CDA Software

CDA Grain Trader is a proven, cost-effective solution for Grain and Produce merchants. It provides strong support for the core requirements of the industry and is in widespread use throughout Australia. A number of extensions are also available to enhance functionality.

With its origins as a DOS-based program over twenty years ago, CDA Grain Trader was completely re-written in 1999-2000 for the Windows© environment. It has evolved into the comprehensive system it is today thanks to the long and close relationship we form with our users. We constantly design and implement solutions to their needs by talking with them and involving them in the user interface and testing aspects of the development process.

Take a look at the Information Flow Overview and browse through the features over the next few pages - we're sure you'll want to try CDA Grain Trader for yourself. Because this is a large and specialised program we only touch the surface with this overview. For a more thorough review we've developed a special Evaluation Kit for you to try - just This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and we'll send you one today!

Features and Benefits - Inventory

Grain Trader's Inventory system is comprehensive yet easy to manage. Keep track of bulk and packaged goods, including Average Costs and Metrics where recorded, and see detailed history at your fingertips.

Unlimited Commodities

You can have an unlimited number of commodities. The program supports bulk, packaged, Pool and Manufactured commodities and for the latter can import batch details from automated mills (conditions apply).

Unlimited Storages

You can have an unlimited number of storages, and you can report by either commodity or storage. Store several grades of a single Commodity Group like Barley in one storage and report on average metrics over the entire storage. You can record your inventory at someone else's storage, and track inventory you don't own.

Bin Numbers and Line Numbers are supported

Integrated Bonuses and Deductions

User-definable Bonus and Deduction definitions automatically flow through the Loads system, and Storage-averages are updated every inturn load. Calculate Storage-average values for multiple Commodities in a single Commodity Group and Storage.

Daily Market Price calculation supported

Comprehensive Reporting

Select from a range of comprehensive reports including Storage List, Storage Summary, Storage Movement, Storages by Name, Purchases History, Sales History, Sales & Cost Of Sales by Region, Commodity Group and Commodity Group Sales reports, to name the most important.

Features and Benefits - Contracts

Print and Manage Contracts easily using the facilities built into Grain Trader, with flexible Contract types and options, user-defined terms & conditions, and a comprehensive range of management reports.

Purchase, Sale & Brokerage Contracts Supported

Standard Purchase and Sale Contracts, as well as Brokerage Contracts. Print contracts with standard Terms & Conditions that you define.

Guaranteed Minimum Price

Guaranteed Minimum Price contracts are fully supported, with automatic allocation of loads to the earliest Fixed Quantities if any.

Multigrade Commodities Supported

Carry Prices Supported

Integrated Contract Delivery Spread Facility

You can optionally allocate deliveries to each month across the delivery spectrum. This then flows through your Position Reports.

Payment Terms Flow Through to Loads

Define the Payment Terms applicable to individual Contracts from a drop-down box containing a list of alternatives you can define. The selected Terms automatically flow through the Loads system and on to your Trading Terms Trial Balance reports.

Integrated Administration

Monitor the paperwork, know which Trader wrote which Contract and see a list of Loads against the Contract, all at a glance. If an out-of-spec load comes in you can print and record an Amendment Form to record details and dockages.

Document Print Options

You can print a Proforma Invoice for export sales, and if you act as an agent for a particular Buyer we can even provide a customised Contract in the Buyer's format.

Optionally Print Annexures to Contracts

You can automatically have a document in Microsoft Word© format printed as an Annexure to every Contract, with standard header and signature footer provided by Grain Trader.

Comprehensive Reporting

Select from a range of comprehensive reports including Summary reports with flexible criteria including Commodity, Date Ranges, Contract Type, Trader etc; Position Reports in either Summary or Detailed format and with flexible criteria including Commodities, Traders, Date Ranges, Accounts, Delivery Options and Pricing Points; Source/Destination reports and Documents Outstanding reports.

Features and Benefits - Loads

The Load window is where it all comes together - in one place! No more redundant data entry! Grain Trader puts invoices and accounting for supplier, buyer, broker(s), carrier, other creditor(s) and debtor, levies, bonuses & deductions, contracts and inventory all in one place, with straightforward data entry and one-click processing.

Logical, Proactive Data Validation

Sensible data restrictions are provided to help eliminate data entry errors - for example, when a Commodity is selected only the storages for that Commodity can be selected, and when an account is selected only those Contracts for the combination of account and commodity (by default) are available for selection.

Multi-stage Load Data Entry & Processing

Load details can be entered as they come to hand and amended as necessary until they are finally Processed. Unprocessed Loads can be easily identified for review, and you can separate data entry and processing functions for checking and review.

Load Weights & Metrics

Record Pickup and Delivery weights and dates, Sample Number and Metrics defined for the commodity, for example Protein, Moisture, Oil Content etc. Grain Trader will calculate Bonuses & Deductions for the load automatically for you if you want (as well as keep track of the averages into Storage).If applicable, inventory will automatically be adjusted.

