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Notes: Prel. System Description
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integrated grain handling/
integrated grain handling/
integrated grain handling/
integrated grain handling/
integrated grain handling/
computer system description
computer system description
computer system description
computer system description
computer system description
prepared for passco,
the pakistan agricultural storage and services corporation
by
president m]llermaskiner a/s
box 20, dk-4300
holbaek, denmark
christian rovsing a/s
lautrupvang 2
dk-2750
ballerup, denmark
PRELIMINARY SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
of
A PILOT PROJECT FOR THE
IMPROVEMENT OF WHEAT
PROCUREMENT AT PASSCO
PREPARED BY:
PRESIDENT M[LLERMASKINER A/S
BOX 20 DK-4300 HOLBAEK
DENMARK
CHRISTIAN ROVSING A/S
LAUTRUPVANG 2
DK 2750 BALLERUP
DENMARK
March 1, 1984
T̲A̲B̲L̲E̲ ̲O̲F̲ ̲C̲O̲N̲T̲E̲N̲T̲S̲
Page
E̲X̲E̲C̲U̲T̲I̲V̲E̲ ̲S̲U̲M̲M̲A̲R̲Y̲
1 INTRODUCTION ...................................
2 PASSCO'S WHEAT PROCUREMENT OPERATION ...........
2.1 GRAIN HANDLING ............................
2.2 COMPUTERISATION ............................
3 PROPOSAL FOR A PILOT SYSTEM ....................
3.1 PILOT PLANT PROJECT FOR GRAIN HANDLING .....
3.2 PILOT PROJECT FOR COMPUTERISATION ..........
3.2.1 At the National Centre .................
3.2.2 At the Zonal Level .....................
3.2.3 At the Project level ...................
3.2.4 At the Purchasing Centre ...............
4 CONCLUSION .....................................
APPENDIX A: Company Information ..................
E̲X̲E̲C̲U̲T̲I̲V̲E̲ ̲S̲U̲M̲M̲A̲R̲Y̲
This document describes an integrated grain handling/computerisation
solution, offering improved wheat precurement at PASSCO.
Improvement will be achieved by the provision of increased
storage facilities, better quality control, and easier
access to procurement parameters as a result of computerisation.
To ensure the sucess of such a far reaching investment,
a carefully monitored pilot project is to be carried
out initially. Results of theis pilot project would
then provide the basis for continuing improvement in
wheat procurement.
The final result will benefit:
- The farmer, by providing better prices.
- The overall population, by ensuring supplies.
- The economy, by increasing exports.
1̲ ̲ ̲I̲N̲T̲R̲O̲D̲U̲C̲T̲I̲O̲N̲
This PRELIMINARY SYSTEM DESCRIPTION of an Integrated
Grain Handling/Storage/Transport/Accounting/ Documentation
System is provided as a response to the PASSCO requirements
elaborated in the document "PASSCO's WHEAT PROCUREMENT
OPERATION - A STUDY OF PROCUREMENT PROCEDURE, DIFFICULTIES
AND REMEDIES".
To solve the problems faced by PASSCO, a joint venture
of
PRESIDENT M[LLERMASKINER A/S
and
…01…CHRISTIAN ROVSING A/S
has been established. As a supplier of grain handling
equipment, PRESIDENT will provide expertise within
the fields of silos/storing facilities, weighing and
cleaning equipment, and conveying/transport systems.
CHRISTIAN ROVSING A/S, a diversified and independent
electronics and computing company, will provide expertise
with respect to advanced computer systems, data communication
systems, business product and office systems. Together,
the know-how of these companies will ensure that the
wheat procurement goals of PASSCO can be met. Brief
descriptions and additional information about PRESIDENT
and CHRISTIAN ROVSING A/S are provided in Appendix
A.
2̲ ̲ ̲P̲A̲S̲S̲C̲O̲'̲S̲ ̲W̲H̲E̲A̲T̲ ̲P̲R̲O̲C̲U̲R̲E̲M̲E̲N̲T̲ ̲O̲P̲E̲R̲A̲T̲I̲O̲N̲
This section provides a two-fold approach to the requirements
of the wheat procurement operation. Firstly, the possibilities
for physical grain handling - to be implemented by
PRESIDENT - are described. Secondly, the computerisation
possibilities for accounting and documentation - to
be implemented by CHRISTIAN ROVSING A/S - are described.
2̲.̲1̲ ̲ ̲G̲R̲A̲I̲N̲ ̲H̲A̲N̲D̲L̲I̲N̲G̲ ̲
2.2 C̲O̲M̲P̲U̲T̲E̲R̲I̲S̲A̲T̲I̲O̲N̲
In the discussion to follow, the aspects of computerisation
applicable to the requirements of PASSCO's wheat procurement
operation are highlighted.
Essentially, as described in the CHRISTIAN ROVSING
A/S document "PROPOSAL FOR COMPUTERISATION", dated
29 September 1983, we are proposing a distributed computer
system as illustrated in the accompanying diagram.
