a - Inventory Management

b - System Integration

Randy reminded the group that this meeting was intended to be bundled with an energy meeting. He shared the responses to pain point survey noting that several of the topics seemed directed primarily to Energy.

Asked the group if there were any additional topics that they wanted to see covered?

Noted that energy is a very big topic of discussion today.

What is the main issue with inventory - energy focused

• Sensors? Inventory of propane tanks, propane in the tanks? 
  • Bulk tanks are monitored at bulk sites
  • Customer/end-user tanks are also monitored
  • Data is pulled into back end
• Inventory is two pieces - company owned, company responsible/maintained
• Anticipate increase in sensor use, data feed and unit costs drop as count increases
• Data - 
  • Sharing tank level data is of interest
  • Integration of inventory to customer re-order process is desired
  • Product receipt from suppliers
  • Disparity between suppliers' ability to provide data (some equipment has sensor data, others don't)
  • Process - issues when manual intervention is required for data collection resulting in hesitation implementing analysis, presentation, use best practices
• Similar issues with Crop Protection bulk tanks?
  • Suggest contacting monitor company - data format is a challenge, interfaces, potential interest in developing a common format for easier integration

System Integration

• Integrating manually captured, automatically obtained data into a single system flow
• Lack of standardization
• Transactional message interpretation (guidelines, business rules, etc)
• Integrating field ops system data, cp system data, others into a single source of truth - being able to leverage information across platforms

API implementation 

• Ag retailers make accessibility of data a priority, but there's more than just access involved - ownership, privacy, data syntax and definitions
• Semantics is a pinch point in this space
• Observe that interoperability requires some level of standardization; API is the mechanism, but there's a lot of detail that isn't always considered in advance
• Pace is increasing - need to get this right and have space for conversation

2020 Canada Association of Agri-Retailers Conference

2020 Cooperative Roundtable Presentation

Brent provided an update on 2020 presentations to date

Randy noted good relationships with ARA, recent presentation to ASTA

Any ideas on engaging more of the retail segment in B2B connectivity? 

• Appreciate the opportunities over the past years to spread the word; need to engage them in taking the next steps
• Shared offer to CEO group to do the self-evaluation
• Observe that a toolbox, "choose your own" map style would be helpful
  • We have a hand-hold tool, and a self-serve tool, but not a lot that splits the difference
  • How do we better connect the new retailer to resources available?
• All are invited to provide input or ask questions via Member Services

Julie Benick notes that as they expand B2B connectivity, they are encountering need for a standard item file for onboarding a new supplier/customer. Standard could include other lines but focused primarily on CP at this time.

• Standard could apply across the supply chain up and down
• Unique identification - codes: GTIN, MFR, compliance information, Distributor ID/internal SKU 
• Need for elements beyond what's available in AGIIS
• Need for data that is not even in AGIIS - MFR isn't participating or maintaining
• What does it mean to be able to cross reference multiple inputs to a single distributor sales item
• Current reporting ID doesn't adequately reflect salable units in all cases (like GTIN)
• Desire to leverage barcodes in CP
• If prioritizing All Products (All Manufacturers) versus Consistent Product Data standard (to include multiple cross references from different suppliers/distributors) which would be 1 and which 2?
  • Live with the challenge of different handling of manufacturers today
  • Observe that GTIN was a hurdle that we couldn't jump to date
  • Do we need a different audience? Different type of meeting with a different set of attendees?
  • Issue may not be the same for all parties
• NEXT STEPS - Planning team to circle up, identify any topics that can benefit from individual break outs, and schedule

Natasha Lilly shared feedback that the quick connect booklet might be a more valuable offer to new retailers than an initial readiness assessment. Maybe in conjunction with the other. Also observes that retail to retail message is good for building awareness, but need others to offer invitation and engagement as well. Lead in to ...

Come to a meeting that highlights/focuses on implementation, showcasing value of implementing existing messages and getting new faces in the room to see what's going on. How do we make that invite happen? 

• Crowdsourcing on how to get more involvement? Ag retailers, yes; new companies of all stripes - supplier, distributor, service provider.
• Testimonials for the meeting, business value Charlie W volunteers - send to Susan Ruland
• If we're talking about invitations, we need funding to bring people in
  • NEXT STEPS:
    • Revisit the quick connect resource book - identify needed updates, obtain additional case studies
    • Get an update on new message update - next call

Document next steps

Not addressed due to time - Brent provided an update on MYM planning status

Agreement that an additional call is in order. Suggest that a cadence of the council calls is in order; 3rd Tuesday of the month, bi-monthly. Stick to May 19 for next large-scale retail gathering/call

Identify any need for additional calls on specific topics identified today.