Ubombo Sugar Limited, one of three sugar millers in Swaziland, has streamlined its operations and workflow processes with CaneLab software. Situated at Big Bend in south eastern Swaziland, Ubombo Sugar Limited (previously known as Ubombo Ranches Ltd) was acquired by Illovo from Lonrho in 1994. Starting with an annual production of just 5 600 tons in 1958, the mill now produces around 230 000 tons of sugar per annum, some 35% of the country’s total output.

Developed by InfoWave specifically for the sugar industry, CaneLab is an Information Management System (IMS) comprising three integrated modules – Factory Laboratory, Weighbridge and Cane Testing. The system is designed to simplify data-intensive processes and instil system controls to improve quality and decision-making capability through the availability of real-time data. In 2005 Ubombo Sugar Limited sought a replacement for the South African cane testing services AutoLab system. CaneLab offered to meet the specifications required as well as improved data accessibility and more efficient reporting capability for managers.

 “CaneLab was implemented at the start of the season in April 2005. Once the initial teething problems of implementation were bedded down, the solution met the requirements of the industry and proved very user friendly,” says Ubombo Sugar Limited’s process manager Trevor Dale. “Not only has operations and production information become more accessible so managers can translate it into reports, but historical data is now readily available, enabling us to draw on figures from previous seasons and map patterns and trends.”

The CaneLab Weighbridge module is designed to enable rapid turnaround over the weighbridge without compromising the quality of data capture. Tonnages of product and other cane delivery data are automatically recorded and stored in the database for immediate access to cane supply management, providing improved control of cane deliveries by grower, haulier or area. This enables accurate monitoring and more streamlined deliveries. The module provides an accurate means of controlling vehicle access and cane supply according to daily allocations. Enhanced security measures within the solution include the checking of vehicle positioning and the validity of inputs at the weighbridge to further ensure the integrity of information supplied.
“System controls such as these are crucial in improving the accuracy of deliveries recorded and the subsequent accuracy of grower payments,” says Dale.

Cane Testing is a vital link in the operation process within the sugar industry, and it needs to be accurate and reliable. Through the direct interfacing of instruments, the CaneLab Cane Testing module automatically covers the entire operations process, from cane deliveries over the weighbridge to test results from the laboratory. It also caters for the allocation of results to untested cane, and local rules and calculations for cane payment. Using Excel as a reporting tool, the Weighbridge and Cane Testing modules work together to provide accurate and timeous management information from the factory weighbridge through to payment operations within the cane industry. The modules provide online, real-time management information about cane deliveries by area, grower, group, haulier and loading zone.

The software’s Factory Laboratory module aims to provide the highest possible quality of results from the laboratory. All instrument readings are updated real-time directly into the database, alleviating tedious and error-prone manual data recording by operators. As with the cane testing module, operators need only weigh test samples within a set tolerance level defined by the user. Readings are recorded through the direct interfacing of instruments with the module, improving accuracy and reliability of results.

InfoWave plans to develop the Weighbridge module to further improve security and vehicle access control into the mill yard to add value to Ubombo Sugar Limited’s operation. “CaneLab has enabled us to integrate our warehouse management system on the distribution side of our sugar production process with factory management. This means that from the weighbridge section onwards we have a single supplier of software in InfoWave,” says Dale.

“InfoWave is very excited about the opportunities that CaneLab provides in the sugar industry world-wide through our relationships with leading sugar producers like Ubombo Sugar Limited. Our initial focus for CaneLab is in sub-Saharan Africa where we already provide IT services to a number of clients.” says Cindy von Pannier, Marketing and Sales Director at InfoWave, who has delivered IT services to the sugar industry for 25 years.

Contact

Cindy von Pannier, InfoWave, (031) 508 1800, cindy@infowave.co.za