Beef Stocker USA 2012 Survey of the Animal Identification Industry
Responding Company: Cow Sense
Survey Section: Software
|
|
Company: |
Cow
Sense |
|
|
Develop
Software: |
YES |
|
|
Describe: |
The
strengths of Cow Sense are at the cow/calf level in commercial as
well as seedstock enterprises. It is a useful herd management
tool for commercial cattlemen that want a simple inventory tool or
desire advanced analysis needed to evaluate individual cows based
upon their production and contribution to profit. Additional
capabilities are available for the seedstock producer that wishes to
register cattle online, receive EPD updates, and manage customers
and sale receipts. This flexibility allows producers to
identify their needs and choose from the Cow Sense products to meet
those needs. |
|
|
Version
Name (1): |
Cow
Sense EZ-75 |
|
|
Attributes: |
Designed
with the smaller cow operation in mind. It provides all the
performance measures, breeding, and animal health functions, but is
limited to 75 cows. It also has some advanced features like
user defined fields, custom reports, and specialized data entry
removed for simplicity. Cost:
$149 (Web) - $175 (Retail) |
|
|
Version
Name (2): |
Cow
Sense - Lite |
|
|
Attributes: |
Designed
for a ranch that does not yet weigh calves individually or retain
individual carcass performance. It provides measures of
reproductive performance, progeny lists, herd inventory and all the
other functions for breeding and animal health. Cost:
$266 (Web) - $295 (Retail) |
|
|
Version
Name (3): |
Cow
Sense - Commercial |
|
|
Attributes: |
Is
the most widely used product, with complete individual animal
performance measures while on the cow, in the feedlot, and at
harvest. Detailed breeding and animal health are standard. Cost:
$446 (Web) - $495 (Retail) |
|
|
Version
Name (4): |
Cow
Sense - Purebred |
|
|
Attributes: |
Introduces
functions for the seed stock operation or the advanced commercial
operation where complete EPDs, depth of pedigree and Embryo Transfer
capability are important. There is also provision for breed
templates that provide seamless data exchange with breed
associations. Cost:
$536 (Web) - $ 595 (Retail) |
|
|
Interface
with RFID Readers: |
Cow
COMM™ is the Cow Sense chute side component that can be loaded on
a laptop computer and interfaces with EID readers, electronic
scales, electronic measuring devices, LED signs, and electronic
gates. Cow COMM runs as a separate program but depends upon
Cow Sense for reporting and analysis. Cow COMM works real-time
in the Cow Sense database and can access historical data, collect
new data, make calculations as well as audible sort calls instantly.
Cow
COMM does not require any hardware other than a computer to operate;
however these devices can save time and improve accuracy. The
Cow COMM software provides the entire interface needed for RFID
readers and any other hardware. If the information is just
being captured in a scale head that is not connected chute side to a
computer, it later can be uploaded automatically through Cow COMM,
or through the import feature of Cow Sense. The most common
approach is to have the scale connected directly to the computer
chute side so the information flows directly into the Cow Sense
database and can be used real-time. Hand
held devices have become powerful enough to be useful data
collection and field reference tools. Pocket Cow Sense
supports the use of the Windows Mobile devices with a serial
interface adapter or with Bluetooth interface with electronic
RFID scanners. Pocket Cow Sense also performs very well with
integrated hardware such as the Agrident reader and Psion Workabout
Pro. |
|
|
Software
Interface With: |
AgInfo
Link, Cabled, wireless (including Bluetooth) and pocket readers Gallagher
BR Panel Readers (600 & 1300), Cabled and wireless (including
Bluetooth) |
|
|
Records
Collected: |
Cow
COMM allows the user to collect data manually or automatically.
Based upon data collected and data in the Cow Sense database, Cow
COMM makes chute-side calculations for: ADG, WDA, frame score, and
adjusted pelvic area, to name but a few. In addition, user
assigned defaults and validations save time and improve accuracy.
