In the oil palm plantation business, harvesting is a critical process that directly impacts the company's operational and financial performance. This process encompasses accurate planning, resource readiness, systematic execution, harvest quality control, production target achievement, and the speed of FFB (Fresh Fruit Bunch) delivery to the Palm Oil Mill (PKS). To ensure the entire process runs effectively and is well-controlled, an accurate, integrated administration system that provides fast information is required.
Harvest management requires fast and accurate coordination across vast work areas with a large workforce. The availability of harvesters, productivity, and yield quality are key factors in harvesting success, supported by FFB transport readiness and continuous, real-time handling of uncollected crops (restan). Delays in receiving accurate field information can lead to delayed actions and deviations from production targets.
To address these needs, PT Golden Blossom Sumatra (GBS) developed the Integrated Plantation Administration System (SAKTI), a mobile platform that supports end-to-end plantation operational management.
SAKTI connects various main stages in the harvesting process into one integrated workflow, including:
AKP → Taksasi (Yield Estimation) → RKH (Daily Work Plan) → Attendance → Ancak (Harvesting Block) Arrangement & Progress → BCC → Langsir (Double Handling, if any) → SPB (FFB Delivery Note) → Mill Reception → Grading → ERP
At the planning stage, the required information is available from interconnected systems, enabling the planning process to be based on actual plantation conditions and data. Information regarding labor, harvesting blocks (ancak), rotations, previous yields, and field conditions serves as the foundation for decision-making.
In the field, SAKTI supports the direct recording of harvesting activities via mobile devices. Attendance utilizes Face Recognition, while ancak arrangement and progress tracking help ensure activities run according to plan. Harvesting yield recording at the Collection Point (TPH) is done digitally via BCC, followed by the Double Handling (Langsir) process and FFB transportation using SPB.
This workflow continues up to fruit reception at the mill and the grading process, before the data is forwarded and integrated with the ERP to support the company's administrative and accounting processes.
More Accurate Field Data
One of the significant changes through SAKTI is the reduced reliance on manual recording and data re-entry. Data that previously went through multiple administrative stages can now be recorded closer to the transaction source.
SAKTI also leverages technologies such as GPS, Geofencing, RFID, Face Recognition, and Photo Documentation as part of transaction validation and operational control strengthening. This approach helps improve data quality while providing more comprehensive information for monitoring and audit purposes.
With an integrated process, field information flows faster to the relevant parties, meaning harvest management no longer relies solely on reports that arrive after activities are completed.
Combining Human Control and Technology
SAKTI does not replace the role of field supervision. Instead, the system is designed to strengthen the controls carried out at every level of the organization.
Validation is performed through a combination of operational controls and system-based validation, ensuring incoming information is traceable and verifiable. With faster and structured data support, Division Assistants, Head Assistants, and Estate Managers have better information to monitor and take action when situations require follow-up.
From Transactions to Information
SAKTI generates a massive volume of operational data from daily plantation activities. This data does not merely remain as transaction records but becomes part of a single source of truth that can be processed into information for monitoring and decision-making.
Integration with the ERP and other supporting systems allows operational data to move from the field to the management level in a more structured manner. This information also serves as the foundation for developing dashboards, analytics, and the utilization of AI/Machine Learning in subsequent stages.
Ultimately, SAKTI is not just about digitalizing the harvesting process. It is PT Golden Blossom Sumatra's step in building plantation operational processes that are more integrated, data-driven, and capable of providing faster, accurate, and actionable information.