Schroth Systems Consulting’s new Certifier’s Organic Certification Database application starts by using a certifying organization’s entries in the USDA’s Organic INTEGRITY Database as a foundation, and builds on that, allowing you to easily add whatever additional information you need for the certification process.
It’s a very straightforward Access application, easy to modify, that stores all the information you need locally but allows you to send the required information to INTEGRITY at the touch of a button, using the API (programming interface) that the USDA provides. The screen below puts all of the information about a client operation at your fingertips, making it a snap to review or modify.
The first few tabs on this screen let you view and enter the information stored in the INTEGRITY database (Physical Address, Mailing Address, Certification Status, Items and Miscellaneous), while the additional tabs provide access to whatever additional information that you may want to store. This can include:
- Notes – A free-form text field that allows you to record whatever additional notes and comments about this operation that you want to enter.
- Applications – Information about any applications the client operation has submitted to you, along with their status, fees and other details.
- Attachments – A list of all files you may have related to this operation, for example copies of their NOPs.
- Tasks / Events – This provides a record of all interactions with the operation that you wish to record, including inspections, decisions, material inputs, adverse events, etc. Another screen allows you to view these tasks and events by person assigned, due date and status, providing a to do list for each person involved.
- Material Inputs – Provides a list of each Material Input that the operation has requested to use, along with its approval status and any other information you may wish to keep about the item.
- Payments – Entering payments received allows the system to keep track of your Accounts Receivable, produce invoices and statements, and an aging report.