About AACo
Success Metrics
Envoy Solutions
- Industry: Agriculture
- Location: Australia
AACo owns and operates Australia’s largest cattle herd with around over 4303,000 head spread over their properties across Queensland and the Northern Territory. AACo have been Envoy’s customer since 2011, and are one of our most valued and loyal customers.
> The Envoy Solution manages approximately 433,000 cattle head of cattle across 23 stations
> Access for over 140 active users
> Crucial reports made available to designated users in real-time, reducing time it took to complete monthly finalisations from 3-4 weeks to 1-2 days.
> Substantial saving in time and costs as the organisation-wide budgeting process was reduced from approximately 2 months down to 2 days.
Software Design and Development
UI/UX Design
Application Development Support
Infrastructure
Managed Services
IT Management Consultancy
Digital Strategy
Challenge
AACo, Australia’s premier cattle company, boasts the largest cattle herd in the country, with approximately 433,000 head spread across vast properties in Queensland and the Northern Territory. Their operations include 23 cattle stations, 2 feedlots, live export and agistment streams, making them a pivotal player in the Australian agricultural landscape. Since 2011, AACo has partnered with Envoy, entrusting them with the development and enhancement of critical software solutions to optimise their operations.
In 2011, AACo wanted to improve their operations and significantly reduce the 3–4-week timeframe it took to produce crucial reports for herd availability, valuations and monthly herd accounting.
With a sprawling network of properties and a massive inventory of cattle, AACo sought a technology partner that could help them obtain timely insights into their herd management and financial status. They wanted to modernise their existing infrastructure comprised of a Windows desktop app and on-premises server, in order to provide greater agility and efficiency to navigate the complexities of their operations.
Solution
Envoy embarked on a comprehensive solution deployment, encompassing software development, infrastructure provisioning, UI/UX design, and ongoing support services. Envoy’s approach to delivery was to model the entire cattle movement and forecasting operation which was subsequently converted into a web application. This approach meant that AACo had the information at hand for the year end budget on 3 months’ notice from Envoy, with the full application having been delivered into production within 9 months. Furthermore, producing crucial reports for herd availability, valuations and accounting immediately became available online to designated users in real-time, with monthly finalisations now able to be completed within 1-2 days.
Recognising the remote nature of AACo’s operations, Envoy facilitated online access to the system via Telstra’s iTerra satellite network, empowering station managers with unprecedented connectivity and operational control. This was the first large scale online application available to the remote cattle stations using the satellite network. This enabled online application usage by station managers as well as providing 5 hours of education over the air to the children of the employees who worked at the remote rural stations.
In 2014, Envoy introduced groundbreaking features, such as faecal analysis capabilities, enabling AACo to optimise herd management strategies. Envoy added the faecal analysis feature which enabled AACo to determine the most efficient carrying capacity of each of the paddocks on the stations using their mob profile. This enabled AACo to optimally feed cattle according to the company’s financial plan. The system provided cattle profile analysis (for example hospitalisations, vaccinations, dips, etc) allowing AACo to realise the benefits of high-quality animal husbandry.
By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, Envoy transformed AACo’s manual processes into streamlined, digital workflows, enabling real-time access to critical data and insights.
“Today, AACo enjoys instant access to critical reports and data, facilitating informed decision-making and strategic planning across their expansive network. With over 140 registered users spanning all pastoral employees with administrative functions, AACo’s workforce is equipped with the tools and resources necessary to drive efficiency and productivity.”
Impact
Envoy’s solution revolutionised AACo’s operational landscape, empowering them with unparalleled agility and insights. Today, AACo enjoys instant access to critical reports and data, facilitating informed decision-making and strategic planning across their expansive network. With over 140 registered users spanning all pastoral employees with administrative functions, AACo’s workforce is equipped with the tools and resources necessary to drive efficiency and productivity.
A major innovation of the original implementation was online group forecasting and budgeting between station managers and head office. With the new solution, station managers were able to transact more efficiently with each other for expected herd movements in terms of grass, feedlot, live export and mob growth. This produced a substantial saving in time and costs as the entire budgeting process for organisation-wide herd movements was reduced from approximately 2 months down to 2 days.
The impact of Envoy’s solution extends beyond operational enhancements. By accurately forecasting deliveries to global markets, AACo maintains a competitive edge in the dynamic beef export industry. Moreover, the system’s predictive capabilities enable AACo to proactively manage costs and optimise financial performance, ensuring sustained profitability and growth.
What’s Next
Looking ahead, Envoy and AACo are poised to revolutionise the broader cattle industry by productising their innovative solution. Targeting high-end producers with cattle herds exceeding 75,000 head, Envoy aims to democratise access to advanced technologies, fostering data-driven decision-making and industry-wide collaboration. Through strategic partnerships with government agencies, including discussions with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Envoy seeks to promote digital transformation initiatives and enhance regulatory compliance standards.
At the forefront of global food security initiatives, Envoy’s solution plays a pivotal role in ensuring the traceability and transparency of Australia’s beef exports. By meeting stringent regulatory requirements and market standards, AACo and Envoy safeguard Australia’s reputation as a leading provider of premium quality beef products. As the industry evolves and regulatory frameworks evolve, Envoy remains committed to driving innovation and empowering stakeholders across the paddock-to-plate supply chain.
