b'PARTNER CONTENTBecome an Invaluable Partner with The Proagrica NetworkT he agricultural value chain starts with crop inputparties. Information can be captured or viewed with minimal manufacturers. As the first step, their responsibility and roledisruption to the supply chain. Data is shared electronically, and is, of course, extremely important. Ever balancing the needautomatically, giving real-time visibility of the production process to evolve products, increase yield, and provide for the growingand accurate tracking of orders and status.population. All while ensuring execution of their sustainabilitySome of the key benefits KWS have gained through working commitments, and maintaining healthy working relationshipswith Proagrica to digitize and automate their channels to market with the growers who use their products.include: Their customers are all different. Each work in different areasReduce errors caused by multiple keying of information of the world, each has abusinesses that is run differently, andTrack seed batches and ensure all parties are operating with demand fluctuates. So how do manufacturers prioritize in a waycorrect information that ensures they are able to secure solid working relationshipsTrack logistics and reduce time delays with their customers, while maintaining the ability to focusAvoid elevated levels of inventory write-offs on their strategic objectives? Manufacturers are required toIncrease customer satisfaction through offering reliable realize their customers demand, produce accordingly, and do sodelivery dates simultaneouslyas efficiently as possible.Make third parties more accountable and monitor their What manufacturers are coming to realize is that the webefficiencyof CRM tools, spreadsheets, excel documents, and emails thatThe Proagrica Network is a digital supply chain platform that communicate all of these details are no longer the most efficientelectronically connects agricultural trading partners, automating way to track their transactions along the way. What used to workand streamlining the order-to-cash process. With more than 130 good enough is no longer cutting it, putting efficient success, andag retailers already connected, manufacturers can easily gain profits on the line.access to large numbers of retail partners, removing the need for Lets look at an example of a leading seed producer, KWS,costly and time-consuming point to point EDI connections, and who identified that a more automated and integrated solutionreducing manual order processing. The solution is cloud-hosted for communication and trading with customers and partnerswith little up-front costs and a low, forecastable cost of ownership. was needed. A solution that would allow them to scale andIt also helps to reduce pressure on internal IT resources and the facilitate efficient business with their partners during their mostorganization as a whole, removing many time consuming and demanding periods. costly tasks which otherwise would occupy valuable resources For seed producers, the seasonal demand and supply of seedswhich can be better used supporting customers directly. combined with a very tight window for production and orderBy connecting organizations to numerous partners and fulfilment, means that there is little room for error.customers, The Proagrica Network ensures there is not only room There is a heavy reliance on working effectively with thirdfor scalability, but that the scalability itself is easy and reliable. parties (growers, processors, distributors and hauliers) to meetWith a network that is already developed and well-functioning, strict deadlines. A lack of visible, accurate information in real-timemanufacturers can be sure that from the moment they connect- can mean that validating and processing orders takes time and isthe system is ready to work for them, with virtually no hassle.reliant on customer service during these peak times. CommittingConnecting to The Proagrica Network means you are connecting and fulfilling these orders based on inaccurate information canwith hundreds of other supply chain partners, including eighteen lead to delays and cancellations, which along with an inability toof the top 20 U.S. ag retailers. provide reliable order, delivery and invoice status information, canWhen you consider the time saving, and cash saving benefits of ultimately impact customer satisfaction and lost revenue.supply chain automation, the increased accuracy, reliability, and By connecting to the Proagrica Network, KWS was able toscalability, as well as the ability to reduce pressures on your own deploy a robust solution for data integration into their SAP system.team, you quickly become aware of the competitive advantage This enabled full visibility and traceability of inventory throughoutavailable to be gained. When the business you do is hassle free, the seed production cycle, as well as streamlining the order,and accurate- your customers will keep coming back. They will delivery and logistics processes. always be happy and confident in your working relationship. Input The solution consisted of a combination of Electronic Datamanufacturers working with The Proagrica Network suddenly find Interchange (EDI) and an online portal which enables greaterthemselves an invaluable partner that their customer couldnt connectivity and a more efficient data exchange betweenimagine ever working without. INTERNATIONAL EDITION 2021SEEDWORLD.COM /81'