BC-OLIVE Operational Group: Implementation of disruptive technologies to improve the olive oil value chain

BC-OLIVE Platform and User Acquisition (R1) This outcome has enabled the incorporation of an initial group of real users whose contributions have been key to building a platform tailored to the sector's needs. The BC-OLIVE pilot version demonstrates that a common system reduces errors, avoids duplication, and facilitates the control of oil movements during peak seasons. For farmers and cooperatives, using this tool means less administrative work, faster registration, and access to clear, real-time information. This improves organization, shortens response times to incidents, and strengthens commercial security. Furthermore, having pilot users ensures that subsequent phases of the project are based on real-world practices and improve process efficiency from day one.

Design of Digital Delivery Note Templates (R2) This result has enabled the design of two digital delivery note templates that cover most common movements between olive mills, cooperatives, and logistics operators. Their unified format reduces discrepancies, transcription errors, and common misunderstandings in complex operations or those involving multiple parties. For farmers and professionals, the digital delivery note means speed, less manual documentation, and greater clarity in every transaction. Furthermore, its integration into the platform ensures that the entire process is automatically and securely recorded, improving transparency and preventing subsequent disputes. As a recommendation, the widespread adoption of these templates will allow for more professional bulk management and facilitate audits, sales, and coordination between departments and entities, providing direct added value to the daily operational workflow.

Digital Delivery Note User Guide (R3) Creating a clear and practical guide on how to use digital delivery notes makes it easier for any employee, regardless of their technological experience, to understand how to create, validate, and close a transaction. This reduces learning time, usage errors, and coordination problems between operators. For farmers, cooperatives, and packaging companies, the guide provides process security, minimizes doubts, and allows all parties to work in alignment. This improves traceability, prevents unexpected returns, and increases efficiency in daily operations. The main recommendation is to incorporate this guide into internal procedures and update it as the platform evolves. This tool becomes an essential support for maintaining record quality and ensuring organized and trouble-free work.

Implementation of 20 Real-World Digital Delivery Notes (R4) The implementation of 20 digital delivery notes in real-world situations has allowed us to verify how the platform functions under typical working conditions, including peak activity periods and critical tanker movements. The results show a clear reduction in incidents, volume errors, and duplicates, as well as a notable improvement in product traceability. For farmers and cooperatives, this translates into greater security, fewer claims, and faster operations. Digitizing the process prevents lost documentation, accelerates registration, and fosters greater trust among participating entities. The recommendation is to extend this system to all bulk operations, as it guarantees more reliable and professional control, increasing efficiency and enabling organizations to work with greater agility and precision.

Oil fingerprinting procedures (R5) This outcome defines clear and standardized protocols for obtaining spectrometric and chromatographic fingerprints that allow for the comparison of oil samples between origin and destination. For farmers and cooperatives, this tool provides an additional guarantee of product authenticity, preventing disputes in case of doubts or alterations. Furthermore, it provides key scientific support for high-value operations or shipments to demanding markets. Having validated procedures facilitates decision-making and strengthens the credibility of the supply chain. The recommendation is to integrate these methods as a routine part of internal controls, especially for sensitive shipments. This not only improves the quality and safety of the oil but also strengthens the commercial reputation of the entities that use it.

Integration of the fingerprint system into the platform (R6) The integration of the fingerprint system within BC?OLIVE allows for the combination of documentary traceability with scientific verification, a unique feature in the olive oil sector. This advancement makes it possible to verify that the oil arriving at its destination is exactly the same as the oil that left the source, eliminating doubts and reducing the risk of fraud. For farmers and operators, this level of control generates greater trust, avoids costly claims, and strengthens the security of each transaction. Furthermore, secure cloud storage ensures that all information is available when needed. It is recommended to use this functionality in strategic or higher-risk commercial operations. Its application improves transparency, facilitates audits, and offers a value-added tool in markets where authenticity is crucial to the final price.

Instruction and Training Manual (R7) The development of the manual and the delivery of six training sessions have enabled operators, transporters, and technical staff to learn how to use the platform consistently. This training process reduces usage errors, improves the flow of daily work, and accelerates system adoption. For farmers and cooperatives, the training means fewer questions about record-keeping, greater efficiency, and more autonomy in resolving issues. Furthermore, having a well-structured manual ensures that any new employee can integrate quickly. It is recommended to maintain regular training and update the materials when the platform incorporates improvements. This guarantees correct use and ensures that the technological investment translates into a real improvement in operational performance.