After presentation of this system to PASSSCO staff,
many comments which were much appreciated were received,
and two points were obvious:
1) PASSCO had a need for additional grain handling
equipment in order to optimise wheat procurement.
2) The possibility of an advanced, distributed computer
system's functioning was questioned in light of
the geography, environment, and communications
facilities of Pakistan.
With respect of point 1, the addition of PRESIDENT's
expertise will facilitate meeting the equipment requirements
of PASSCO. Additionally, owing to the benefits of the
PRESIDENT - CHRISTIAN ROVSING A/S co- operation - it
will be possible to originate data flow to the computer
system at the grain handling devices by inclusion of
relevant transducers. Thus the need for manpower can
be reduced, and the availability and accuracy of information
will be increased.
With respect to point 2, we wish to make the following
remarks:
With the knowledge imparted to us during our stay in
Pakistan and as a result of the informative, helpful
advice by PASSCO staff, we are aware of conditions
in Pakistan, and any computer system definition must
be made in cooperation with the final user (PASSCO
Staff) in order to ensure success. We realise the impossibility
of implementing the full, distributed system at once,
and we are proposing a computer system that is c̲o̲n̲f̲i̲g̲u̲r̲e̲d̲
to evolve from the present batch system to a more effective,
distributed system in accordance with evolving/improving
conditions in Pakistan.
With respect to the hardware proposed, we wish to invest
the resources necessary to make it known in Pakistan,
and believe this to be possible. Discussions with PIA
have shown that they are interested in communications
networks implemented for Air Canada and American Airlines
with the very same hardware. A military communication
network with this hardware has been discussed with
the army in Pakistan, and they were favourably impressed.
The hardware has beeen used in military implementations
in Europe where it had to meet the requirements of
a very rugged evvironment. What we call inrestment
protection, i.e. compatibility with other equipments
and upgradability, has been shown to be a major selling
point of our hardware.
With respect to maintenance and spares, we wish to
point out that the total cost of a couputer system,
the life cycle cost, must include maintenance and spares.
Training PASSCO staff to undertake these operations
should not be seen as a burden, but rather as equivalent
to co-production with extensive benefits in terms of
employment, foreign currency, and transfer of technology.
With respect ot software, we wish to note that all
communication protocols will be in accordance with
international standards. The existing computer procedures
can be programmed to run on the proposed equipment,
and it is our intention to computerise existing procedures
in accordance with the wishes of PASSCO.
With respect to site secletion, installation, and coordination,
we wish to note that a pilot project to be carried
out at the most feasible sites is being recommended.
This pilot project is further described in the next
section.
In conclusion may we say that we are offering the tools
of computerisation that are to be used in accordance
with the goal of PASSCO to achieve an improved procurement
of wheat. When one calculastes the cost of present
losses, many of the apparently expensive costs of computerisation
will be found to be small in comparison with the benefits.
3̲ ̲ ̲P̲R̲O̲P̲O̲S̲A̲L̲ ̲F̲O̲R̲ ̲A̲ ̲P̲I̲L̲O̲T̲ ̲S̲Y̲S̲T̲E̲M̲
A pilot project is proposed as the first phase of improving
wheat procurement in Pakistan. The pilot project is
based on choosing appropriate locations for installation
of grain handling and computer equipment. By appropriate,
we mean the choice of locations that either have a
need for additional equipment or are well suited to
computerisation by virtue of facilities such as power
or communications.
By carrying out the pilot project, it will be possible
to maximise benefits, obtain extensive experience,
and provide the basis for continued improvement of
wheat procurement.
3̲.̲1̲ ̲ ̲P̲I̲L̲O̲T̲ ̲P̲L̲A̲N̲T̲ ̲P̲R̲O̲J̲E̲C̲T̲ ̲F̲O̲R̲ ̲G̲R̲A̲I̲N̲ ̲H̲A̲N̲D̲L̲I̲N̲G̲
3.2 P̲I̲L̲O̲T̲ ̲P̲R̲O̲J̲E̲C̲T̲ ̲F̲O̲R̲ ̲C̲O̲M̲P̲U̲T̲E̲R̲I̲S̲A̲T̲I̲O̲N̲
The objective of the pilot project for computerisation
is to implement a part of the total, distributed computer
system to connect, where feasible, various levels of
operations at PASSCO, i.e. the procurement centre,
the project, the zone, the national centre in Lahore,
and chosen collecting centres (reservoir).
3.2.1 T̲h̲e̲ ̲N̲a̲t̲i̲o̲n̲a̲l̲ ̲C̲e̲n̲t̲r̲e̲ ̲i̲n̲ ̲L̲a̲h̲o̲r̲e̲
A central computer will be implemented at the national
centre in Lahore.
