“The whole world is going digital - there’s no turning back.”
Growers and buyers are busy preparing for 100% Digital to ensure that all direct trade will proceed correctly through Floriday. Representatives of the succulent grower Amigo Plant and export company Hilverda De Boer talk about the importance and the many benefits of these developments.
100% Digital brings a number of benefits to both growers and buyers, according to both purchasing director Azadin Ouriouer and commercial director Cees Bakker of Hilverda De Boer. Azadin: “Smaller margins of error are a significant advantage. People are can easily make a small mistake, but effective systems can catch a lot of errors.” Cees adds: “Floriday is so important to us that we devote considerable attention it. As a consequence, we were the first Blueroots buyer ready to trade 100% Digital.”
Gerard van Langen, director and owner of Amigo Plant, is also enthusiastic. “Ideally, I’d like to get started working 100% Digital tomorrow. The greatest advantage is that the supply will soon be available on one large platform to which everyone can connect. Thanks to the link between our software package from SDF and Floriday, the information is truly up-to-date and real-time.”
Different Approach
Growers and buyers need to start working differently for direct trade. Growers will have to place their supply for direct trade online on Floriday, and buyers will eventually have to click the buy button. “The role of the exporter will be to connect supply and demand and to ensure efficient logistics between grower and customer. Our purchasing team actively encourages growers to join Floriday. We support the growers with advice and practical help,” says Azadin.
Growers will have more room for other things, says Ab Duin, the new sales project manager at Amigo Plant, as there are fewer errors, no weekly lists need to be prepared and the action to purchase rests with the buyer. “We will have extra time to develop new concepts, business processes, e-commerce and to talk to our customers about our trade.”
“Get Moving”
Gerard recommends: “Keep up with this development and start using the Floriday screens as soon as possible, so you’ll be well prepared. If you continue to work with your own software, be sure to ask your software supplier to link with Floriday as soon as possible. Be patient, too; everyone is doing their best to make the platform work as smoothly as possible.” Azadin concurs: “It’s important that the entire sector gets moving now and starts working with 100% Digital. We say this to all our growers. We think it’s very important for growers to find their bearings in this new way of working.
