Digital technology is increasingly finding its way into agricultural machinery. Machines can now be controlled from a smartphone. At HORSCH, development of HorschConnect continues too. How it all started, what’s happening now, and what the future holds in terms of digitalization and connectivity – find out in this interview.
terraHORSCH: How did HorschConnect come about? What idea is it meant to embody at HORSCH?
Matthias Sporer: HorschConnect is meant to bring to life the collection and processing of telemetry data, so a machine can be controlled from a smartphone. We want to make HorschConnect available for all our machines, and in doing so open up new digital possibilities in agriculture. For the customer, this means creating additional value: everything from the machine’s current location and speed, through to detailed information and error messages.
Theodor Leeb: HorschConnect brings together all our developments and functions related to digitalization, for example the HorschConnect Telematics portal or the MobileControl app.
Theresa Schmidmaier: When we started the project, we ourselves didn’t quite picture what the end result would look like. The very first task was to create a single foundation, so data could be exchanged as efficiently as possible, workflows made easier, and the flow of information improved. It turned out that, mostly in the digital sphere, we need to respond very quickly to specific markets, since they always have very different requirements. Many of our customers want to closely monitor the quality of their work.
Others, on the other hand, care more about receiving fault alerts or managing their machinery fleet. In our world, many people are already used to controlling their robot vacuum cleaner through an app while they’re at work, letting it operate on its own. In the same way, our customers increasingly want to control their machines through a programme or smartphone.
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| Theodor Leeb |
Matthias Sporer — project manager for the whole HorschConnect segment, |
Do customers fall into different groups, and what kinds of requests do you get?
Matthias Sporer: Yes, there are large companies that focus primarily on fleet management. But there are also small farms, for whom automated documentation or tracking matters more. With MobileControl, our customers can do something very specific and urgent. HorschConnect and Telematics are optimized to suit both customers with a single machine and large companies operating a range of different machines. And that works very well.
And you don’t need to complete training first. Telematics is designed so you can get started right away. Clients with 10 or 20 machines, besides precise data on an individual machine, can also see important data at a glance at the same time – for example, on a fleet-management dashboard – giving them far greater informational value.
What equipment do machines need in order to use HorschConnect?
Matthias Sporer: Above all, an internet connection via what’s known as SmartCan. This hardware-software solution is installed directly on the machine. It can automatically connect to the internet via LTE. Customers can also easily connect via Wi-Fi using their smartphone and use MobileControl, which includes programmes such as meter calibration, nozzle testing, and so on.
In the Telematics portal, the machine is activated in just a few steps. But you can also get help from your dealer. Only after this is machine data transmitted to the HORSCH server. And then you can use automated documentation, analyze machine data, and view error messages. A built-in memory card guarantees you won’t lose data, even without mobile-network coverage.
What’s currently possible with HorschConnect? Which machines is it designed for?
Matthias Sporer: HorschConnect is designed for all types of our machines – from seeding equipment and precision seeders to crop-protection machinery. In many machine types HorschConnect is part of the standard factory fit, for example on self-propelled sprayers or the large Maestro units, and so on. In other machines, HorschConnect is available as an option, in particular on the Pronto or Sprinter. Most machines can also be retrofitted later if desired.
Theresa Schmidmaier: Of course, right now we’re still heavily focused on the Maestro. But that’s because we started development with the Maestro specifically. At the same time, telemetry functions or MobileControl are already available for every product in our portfolio. This product is unquestionably suited to every type of machine. The structure is always the same, only the telemetry portal’s functions may differ depending on the machine type and software version. We’re constantly adding to and improving the set of features.
There are programmes used for every machine type, for example documenting working speed or application rate, as well as visualizing all messages (about errors) in the portal. Monitoring the machine’s operating characteristics (for example, hectares covered, working hours, usage efficiency) doesn’t depend on the machine type.
But, of course, there are individual functions for each machine. For sprayers, you can see, for example, the selected nozzle profile, in particular the distance to the target surface and the pressure range worked at. The current nozzle status is also transmitted to the system, so you can see which ones are active, as well as any errors that suddenly arose in individual nozzles/sections. For a Maestro operator, besides basic data, seeding quality matters especially. Using the telemetry portal, they can determine the machine’s coefficient of variation or exactly where on the field skips or doubles occurred.
