Ordering materials from their ‘phone or tablet is often difficult for farmers, that’s why suppliers are looking for ways to simplify the process. MS Schippers has recently launched a new app with this in mind. In contrast to many other applications, this one is suited for use outside and in pig unit buildings
In recent years, agricultural suppliers have seen a sharp increase in digital ordering. This is also the case in animal husbandry, but the conditions in farm buildings are often far from optimal. For example, there may be poor or no internet access, as well as a lack of time.
The new MS Schippers app has been designed with this in mind.
“We wanted a user-friendly app that suits the way livestock farmers order materials,” the e-commerce manager at MS Schippers, John van Beek, said. “The result is a seemingly simple but functional app that fits in seamlessly with the requirements of farmers and unit managers. After a year of development, together with IT company Incentro, the app was made available to MS Schippers customers at the beginning of this year.”
According to Mr Van Beek, the key to developing a good app is actually quite simple; you have to know what your customer wants.
“That’s why the app development was based on a large number of conversations with users,” he added. “A number of users indicated that they have no or bad internet, and therefore no possibility to order online. We also found out from these conversations, and from an analysis of buying behaviour, that the majority of customers always orders the same products.
“One customer said he always used a shopping list that he took with me on his management rounds. If he noticed a product was almost finished, he added it to his list. And we discovered another generally perceived annoyance was that customers often forget their passwords and had to request a new one.”
Starting with the password problem, customers now never have to log in the new app after the first time. Furthermore, now when they open the app, they’ll see their recent order history. The farmer just has to click on the desired product to add it directly to the shopping cart.
“It’s a fast way to order,” Mr Van Beek said. “The way it usually works is that you first get information about the product and then you can place an order, bu t we do it the other way around. As a result, a minimal number of finger movements is required and the risk of error is low.”
To keep things clear, the app doesn’t have a category classification. A search function allows users to quickly find new products, and to make it extra easy and to prevent confusion, the barcode of products used on the farm can be scanned.
“There are many different variants of some products, such as needles,” Mr Van Beek added. “Thanks to the scanner, the customer doesn’t have to remember anything and is sure to order the right materials.”
The app has been rebuilt from first priciples, and in the background there’s one single platform on which both the website and the app operate. This makes it possible to switch easily between the app on the ‘phone and the website on the laptop with the same account. Thanks to smart technology, the app can also be used offline when there’s no internet access.
Big customers with multiple locations can now have one account, but place orders by location. And they can pay via the app, or later in the office.
“Importantly, they don’t need to bring a debit card into the farm buildings,” Mr Van beek said.
For more information visit: www.msschippers.co.uk.
