(a) The role of computers
(b) Sample applications of computer systems in FLD's Market Information Unit (MIU)
31. The scope of livestock information required and the various methods of obtaining that information represent a complex scenario. The volume of information being collected by the FLD at present is considerable and continuous. In undertaking this task by manual means it has not been possible for the information to be presented to its intended audience in a timely manner. Indeed, the information although collected by teams of enumerators and State officials throughout the country, will often remain for periods of time in files or on the desk of the person whose task it is to compile and eventually analyse the information. The reporting of partially complete data sets by manual means is prohibitive due to the burden of report preparation, printing and distribution. Innumerable institutions engaged in the production of livestock or livestock related statistics lag behind in the preparation of annual reports while the distribution of quarterly or monthly bulletins represents an almost impossible task. Indeed the actual preparation of such reports, relying as they do on the skills of available secretarial staff and the capabilities of the local printing firms, is in itself a laborious, thankless and time consuming task. Information is stored in its original form over long periods of time under inadequate conditions. The possibilities of damage or loss are considerable.
32. This section of the paper attempts to describe how, with the introduction of improved data processing techniques information can be stored, analysed and reported faster and easier. In examining the role of computers in livestock data collection, storage, editing, analysis and report writing a specific mode of data collection (principally a livestock survey) will be used to identify key tasks where computerization enjoys a comparative advantage.
33. In the following flowchart a typical survey (such as the livestock market price survey) has been considered to illustrate each of the tasks that were undertaken in designing, conducting and eventually reporting the results of the survey. It can be seen that computers can have an input in the design of the survey data forms to satisfy specific in-house requirements (examples are included at the end of this paper), data entry of the collected information into a database management package, statistical analysis of the data, organization of the analysed information in the form of tables and the preparation of the final report.
(i) Hardware
34. Based on the livestock data priorities discussed earlier it is necessary for the Market Information Unit of FLD to introduce a number of microcomputer systems capable of storing and analysing the large volume of information that has been collected to date. In presenting these recommendations for the future computerization for livestock information processing and reporting emphasis has been placed on the purchase of single user systems that are each self-contained. The advantage of such data processing systems are flexibility (it can be sited at the data source) and independence (a potential breakdown in one component will not affect the other units). Typically each system will comprise:
80286/80386 Processor
640-1024k bytes of Random Access Memory
40M bytes hard disk drive
Two serial interface ports
One parallel interface port
One floppy diskette drive
One cartridge tape spooler
One high resolution colour monitor
One high speed graphics printer.
Systems as described above are manufactured by a large number of firms throughout the world many of which are represented either through direct agencies or by small organizations in Nigeria.
35. It should be noted that the inclusion of both high resolution monitors and printers will facilitate both ease of use and provide a graphics capability to the systems. The ability for each of the units to produce reports that can be photocopied and distributed facilitates reporting for the entire system. The cartridge tape spooler will ensure that the user has an effective and easy means of ensuring data security against loss, theft, or accidental erasure.
36. In addition to this "standard" configuration provision has been made for the purchase of two sets of specialized equipment for report preparation and graphics. This equipment which includes document scanners and plotters will enable FLD to establish an in-house desk-top-publishing capability. The selected printers, for each unit, will be capable of printing in a variety of text size, font style and print and intensities. The laser scanner will enable the large volume of printed information presently stored by FLD in report form to be transferred automatically into the computer's selected word-processing package. The inclusion of a high quality (A2-size) multi-pen graph-plotter will enable the unit to perform its analysis of collected information and to produce the results of that analysis in a readily understandable form for reporting.
37. The computer industry is noted for its continual improvement in product capability matched by ever falling prices. It is thus recommended for organizations requiring a number of computer systems that the purchase of the systems should be planned over a period of time. In the case of FLD the recommended computer systems are to be purchased over a period of five years. This phasing of the introduction also enables the organization to conduct the high level of training required without the necessity of having units left idle.
38. In the case of FLD the planned purchase schedule is:
|
|
|
<----Project Year---> |
Total |
|||||
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Order |
|||
|
A |
Micro-computer Systems |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IBM/PC or compatible (80386 based) |
0 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
6 |
|
|
|
IBM/PC or compatible (80286 based) |
4 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
|
B |
Peripherals |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High Quality Printer |
4 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
12 |
|
|
|
Document Scanner |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
Plotter |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
Digitizer |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
C |
Power Supply System |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2000 va UPS |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
|
|
20 Minute battery backup |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
|
|
500 va UPS (with 10 minute battery) |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
(ii) Software
39. Applications software utilized for livestock data computerization falls into two categories: that purchased from software vendors; and that developed in-house. In general it should be noted that the majority of computer applications can be solved using purchased packages. However, when data volumes become excessive, the types of analysis become complex necessitating the use of low-level personnel in the entry or analysis of the data. Given these needs, there is a justification for developing specific packages to simplify programming routines used.
