Internet café when on holiday," he said.
