MANAGING VARIETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM OPERATIONS USING AN INTEGRATED DATABASE AND HANDHELD COMPUTERS TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND REDUCE ERRORS

SPIDNET IS a suite of software solutions created by BSES Limited for the management of sugarcane variety improvement data. It was programmed using Microsoft’s .NET Framework, the C# programming language and SQL Server 2005 relational database. Development commenced in 2003 with web and desktop applications and has now extended to mobile devices running the Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system. This paper describes the main features of SPIDNet and recent developments using SPIDNetMobile and handheld computers. Basic functionalities of SPIDNet include: managing plantings, plots and observations; pedigree management; cross pollination; and traceability. Symbol MC70 handheld computers, equipped with barcode scanners and radios for Bluetooth and WiFi communication, have provided an increase in data collection efficiency and accuracy. Data loss is minimised using Zebra RW420 mobile printers equipped with Bluetooth radios to print valuable information as it is collected. SPIDNet allows users to define new plantings and upload field plans as .csv files for validation and storage in a centralised database. Microsoft SQL Server provides replication features to copy data from this central database to smaller Compact Edition databases on PDAs as required. Robust labels and bar-coded unique identifiers enable SPIDNetMobile to display associated data in the field, and enforce relational integrity as new data are collected. Data collection operations currently include automatic capture of plot weights at harvest, validated capture of source plot data as new plantings are planted, template-based data capture permitting capture of any custom data against a given field plan, parent census and pollen test results during cross pollination operations, and other small utilities.