Application of CIM Concepts, Architectures and Technology to Computer-Integrated Agriculture

Project 5605

Keywords computer-integrated agriculture

Start Date: 01-OCT-90 / Duration: 10 months

[ contact / participants ]

Objectives

The objectives of this exploratory action were to:

• examine existing information technology used in agriculture
• evaluate the requirements of future information technology in agriculture
• design an architecture for CIM applications in agriculture
• describe possible future CIM systems and applications in agriculture

In all areas of agriculture, there is a constant need to adjust production to meet market demands for quality products, while taking account of costs, animal welfare and environmental protection.

Although agriculture consists of several production areas with different attributes, in principle all areas consist of a biological production cycle with a flow of information between the cycle's phases.

The project team has completed the following tasks:

• build matrixes for each production area which describe the participants, their roles, and the data they accumulate
• summarise the matrix data to create a general model which describes the flow of information in biological production cycles
• propose an architecture based on the general model and on established CIM-OSA concepts and methods
• describe the basic components and usable technologies of a working system
• describe specific application areas such as integrated financial systems, milk control and pig production
• investigate the effects - both financial and otherwise - of implementing CIM in agricultural production
• present the results of the exploratory action in a report.

The results will be used to develop an integrated information system which can be applied to different areas of agricultural production.

CONTACT POINT

Mr Horst Siemann
LAND-DATA GMBH
Wedekindstr. 9-11
D - 2722 VISSELHOEVEDE 1
tel: + 49/ 4262-304 0
fax: + 49/ 4262-304 270

Participants

LAND-DATA GMBH - D - C
BIG DUTCHMAN GMBH - D - P
FRAUNHOFER INSTITUT - IAO - D - P
I&ME GES.F.INFORMATIK &
MIKROELEKTRONIK - D - P
HOTRASOFT BV - NL - P
DANISH MEAT RESEARCH INSTITUTE - DK - P

Project 5605, December 1993

please address enquiries to the ESPRIT Information Desk

html version of synopsis by Nick Cook