Rovecom’s history dates back to 1996. For more than a quarter of a century, we have been at the forefront of digital development in the agricultural sector.
How it all started George de Roo becomes the owner of Rovecom Agrisystems B.V., a result of a management buyout of Arnhem-based Lavecom Automation BV. Together with eight former Lavecom employees and several newly recruited colleagues, the team continues to develop agricultural knowledge systems in Hoogeveen. Making scientific knowledge practical. This is where the origins of Rovecom lie. FeedExpert, software for ration calculations is the first product to be produced by the company. FeedExpert is now used by feed consultants worldwide.
Feed suppliers can no longer ignore Rovecom’s solutions. Our domain knowledge has now expanded further into the green, ground, and infrastructure sectors. In the early 2000s, we launched the first versions of MiMIS, the Mineral Fertilizer Information System, with a laboratory version for BLGG and an intermediary version for Kuper and Snoeijing. Through MiMIS, we also reached contractors, who now also benefit from Rovecom's solutions. The acquisition of Van Bergeijk in 2003-2004 marked the beginning of our focus on the contracting sector. As part of this, we converted Van Bergeijk’s DOS package, AGLO, into Windows software in the form of WerkExpert.
Hardware was always part of our process, in the form of a computer supplied with pre-installed software. This expertise was later used to develop a new department. If you create software, it is very useful to have a computer on which you can install it. It is almost unthinkable now, but many companies did not yet own computer. To completely unburden our target group, we decided to supply the hardware as well. This signalled the start of our Rovecom IT Services department.
The acquisition of DIM Media saw Rovecom enter the new world of web development. Using our CMS, which was developed in-house, many companies in Hoogeveen and the surrounding area also became visible online.
The company continues to grow. Now employing more than 80 colleagues, the company premises become too small. Some colleagues even have to sit under the coat rack in the cloakroom. Additional units are installed; more units follow later. New plans are put in place to expand our operations. After a year of construction work and bivouacking in emergency locations, we move to the premises where we are still based today.
As part of the SmartDairyFarming Foundation, we deliver a pioneering system within the digitalisation of agribusiness, alongside Infobroker. This digital platform shares and unlocks locally stored (sensor) data, collected by the chain parties directly connected to the farmer. The livestock farmer can retrieve this data in real time and use it to improve their operations. In 2017, we sell Infobroker to SDF, where it continues under the name Datahub.
The internet era has peaked over a longer period and web agencies are emerging everywhere. We are being overtaken by independent start-ups and Open Source solutions. We decide to sell the website development department. We return to our roots, focusing on what we are good at: software and IT services for the agribusiness sector and SMEs.
The building, which was constructed in 2006, was designed with a keen eye on sustainability. The installation of 140 solar panels and LED lighting sees us take another step towards fully sustainable operations.
As a software service provider, we place particular emphasis on online security. Rovecom has been ISO 27001 certified since 2019. This certificate confirms that we work according to the internationally established standard for the implementation of security measures. The aim of which is to ensure organisational information security and continuity. And it assures our partners of a proven process.
In 2020, George de Roo hands over the management reins to Gerben Donker. A Rovecom employee through and through. A new generation of management, with new plans and ideas.
To increase business traction across a wider geographical area, Wageningen based Q-ray was acquired in 2021. Q-ray has been active in the agri-food sector, ornamental horticulture and agribusiness for nearly 40 years. The IT supplier supports companies and organisations operating in the Dutch agri and food chain to achieve their quality, food safety and sustainability objectives with innovative IT solutions, such as apps, data platforms and BI solutions. A fantastic company with similar services and market, and sharing a similar mission. By adding more people and more technologies, we can create and deliver more impact. Ultimately, it’s about providing our clients with the best possible solutions on an ongoing basis, while ensuring an excellent level of service.
With an eye on sustainable business operations, we continue to investigate how we can design our processes and working methods to be as sustainable and future-proof as possible. Moving to an Azure environment instead of using physical servers is an example of this. This solution means we have completely switched to a cloud environment, making our processes future-proof and in turn, more sustainable.
This year signals a change of course. The new direction means we will focus entirely on developing leading software for the agribusiness sector. Correspondingly, a decision is made that Rovecom’s IT work no longer fits this strategy. The IT Services department is sold.
