Assessment of "Landmark" software for the land: A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the Diploma in Farm Management at Lincoln University

Abstract

Although there are many computer based accounting packages on the market nowadays, few are specifically designed for farm use. Many of these programs are extremely good as financial recording systems, but only offer a financial recording facility. As farming moves into the computer age, farmers are looking for systems that enable them to keep track of the many other aspects involved in the management and general running of the farm business. "LandMark Software for the Land" is a newly developed windows based computer package that has features designed specifically to aid in the management and running of the farm business. It is a system that has full financial recording features along with yearly planning facilities, livestock, crop, and feed recording systems, weather recording, a diary and note taking amenities. Although the system is still in the development stages, I have been able to run through the program at various stages and assess the general concepts behind it. The following report will consist of a broad over-view of the package in general. I will look primarily at the presentation of the system, its ease of use and functionality. As the program is designed for use by the farmer or manager, it should be easy to follow and make sense to these users. As there are still many farmers throughout the country with little or no computer experience whatsoever, we will need to assume that the new user of "LandMark" does have some computer knowledge. The general purpose of this report is for me, as a farmer, to assess and constructively criticise the "LandMark" package. To achieve this I will work my way through the individual sections of the program, as they appear on the main menu. I will also make use of the help system available in each section to ascertain how useful the 'Help' function will be. I will start my report at the beginning of the program - 'The Office Window'.