In the tillage field, we already have initial groundwork, in particular on calculating or determining area.
It’s convenient to control the machine’s functions from a smartphone using the MobileControl app
How does HorschConnect Telematics work?
Theresa Schmidmaier: HorschConnect Telematics collects and analyzes machine data to improve the quality of its work. Automated documentation is also possible. Among our customers are farms for whom machine productivity matters more. Some companies with several machines want to track what a machine is doing right now and how it’s performing. All of them are demanding enough – that’s what unites them all.
And that’s also the foundation of our work, in particular in the service field. Here we aim to provide customers with targeted, preventive support, for example through further analysis of error messages or configuration support. We’re also working on projects that will let service remotely switch to the terminal and the machine. This way we can provide targeted support.
Theodor Leeb: The service topic is extremely important, it is and will remain a quality indicator. To me, it’s the key. The business that wins is the one that, besides a good machine, can also offer the best service. Overall, technological capabilities are growing fast. Just consider the wide range of sensor technologies, camera systems, artificial intelligence, and so on. That means machines are becoming more complex. And with that, fast, simple support for our dealers and customers is becoming ever more important.
To give customers optimal service, at some point it will be important for us to have direct access to the machine and its data. To handle this complexity at all, I consider service, connectivity, update capability, and remote machine access to be extremely important.
Beyond that, through remote access we’ll be able to install updates on the machine. So a HORSCH employee won’t need to drive out to the customer and block the machine for three hours. This can be done very simply, even at night.
Matthias Sporer: Looking ahead, the system will offer a significant advantage, since our updates run fully automatically. As soon as the machine starts working, SmartCan connects online and updates automatically over the internet. The MobileControl app updates through the well-known Apple and Google app stores, so everything works together optimally. The customer receives the machine already fully equipped, ready to use, with a SIM card included. That means they bear no additional costs for this use.
HORSCH Telematics overview using the Maestro CV as an example. Getting information and managing a fleet through HorschConnect is very simple
Is access to machine data possible? How is data protected?
Theresa Schmidmaier: We take this extremely seriously. When we’re asked who sees what and when, we state clearly: only our customers’ service or sales partners can view machine data, and, of course, only with the customer’s consent. At some point the customer has to say: “Yes, I want to use this system, and I want the machine’s data to be sent to HORSCH through my account.”
Of course, direct connection with MobileControl or the app’s functions, and so on, works without activation too. And the data isn’t tied to one specific individual, meaning several users can have access to a machine’s data. This is especially relevant for companies with a large staff.
Matthias Sporer: The customer can give this consent through a form they sign directly with the dealer when they enter into a purchase agreement. If, at the time of purchase, you’re still unsure whether to grant access permission, or want to learn more about it first, you can later create an account yourself at portal.horsch.com and activate the machine yourself through our portal and terminal. You’ll simply need to tick the required boxes and decide whether to grant the service partner access to the data.
Only after this declaration of consent can service partners gain access to the machine’s data. When activating the machine, you can decide whether your dealer will be able to see the machine’s data.
What’s the benefit for the customer?
Theresa Schmidmaier: Besides the functions already described, we’re working on many capabilities our customers need. For example, we’ll soon be able to send error messages as push notifications, or provide key figures tied to a specific field. In particular, this will help optimize processes or improve efficiency: information is distilled down to the essentials or sent straight to a smartphone.
We’ve also noticed that in some countries even more attention is paid to detail than in Germany. Especially when it comes to a duty to provide proof or automated documentation, for example in crop protection.
That’s why many customers want documentation, and everything tied to office work, automated and, to some extent, made easier, so they can focus on the actual work with the machine. This way we can substantially ease workflows and speed up and better organize information flows. The development of error reporting also brings a benefit for manufacturers and customers alike: no employee needs to drive out to the customer to read out the fault memory and take steps to fix it.
