The New “Digital Beef” System vs. The Former “ABRI” System
Below is a comparison of the new Digital Beef ("DB") system to the old ABRI ("ABRI") system. This is a "running list" and "work in process" of comparisons. Please use the "comment" function to tell us about other meaningful comparisons you have seen after having used both systems. Your input will help AWA management better understand how the two systems differ from the perspective of the AWA members that are using the systems, and will help identify functionality that AWA management should consider having added to the new Digital Beef system.
| DB | ABRI | |
| 1. Ability to look up an animal based on various search criteria and display the animal on the computer screen. | Yes | Yes |
| 2. Ability to export all of a members' animal records into a spreadsheet data format so that the member can work with the data using Excel/Spreadsheet software. | Yes | No |
| 3. Various "standard" reports available to a member to report to printer or output to spreadsheet format data/information about the member's animals. | Yes | No |
| 4. Ability for members to record new animals by entering animal information directly into the system. | Yes | No |
| 5. Ability for members to "upload" for recording numerous animals for recording into the system (from data from a spreadsheet, which spreadsheet can be created from Cattlemax or any other cattle management software) without the involvement of the AWA office. | Yes - after request | No |
| 6. Ability for members to perform inbreeding coefficient calculations. | Yes - after request | Yes |
| 7. Ability for members to enter various animal measurement information directly into the system without involving the AWA office. | Yes | No |
| 8. Ability for AWA office to enter measurement information about animals into the system. | Yes | No |
| 9. Ability for members to upload a list of measurement data (such as weights, hip height, scrotal circumference, ultrasound REA/IMF, etc.) from existing historical computerized records such as spreadsheet data directly into the system without involving the AWA office. | Coming Soon | No |
| 10. High degree of likelihood of obtaining animal "data" (EPDs) on the Wagyu breed in America in the relatively near future | Yes | No |
| 11. Ability for members to change/correct various permitted animal data without involving the AWA office (coat color and sex, for example). | Yes | No |
| 12. Ability for members to set an animal to "dead" or otherwise "disposed of" in order to keep the list of active animals accurate, thereby keeping the AWA animal registry relatively "clean" and accurate. | Yes | No |
| 13. Ability for members to change their own membership account information such as address, phone number, email address, etc. | Yes | No |
| 14. Ability for a member to organize its herd animals into various pastures to enhance ability for member to manage its herd if the member wishes to use this system for such function. | Yes | No |
| 15. Ability for a member to enter/record/track "treatments" such as vaccinations into the system to enhance ability for member to manage its herd if the member wishes to use this system for such function. | Yes | No |
| 16. Ability for a member to enter breeding information into the system to enhance ability for member to manage the breeding activity of its herd if the member wishes to use the system for this function. | Yes | No |
| 17. Ability for a member to transfer an animal to another owner in the system without involving the AWA office. | Coming Soon | No |
| 18. Ability for a member to flag an animal within the system as being "for sale" and a resultant association-wide "marketplace" for animals that are for sale on a private-treaty basis. | Yes | No |
| 19. Ability for a member to track semen and inventory owned utilizing inventory management and reporting functionality | Yes | No |
| 20. Easy to learn and use for a "non computer person" | No | Yes |