P-Plus Farm Management Software Top 12 Questions
1. What is P-Plus?
2. What Farming Types can we use P-Plus for?
3. How many modules are there and what are they?
4. Do I have to buy the full program?
5a. What size computer will P-Plus operate on and what version
of Windows do I require?
5b. How do I find out the specifications of my current PC?
6. What benefits are there in using the software?
7. What management decisions can we make utilising the software?
8. Does P-Plus have a regular upgrade policy and support?
9. What special features does P-Plus offer?
10. What do we have to do to get started with P-Plus?
11. What are the purchase options?
12. Where do I get an Aerial Photo?
1. What is P-Plus?
P-Plus is an integrated paddock, livestock, crop recording, QA, farm mapping and planning program. It's modulated style means that each module can stand alone for a specific area of farming, or several modules can be integrated and run together. Information entered once is then shared among modules. There are two packages available, P-Plus Professional and P-Plus Farm.
2. What Farming Types can we use P-Plus for?
Any farming activity can be accommodated including dairy, sheep, bef, deer, goats, extensive cropping, orchards, vinyards, and others. As a user you can select the modules which closely fit your monitoring needs.
3. How many modules are there and what are they?
There are four key modules and three minor modules. The minor modules are incorporated in the key sales modules.
The modules are:
Map and Paddock (includes weather and CoverWalks)
Map - this enables you to utilise a GPS map, an aerial photo, or an existing
map to create maps, measure paddocks, alter fences, plus create a host of
layers of information. Layers can include drainage, water supply, trees,
physical features such as contours, sils and productive areas, and anything
else you wish to add. You can load GPS data (some conditions apply), or
images in a jpg or bmp file format.
Paddock - monitor fertiliser and pesticide applications plus any activity associated with paddocks including cash inputs and outputs.
CoverWalks - for recording pasture covers from plate meters and other measuring devices to provide covers over time, growth rates, and feed wedges. Provided free with any purchase of FarmWorks Electronic Rising Plate Meter. CoverWalks also runs as a standalone module for those just wishing to record their pasture cover details.
Stock - Monitors all activities associated with mobs/herds (drenching, production). In conjunction with the paddock module you can record grazing records. You can monitor all cash inputs and outputs for stock and production. Includes stock reconciliation details.
Feed Forecaster - Budget - for dairy, sheep, beef and deer. Enables weekly, monthly and annual budgeting. Farmers can proactively anticipate and therefore more effectively manage their feed plan and requirements.
Individual Animals (currently under development) - ideal for recording commercial operations relating to individual animals such as weight and production records (not genetic). Suitable for dry stock or bull beef operations where weight recording is important.
Minor Modules:
Farm Records - maintain a list and record of your farm
assets.
Weather - maintain weather data or import historical records.
4. Do I have to buy the full program?
The program is sold based on a mimimum package combination that includes Mapping and Paddock, as described above. Additional modules* can be added at any time and are fully integrated. It merely requires a new registration to activate the other modules. We can discuss the best options to suit your needs. Pricing depends on the mix of modules you purchase.Please refer to question 11. What are the purchase options.
5a. What size computer will P-Plus operate on and what version of Windows do I require?
We recommend the following computer specifications for P-Plus:
| Operating system: | Windows ME, 2000 or XP |
| CPU: | 1.00GHz |
| RAM / Memory: | 256MB minimum, 512MB recommended |
| CD-ROM Drive: | DVD/CD - RW combo drive |
| Monitor: | SVGA |
| Windows compatible printer | |
| Internet access for licensing and support | |
Note that the software will operate on lower specification PCs, however processing will be slower and some will struggle to manage the large map or aerial photo files. If in doubt contact FarmWorks to discuss.
Note: P-Plus CoverWalks will run comfortably on Windows 95 or Windows 98 as a standalone package.
5b. How do I find out the specifications of my current PC?
Follow these steps:
- Go to 'Control Panel'
- Select 'System'
- Select the 'General' tab which will display the following details:
System - i.e. Details of the operating system, eg Windows XP
Registration - i.e. who the operating system is registered to, e.g. Joe Blogg
Computer - the computer specifications, CPU type/size and RAM/memory.
If you are not sure about your computer configuration, get in touch with the dealer who sold you the computer and ask them to confirm your exact configuration.
