The digital challenge for the farmer
| Oct. 2021 |.
The world population is still growing by about 83 million people a year. To imagine the scale, we have evolved from 1 billion inhabitants in 1800 to 7.8 billion in 2020. The agricultural sector that feeds us all is essential to our existence but they now face the difficult task of producing for this mass in the best possible way with the least waste of time and effort.
There are many things that affect agriculture, such as the erratic weather caused by climate changes, economic, environmental, political factors, supply and demand issues, ... One of the biggest challenges is tracking and managing the agricultural machinery, implements or tools used for a particular purpose. Traditional handwritten notes and/or printed entry cards used since time immemorial are unfortunately not practical today and do not meet today's farming requirements and practices.
Moreover, when farmers experience a poor harvest with significant financial losses, it usually affects many people in the same region, and that effect can last for years. By the way, did you know that, according to the State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) report, food loss and waste in 2019 was more than 15% in North America and Europe, and more than 20% in Central and South Asia? The question is how do the business managers of modern farms solve these challenges once and for all with minimum effort and maximum results?
Any way you look at it, digitization is the way forward
With IoT technology continuing to develop at a rapid pace, it is possible to locate, track and manage farm-specific equipment, farm implements and/or accessories. This is done through GPS devices with CAN Bus data adapters and ID beacons (BLE Bluetooth Low Energy 4.X). The best choice for the agricultural sector is undoubtedly All-Connects' AC.PRO tracker, with built-in CAN function for reading vehicle or driver data, and an integrated software version that supports agricultural-type vehicles (also known as ALL-CAN300 option).
These BLE ID beacons are small radio transmitters that broadcast their unique identification signal using Bluetooth wireless connectivity, providing proven low cost, energy efficiency, high accuracy and low interference. ID beacons are easy to install and integrate into existing systems. They can be quickly replaced if broken or stolen. An added advantage is that the BLE radio transmitters can be configured according to the customer's exact needs, depending on the signal strength required, data transfer intervals and size of the vehicle or machine fleet. All-Connect's GPS trackers support up to 100 ID beacons at a time that, depending on the model, operate approximately 5 to 20 years on a single battery with a signal transmitting up to 500 m range.
This is how IoT technology works with BLE ID beacons
Here's how it works: BLE ID beacons are attached (tagged) to desired non-motorized farm implements, agricultural machinery, attachments and accessories. Thanks to the principle of wireless communication, the installation process is effortless, fast and inexpensive.
At the same time, the AC-PRO trackers are mounted on the desired motorized agricultural vehicles such as tractors, harvesters, loaders, round balers, farm machinery and all-terrain vehicles, etc. Each ID beacon emits a unique signal and the AC-PRO tracker reads and identifies this signal. Then the AC-PRO sends this data, combined with its own GNSS location data, to the online management platform.
Specialized software determines the location of all beacons (i.e., tagged agricultural assets) based on the proximity of the nearest AC-PRO tracker mounted on an agricultural vehicle. Conveniently, you don't have to do anything yourself: no need to log in, or initiate actions: all tracking recordings are made automatically according to predefined parameters in real time and are accessible 24/7 via any PC, smartphone or tablet with Internet access.
As a result, the farmer knows exactly which works have been performed at which locations and further actions can be scheduled based on the data obtained, an absolute advantage that saves precious time. No more the old-fashioned "pen and paper" methods known to be inconvenient, impractical and prone to error. An added value for large farms is that the BLE ID beacons can also be usefully deployed indoors in warehouses, farm houses, barns, factories, dairy buildings, etc.
The AC-PRO tracker, like any GPS tracking device from All-Connects for that matter, offers the ability to expand with additional features, such as real-time tracking of your vehicles, "green" driving, trouble detection, excessive idling detection, immobilizer, disconnect detection, sleep detection, crash detection, trip history, automatic/manual geofence zones.
Geofences are virtual boundaries that a farmer can draw on a digital map, with linked alarms that send an automatic notification when a farm vehicle or attachment enters or leaves this predetermined area. For example, it can be very useful in terms of time management to draw zones around agricultural fields, warehouses, various important places, secure areas, etc. so that your staff does not have to stand around unnecessarily long waiting for incoming vehicles, and you also get immediate notification when a vehicle leaves this zone (theft protection).
An additional convenience is that ID beacons can also be used in identifying a driver. If identification fails, the vehicle's starter motor remains disconnected and the vehicle cannot drive off. All in all, the listed functionalities of our AC-PRO tracker provides a transparent overview of the current location and status of your fleet of vehicles and machines.
Get control of your fuel consumption
An additional option with the AC-PRO tracker is the wireless external fuel/liquid level sensor (also known as FLS or LLS) used to measure current fuel volume and changes in a fuel tank. The sensor provides accurate data for measuring remaining fluid, filling the fuel tank and draining volumes. It helps drivers stay responsible and economical, AND it helps prevent fuel theft from tanks of motorized farm machinery. Wireless communication eliminates the risk of cable vandalism and greatly simplifies the installation process.
Secure your expensive agricultural equipment
Thanks to the combination of fault disconnection and sleep detection plus immobilization, your agricultural vehicles are firmly protected. In addition, 1-Wire technology allows drivers to be automatically identified, and their working hours recorded.
The built-in CAN bus data adapter reads more than 100 parameters and transmits these data to the online management software so that fleet maintenance and service can be optimally monitored. Moreover, thanks to the auto-generated reports, business managers can make the right analyses to save fuel and time, reduce downtime, and avoid higher overhead costs. All this contributes to the ultimate goal every farmer strives for: the growth of productivity, with a minimum effort of time and money.
Advantages of telematics for a farm
-Smart farming and excellent efficiency
100 percent responsibility for everything important to the farm: farm machinery, valuable work tools, work procedures and patterns are tracked, controlled and optimized. Maximum results with minimum effort without messy paper notes or printed charts.
-Low-cost Bluetooth ID beacon setup
Adding wireless identification to agricultural equipment is a simple and quick procedure for current users of our telematics solutions. If sensors are broken or stolen, they can be quickly replaced.
- Customizable solutions for every business need
To get the maximum value out of them, ID beacons can be configured in terms of signal strength and data transmission interval according to precise needs, allowing them to be deployed in agricultural fields and sites of any shape and size.
- Efficient fleet maintenance, safety and timely service
Farmers can rest assured that agricultural vehicles are kept in perfect condition, safe and fully operational. Vehicle maintenance scheduling becomes a hassle-free automated process that saves valuable time and resources.
- Comprehensive AC-PRO functionality to meet agricultural needs
Built-in CAN bus data reading function, flexible configuration, multiple usage scenarios and numerous benefits to optimize fleet management, reduce operating costs and improve ROI.
Get advice from an All-Connects expert
To ensure that you can rely 100% on your track and trace system, it is necessary to take a licensed and experienced installer. In fact, many track and trace systems do not work properly due to being poorly installed. In addition, cheaper vehicle tracking systems are also offered that can never give you the same quality and reliability of data. Also in terms of subscriptions there is often a lot of difference between the various suppliers so the message is to inform yourself well: call us on 03 289 55 35 for free advice or contact us online below.
