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| Multiplying | |
| The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) keeps a national register of the breeds, pedigrees and individual animals in the national herd that are most productive. It is a vital piece of intelligence gathering and helps protect the efficiency and productivity of one of Ireland's most important industries. But maintaining this database has always been painstaking work, involving laborious monitoring of animals on individual farms and expensive documentation. |  |
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We have now devised a way for ICBF inspectors to carry out this vital work more economically and more efficiently. Inspectors are using our xda combined phone and mobile computers, equipped with software developed by Sord Data Systems, to maintain and instantly update the database of Ireland's most productive animals as they visit individual farms. When inspectors arrive at a farm they have a list of the cattle to be inspected already stored on their xda from O2. When tests have been completed, results are recorded onto the xda and then immediately relayed to the central database over our General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) network. The project promises some significant improvements in this important service, with the database set to grow from 10,000 recorded beef cattle to more than 50,000 in the next two to three years. The ICBF is also reviewing whether other areas of its operations would benefit from this new wireless data application. Wireless services applied in imaginative ways are making a real difference in diverse areas outside the agricultural sector. These include text alerts for blood transfusion services, text messaging for deaf people, and roaming services operating through the O2 network across 146 countries that enable people to stay in touch internationally. |
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Our work with the Irish Cattle Breeders Federation and Sord Data Systems is an
example of how we can work closely with diverse partners to bring surprising
benefits using our technology and our networks.
Commenting on the collaboration between the three partners, Dr Brian Wickham, Chief Executive of the ICBF, said: "This is the first time that a mobile operator, a software developer and ICBF have come together to bring about a really innovative solution for the cattle breeding industry. "In order for the industry to thrive we need to continuously update our database with cattle data, while at the same time keeping costs to an absolute minimum. The solution proposed by O2 and Sord will help to achieve this. We believe this collaborative project will make a real difference to our industry." Orlagh Nevin, O2 Ireland's head of data solutions said: "We are very pleased to be the first operator in Ireland to realise such a unique service." |
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| What are the facts about mobile technology and our children? >> | |||
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| PDF: THE REPORT > |
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