Omnia upgrade brings connected convenience – Agronomist & Arable Farmer
Omnia upgrade brings connected convenience of updates is being integrated into the Omnia system, designed to 'connect the dots for British farmers ...
According to Lewis McKerrow, Hutchinsons’ head of field-based IT, the new Omnia spray plan module has been a key request of customers. Using a combination of existing and user-inputted data, users will be able to create spray plans in Omnia, which are then checked against application information and crop suitability data contained within Hutchinsons’ bespoke HALO database.
“As the spray plan is inputted, it will undergo a series of basic checks instantly,” Lewis says. “This will include whether the right product is being applied to the correct crop, application date is in line with regulatory and product approval rules, and if the crop growth stage and application rate are within the acceptable limits.”
Users can run the spray plan through the HALO module, which does a digital audit, ticking off criteria to ensure that the spray plan meets the regulatory requirements. Using historical data within the Omnia platform, it can also monitor the active loading on a field across multiple years, ensuring that users do not inadvertently overapply across a crop rotation.
Field diary
Bringing the Omnia system in line with other farm management systems is the updated field diary module, allowing tasks to be scheduled, sent to operators and recorded while in process.
Using the task manager functionality, tasks can be created, assigned to an operator, machine and field, and scheduled on the calendar. This is then synced with the mobile app, meaning workers can see the details and proposed time for operations. If an operator is due to cover multiple fields in a similar area, these can be combined into a single, scheduled job.
Progress can be monitored in real time when jobs are started and completed. Omnia automatically updates when tasks are completed, and notes can be added to record issues or points of interest.
As with the previous functionality, this module can be linked to other manufacturer-led systems and can be accessed through any device. Data from the field diary is also fed into the Omnia production module, allowing the gross margin analysis to be kept up to date.
Stock management
Hutchinsons has also included real-time stock management. Users will be able to monitor product stock levels. Stores for
products are created through the portal and products can be added or archived as they
move in and out of use.
Users who purchase products through Hutchinsons will see the most functionality, with the module being linked to the
company’s ERP system.
As products arrive on site, the store is updated to show real-time stock levels, and then changed throughout the season as tasks are completed. During stock takes, all transactions are available to review. Pricing can be viewed either as a weighted average, a fixed cost or the purchased price.
Crop performance
Everything within the updated Omnia system feeds into the crop performance module, which analyses each crop’s profitability. Margins can be calculated at a whole- or sub-field level, with the sub-field resolution showing the estimated cost per tonne based on the information available.
It’s also possible to adjust how this data is seen, breaking down information into variable or fixed costs, individual fields or crops, or on a whole-farm basis. This will enable more informed decision-making.
Email Us