Almond growers who export to the European Union must meet strict testing and certification requirements. The California Almond Association wanted a system that could handle all of this without making life harder for farmers and lab techs, who are already busy enough.
We built a custom PHP app from scratch, designed to fit exactly how the association works. Farmers can easily submit samples for testing, check the status of their submissions, and pull up past test results for any lot, no matter how far back it goes. Lab techs have their own workflow for logging test data, recording results, and flagging anything that needs a second look—without having to mess with spreadsheets or endless email threads.
When a lot passes inspection, the system creates an official PDF certificate that checks all the EU export boxes and is ready to go with the shipment. Each certificate is linked to its lot record and can be pulled up anytime, so if there are ever questions at the border or from a buyer, the paperwork is easy to find.
We put a lot of thought into making the system easy to use. Farmers aren’t database experts, so we kept things simple—straightforward data entry, clear status updates, and an easy search that doesn’t take a manual to figure out. With role-based access, everyone sees only what they need, whether it’s a grower checking on a single batch or a staff member running the entire testing process.
In the end, we built a platform that handles a highly complex compliance process while still feeling welcoming and easy for everyone who uses it.