MILCOTECH

Multifunctional Milk Collection POS

MILCOTECH is an innovative point of sale (POS) system that improves the milk collection process, making it easier for milk distributors and milk collection centers to maintain the best quality of milk.

The solution involves milk quality analysis, end-to-end value chain traceability from the small farmer to the food processor. It also enables data collection and analysis for farmer relationship management, targeted extension services, de-risking financing, and financial inclusion to small farmers.

DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

MILCOTECH Development Process involved various stages to ensure the most effective and efficient outcome:

Phase #1

Discover

In order to create a new design for milk collection system, our development team had to understand the problems with the current design. So, they started to conduct Experts interviews, site visits, and stakeholder observations.

Phase #2

Define

Based on the result of the discovery phase, the development team started to vision the new product. They conducted brainstorming sessions to ideate several design approaches.

Phase #2

Define

Various forms and shapes were explored until the Cashier model was selected. Then, our development team conducted an ergonomics study to consider the human factor while designing the product.​

Phase #3

Ideate

Accordingly, we created a storyboard for the cashier model. 

Our team incorporated all the required components into one system that is modular, highly usable, and efficient to make the milk collection process easier for all stakeholders. 

Phase #4

Design

The system consists of three main units: 

  1. The central unit: a touch screen with adjustable height, an RFID reader to scan farmers’ cards, and a receipts’ printer.
  2. The Testing unit: the Eco-milk device with a small drain to collect any spilled milk drops. 
  3. The cleaning unit:
  • Two transparent containers with two faucets, one for still water and the second for distilled water to sanitize the PH meter.  
  • Drain is attached to a sink to collect water after washing the cups. 
  • Drawer to store all usable cups.
Phase #4

Design

The design concept was built on the idea of modularity; to re-arrange the components in order to fit each user’s ergonomic preference and flow. 

Phase #4

Design

Our milk collection application is a user-friendly software designed to streamline the milk collection process at point-of-sale systems. It allows dairy stockholders to easily and accurately record milk production data, track milk quality, and generate reports. 

With real-time data analysis, the application helps optimize milk collection and increase efficiency, resulting in improved profits for farmers and milk collectors.

Phase #4

Design

The app is designed in two languages; Arabic and English.

Phase #5

Prototype

Finally, we started manufacturing a Prototype for MILCOTECH.​

Phase #5

Prototype

The outcome was a final functional prototype remarkably similar to the proposed Design. ​

Phase #6

Testing

1) The farmer handovers his RFID card to the collector 

2) The collector scans the card using the scanner to show the farmer`s data. 

3) The collector tests sample of the milk to check its quality. 

4) The collector washes the cups used in testing using still and distilled water.

5) The collector prints a receipt containing all required data. 

6) The collector delivers the printed receipt and the card to the farmer.  

OUTCOME:

Design Vs Reality

Image 02 Iso (1)1800 x 1800 real shot

OPERATIONAL FLOW

  1. The farmer delivers the milk to the milk collection center and handovers his RFID card.
  2. The milk collection center weighs the milk, tests its quality, logs needed data to Milcotech, and accepts or rejects the milk accordingly. 

3. The collector comes to receive the milk in bulk, hands over his RFID card, the milk collection center enters the milk quantity, and the milk processor’s name and processes the delivery of milk. 

4. The system stores the transactions, financial, quantity, and milk quality in and out. 

INSPIRATION

Milk collection in Egypt is highly fragmented, 85% from milk production comes from small farmers with less than 3 cows. Challenges are: 

1) Milk collection

2) Maintaining milk quality

 3) Providing extension services to farmers

4) Availing finance to small farmers.

The product is designed to become a hub for financial inclusion and milk traceability, in a modular design that considers the existing workflow, the capabilities available at the milk collection center, and stakeholder needs.

CREATIVE CHALLENGE

The most challenging part of the project development was how to integrate different products with unique design elements into one design.

However, the design features graceful, elegant sweeping curves, and the appearance of the metal gives it a sophisticated aspect and a tidy appearance.  

Also, it was challenging to build the design concept on the idea of modularity which allows the user to re-arrange the three parts on the desktop to fit each user`s ergonomic preference and flow. 

Services Offered