Abstract
Coffee Trader system has three modules;
Each module has its own functionality and assigned different users.
1. Curing house
Curing House Module is where it all begins. Coffee is received at the curing house from Suppliers (Co-operative Unions, Societies, Private buyers, Farmer groups). Coffee from one supplier goes under curing once the volume is large. This process is called Curing Instructions. After curing instructions, results are registered in form of grades which undergo quality certification also known as the liquoring process. For each grade, Bulking instructions are created. Storage Warranties are created as result of Bulking Instructions.
Storage warrants are made available by TCB and after the auction, they are updated with the buyer, sale number, date of sale and also release number from TCB. The final step at curing house is Coffee dispatch as per exporter’s disposal instructions. The steps at curing house are as follows:
• Coffee Receipt
• Curing Instructions
• Curing Results
• Quality Certification
• Bulking Instructions
• Storage Warranty
• Coffee Dispatch
The Module has two user access levels:
• Admin – This user is capable of adding users, responsibles, stores and has access to whole of Curing house module
• User – This user is only capable of entering transactional data from receiving of coffee to coffee disposal.
2. TCB
TCB Module links to all curing houses. It enables the user to update auction results to all storage warranties for all curing houses. Release for Auctioned coffee and for Direct Export is also handled in TCB Module. This Module also enables the coffee export Approval Process. TCB as the regulator of coffee sector in Tanzania will have access to reports with data from all the curing houses. The module has the following processes
• Import data from Auction system
• Coffee Release – Auction sale
• Coffee Release – Direct Export
• Coffee Export Approval
TCB Module enables registration of the following:
o Curing Houses
o Exporters/Buyers
o Grades
o Suppliers
o Co-operatives
o Coffee Types
o Zones
o TCB Module Users
3. Exporter
The Exporter Module is meant for coffee buyers. This enables the exporter to enter and generate coffee disposal details that are sent to the curing houses. It also enables in recording of coffee received from curing houses. The module is also used to record coffee shipment as well as application for Export Permit.
The Module has two user access levels:
• Admin – This user is capable of adding users, locations and transporters and has access to whole of Exporter module
• User – This user is only capable of entering transactional data from disposal instructions to coffee disposal.
The Coffee Trader application functions can be summarized as follows:
I. Recording of traceability information regarding to coffee receipts, curing instructions, curing statement, classification, bulking instructions, auction results, coffee release and coffee export approval.
II. Integration with other systems,
Automated download of curing results.
Automated upload of bulking instructions data.
Automated download of storage warrants data.
Automated upload of coffee release data.
III. Integration with GTNet.
Upload of bulking instructions data to GTNet with use of Xml files automatically generated by the system.
Upload of coffee sale/release data to GTNet with use of Xml files automatically generated by the system.
IV. Automatic generation of the following documents:
Coffee Receipt
Curing Instructions
Curing Statement
Quality certification (Classification)
Bulking Instructions
Auction results
Coffee release
Coffee Export Approval
Traceability
Customized management reports
GTNet is a standardized traceability infrastructure that empowers critical business processes. It aggregates a vast array of product data from diferent locations, processes and business units to create a full picture of an item's history. This unprecedented level of supply chain visibility enables companies to meet daily business needs and relevant industry regulations.