Electronic Data Processing & information Services
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 For many years AWTA Ltd's Test Certificate data was centralised in a single main frame database. The main frame architecture ensured a much greater stability and reliability, and a lower total operating cost, than was possible with the server based architecture. It also ensured total recoverabilty in the event of system crashes, although a significant system crash has not occurred since the current generation of machines was installed at the beginning of the 1990's.
However, server based architecture has subsequently improved and is now competitive with the main frame architecture. Accordingly AWTA Ltd is moving its systems across to servers, but the centralised certificate database will be retained.
WIth all the Test Certificates centralised it is possible to offer AWTA Ltd's clients a range of interactive services via the WOOLINK interface, while at the same time ensuring the total integrity of the data. |
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 While some operator intervention is required for essential maintenance operations, such as changing backup tapes etc, the central main frame runs almost entirely without operator presence, with most processing functions being completely automated.
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 Our Data Processing departments provide help and support to customers all over Australia through our online systems and testing datasbase.
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 The automation provided by the central database, and the use of electronic data capture, has also greatly reduced the data processing labour inputs in the laboratories.
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AWTA Ltd has been a leader in the use of Electronic Data Processing for the conduct of its day-to-day business and to provide a range of information based services to its clients:
- The equipment in use has grown from one small "visible record" computer in each Raw wool laboratory in 1970 to a sophisticated mixture of large Mainframe Computers, Personal Computers and other data capture devices linked through Local and Wide Area Networks.
- The laboratories in Melbourne and Fremantle, the regional offices around Australia and our Head Office are linked through these networks.
- Specialised software integrates on-line data from the sampling line through the testing process to the issue of Certificates, the issue of statements and the reconciliation of accounts and provide management information to operations staff.
- Presale and some Post Sale request data is received directly on line, while test results are available for electronic collection by clients. Virtually all Presale test information is transmitted electronically to wool brokers for inclusion in sale catalogues.
AWTA Ltd has also been a major contributor to the development of data formats and data transfer procedures which enable wool brokers, wool buyers, private treaty merchants and AWTA Ltd to electronically transfer data between each other.
Within the Company's laboratories, test data is captured electronically at every step in the testing process and instantaneously stored. At the completion of testing, the computer systems use these data to calculate the final test results, conduct quality control checks, and then issue the Test Certificates. All Certificate data is stored in a central mainframe database.
In addition to the day-to-day calculation of test results and the provision of management information, AWTA Ltd has developed a software package known as WOOLINK® which provides wool brokers and exporters with:
- Details of wool available for sale over the following 2 weeks according to test results and in matrices of test results (e.g. within ranges of Mean Fibre Diameter and Vegetable Matter)
- Access to a range of electronic selling systems including Electronic Auction systems.
- Access to many AWTA Ltd services, e.g. clients can create trial Combined Certificates made up from a number of Presale Certificates and electronically request AWTA Ltd to issue the Combined Certificates from the WOOLINK screen in their offices.
- Access to on-line statistical information about test volumes and test date for the period 1992/93 to the current season.
Clients access WOOLINK via a Personnel Computer in their own office linked to the AWTA Ltd communications network by either a direct or dial-up link. Usage fees are low because data base and the Australia-wide communications network are already part of our core business.
In September 1999, the WOOLINK system was used to conduct the first electronic auctions of wool in Australia. In December 1999, G H Michell & Sons (Australia) used the WOOLINK system for the first truly interactive Tender Sales ever held.
By continually developing and improving its Information Systems, AWTA Ltd has been able to consistently improve productivity. Consequently, since 1990 fee increases have been neglible.
In partnership with its clients, the Company has utilised its Information Services systems to also improve their productivity and reduce their own costs, by providing means whereby paper documents are not produced until they are actually required.
Although WOOLINK has achieved limited adoption by the industry, with many companies preferring to rely upon their own systems, within AWTA Ltd WOOLINK is the gateway to much of the routine statistical information provided to the industry via the company's website.