TITLE THEME WHAT’S THE MEANING OF … … AEF? An abbreviation that stands for Agricultural Electronic Industry Foundation, an organisation with the main aim of achieving international standardisation of electronic interfaces in agriculture. The development of ISOBUS standards and testing of compatibility between tractors and attached implements are the core tasks involved. Every manufacturer must arrange for a certificated laboratory test result for all software used with machinery. Registration and subsequent access to a databank with all ISOBUS compatible machinery and tractors is available via www.aef-isobus-database.org/isobusdb/login/sf. … CCI? The Competence Center Isobus (CCI) is an association especially involved with product development in the ISOBUS sector. Members of the association nowadays include well over 20 XtraBlatt: Which Krone machines allow connections for digital documentation? Horstmann: We already fit the necessary hardware as standard equipment on self-propelled machines in the form of Krone “Smart Connect” modules, which come equipped with a mobile phone card for data transmission. The module is capable of recording machinery data and sending in real time the information to further processing systems or to “agrirouter” (see “Open for all” starting p 10 in this issue). The amount and, above all, the forage nutrient information recorded on the silage harvester are important data sources for, e.g., calculation of nutrient balances. I’ll go a step further in my assessment: if not now, then definitely with any further legislative controls on nutrient application, there will be no way around using the agrirouter. Because there’s something that every farmer and contractor must realise: documentation pressure will increase markedly, not only with fertiliser application, but also for material flow and nutrient balances. Background to this development is environmental protection legislation or quality control requirements within the food industry. This situation opens-up new possibilities for additional services offered by farm contractors. agricultural engineering enterprises in Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Austria and the Czech Republic. Among the development items are CCI-ISOBUS operational terminals and joysticks nowadays used overall in many machines and implements. … DKE Data? DKE are the German language initials for the term “data communication and development”, the added “data” being an indication of the predominant theme data management. Currently, 13 agricultural engineering and software enterprises are involved. The task is to further develop an open system for data exchange. The platform involved is “agrirouter”. After registration, farmers as well as agricultural contractors can use this at no cost. XtraBlatt: What digital connections already exist with your silage harvesters? Horstmann: Firstly, we can include recording and transmission of data, for instance harvested amount, weight, moisture content, nutritional constituents and diesel consumption. This data can be used in invoicing, for documentation and for efficiency calculations. Then, we can send orders from the farm management software to the silage harvester for the operator to follow. In principle, all ISOBUS-ready machines can be fitted with the Smart Connect module. These include our forage wagons and balers, but also mowers and tedders. For instance, on a big baler we can record and transmit bale weights, forage moisture content and bale drop location. Should the GSM mobile phone reception be interrupted, the data is stored by the Smart Connect module until a stable connection is renewed. XtraBlatt: Network cover is a big theme out in the countryside… Horstmann: Correct! This is why, as farm machinery manufacturer, we push for an overall 4G/5G network for rural areas. This shouldn’t be simply a standard in large urban areas. It must function reliably everywhere. XtraBlatt: What else should we expect in the digitization sector? Horstmann: Well, we want to develop systems that run automatically in the background, with sensors on machinery recording operations and relevant data automatically transmitted into the farmer’s or contractor’s management system. The operator should not be additionally stressed through having to manage the necessary documentation but instead be able to concentrate completely on the operation and monitoring of the respective machinery. Even the farmer or contractor sitting at the office computer should not have to additionally “handle” the data but be free to assess the figures as they come in, or to send the data onwards for further processing by others. XtraBlatt: What kind of data are you thinking of here? Horstmann: Contractors can apply recorded data in preparation of invoices for farmers and also in determining working efficiency of the machinery in operation. Farmers profit, too, from the process. For instance, they have to prepare a material flow balance. The contractor chops the maize, recording yield and, in future, forage constituents. This data can be released at the press of a button by the contractor to the customer who can then simply work-out the required balance. Naturally, the aim must be to send the processed data easily and without effort further by mouse click to the appropriate government or advisory offices. XtraBlatt: What role is played by digitization in service? Horstmann: Through our Smart Connect module we have the possibility to remotely call-up machinery data and information on machine condition whenever the customer gives permission. This allows us then to offer new services such as Krone Smart Telematics. Mainly, this is an organisational aid for customers so that on the mobile screen or com- “THE OPERATOR SHOULD NOT BE ADDITIONALLY STRESSED THROUGH HAVING TO MANAGE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION.” JAN HORSTMANN, DIVISION MANAGER ELECTRONICS AND PRODUCT COMPUTERISATION puter monitor can be seen the condition of the machine in question and its location. Particularly within logistically complex operational chains such as during maize harvest this can prove a good planning support. Smart Telematics can be used free of charge for the first two years after machine purchase. In service, we have now the possibility of remote machinery adjustment. After access is allowed by the customer a specialist workshop can directly access the machine’s monitor screen which then allows errors and faults to be diagnosed remotely and the customer directly supported for required adjustments. XtraBlatt: What new software can be expected from Krone in future? Horstmann: Among other things, we will be offering a simply built up field mapping file that can automatically record machinery data. This is especially interesting for farmers. The product is called “Next Machine Management” and a start is planned this summer. Introduction of management software for contractors is also on the cards. This features intuitive operation with easy-to-follow information on the complete management procedure in agricultural contracting from acceptance of a contract, over preparation of invoices through to control and calculation procedures. These solutions will be open and integrated with the agrirouter. Both are produced in cooperation with other manufacturers so that openness and independence for the farmer and contractor are ensured. « 8 9