40. A sample of commercial softwares which can meet the data processing requirements of FLD are:
- The dBase III+ database management system which is used for data storage, editing and elementary reporting in both an interactive and programmed environment;- The SPSS statistics system which enables a detailed statistical analysis of low volume data sets;
- "Smart" word processing system for report writing, form design and elementary desk-top-publishing;
- "Smart" spreadsheet system for the entry and calculation of tables and the preparation of graphics. This package is integrated with the one described above to facilitate the movement of tabular information for reporting;
- A desk-top-publishing package (possibly Aldus Pagemaker) will be used to assist in compiling final reports from narratives, tables and figures prepared from the word processing, spreadsheet and graphics packages;
- A time-series analysis package (e.g. SORITECH) will be used to examine the trends of livestock variables over time;
- The Turbo Pascal programming language development system has been obtained for in-house applications programming requirements for those systems for which the data handling requirements cannot be easily satisfied by dBase III.
41. Software packages that have been developed specifically to satisfy in-house data peculiarities include the following:
(1) The livestock movements information storage, analysis and reporting system obtains information from pre-printed livestock movement registers which have been distributed to State Chief Veterinary Officers (CVO's) throughout the Federation for use at their livestock control posts. This information is entered and stored in the computer systems through "user friendly" programs (those able to be operated by personnel with little computer training). Both summary and detail files of the information entered are maintained. Reports examining movements of livestock by checkpoint, species, origin, destination and period can be produced by the system.(2) The project planning and monitoring system is used internally to define livestock projects and to monitor their performance according to user-specified targets. Developed initially as a means of preparing detailed and summary cost tables for the fifth National Development Plan, this system is presently being expanded to be able to provide an ongoing, target oriented, project monitoring tool.
(3) The livestock and commodity price survey system enables the monitoring of both prices and quantitative information related to livestock and commodities essential to the livestock sub-sector. Much of the field work undertaken by personnel assigned to the MIU relates to the collection of livestock, livestock products and commodity prices. This information, which is collected on forms developed in-house, will now be entered on receipt directly into the system for immediate summary and analysis.
(iii) Maintenance and support
42. In order to ensure the continuing availability of the described systems to the livestock data collection effort attention must be paid to hardware maintenance and software/systems support.
43. In general the type of hardwares currently available are recognized to be robust and have a long service life. However, it is recommended to:
- use reputable local suppliers who have qualified engineering personnel available;
- train in-house personnel in the performance of routine maintenance activities;
- establish a planned cycle of system replacement.
Machines may have to be purchased in year 5 of the project to either enhance the system or replace defective components (see para 38).
44. The modular design of the micro-computer systems also provides the capability of purchasing a number of defined spares particularly those with moving parts.
(iv) Infrastructure
45. In order to operate effectively a computer system it is necessary to be able to provide the system with a reliable power supply that matches the manufacturer's specified voltage and frequency requirements within reasonable tolerance intervals. For the systems used for livestock data computerization this will be achieved by purchasing a battery - based uninterrupted power supply (UPS) system. Such systems, which can be allocated to a single user or shared between users, provide both a stabilizing effect on the incoming power supply in addition to assurance that the supply to the computer systems will not be discontinued. Batteries available for the UPS will provide an additional ten minutes of power after failure of the mains supply. This battery time will either enable users to close down the system in an orderly manner or provide sufficient time for a generator to be started. A three-phase 13.5 KVA has been installed to ensure that the full power requirements for the system including air-conditioning and normal office lighting are met.
(v) Training requirements
46. Computer systems and applications are generally unknown by personnel involved in the area of livestock data computerization. This is generally due to the fact that computers are outside their particular areas of expertise, but also due to the rapidly changing computer environment. Knowledge gained with computing several years ago will not necessarily allow the user to understand the types of hardware and software being currently employed. For this reason a detailed schedule of training, covering all aspects of the described systems, has been developed and will be implemented among those staff who will be either directly or indirectly interacting with the systems.