Firstly, use of this computer can provide service matching
that presently available. Secondly, additional routines
can be added where found to be necessary. Thirdly,
this computer can serve as the centre of the projected
distributed computer system. The CHRISTIAN ROVSING
A/S CR80 has been identified as the prospective computer
for this site.
3.2.2 A̲t̲ ̲t̲h̲e̲ ̲Z̲o̲n̲a̲l̲ ̲L̲e̲v̲e̲l̲
The most appropriate zone(s) will be chosen for computerisation.
Criteria for choice will be a combination of the suitability
for computerisation and the need for computerisation,
e.g. magnitude of work.
At start, the computer will be used to automate paperwork
at the zone site. As a second step, computer communication
with the national centre will be achieved. This communication
will be directed by telephone lines with back-up by
such areas as courier transfer of diskettes (floppy
discs). The Christian Rovsing A/S CR8 has been identified
as the prospective computer for this site.
3.2.3 A̲t̲ ̲t̲h̲e̲ ̲P̲r̲o̲j̲e̲c̲t̲ ̲L̲e̲v̲e̲l̲
Within the most appropriate zone(s), one or more projects
will be chosen for computerisation. Criteria for choice
will be a combination of the suitability and need for
computerisation.
As for the zonal implementation, the initial effort
will be to automate the paperwork at the project level.
As a second step, communication with the zonal and
central computer will be achieved. This communication
can again be by direct or back-up by courier transfer
of disc. The Christian Rovsing A/S CR8 has been identified
as the prospective computer for this site.
3.2.4 A̲t̲ ̲t̲h̲e̲ ̲P̲u̲r̲c̲h̲a̲s̲i̲n̲g̲ ̲C̲e̲n̲t̲r̲e̲
Within the project chosen, one or more purchasing centres
will be included in the pilot project. As purchasing
centres are isolated and limited in facilities as well
as being temporary, a portable computer unit is suggested.
The proposed unit, which can operate on batteries,
possesses the characteristics of a powerful micro-computer.
Communication to the other computers will most probably
be by means of diskette transfer by courier, but it
should be noted that the computer has facilities for
direct computer communication (RS-232).
4̲ ̲ ̲C̲O̲N̲C̲L̲U̲S̲I̲O̲N̲
This paper has presented an integrated grain handling/
computerisation approach to the improvement of wheat
procurement at PASSCO.
In the paper are given preliminary descriptions of
the equipment to be supplied, their interface to the
computer system, and the distributed computer system.
To ensure success, a pilot project approach is suggested.
This approach allows choice of the optimum locations
for the start phase of the project. The experience
and knowledge gained in this first phase will then
serve as the fundament of proceeding phases, with continuing
improvement in the procurement of wheat in Pakistan.
A̲P̲P̲E̲N̲D̲I̲X̲ ̲ ̲A̲
Company Information:
o PRESIDENT
o CHRISTIAN ROVSING A/S
C̲H̲R̲I̲S̲T̲I̲A̲N̲ ̲R̲O̲V̲S̲I̲N̲G̲ ̲A̲/̲S̲
Christian Rovsing A/S is Denmark's fastest growing,
high-technology computer and aerospace electronics
company. Founded 1963, CRA and its subsidiaries currently
employ over 1200 people. In recent years, the company's
growth rate has approached 40% annually, due in large
measure to its advanced, high-technology computer product
line and the excellence of its design and systems oriented
technical staff. The company offers a wide spectrum
of office- and technical systems and supply high-reliable
electronics.
Around 1970, a deliberate commitment was made by the
company to devote its resources to the European Space
Programme. It has since participated in most of the
major ESA programmes. A synopsis of the company's involvement
in these programmes is given later. Successful participation
in these programmes has broadened the company's resources.
The high degree of performance which these programmes
demand has been met by applying up-to-date technology,
specialised hardware and software engineering expertise,
and modern management methods.
The experience gained from engagement in the European
Space Programme was an important factor in winning
a contract with Delco Electronics Inc. to co-produce
their Fire Control Computer as part of the 4-nation
European F-16 Programme. The Fire Control Computer
is the only "end-item" co-produced in Denmark and is
delivered directly to the F-16 assembly lines in Europe
or the U.S.A.
From the design and production of switching power supplies
for the European Space Programme we have developed
an advanced technology and sophisticated design philosophy,
which can be applied to the solution of complex power
supply problems. Several patents are held by the company
relating to power supply circuit design.
In the mid-seventies the company decided to enter the
Defence Communication Computer market. It has since
participated in critical communications-oriented programmes
undertaken by NATO/SHAPE/NICSMA and various national
defence, tri-service communications agencies. The company's
involvement in some of these programmes is detailed
below.
CRA believes that it has available exceptional, professional
talent dedicated to advanced electronic techniques.
Furthermore, the company excels in applying current
technology to modular equipment design, and has no
out-dated product lines to support.
In short, Christian Rovsing A/S has acquired extensive
experience in the design, development and manufacture
and delivery of turn-key computer systems.
