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Yesterday, I uploaded the 3 part demo video (see below) I created using data supplied by the Algerian PhD student enquirer I mentioned last Saturday. Below, I share excerpts from the explanatory notes I then emailed him. If you own my Excel-VB Ration Formulator, or plan to get it, READING this post can help you greatly!

First Screenshot Demonstration Video of the Ration Formulator – Posted on YouTube on 27th Nov. 2011 [Over 53k views]

[NB: In case the videos are not clear enough, I’ve now uploaded ALL 4 clips of the much larger 4 part video to replace the ones below. Here they are…(the previous versions are still further down). Note that Video 2 of 4 and Video 3 of 4 are the MOST important ones you have to watch in order to fully understand how I formulated the ration]

New Video Part 1 of 4 – Ration Formulation using data supplied by an Algerian PhD Student Enquirer

New Video Part 2 of 4 – Ration Formulation using data supplied by an Algerian PhD Student Enquirer

New Video Part 3 of 4 – Ration Formulation using data supplied by an Algerian PhD Student Enquirer

New Video Part 4 of 4 – Ration Formulation using data supplied by an Algerian PhD Student Enquirer

The challenge I’ve had is that recent poor connectivity from providers out here makes it near impossible to upload the original videos “as is”. So I have to use conversion apps to reduce the sizes of my videos. Sometimes they turn out ok. Sometimes they don’t. When they don’t I do my best to upload the larger videos – IN YOUR SERVICE :-))]

Hi Hakeem,

Watch the 3 part video I’ve created showing how I formulated a ration using your supplied data below:

Note that I had to change the “comma” used as decimal point in your version of Excel to “periods” in my copy of Excel.

Click HERE to download a copy of the data.xls workbook containing the table I created and extracted data into.

 

Below: Screenshot of the app’s interface after the ration had been formulated:

 

Like I told you, users must first understand how the app works, and then use it as recommended.

I deliberately showed the steps I followed from the very start, in a manner consistent with the instructions in the PDF (see pages 8 to 18 in particular) and annotated image guides I’ve sent you.

Click the links below to download the PDF guide and the annotated JPEG screenshot image guides:

File name = screenshots_RATIONFORMULATOR.pdf (place it in same location as the app)

http://tayosolagbade.com/sdnuggets/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/screenshots_RATIONFORMULATOR.pdf

A. guide-1-nutrient composition table.jpg

http://tayosolagbade.com/sdnuggets/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/guide-1.jpg

B. guide-2-Computing a Ration Formula Using the Excel-VB Driven App.jpg

http://tayosolagbade.com/sdnuggets/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/guide-2.jpg

C. guide-3-Error Handling to Ensure You Get Reliable Ration Formulas

http://tayosolagbade.com/sdnuggets/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/guide-3.jpg

D. guide-4-The App Generates THIS Print-Ready Pearson Square Formula and Diagram Page.jpg

http://tayosolagbade.com/sdnuggets/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/guide-4.jpg

If you wish, you can click the “STORE THIS FORMULA…” button on the spreadsheet, to load a stored formula that I already prepared, and try making changes to it, to get a feel for how the app works. 

NB: See 2 additional screenshot images (PNG) I created to support the 2013 upgrade version

E. rf-flyers1.png

http://tayosolagbade.com/sdnuggets/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/rf-flyers1.png

F. rf-flyers2.png

http://tayosolagbade.com/sdnuggets/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/rf-flyers2.png

You will notice from the copy of your workbook that I returned to you, that I appended my app’s ingredient table format to the bottom of yours.

Then I used a function to extract relevant data from your table to fill the table for the app. (NB: The app can be extended/customized to accommate ALL the other parameters you have in your table – if you request that be done.)

Having done that, I then copied the extracted contents, now in the format matching the app’s “update feed ingredients” table, and pasted it into the table in the app.

[NB: DO NOT delete the “Mixture” label from the description field in the ingredients table. It needs to appear in the drop down menu on the form, so you can select it when you’re using MORE than one protein source.]

Next, I used the main menu to navigate to the Ration Formulation Interface, and began using the in-cell drop down menu to choose the different ingredients I wanted to use in the ration.

See the videos for the rest.

Remember: The key to making successful use of the app is to follow the recommended procedure for using it. The video I have just sent you shows that. I have stored the formula I derived, so you can recall it and play around with it (see my demonstration of how to call up the stored formula using the “Store This Formula” button on the spreadsheet.

Then you should be able to try deriving the same ration by doing what you saw me do in the video. Once you get the hang of it, you can then decide to formulate a different ration. In the video, you will see what I meant by usign the Pearson Square to derive the quantities of key variable ingredients you choose that will yield the target protein you want.

But that only helps you get started. You post those derived quantities into the computation table fields for each ingredient, then begin making adjustments to accomodate other variable and fixed ingredients needed to make the complete balanced ration.

That is where the TWEAKING I referred to comes in.

The app is meant to be interactive. You make changes and check the results, then using your knowlegde of the ingredients nutrient composition, and your desired target values (min and max) for key nutrients, you will reduce some and increase some until you get the nutrient ranges you want in the final ration. Again, you see me do that in the video.

Note that this version of the app can be extended:

(a) to cater for ANY number of nutrients in the ration and

(b) to do Least Cost Ration Formulation

(c) to carry out other data analysis and reporting functions you may request.

The reason I’ve left the app “as is” is because I let the market guide my development efforts.

So far, very little interest has been shown by my buyers/clients/users to adopt, for instance, a Least Cost Formulating version when I’ve asked them.

So, even though I began work on it over a year ago, I’ve not put much effort into developing it further.

I’ll end by saying what I said in the video: This video demo using your data, is the best I can offer. If you’re still NOT convinced the app can help, you I recommend you continue searching online for a suitable alternative.

I wish you well.

With kindest regards,

Tayo

Hakim responded that he’d successfully followed my instructions and formulated the same ration I had done using his data – but the app was NOT what he wanted. See his email below…

Here’s the response I sent him (Hint: I share this to let YOU – the reader – know that I was looking beyond Hakim)

My thinking was always that if he could have those challenges comprehending my offer, and the solution, then it would be in my interest to produce material to aid him, and others who may have a similar challenge.

Yesterday, I got a call from one of 2 new Farm CEO buyers based in Portharcourt, and I told him I would be sending him the link to THIS post, and also to the smarter videos I will soon have uploaded to Youtube.

I am sure more people will find it useful, and in the long run, the time and effort it will take me to “sell” to prospects will be greatly reduced!