Clearwater Mussels
Aquaculture ERP
Custom Application Build with Comprehensive Business Logic
Advanced Analytics
Clearwater Mussels (CWM) is a leading aquaculture company in New Zealand, dedicated to producing premium-quality mussels through sustainable and efficient farming practices.
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THE CHALLENGE
Before partnering with Digital Diligence Limited (DDL), CWM identified several operational inefficiencies to solve:
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No batch tracking: None of the current processes allowed for monitoring and tracking mussel spat through to it's eventual harvest
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Spreadsheet after Spreadsheet after Spreadsheet: The lack of real-time data and insights led to a wealth of spreadsheets being simultaneously managed for everything from job management, to timesheets, to reporting
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Limited vessel and crew activity tracking: Existing methods provided inadequate insights into vessel performance and crew activities.
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No approvals processes: Activities didn't have a consistent review and approval experience, allowing room for errors to go un-noticed
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Labour-intensive mussel grading: The grading and sizing process was manual, reducing efficiency and consistency.
CWM sought an advanced, cloud-based ERP solution capable of integrating real-time data, enhancing intelligence through AI, and improving operational transparency.
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Solution: A Custom ERP Powered by Zoho Creator
DDL developed a fully customised ERP system using Zoho Creator, incorporating AI-driven intelligence and automation tailored to CWM’s aquaculture needs. The solution included:
1. Advanced Batch Tracking and Forecasting
To support batch tracking, DDL implemented an end-to-end tracking system with real-time data integration. The system included:
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Simple batch creation at time of first receipt of product. The batch then evolves and grows as the mussel spat goes from being microscopic animals in the millions buried in weed through to large mussels 18 months later, during which time they can be transferred multiple times between lines and locations - all of which is measured and reportable to determine the optimal growth environment
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Live crop inventory tracking for improved visibility, schedules and reports are run on demand, and inventory is updated the moment an activity is approved to add or remove it from lines.
2. Comprehensive Vessel and Crew Activity Management
Managing a fleet of vessels and their crews efficiently required a tailored solution. The ERP included:
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Activity scheduling and logging for each vessel and crew
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Crew performance and work logs, improving compliance and productivity.
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Automated reporting, reducing paperwork and administrative workload.
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Safety and compliance monitoring, ensuring adherence to maritime regulations.
3. AI-Powered Mussel Grading and Sizing
DDL integrated AI-based image recognition and machine learning algorithms to automate mussel grading and sizing. The AI system analysed real-time images from grading equipment, accurately categorising mussels by size and quality. This led to:
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Greater precision in grading and reduced human error.
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Increased efficiency, allowing for faster processing and throughout data-driven decision-making for improved harvest management.
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results and impact
The implementation of the custom ERP solution delivered measurable improvements:
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Radically better reporting and analytics - all activities, tasks and crop movements are visible in real-time and retrospectively, using advanced dashboards embedded within the ERP
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Direct financial reconciliation - all work done is tracked through to payment made to CWM and financial performance of individual batches, lines and locations can be monitored and reported in real-time
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Enhanced decision-making with real-time insights into stock performance and vessel productivity allow for informed scheduling and vessel movements and work allocation
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Improved regulatory compliance with automated reporting and data tracking for official stakeholders such as MPI.
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Conclusion
By leveraging Zoho Creator, AI-driven intelligence, and real-time data tracking, DDL transformed Clearwater Mussels’ operations. The custom ERP system not only streamlined processes but also provided scalability, accuracy, and efficiency, enabling Clearwater to maintain its leadership in sustainable aquaculture.
This case study highlights how Digital Diligence Limited delivers cutting-edge digital solutions to optimise business operations, enhance productivity, and drive long-term success.