ICT Ignite - Cyber Security for Inventory/Sales Management Software

The main goal of this project is to plan, implement, manage, monitor and upgrade security measures for the protection of user data and systems for AgSights' bioLinks application. bioLinks is an Inventory and Sales tracking solution for Canadian agricultural businesses. Working with bioLinks' Lead Full-Stack Developer, Learners will have the opportunity to apply their skills to contribute meaningful recommendations and improvements to bioLinks' CyberSecurity practices across a wide-range of infrastructures. bioLinks includes two web-applications written in Python and React, an iOS application, and an integration with WordPress/WooCommerce for e-commerce that communicate via extensive APIs. We also have integrations with popular payment processing and accounting softwares.

Enhancing User Experience of an Inventory/Sales Management Solution

AgSights is a not-for-profit member co-operative that enabling data capture and integrating data across the supply chain are critical to increasing the efficiency and sustainability of Canadian Agriculture. We provide tools and services that make it easier for members to capture and use data in their operations. The software solutions we offer include: bioTrackPlus, a herd/flock management application for livestock (beef cattle, sheep, goat and bison) producers; bioLinks, an inventory-sales tracking solution designed for agricultural businesses; and ProcessorLinks a collaboration to increase the efficiency of booking harvest space for livestock. bioLinks is out inventory-sales tracking software. It will be launched in Fall 2023 and our goal in this project is for learners to help improve the user experience of this platform to ensure a successful launch. bioLinks is a python-based web application with a Microsoft SQL database, that also includes API integrations to a mobile application and WooCommerce multi-site store. In the beta testing phase we have received feedback from existing clients that we would like to incorporate into the launch to better suit their needs such as: Modifications to user interfaces, which are displayed using the datatables libraries, so users can efficiently view the data that is important to them. Including, improving the column selector, allowing users to customize the data the layouts of screens to suit their needs. Minor updates to increase consistency and usability of user interfaces (i.e., consistent column names, adjustments to css, order that data is displayed). Improvements to page loading and general performance to improve the user experience. Improvements to the user interface of the WooCommerce online store (e.g., improving sorting and filtering of products, payment gateway integrations, flexibility of the store for different clients). In this project, learners will work together to review and prioritize client beta testing feedback, and then develop and implement a plan to address the small wins that can improve overall user experience in the short term. The learners in this project will contribute to a successful and smooth launch of the new platform. This will help AgSights to better meet the needs of existing clients and provide more value to new clients. The enhancements will help increase the ease of use of bioLinks for clients, supporting small to medium sized businesses in increasing their production efficiency, reducing staff work load and improving overall profitability.

Building Data Analytics Tools to Improve Livestock Management Application

AgSights is a not-for-profit member co-operative that believes that easy data capture and data-driven insights are imperative to increasing the profitability and sustainability of agricultural operations. The software solutions we offer include: biotrackPlus, a herd/flock management application for livestock (beef cattle, sheep, goat and bison) producers; bioLinks, an inventory-sales tracking solution designed for agricultural businesses; and ProcessorLinks a collaboration to increase the efficiency of booking harvest space for livestock. In this project, we are looking for learners to put data analytics skills into practice to build tools that will empower livestock operations across North America to make data-driven decisions to improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of their operations. Our bioTrack Plus herd management software is built on the Microsoft Dynamics platform, which has robust data analytics and visualization capacity. This version of the software was launched in late 2022 and has users with beef, sheep, goat and bison operations across North America. We continue to enhance the platform to provide more value to members. One key area of continued growth, is building reports and visualizations because a herd management software is only as valuable as the insights it can provide users. In this project, learners will have the opportunity to develop summary reports and visualizations on the Microsoft Dynamics platform for a database of over 2 million animal records. This will provide valuable real-world experience building analytics tools on a commercially-available low-code platform that is used in many industries around the world. They will be working with livestock geneticists that have extensive experience in the manipulation and analysis of animal data as well as experience coding in SQL, R, Python, JS, C# and more.