Computing and IT, as they were once known, were never going to leave farming alone. There has indeed been a long and hard push by tractor manufacturers over the years to get digital systems into tractors, and onto the farmer’s own computing hardware, and then join them up to become one.
As noble an aim as this might be, and as great a boost to efficiency it has the potential to bring, in many cases, it has left farmers and growers somewhat bewildered by what is going on.
There is also the feeling at ground level, that as wonderful as it might be, it is all for somebody else, somebody who understands these things and is big enough to justify the time and expense involved in adopting the new paradigm.
Wising up to the digital block
The manufacturers are now starting to appreciate that simply throwing sophisticated software out onto the market without fully explaining what it is, or actually does, and, more importantly still, how it does it, is not going to get it implemented out in the big wide world.
Claas and John Deere are widely considered to be leading the pack in getting the message across. John Deere has implemented a strategy of having specialists available at dealer level, while Claas has recently opened a new facility at Saxham in the UK to help bring farmers on board.
The launch of the new Digital Experience Centre follows the establishment of the new Digital Business Team at Saxham, which provides both machine-mounted and office-based support for the various items of software, it is led by Rob Fillingham, Head of Digital Business.
The facility was recently opened by Christian Radons, Claas Group executive board member with responsibility for the global Service & Sales Business Unit.
The major manufacturers have moved into the position of now offering two distinct product groups, the traditional mechanical product, tractor and so on, and now what might be described as a digital attachment that enhances the operation of those legacy items.
New skills required
Yet, adding computing power is far more involved than just pouring in a fuel additive – there has to be structure to it all and that structure has to be clearly explained and understood, and this appears to be where the company is heading.
The central plank of its digital product is Claas connect. This brings together, into one cloud-based platform, all the various items of software from machine configuration capabilities, product information operating instructions, service advice, licence management and precision farming applications , all connected and accessed via a single ID log-in.
As with the tractor and materials handling Customer Experience Centre at Saxham, the new Digital Experience Centre enables customers to use, experience and be guided through the functions and benefits of Claas connect.
With the aid of simulators visitors can now be walked through what is now possible, starting with the intelligent steering systems that are available on Claas products, enabling a better understanding of the technology and the benefits that the digital tsunami can bring to the businesses.
