Description
Apiary Book is a complete digital apiary management solution that increases the productivity of bee colonies and mitigates colony losses through its activities in support of the monitoring of beehives and its data analyses. Apiary Book comprises eight sections, access to which depends on the version of the app and the user’s device. The Apiary Book, the main feature of the app, allows the recording of information on the number, health and maintenance of bee colonies, their activity, the inspections and treatments carried out, and other operations related to beekeeping. Based on the recorded information, the beekeepers get immediate analysis, allowing them to check the history of a beehive, to manage their ongoing apiary activities or to plan for the future. Making use of QR codes, near-field communication tags, a voice assistant feature, and hands-free and offline storage, Apiary Book for Android (this feature is not currently supported by iOS) allows beekeepers to identify beehives, analyse their history and record information about the colony directly on a smartphone, even while working in the apiary. Supplementing this management tool is Apiary Sense, a remote hive monitoring system that provides real-time data on hive status powered by autonomous energy sources. The app's analytical capabilities provide the beekeeper with invaluable insights and trends, enhancing environmental and food safety assessment projects. Apiary Inform, a specialized communication app, disseminates important beekeeping news and alerts to the community, while Apiary Report connects beekeepers with farmers and local authorities for the early identification of problems. The independent Apiary Academy is an e-learning app that has been established to facilitate the global exchange of beekeeping knowledge. Community Support initiatives featture encourage communication, mentoring, and educational opportunities within the beekeeping community . Finally, Apiary Marketplace facilitates the sale of beekeeping products and equipment.
Technology
Apiary Book is available as a cloud-based web application and app for Android and iOS devices, although full access to all features of the app requires an Android device. The Web app does not have access to the mentorship programme or community communication tools, while the iOS app can only be used to create an unlimited log of apiaries and hives. The complete app makes use of such advanced technologies as QR codes/Near-field communication (NFC) tags for hive identification, as well as voice-assistant capabilities in support of hands-free operation, allowing beekeepers to track and analyse hive activity and health. Apiary Sense, a hardware system for remote hive monitoring, is integrated with hive scales and sensors. It is powered autonomously by a battery and solar panel, and transmits data wirelessly via a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). The collected data are analysed and compared with best beekeeping practices to aid decision-making. Apiary Inform serves as a app of communication for beekeeping associations, supporting the dissemination of relevant news, alerts and best practices. Apiary Report aids in the early detection of health problems, serving as a line of communication between beekeepers, farmers and local authorities. Additionally, Apiary Academy is an eLearning app aimed at enhancing global beekeeping knowledge, while the Apiary Marketplace facilitates the trade of apiary products and supplies.
Target
Apiary Book is available globally as an Android, iOS and web-based application for beekeepers of any size and at any experience level. It is available in 19 languages, including Romanian, English, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Greek, Serbian, Russian, Czech, Portuguese, Polish, Slovakian, Turkish, Dutch, Hungarian and Ukrainian. Apiary Book has over 25 000 monthly users, and over 260 000 total users worldwide.
Business model
Apiary Book operates on a freemium model, with different subscription tiers available to satisfy various beekeeping needs. The free version supports a single apiary with up to nine hives, and offers the following features: voice assistant, QR codes & NFC tags, basic graphs/reports, critical task reminders, local data analyses and recommendations, and Cloud backup/restore. Users seeking to manage multiple apiaries with unlimited hives can opt for the most popular package costing EUR 80 per year or EUR 6.66 per month, with the following features: multiple device access, advanced reports & analyses, beekeeping management practices, the mentorship programme, community communication tools, and Cloud storage for all data. Additionally, an extra features package is available priced at EUR 50 for 6 months or EUR 8.33 per month that offers all the benefits of the most popular package but on a shorter-term basis. The Android app is the only way to access all the features of Apiary Book, regardless of the selected package.
Impact
The primary goal of Apiary Book, according to the website, is to help beekeepers around the world make better-informed decisions based on historical data, current conditions and best practices, to minimize bee colony losses and increase productivity. The app is accessible by all beekeepers around the world, and according to the website, is easy to use for beginners or professional beekeepers. As of July 2023, the app has more than 260 000 users worldwide, although it has very high growth potential, as in 2022, only 5 percent of the 60 000+ beekeepers in France were using the app.
Partners
Apiary ambassadors
Four Betters
Better production
