COSTS INVOLVED IN THE SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PENN-STATE-APPLE-ORCHARD-CONSULTANT

Delivery of Penn State Apple Orchard Consultant, an expert system for apple orchard management, began in 1989. Initially, there was an adopt ion group that gave us feedback on the program and other materials. As funding for this group stopped, other, less effective, support method s were used. As part of the support process, training sessions have be en held, phone support has been available, and manual and programming changes have occurred. County agents have also been involved with trai ning and support. The time and material costs for user support and sof tware maintenance have been calculated. Methods we would like to see i mplemented in the future include local experts, phone support, and est ablished feedback loops.