Cow COMM can also use data collected to help sort cattle into any
type of groups chute-side or even for loading out trucks. This
allows users to make more sound management decisions based upon
objective measures - uniformly applied. Cow COMM can also be
used to record the collection of DNA samples, submit them
electronically through PIC, and receive the parentage information
automatically back into Cow Sense. On
the other hand, Pocket Cow Sense allows the user to collect data in
the field and return it to the Cow Sense database where it is batch
processed through synchronization. Pocket Cow Sense also has a
desktop application, which is used to export data from Cow Sense to
the handheld, and import data back in from the Pocket PC. This
provides validation and security to maintain the integrity of the
Cow Sense herd file. Another
powerful feature of Cow Sense is that the data remains on the
users’ computers, yet they can share this information with, and
receive updates from, other segments of the industry. This is
accomplished through an export/import procedure or using automated
file transfers through PIC. PIC handles all of the data
exchange protocols necessary to ensure reliable and accurate data
exchange. |
|
|
Manual
Entry: |
Yes,
any data can be keyed in chute side. In addition, in the event
of equipment failure, or lack of equipment, we have Field Forms that
allow the producer to manually record the visual ID and any
additional information and import the EID number into the Cow Sense
herd file. |
|
|
Data
Stored: |
As
described earlier, this is up to the user. They can use the
PDA for collecting data through Pocket Cow Sense and then
synchronize and import back into Cow Sense on their desktop or
laptop computer.. Cow COMM is primarily used chute sided to
add data to existing records or create new animal records and record
chute side events. A PC With Cow Sense and Cow COMM chute side
allows the user access to all existing data and they can sort and
query to their custom criteria or specification. Additional
application is built into Cow COMM, for producers who maybe using an
electronic scale head to capture the EID and VID chuteside. In
this situation the producer can retrieve the data from the scale
head through a passive data exchange with Cow COMM as well. |
|
|
Installation
Costs: |
There
is no installation cost associated with our software, as it is a
simple menu driven installation procedure. However if the user
needs assistance, telephone and e-mail support is provided at no
cost if within their 30-day policy. Virtual assistance is
available via the Internet, provided that an active support plan is
in place. |
|
|
Computer
Operating System: |
Although
an early version of Cow Sense was released in the MAC environment in
the mid 1980’s, all recent versions of Cow Sense and all
peripherals require, the Windows™ operating system. It is
important to realize that even though there are certain Windows
patches for the Windows 98 and Windows 2000 products that if
installed ensure proper functionality with present development
platforms, however Windows XP or greater is recommended |
|
|
Training
Costs: |
All
Cow Sense products come with extensive documentation or User’s
Guides that are written in layman’s terms. However if the
user desires additional training, we do offer User Training Courses.
Our scheduled Training courses range from $75 to $125 per day and
are offered in various locations central to our clientele. More
recently we have launched our |
|
|
Technical
Support: |
Documentation
with Cow Sense products explains in detail program functions and
capabilities. Extensive help systems as well as
electronic copies of the User’s Guide are included in the
programs. In addition online help is available simply by
pushing the F1 key. Key tips and tricks pop ups called “Bits
and Spurs” are incorporated to guide users in specialized tasks.
Both Cow Sense and Sale Manager have great built-in search functions
so you can easily find answers to your questions. You may
print any or all pages from the electronic copy, or if you prefer,
pre-printed copies of the User’s Guides are available for a
nominal cost. Cow
Sense Core Products (Cow Sense EZ – 75, Lite, Commercial, and
Purebred) With
your purchase of a Cow Sense Core Product, customers receive our
30/30 Customer Service Plan. The 30/30 Customer Service Plan
will help ensure that they get started comfortably with their Cow
Sense Core Product. Customers receive 30 days or 30 minutes of
technical/product support, whichever is of greater benefit to them.
The included support period begins with the first contact following
activation (obtaining the Key) of their program, within 1 year from
purchase. This includes use of our toll free telephone number
as well as e-mail support. If, at the end of a customer’s 30
days, they have not used 30 minutes of technical/product support,
the unused balance will be credited to them and remains available
for their use when they need assistance with their Cow Sense Core
Product. If a customer uses 30 minutes of technical/product
support before their 30 days expires, they will continue to receive
assistance for their Cow Sense Core Product for the remainder of the
30-day period. Cow Sense Sale Manager With
your purchase of Cow Sense Sale Manager, users receive 60 minutes of
telephone or email support. The 60 minutes will be
credited to their account following activation of their Cow Sense
Sale Manager program. The 60 minutes will be available for
assistance for Sale Manager or any other Cow Sense product. Other Cow Sense Products With
your purchase of Cow Sense Cow COMM and pocket Cow Sense, users
receive 30 minutes of telephone or email support. The 30
minutes is credited to their account following activation of their
program. The 30 minutes will be available for assistance for
Cow COMM Pocket Cow Sense or any other Cow Sense product.
