The fruit sector is a dynamic one where various factors throughout the supply chain affect quality and volumes. Experience Fruit Quality wants to use the EYE on fruit quality control software to address the challenges fruit companies face regarding quality. "It collects quality data to improve compliance and operational performance," begins Rick Schot of Experience Fruit Quality, which specializes in data-driven technologies in the fruit sector.
This Dutch company focuses on improving business operations via data or AI (Artificial Intelligence) solutions. They mostly build solutions that allow professionals to collect, understand, and make decisions in their daily work. "Food waste, maintaining quality, and the masses of data are hot topics in the fruit and vegetable industry. That made us keen to help companies in the sector maintain insight." The data company does this through two products: the AVOS mini, a device that records the avocados' quality non-invasively, and EYE on Fruit.
They began developing the EYE on Fruit software after the company found that fruit businesses needed help to get a grip on fruit development and only sometimes optimally use data to make operational process choices. "Fruit companies currently mainly use quality software to do and record individual quality controls. They use that information to provide accountability to customers and suppliers. There's also a lot not being recorded about the fruit quality, while that's valuable data. There’s a lack of data and context," says Rick.
"Besides that, we consider it a missed opportunity not to use fruit quality data to make better operational decisions. That, while fruit development is central. So it makes sense to put this quality data at the center, too, to improve operations. Think of whether or not to sort, how long to ripen a product, or which order is matched to which pallet. That can all be taken off your hands. Nowadays, there's a growing need for advanced software solutions that help companies optimize their operations. With EYE on Fruit software, we were eager to meet that challenge."
Experience Fruit Quality's team consists of 20 data and software experts, which, according to Rick, is vital when launching a solution in the fruit and vegetable sector. Because data, he explains, is an increasingly important asset for companies. "EYE on Fruit supports employees in making decisions by offering insights and actions based on data and AI models. Through this approach, companies can improve operational efficiency and create room for growth," he says.
"This software not only captures quality for external parties like buyers and suppliers, but also internally on a company's operation. It displays a fruit company's operational steps and tracks fruit quality over time. By combining its processes and quality development, a company kills two birds with one stone: recording quality and improving operations. EYE on Fruit Software is for operational staff and gives an overview of data relevant to the decision at hand."
Schot further explains that the software can also assist companies with staffing issues. Finding workers is no longer a given, especially in the fruit and vegetable sector. "Many businesses rely heavily on experienced employees, who record very few findings. Companies can fill that in using EYE on Fruit. The software can support staff in their tasks by streamlining processes and reducing reliance on human knowledge. That means people can do certain jobs with no specific knowledge because the data supports them in a user-friendly way. Plus, personnel spend less time on secondary tasks, like looking up information in different systems, walking back and forth, and contacting back and forth to get something done," he continues.
How does EYE on Fruit differ from other solutions? "Mainly, it's AI. That's a critical aspect. The software has several integrated AI functionalities to support users. We've added AI modules to its home screen that users can click on. Behind these modules are data models that automatically alert and advise employees. These AI functionalities do things like help identify crucial tasks, focus on planning, and identify high-risk pallets. Using AI means fruit companies can benefit from automated analysis and decision support, resulting in more efficient operations. Also, data is captured at the fruit level, creating a significantly more relevant database for industry employees to use."
Several sector clients are using this software and are happy with it, Rick confirms. "We hear it provides plenty of insight into the exact status of the fruit. Using the software lets the companies plan well what to do with the fruit and whether the right fruit is ready for a customer. You don’t have to use Excel for planning anymore; the software supports that. Also, we find that fruit companies are getting far more valuable information from their data. Our software includes an analysis option to analyze things like purchasing, ripening, wastage, yields, and quality. This client-centric approach means minimizing workers' need to make adjustments, ensuring the software is implemented smoothly,'' Rick concludes.
For more information: 
Rick Schot
Experience Fruit Quality
Tel.: +31 0646-733 036
[email protected]
www.experiencefruitquality.nl