An open information system for the swine production and marketing industry: Its scope, topology and telecommunications strategy

Abstract

On the basis of data originating from producers and users in the swine production industry, the structure of a comprehensive information system (IS) is proposed that should cover the information needs of all participants in the process. Some present-day computer/record keeping systems are outlined and their limitations pointed out. From considerations of the scope of a comprehensive IS, it is concluded that the resultant topology of an IS calls for on-farm computers handling all data originating and pertaining to their respective locations and a central system which stores all data from every participant. The central database of identical structure contains all peripheral data as copy of the onfarm database. Also, the same operating system is run throughout the network. The information system is run functionally as a distributed database. The ensuing problems connected with redundant central storage of data are evaluated leading to the development of a high-level telecommunication protocol. A telecommunication strategy developed and implemented in the context of a distributed herdbook management system is presented from the perspective of a system designer and discussed in relation to the problems in an open information system in pig production. Its limitations are pointed out leading to a telecommunication strategy based on UNIX and international standards.