Skip to main content

Appalachian Today

News and events at Appalachian State University
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • In the News
  • Research & Creative Works
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All Posts
  • Topics
  • Accolades
  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Athletics
  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Events
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Global
  • Health and Wellness
  • Publications
  • Research and Creative Works
  • Safety
  • Scholarships
  • Students
  • Sustainability
☰ Menu
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • In the News
  • Research & Creative Works
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All Posts
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact

Software shows just how busy honeybees are

View larger image

Beekeepers can keep track of hive activity and bee health with software called Hive Tracks co-developed by an Appalachian State University professor. (Photo by Todd Bush courtesy of Hive Tracks)

View larger image
Posted July 6, 2015 at 12:58 p.m.

BOONE—A web application for beekeepers called Hive Tracks, co-developed by a faculty member in Appalachian State University’s Department of Computer Science, is now being used by bee keepers in 142 countries to track beehive activity. There are currently more than 16,000 registered users of Hive Tracks, including beekeepers in Tanzania.

“It’s grown very organically through conference presentations, social media and word of mouth,” said Hive Tracks cofounder Dr. James Wilkes, a beekeeper and chair of the Department of Computer Science.

While the web-based and smart phone application was initially free in its beta version, the developers now charge a maximum $5 a month for the application which facilitates software updates. Beekeepers use the program to track and store information about their hives and hive activity, such as the location of hives, bee productivity and health, and to record hive inspections, along with other information useful in making management decisions.

Registered aparies, or beehives, include those in the U.S., across Europe, Africa, China and Saudi Arabia.

Wilkes is consulting with a bee supplier who is working with the Tanzanian government to use beekeeping as an economic development engine for villages in that country.

“We want to help beekeepers and let them know what other people are doing in their neighborhood and give them the tools and information to make good decisions,” Wilkes said in a 2014 TEDX talk in Hickory. To learn more about beekeeping and computing, Wilkes’ talk is online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFkaq_7a5B0.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Share

Topics

  • Faculty and Staff
  • Research and Creative Works
  • Sustainability

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Share

Topics

  • Faculty and Staff
  • Research and Creative Works
  • Sustainability

Other Recent Posts

  • App State to conduct full test of its emergency notification system Sept. 3
    App State to conduct full test of its emergency notification system Sept. 3
  • 3 App State teams confront flood risks and teacher shortages with Chancellor's Innovation grants
    3 App State teams confront flood risks and teacher shortages with Chancellor's Innovation grants
  • Appalachian State program aims to boost the number of rural exceptional children teachers
    Appalachian State program aims to boost the number of rural exceptional children teachers
    WUNC
  • App State breaks ground on new, 85,000-square-foot indoor practice facility
    App State breaks ground on new, 85,000-square-foot indoor practice facility
  • App State awarded $1.4M grant to strengthen special education workforce in rural Appalachia
    App State awarded $1.4M grant to strengthen special education workforce in rural Appalachia
  • 6,200 App State students make Boone campus residence halls home for fall 2025
    6,200 App State students make Boone campus residence halls home for fall 2025
  • First-generation college students move into App State
    First-generation college students move into App State
    WSOC-TV
  • App State honors Dr. Rose Mary Webb, Dr. Shanshan Lou with 2025 Departmental Leadership Awards
    App State honors Dr. Rose Mary Webb, Dr. Shanshan Lou with 2025 Departmental Leadership Awards
  • Aug. 6, 2025 campus emergency siren test canceled
    Aug. 6, 2025 campus emergency siren test canceled
  • App State archaeology team discovers ancient campsite at Blackburn Vannoy Estate and Farm in Ashe County
    App State archaeology team discovers ancient campsite at Blackburn Vannoy Estate and Farm in Ashe County
  • App State’s Corinne Smith honored as 2025 national GEAR UP Professional Leader of the Year
    App State’s Corinne Smith honored as 2025 national GEAR UP Professional Leader of the Year
  • 4 Mountaineers honored with App State Alumni Awards
    4 Mountaineers honored with App State Alumni Awards

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • In the News
  • Research & Creative Works
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All Posts
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact

App State

Copyright 2025 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

University Communications
ASU Box 32153
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-6156
[email protected]

Abouts

Disclaimer | EO Policy | Accessibility | Website manager: montaldipa (beltmr) .. | Website Feedback

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Snapchat