Final Validation and System Evaluation (R8) This result confirms that BC-OLIVE operates reliably in real-world scenarios, with over 20 analyzed transactions and 10 evaluation reports that demonstrate clear improvements in processing times, incidents, and document accuracy. For cooperatives, olive mills, and farmers, this validation provides reassurance that the system is stable, useful, and adaptable to their needs. The platform reduces conflicts between entities, provides objective evidence in the event of discrepancies, and facilitates decision-making. Furthermore, the reports allow for the identification of future improvements and pave the way for full system adoption. The recommendation is to extend its use to all operations and leverage the generated data to optimize logistics, quality, and sales management, thereby strengthening the competitiveness and transparency of the olive oil sector.

General Project Dissemination (Level 1) (RD1) This activity aims to ensure that farmers, cooperatives, and professionals clearly understand what BC-OLIVE is and how it can help them in their daily work. Its purpose is to explain, in simple language, that the platform reduces errors, eliminates repetitive procedures, and offers secure traceability that protects the value of the olive oil. This dissemination is intended to help more entities see the real benefits of the system and want to adopt it. For farmers, this means anticipating how certain processes will change, having more reliable information, and possessing a tool that reinforces the quality of the product they deliver. For cooperatives, it means improving internal coordination, reducing logistical issues, and gaining transparency with clients and regulatory bodies. Overall, this dissemination creates the necessary foundation for the sector to confidently adopt the technology.

Scientific and technical dissemination among professionals (Level 2) (RD2) The objective of this outcome is for technicians, quality managers, agronomists, and specialized personnel to understand in detail how BC-OLIVE works and how it can be integrated into their current procedures. Sharing best practices and technical advances helps cooperatives adapt their systems and prepare their teams to use the platform efficiently. The main advantage is that this information allows for reduced administrative time, improved control of processes, and the prevention of errors resulting from a lack of coordination between departments. For professionals, these sessions are an opportunity to update their knowledge and modernize their workflow. Furthermore, they allow them to identify improvements in logistics, quality, and planning, making the most of the data generated by the platform and increasing the organization's operational efficiency.

Scientific Dissemination (Level 3) (RD3) This result ensures that the methods developed in BC-OLIVE—such as digital delivery notes and chemical verification using instrumental fingerprints—are scientifically validated and published to guarantee their rigor. This lends credibility with laboratories, certification bodies, and government agencies, which is key for the sector to trust the tool. For farmers and cooperatives, having these endorsements means having a robust system to resolve discrepancies and demonstrate product authenticity when necessary. It also opens doors to more demanding markets where advanced traceability is required. At the business level, this technical validation strengthens reputation and reduces commercial risks, as science supports the reliability of each record. This makes the system a real competitive advantage over operators who do not yet have such robust controls.

Direct Transfer to the Olive Oil Sector (Level 4) (RD4) The objective of this activity is to demonstrate in practice how to use BC-OLIVE within olive mills and cooperatives. Through workshops and demonstrations, users learn to record movements, manage digital delivery notes, and review the generated information. This facilitates rapid adoption and reduces errors during daily operations. For farmers and warehouse workers, this transfer provides clarity, improves organization, and avoids common confusion during peak seasons. The main recommendation is to incorporate these practices into the regular workflow, as they reduce incidents, eliminate duplicate entries, and save time in each operation. Furthermore, it guarantees complete traceability, providing commercial security and greater value to the oil. With proper implementation, the system becomes a real asset for gaining efficiency and transparency.

Visibility of Environmental and Socioeconomic Impacts (RD5) This result demonstrates how BC-OLIVE generates benefits that extend beyond product control: cost reductions, optimized transportation, lower resource consumption, and greater transparency for consumers and market participants. For farmers and cooperatives, explaining these impacts is key to demonstrating their efficient and sustainable practices, an aspect increasingly valued by distributors and international markets. Furthermore, the platform facilitates the justification of responsible practices and access to opportunities related to sustainability, certifications, and environmental improvement programs. Communicating these results strengthens the public image of these organizations and helps them position themselves as innovative, competitive producers aligned with the sector's evolving demands.

Final Events and Networking (RD6) These events allow for the presentation of BC-OLIVE's results to the sector, showcasing the platform in operation, and sharing real-world experiences among companies, cooperatives, technicians, and institutions. Their main value lies in creating a space to address questions and foster new collaborations. For farmers and professionals, it's an opportunity to learn about future improvements, raise needs, and participate in the system's ongoing development. Furthermore, these meetings facilitate contact with experts, technology providers, and public entities, creating synergies that can translate into business opportunities, training, or technical support. Active participation is strongly recommended, as these forums allow you to influence the tool's evolution and ensure that the platform continues to meet the real needs of the olive oil sector.