Source & Destination

Select the Supplier, Buyer and/or Storages for either or both ends of the Load. Storages can optionally be selected in addition to a Supplier and/or Buyer, for the most flexible configuration in the business! Select Contract(s) if applicable and the price and Payment Terms automatically default to those on the Contract. Review the Contract details, add text to the invoice or print a Contract Amendment Form if the load is out-of-spec, all with one click.

Other Charges

Enter weighbridge fees, tolls or other deductions from the supplier or charges to the buyer. Record charges from other Creditors or charge another Debtor, right there on the Load window.

Carrier Details

Select the Carrier from your list and record the details. Grain Trader will automatically create the Creditor Remittance Advice/RCTI for you. Alternatively if one of your own trucks is used for the Load the program will keep track of the income for that truck and display it, together with its costs, on the Trucks Report.

Flexible Load Import Facilities

Loads can be imported (as Saved, Unprocessed Loads) from the companion GT Weighbridge module, another Grain Trader database, Graincorp-format text file, or user-defined text file (so long as the minimum details are present). Loads can be reviewed and corrections made if necessary before being processed.

Batch Invoicing

Load invoices and Remittance Advices/RCTIs for suppliers, buyers, brokers and carriers can be batched so that multiple loads are printed on the document. This works independently of Load Processing, that is Processing the Load creates the accounting transactions; Batching organises the transactions for printing.

Helpful Warnings & Credit Limit Checks

Options are provided so that the user can be warned when deliveries against a Contract reach within a user-definable tolerance level of the contracted total. Credit limits for both Debtors and Creditors, if set, will also be checked when a Load is saved and Grain Trader will warn the user and, if set, prohibit Processing of the Load until the situation is resolved. Grain Trader can also warn the user if a load, when processed, would appear to be making a loss.

Documentation

In addition to multiple Invoices/Remittance Advices/RCTI's, you can print Load, Storage, Carrier or Dispatch Advices or Customer Order forms.

Ultra-Flexible Load Search, Reporting and Export Functions

Search for Loads and print a range of reports on virtually any combination of criteria, including Commodity, Supplier, Buyer, date ranges, storages, weighbridge ticket numbers, pickup or delivery point etc. Standard reports include Summary, Detail and Extended Detail variants, but if that's not enough you can define your own output fields and export the results to a file you can easily import into your favourite word processor or spreadsheet program.

Other Reports

Features and Benefits - Debtors and Creditors

Grain Trader provides all the features you'd expect with comprehensive Debtors and Creditors ledgers. In addition to the integrated and highly data-efficient Loads system, you have access to multiple invoice types, adjustment notes, receipts and payments, statements and comprehensive reports, and easily transfer transactions into your MYOB© accounting system if required.

Easily-understood, Standard Data Fields

All the usual information you'd expect to see is right there in one place, including MTD and YTD sales/purchases, contact details etc.

Multiple Invoice Types

Loads are covered elsewhere, but you also get Commodity-based Goods Inwards Invoices (Creditors) and Goods Invoices (Debtors) to handle packaged goods and mixed-commodity loads, as well as generic invoices for non-Commodity purchases & sales. Adjustment Notes are also available.

Open-Item Accounting

As is usual for high-value invoice environments, Grain Trader uses Open-Item accounting principles, so each load or invoice stands alone until paid. You can assign Receipts, Payments, Adjustment Notes or other adjustments to specific invoices. You can see each transaction for the current period, together with any from prior periods that were unpaid at the beginning of the current period, at a glance on the Current tab of the window, and all previous transactions on the History tab.

User-Definable Payment Terms

You can set your default trading terms through Program Options, separately for Debtors and Creditors, and separately for Commodity and Other invoices. These can be overridden by the Payment Terms selected for a specific Contract, or again at the invoice level by selecting a specific date. The Due Date is calculated using the actual date of the physical transaction when the invoice is raised and used in printing your Trading Terms Trial Balance report, either Arrears or Forecast. (You can also print a Trial Balance based on standard accounting Current/30/60/90 day periods.)

Credit Limits and Payment Reviews Supported

Credit Limits are supported, but not compulsory, for both Debtors and Creditors. By Program Options you can have the program either warn or prohibit a new transaction if the processing of it would exceed the limit. You can also flag a Creditor for a manual review before a Payment is processed.

Prepayments & Reversals Supported

Prepayments can be recorded and applied to existing or future invoices at any time. Reversals are supported and easily raised for Loads if required.

Creditor Batching by Due Date and Integrated Cheque Printing

General Ledger Transfer

Transfer totals to any, or transactions to MYOB©, general ledger accounting system. Most of our clients rely on Grain Trader to manage all their Debtor and Creditor needs and just transfer the transaction totals each month to their G/L system using a single Journal.

Features and Benefits - Value Adding

Grain Trader has very capable functions in Value Adding your inventory. From a simple Commodity Transfer or shrinkage adjustment to complex batch or multiple manufacturing plant processes, Grain Trader can do it!

Automatic Inventory & Cost Adjustments

All Value Adding methodologies automatically adjust Grain Trader Inventories, Average Costs and Average Metrics (if applicable) for you as appropriate.

Basic Value Adding

Basic Value Adding provides an easy yet manageable way of converting or moving one quantity of one Commodity from one Storage into a different Commodity or Storage, optionally capitalising processing costs.

