Swiss Federal Research Station for Fruit Growing, Viticulture and Horticulture, Wädenswil (FAW)

The focus of FAW is on achieving high-quality, sustainable production in the fields of fruit, wine and vegetable cultures. In addition, the FAW provides extensive information and advisory services to the agricultural professions, private enterprises and government agencies. It also tests plant protection products such as herbicides and pesticides for regulatory compliance.

Evaluation of Experiments
Data Analysis
Data Acquisition
FAW Accounting
Decision Support Systems

Planning, Analysis and Documentation of Field Experiments

WIDAS provides a flexible data architecture for handling a broad variety of data structures required in the areas of fruit-growing, viticulture, horticulture and plant protection. With the complete integration in WIDAS of data handling, advanced statistical analysis, visualisation and reporting tools for OLAP, users at the FAW get a single solution that leverages to the maximum their knowledge, time and resources.

Data Acquisition and Distribution Systems

Laboratory data acquisition is controlled by PC's running WIDAS. Data in the field is recorded on handheld computers. Input data is automatically transferred to the local WIDAS database on an Unix server and distrituted to other federal research stations (e.g. to RAC).

Decision Support Systems

By means of the integrated application builder, specific WIDAS-based applications have been developed such as the forecast, early warning and advisory system for pest control and the soil analysis and fertilizer proposal system.

Hands-on Data Analysis and Evaluation by Scientists and Technicians

With the clearly structured WIDAS software technology, scientific personnel can very effectively handle experimental data, perform Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) and use integrated data visualisation and reporting tools on their own, without the assistance of software specialists.

FAW Accounting

This WIDAS-based commercial database application is a full-featured, transaction-oriented accounting suite covering: Multilingual, multi-currency Invoicing / Accounts Receivable / Accounts Payable / Cost Center Accounting / VAT / Financial Reporting / Electronic Data Interchange with the federal administration, PTT and banks.