Theodor Leeb: It’s important that HorschConnect keeps being compatible with other systems going forward, so we can offer customers the best possible benefit. That’s our digital strategy. We deliberately aren’t aiming for exclusivity, meaning no isolated solution. Customers should be able to use the platform as independently as possible from the manufacturer, and in combination with other systems. We aim not to put the customer into any kind of dependency. On the contrary, that has been, and remains, our deliberate decision — to use digital solutions to offer customers additional benefit beyond brand colors.
Theresa Schmidmaier: That’s also why connecting to agrirouter as a single platform ensuring compatibility with other systems was a deliberate decision. This way, platforms from different manufacturers can exchange data with each other simply, securely, and automatically. What matters most is that the customer keeps full control over their data. For example, field-treatment maps can be transferred from an office computer to the machine and back. This means the technical setup of the machine, tractor, or various implement combinations is fully independent. When it comes to compatibility, interfaces, and so on – the further we go into the market, the more we understand how important it is to have an open system and to give the customer freedom of choice.
Matthias Sporer: In 2022, we’re paying particular attention to this, since there are so many digital topics and software out there. For customers who already favor digital solutions and use them, HorschConnect is another significant step, partly because it’s easy to integrate into existing systems. HorschConnect is also ideal for companies just starting, or wanting to start, down the digitalization path. Thanks to its simple, intuitive use, it’s extremely easy to work with, even without prior training.
Theodor Leeb: We use HorschConnect ourselves, meaning our own company is a professional user of it. At first we were even surprised by how much we could actually get out of the data – even at the prototype-testing stage or during its development. There’s simply an incredible amount of potential in this.
The SmartCan hardware solution is mounted directly on the machine and lets it connect to the internet via a GSM modem and a factory-installed SIM card
What about costs?
Theresa Schmidmaier: Of course, developing the system – that is, the hardware and software – costs money. We constantly have to spend on data transmission and storage. We want to make everything as simple as possible for our customers, so we offer just one package. Beyond that, using the online services is included in the purchase price of a new machine for the first two years. A SIM card is already included, so there’s no need to spend extra on mobile connectivity.
Which direction should HorschConnect develop in?
Theodor Leeb: Steel and iron alone won’t determine a machine’s quality in the future. Increasingly, it will depend on software and electronics. Let’s look a bit further than our own noses. In some industries it’s become common to make new features available to users in a fairly short time – overnight – by pushing updates wirelessly. In agricultural machine building, that’s still hard to do.
To install an update, a service specialist has to physically reach the machine. With as many machines as we have, we think twice about whether it’s really worth updating machines, and which ones exactly. With HorschConnect, one button press is enough to install an update. Thanks to this process, we’ll see a completely different update frequency, and as a result, lower costs.
The next advantage – in the future we’ll be able to roll out many other functions in a timely way, directly available for the machine and the customer. Then there’ll no longer be a need to gather everything up and drive out to the customer. Updates, and each individual function, can be selected through the portal, and the update carried out later.
Matthias Sporer: Many ideas for new features come from talking with our customers. For example, that’s how the ability to plan a route to the machine came about, or to display all error messages on a map. You can send us your wishes and suggestions for improvement at portal@horsch.com — we’ll be glad to read every message.
Source: terra HORSCH 24 | 2022
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ABA “Astra” Agro-Building Alliance is one of the largest suppliers and service operators of agricultural machinery in Ukraine. The company’s core activities are the sale of new and used agricultural machinery, warranty service, and the sale of spare parts.
“Astra” offers its clients a wide range of machinery for practically every type of agricultural work: Fendt, Valtra, Manitou, Berthoud and Horsch, Framest, Bogballe, Valley, Trimble, Oros. The company supplies customers with the widest range of genuine spare parts to support all models of agricultural machinery from world-renowned manufacturers. Servicing agricultural machinery holds a key place in the company’s operations, covering nearly the entire territory of Ukraine and ensuring a fast response to farmers’ requests.
“Astra” has been operating on Ukraine’s agricultural market for 25 years, providing agricultural producers with quality machinery, innovative agricultural technologies, and a consistently high level of service.