Intermediate Value Adding

Intermediate Value Adding is similar to Basic Value Adding in that it offers a straightforward interface and a one-step approach, but extends it to multiple inputs, processes and outputs.

Advanced Value Adding

Advanced Value Adding can apply complex, multi-stage processes through different plants and at different times, to multiple quantities of multiple commodities from different sources and to generate multiple quantities of multiple commodities into different storages.

Batch Value Adding

Subject to data requirement specifications, Grain Trader can import log files from computerised batching plants and instantly make all the required changes to produce one Commodity from its component Commodities.

Manufactured Commodities

In addition to the above, you can define a Commodity as a Manufactured Commodity and store its list of component ingredients (formula) , inclusion rates, process costs etc. Then whenever you want to create a batch just tell Grain Trader how much you're making and let it do the rest!

Features and Benefits - Orders (Logistics) Module

The Grain Trader Orders (Logistics) Module is an add-on module available for a relatively small extra investment. Use it to streamline your workflow and manage information better.

Schedule Work a Week in Advance

Orders can be placed for Buyers or Suppliers for a week at a time, making scheduling and workflow management easier.

Automatically Create Loads

Creating an Order allows you to generate one or more Loads (at your option) to match the total Order quantity. Loads are created as Saved loads that can be deleted if for some reason they don't eventuate, or amended before being Processed when they occur.

Multiple Carriers, Loads, Buyers/Sellers

You can allocate different Carriers (or your own trucks) to Loads under the Order, and you can use different suppliers, purchase contracts or source storages for Buyer Orders or buyers, sale contracts or destination storages for Supplier Orders.

Print Goods Movement Advices

Print Grain Movement Authorities for your Carriers, and Grain Movement Advices for your Suppliers or Buyers, in accordance with the schedule of Loads.

Features and Benefits - Truck Book

The Grain Trader Truck Book facility helps you schedule workloads and manage your own trucks better.

See Workload Schedules at a Glance

By default the Truck Book window displays a list of all scheduled, unprocessed loads within a period, ordered by date. You can see at a glance which Carriers and which of your own trucks have Loads scheduled, and when. You can use it to manage workloads and staff, better advise your suppliers and clients about likely pickup/delivery times, schedule maintenance and more!

Get Accurate Information About Your Own Trucks

Add your own trucks into Grain Trader and the program can keep track of expenses and income for each of them individually. Then get a printout any time you like of how much each is contributing to your bottom line!

Features and Benefits - Other

Comprehensive Reporting

Over 90 reports, including some in multiple styles, means your suppliers and buyers always get great-looking documentation and management gets the information it needs to sustain and grow your business. Every report can be exported to a number of formats including Excel and PDF (ideal for emailing)

General Ledger reporting

User-definable General Ledger accounts for transaction posting, with summary reporting ready for entry into your preferred G/L accounting package. GST Transaction reports available.

Commodity Levy management

Define Statutory & Voluntary Levies per Commodity. Set the levies your Suppliers are liable for and they'll be automatically calculated and printed on the RCTI or Remittance Advice for you. Reports are available, ready for your Levy Returns.

Industry Standard database engine

CDA Grain Trader uses the industry-standard Microsoft Access database engine. Being a single file database also means it's easy to backup.

Multi-user database and Terminal Server capable

CDA Grain Trader is suitable for from one to tens of users, either as stand-alone installations or using Windows Terminal Server.

Simple licensing model

Multiple databases no problem

Don´t Forget to Backup!

Your staff is the lifeblood of your business. But let's face it, they're not usually IT professionals, are they? And they often do their work in a relatively insecure or otherwise uncontrolled environment. Perhaps your equipment is outdated, tired and susceptible to failure. Backups, assuming they are done, are of unknown quality because it's likely you've never had to restore them, much less test their integrity. They might only be done occasionally when the person remembers, and they're not stored on notoriously-unreliable floppy disks are they? And are they offsite in case of disaster, or sitting on top of the computer?

Imagine what would happen if there was a fire, their computer was stolen or damaged, or a virus wiped their hard disk at a critical time! All your data could be destroyed in an instant, or at the very least you'd be faced with potentially significant delays and extra work to get everything back up again.

There is a solution to this nightmare! Because all your CDA Grain Trader data is in a single file on your hard disk, it's easy to backup too. We highly recommend our Datagard online, secure backup service for CDA Grain Trader backups. A "set-and-forget" solution, Datagard gives your business peace of mind by securing a backup of your valuable data in a commercial offsite backup environment. Backup your database automatically (we recommend every day) using your Internet connection. It'll probably take only a few minutes at most each time, after the first. Restore your data to any backup point made in the last 30 days (by default, extendable at extra cost), quickly, easily and efficiently, to any computer - all you need is an Internet connection. Datagard is priced very reasonably too, on a monthly subscription basis that you can change or stop easily and without penalty.

You can also use Datagard to backup other files like word processor documents, spreadsheets, and even hard-to-backup data like email messages (optional at extra cost).

Read more about Datagard here and sign up to manage the risk of disaster! It may well be the cheapest insurance you ever take out.