Intelligent CIO Europe Issue 06 | Page 57

COUNTRY FOCUS: UK of the market-leading Gatekeeper farm management software program. “Smaller or less complex businesses need information about their businesses just as much as larger businesses,” commented Piers Costley, Director of Farmplan. “Whether this is to comply with legislative requirements, help the grower organise jobs or understand his margins, this simple to use solution provides a straightforward way to make life easier.” Following extensive research among farmers conducted over the last two years, backed with our industry knowledge, it was clear that all farmers require some form of information or data recording to ensure that their farm continues to run smoothly and meet the requirements of government www.intelligentcio.com and the marketplace. It was recognised that many less complex businesses do not want the detailed insights and management information provided by more sophisticated software such as the core Gatekeeper offering. As a result, Farmplan has used its experience and understanding of the industry to develop a tool that is easy to use and affordable. “My husband and I run a mixed farm, we keep it simple and I reckon we are pretty good at what we do,” said Emma Freeman who farms just outside Ross-on- Wye. “We do need to provide information to various people and organisations and that paperwork is one of my worst jobs. Having tested this software, I can see that it could make my life easier. I picked it up pretty quickly and it was straightforward to use, taking me through the process using language I could understand. It’s inevitable that farming is becoming more sophisticated, but it does not mean that anybody should be left behind,” concluded Costley. “Gatekeeper Express provides the opportunity for farmers to take that first step onto the ladder in a way that is suited to their business and we hope by doing so, we can help these businesses remain at the heart of the farming industry.” The key features of the software include the ability to plan and record jobs and operations, import agronomist recommendations and produce reports to satisfy legislation, as well as basic management reporting and nutrient planning. n INTELLIGENTCIO 57