Andrew Crokey, managing director of Insight IT Solutions, is excited about the technology his company is set to bring to the fresh produce industry. According to Crokey, the potential is limitless and could transform how the industry operates, and judging by his boundless enthusiasm he will do everything within his power to make his Rapid Information System (RIS) a success.
Crokey’s background is in printing and logistics, with several blue chip companies. He began Insight Labelling in 1998 and in the early days the company’s work involved logistics, warehousing and stock control. In 2003 he created Insight IT Solutions as he began looking for new market places to bring new technology.
Crokey says: “Our technology has assisted many industries to date. We have worked very closely with the Home Office on some unique tracking systems, we have developed a unique warehouse scanning system for the BPI consumer group, and for six years we have been working with the Skymark Packaging Group which is based across three sites in the UK. We have helped revolutionise how these businesses operate. We have installed a completely transparent computer system, where the information over the three sites links together in real-time providing a much more flexible working environment.
“We are now looking to bring in new and exciting technology, aiming to help all aspects of the fresh produce industry and we are sure we can provide many of the answers.”
Crokey has used the experience, which he has gathered from many industries, to develop the RIS. With the issue of traceability becoming increasingly important this new system aims to offer a real-time solution, which can deliver as much information is required. Crokey explains: “We have created a system for two major Herefordshire growers. The system consists of three modules, which can be adapted to our customer’s specific requirements. There are different programmes that can be selected. We have called these Grow-It, Pick-It and Pack-It.”
Crokey believes that the system has a great future. “We can provide data from the field when the soft fruit is being picked and the big advantage is the data is recorded as the work is happening. It can provide information on sales, on work in the packhouse. Its greatest benefit is the power of its reporting structure. The system can obtain up to date figures on any criteria that is requested. If you are trying to find yield per hectare, the picking costs etc. you can find these answers at the touch of a button.”
Crokey says that during negotiations with the growers on what it could it do for their businesses the benefits were clear to see. He says: “We have worked with the two growers from the ground up on this product and they are not only seeing what it can do for their business in terms of traceability but it has massive saving benefits.”
The system is based upon hand-held modulised units and the information can be viewed from the office. Crokey says that future customers can pick and choose the information they have on the system that they require. “Our dedicated programming team offers a 24-hour service to all customers. Our head office is in Ledbury. We have seven programmers in the UK - five in Ilford and two in Leominster. We also have a further 13 programmers in India. As we are based over two time zones we have programmers ready to answer queries at any time. When people contact our offices they will be talking to people who understand the systems they have at their hands. Small changes can be made instantly and we can resolve problems online.”
Crokey says it can also link information across countries. “We are currently exploring fresh produce opportunities in California in the US and in South Africa. We are also linking information back to the UK from Spain - the opportunities are endless.”
Insight can customise the needs of the RIS to specific requirements. Crokey is passionate about what the system can do. He says: “There is no system out there, doing what the RIS offers. With traceability growing in increasing importance, this system can trace who picked the product, when they picked it. One of the growers we are working with is looking to produce a unique code on each punnet produced, so the product - if it is needed - can be traced all the way back. This gives full traceability from the shop all the way back to the picker in field.”
Crokey explains further that the company is looking to create a hi-tech tracking system for cattle, which in turn could be used for fresh produce. “The system could track every animal due to a unique code and create a passport for that data. This could be applied to the fresh produce industry in terms of vehicle monitoring and tray monitoring.”
The company operates in a open and friendly environment and Crokey is keen to embark on discussions with customers to finding solutions. He says: “We’re not looking to throw money at projects, we like to work with our customers. We are listening to suggestions from our customers and are keen to meet their requirements.”
Crokey is keen to discuss one of the latest projects the company is working on with one of its grower customers. “The grower has four new lines coming out shortly. Our technology will allow the product to be zapped in the field. At this point the hand-held unit will tell them where to put this tray. It will follow this process through to its final end location. Our system is global and takes full control of different stages - speeding up processes and giving full traceability.”
Crokey feels that the beauty of RIS is simple. “Growers looking to expand their business can take the system in its most basic form. As their business grows and they want to add more components to the system, they can add as and when necessary.”
Crokey believes that the key to the system is automation. “Looking to the future with new and existing technologies. This will enable the horticultural industry to create real change, and will allow growers to achieve the unachievable with hi-tech systems.”
Crokey says that this information at hand will satisfy the growing demands of the UK supermarkets and most importantly will bring the fresh produce industry into the 21st century. He says: “The demands on growers, in their day-to-day operations are continuing to rise. This system can help bring the industry up to date and help their businesses run more efficiently.”
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