|
|
|
Technical
Support Plan: |
At Midwest MicroSystems, Customer Service is our top
priority! Each of our customers is an extension of our company
and their ability to receive maximum benefit from our products is
the true measure of our success. We strive to make the Cow
Sense family of products easy to use, yet capable of providing
advanced analysis and superior information management. Although
technical/product support is a key service component to our
customer, our focus is broader. We want to support advanced
use and maximize our customers’ satisfaction and benefits.
As a result, we have organized our Technical/Product
Support is available on a fee-for-service basis via reasonably
priced packages to meet customer’s individual needs following use
or expiration of the included support for Cow Sense, Sale Manager,
Cow COMM, or Pocket Cow Sense. Pre-paid Customer Service Plans
make providing services more convenient for users. Each plan
is designed to meet specific technical/product support needs.
Customers can choose from a single plan or combine plans to meet
their individual needs. The
Cow Sense Corral The
Internet allows for rapid delivery of this service and we have made
some major changes to our Customer Service area at the web. We
have consolidated some of our past services and enhanced them with
powerful new features to provide users with the very best service
available to the cow/calf producer. These are available at the
Cow Sense Corral. User’s can review their account including
past support questions and answers. In addition users have
access to the Cow Sense Forum, an online bulletin board, as well as
a searchable Knowledgebase of all technical support issues and
answers. We
use a variety of support mechanisms, telephone, e-mail, web based
bulletin boards and advanced dial in capabilities facilitate the
ability to virtually look over the customers shoulder and observe
the situation they are dealing with. In addition our Send and
Retrieve herd file, allows the client to easily send us their Cow
Sense herd file so a diagnosis can be made, any repairs made if
necessary, and return the herd all via built in FTP functionality. |
|
|
Cost
of Technical Support: |
VBS
Direct. Cost - $60 for 60 Customer Service Credits (minutes of
support time). Use for Priority 1 telephone and e-mail
technical/product support. Customers with an active Priority
Customer Care plan have access to our toll-free telephone number.
The time we spend assisting clients is billed against the Customer
Service Credits they have purchased. Unused Customer Service
Credits do not expire and can be exchanged on a dollar for dollar
basis for product upgrades or applied toward purchase of any other
Cow Sense product(s). We
maintain a database of all support services provided and supply
clients with a support statement when their Customer Service Credit
balance drops below 20 minutes or on request. Customer’s
support statements include a detailed record of each contact, the
question(s) or support issue(s), the response and the resolution.
This provides them with a hard copy reference that can be filed and
used again should you encounter the same situation. This saves
our customers time and money! Customers can also view their
customer support account on-line at the Cow Sense Corral. |
|
|
Support
Non-electronic Ave.: |
Cow
Sense Record Service is an option for customers that do not want to
do the data entry but wish to utilize EID and Cow Sense reports for
their herd management decisions. Through this service we
provide our customers the following: Paper
Field Forms/Centralized Data Entry (CDE) used for collection of on
ranch information EID
Non-tech (manually matched to calf’s visual ID) Electronic
Data Exchange from Centralized Data Entry to Feedlot Data Systems Standard
production records returned to rancher for on ranch analysis and
genetic improvement Carcass
and feeding data returned to ranch Cow
Sense Online – Secure web based reporting and benchmarking tool
provided at no cost. The
costs involved in this service are as follows:Data Entry
$1.50/animal record Hard
Copy Standard Reports mailed at an annual cost of $50.00/ ranch or
location
|
|
|
Software
Updated: |
Registered
Cow Sense users are notified of program updates as they become
available. Updates are portrayed by a change in the
right portion of the version number, i.e. 4.4, 4.5, 4.6. These
updates are primarily maintenance releases, and are freely available
for download from our Internet site. The Auto Update function
built into the Cow Sense Help Menu provides customers an automated
routine to automatically retrieve and install updates with a few
menu driven commands. A fee (per update mailed) will be
charged for shipping and handling to customers who wish to have the
update mailed to them on CD or diskette. |
|
|
Additional
Costs: |
Registered
Cow Sense software users are notified of version upgrades to their
licensed products as they become available. Version upgrades
include major enhancements to the program, which add value to the
previous version(s). Version upgrades are depicted by a change
in the left part of the version number, i.e. 2.0, 3.0, 4.0.
