CCA seeks producers to test drive BIXS Version 2

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BIXS, the voluntary Internet-based database designed to capture and exchange data linked to an individual animal’s unique electronic ID tag number, is looking for test drivers for its latest version.

The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association is offering early access to a limited number of producers to test drive the software before its official release.

BIXS 2 reflects the experience gained off building, delivering and operating the first version of the Beef InfoXchange System (BIXS). The CCA contracted Arcurve, a Canadian-based software firm, last summer to develop the next version of the BIXS. Working with the BIXS management team Arcurve’s progress has been steady and it’s now time to pre-test the new BIXS 2 software with beef producers.

The new version is significantly easier to use and a completely different platform with a great new look and feel. BIXS 2 houses superior functionality with quick and flexible import/export tools including a Beef Record Universal Translator (BRUT) to enable different herd and feedlot management software to ‘speak BIXS.’ There’s also the Sourcer Utility, which enables cross-segment sourcing based on individual animal or carcass data or health and management protocols.

Volunteers are needed to help the BIXS team test and refine the application leading up to the first of a series of releases this quarter. Specifically, the BIXS team requires users who:

Have used herd management software for some time, and who are willing to use BRUT to export test data for BIXS. Testing a variety of herd management programs ensures BIXS will be ready to receive data from many different sources.
Are existing BIXS-registered producers, who would be willing to log into BIXS 2 alpha to examine their BIXS 1 data to ensure everything has migrated to the new version of BIXS.

Are new or existing BIXS producers willing to add new 2013 calf data to BIXS 2 to test system functions and to gauge how easy the process is.

Producers who are interested in taking part in these tests are asked to contact [email protected]