6. What benefits are there in using the software?
You have the ability to record daily activities of stock movements; crop, pasture and stock imputs (fertiliser, spray, drenching ect) plan subdivisions, measure pastures, fence lines, drains, etc, plus maintain a record of revenues and costs. Maps provide an excellent communication medium for staff and contractors, which can be printed out when you want. With quality assurance and auditing needs, P-Plus has significant benefits. The Feed Forecaster-Budget module allows you to proactively manage your feed situation rather than waiting until you are dropped into a feed issue.
7. What management decisions can we make utilising the software?
Depending on the module you use, you can do a number of regular operations:
- Pasture cover reporting in conjunction with your plate meter.
- Prepare feed budgets.
- Plan fertiliser applications to minimise over ordering.
- Plan new fence lines, build farm maps, water systems, drainage systems, etc.
- Plan cropping or grazing programmes.
- Report crop inputs and outputs.
- Report production details.
- Produce hazard reports.
- Provide contractors with property details for fertiliser or pesticide applications.
- Report stock reconciliations.
8. Does P-Plus have a regular upgrade policy and support?
Support is provided free for the first 60 days with ongoing support available on an 0900 telephone line. Email support is free for non specific general assistance. We have our own internal software writers with new special features constantly under development. New releases are dependent on the completion of development milestones. User input is highly valued in terms of adding new features.
9. What special features does P-Plus offer?
P-Plus can directly import GPS maps generated through our GPS mapping service as well as other line features such as soils and contours, referred to as shape files. The Feed Forecaster-Budget is easy to use and set up with all complexity hidden and kept inside your computer.
All modules are integrated or stand-alone as required. You do not have to purchase the full program.
10. What do we have to do to get started with P-Plus?
We can send you a demonstration disk with all the modules loaded for a 30 day evaluation. Prior to the end of this period you will need to purchase the relevant modules to continue using the software. We cannot register the software until it is paid for. Any data you enter before registration will be available for you to continue with after registration.
If we have done a GPS map for you, or you have had it done by FarmWorks, for a small fee we can load the map file into the demonstration version so that you can evaluate the software as it relates to your property.
11. What are the purchase options?
P-Plus Farm
P-Plus Farm is recommended for users who whish to manage one farm
in the system.
Includes 2 licenses (use with desktop and laptop or second desktop).
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Item Name |
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Price (excl GST) |
|
Price (incl GST) |
|
Freight New Zealand wide |
|
Purchase |
| Map and Paddock Module |
$750.00 | $843.75 | Free |
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| Stock Module |
$200.00 | $225.00 | Free |
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| Feed Forecaster-Budget Module |
$200.00 | $225.00 | Free |
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| Map, Paddock, Stock, Feed Forecaster-Budget Bundle |
$950.00 | $1068.75 | Free |
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| P-Plus CoverWalks Software |
$110.00 | $123.75 | Free |
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| Your Shopping Cart >> | |||||||||
P-Plus Professional
P-Plus Professional is recommended for users who wish to manage
multiple farms in the one system. The License allows a maximum of 5 farms
per license.
Includes 2 licenses (use with desktop and laptop or a second desktop).
|
Item Name |
|
Price (excl GST) |
|
Price (incl GST) |
|
Freight New Zealand wide |
|
Purchase |
| Map and Paddock Module (Max of 5 farms) |
$850.00 | $956.25 | Free |
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| Stock Module (Maximum of 5 farms) |
$300.00 | $337.50 | Free |
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| Feed Forecaster-Budget Module |
$460.00 | $517.50 | Free |
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| Map, Paddock, Stock, Feed Forecaster-Budget Bundle |
$1100.00 | $1237.50 | Free |
Buy Now |
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| Your Shopping Cart >> | |||||||||
All software prices include 60 days free technical support from date of registration. FARMWORKS operates an 0900 55512 Support Line for ongoing technical support.
12. Where do I get an Aerial Photo?
If you choose to draw your farm map, you may need an aerial photograph. We suggest that you use an ortho-corrected aerial photograph for more accurate paddock areas. There are a number of suppliers of aerial photos. For free, but generally older black and white photos, check out the LINZ website. Alternatively we can supply newer, more accurate, colour photographs with greater resolution. Check our coverage map to find out when your farm was last flown.
If you require any information, or have further questions, please fill out and submit the form below and we will contact you ASAP.
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