These enhancements require substantial development resources and
costs will depend upon the features included. Version upgrades
(within program mode) released within 12 months of purchase will be
provided at no cost to the user, except for a nominal fee for
shipping and handling. Shipping and handling fees will be
waived if upgrades are downloaded from the Internet. |
|
|
If
No, Software Recommended: |
|
|
|
Comments: |
Additional
Cow Sense Peripheral Products include Sale Manager™,
Assists seed stock producers or specialized commercial marketers to
manage customer relations and animal sales. The Producer
Edition handles private treaty or small auction sales, while
providing billing, customer history, and sale preparation.
Sale Manager is also available as a service in a high-end, networked
version for managing large auction sales. Cost: $395 to Cow Sense
users, $495 as a stand-alone installation. (Retail) Cow COMM™ Is
the Cow Sense chute-side tool. It provides data acquisition in
real time with its interfaces to electronic ID readers, electronic
scales, electronic hip-height measuring devices, LED Signs, Bar Code
Readers and automated sorting gates. It also serves in-process
decision making by referencing all historical animal information in
combination with newly acquired data and providing automated, user
pre-defined sorting protocols. Cost: $195 (Retail) Pocket
Cow Sense™, Harnesses the mobile environment of the Pocket PC with
the Cow Sense historical reference information to record data in the
field “real-time and then synchronize back to a desk top computer.
Pocket Cow Sense makes recording calving, weaning and weighing data
for calves or breeding, and preg check data on cows easy! The
Work List allows you to capture movements, processing, and shipping
data on all classes of cattle. The Treatments section provides
a simple way of capturing animal health events and treatments
administered in the field. Pocket Cow Sense is compatible with
EID and electronic scale heads as well! Cost: $195 (Retail) PIC (Premium
Interface Component) Contains data exchange protocols that integrate
Cow Sense with industry partners. Included are protocols for
breed associations and beef production systems. PIC uses a
unique template mechanism to adapt the Cow Sense data structure to
specific applications. It also employs a proprietary Internet
File Transfer Protocol tool that supports the data transfers using
our secure Internet site. Cost: $100 (Retail) Cow Sense
Online Is a web-active, secure Internet central database service for
comparative analysis and benchmarking. It provides Cow Sense
users a means of evaluating their herd performance in comparison
with other participants in the service. COST: - This is an included
feature in Cow Sense. There is NO additional cost for this
service Cow
Sense Power Tools provides advanced capabilities for power users of
Cow Sense. We have accommodated these needs through building
utility programs that ran outside of Cow Sense yet accessed the Cow
Sense database. Cost:
$135 (Retail) and includes: CALENDAR
PRO. Although Cow Sense Version 4.74 contains a simple
calendar tool, the Calendar Pro in Power Tools
provides more advanced features.
However the most valuable feature may be that you can update
Calendar Pro from data
previously recorded in Cow Sense.
COW
MOOVER. We have incorporated Cow Moover with Cow Sense Power
Tools. Cow Moover has application to those customers who have
multiple Cow Sense herds and need to be able to conveniently move
cow or bull records between herds. JOIN
REPORT. This tool provides users with the ability to design
reports that access data in different tables and merges them into a
combined or joined report. MATING
PLANNER. This tool is designed to assist Cow Sense Purebred
users to set goals for their intended calf crop EPDs. Select
cows and bulls to be considered, set the EPD parameters, and the
Mating Planner will generate a list of matings for each cow with all
bulls that will meet user’s goals! Performance
Pedigree. A
picture can say 1,000 words.
With Power Tools you can add pictures and print a
5-generation Performance Pedigree!
What a great tool to enhance your marketing efforts!
You can also add your company logo or brand to the pedigree
and print, with or without a picture. |
View other Responses for this company:
Company Info - Tags - Hand Held - Stationary - Scale Head - Software - Data Storage - System Cost
