FAQs

The FarmCloud solution consists of hardware – FARMCONNECTOR, cloud platform – FARMCLOUD and data communication M2M worldwide – JASPER / VODAFONE.

FarmConnector is a Plug & Play device that is installed at the production rooms level, connected to the existing controllers, whose information you want to centralize in Real Time on the FarmCloud platform.

FarmConnector consists of a core that has the processing that allows off-line operation, a communication gateway with a SIM card that works with GPRS or 3G and 5 additional inputs and 6 additional outputs that can complement those provided by the controller to which it is connected. More specific information can be found in the product sheet.

The FarmCloud platform aggregates all information from all customers and their respective farms, managing communication with all FarmConnectors installed worldwide. The platform is composed by the “Control Center” where all the probes and equipment installed in the farms are identified and by the “Dashboard” where in addition to what our team offers as a standard configuration, the client can create his preferences of visualization, reports, alarms, among others.

All FarmConnectors come with functional worldwide data SIM. In farms where the customer has already available internet, communications can be made through the existing connection.

FarmCloud believes that as a matter of separation of responsibilities, it makes sense to use, whenever possible, communication via our M2M card, however this will always be a customer’s decision.

The management of the SIM card is performed by FarmCloud, and we can activate or deactivate it at any time.

The FarmCloud solution is available from 45 euros per month, with annual payment and for specific situations it may be monthly.

The value of the fee was set for the connection of 1 FarmConnector per controller, however, and considering the specificities of some markets, we allowed the interconnection of 1 FarmConnector per shed in the case of poultry farming and several controllers in the case of pig farming due to the existence of several production rooms per building. In the case of connection of several controllers there will be an additional fee of 15 Euros in order to cope with the increase of communications traffic and data processing.

FarmCloud, when decided for a SaaS-based business model and thus a monthly or annual fee, there is no need for initial investment, allowing an easier decision by any potential costumer.

There is a security deposit with the delivery or installation of each FarmConnector that intends to guarantee that the equipment will be returned in perfect conditions at the end of the service, when it will be returned by the customer.

The purpose of the safe deposit is to ensure that the equipment is used in a correct way for the duration of the contract. This amount will be returned with the reception by FarmCloud of each FarmConnector.

The Idea that led to the development of FarmCloud was to create a Plug & Play solution that any customer could install by himself. Our initial option of being 1 FarmConnector per controller was to ensure the ease of installation and reduction of external problems to the solution, such as cable bus or problematic configuration.

However, and in response to the needs of our customers, we accept that in the case of poultry houses, the controllers of each Shed can be connected to a sole FarmConnector, if they are from the same manufacturer, congregating the climate, food and weighing controller, as an example.

In the case of pig farming and since each production room can have a reduced number of animals, we accept to connect up to 3 rooms and thus controllers, as long as they are in the same house or shed.

The FarmConnector does not interfere with any of the electronic components of the controllers to which it connects, using only the communication port provided by the respective manufacturer.

The FarmConnector only connects to the Controllers communication port and translates the data into understandable cloud information. It’s like connecting a pen drive, where we add real-time M2M communication, data equalization, data conversion, historical data logging and a lot of fantastic features on top of that.

The integration between the controllers of the various manufacturers and our FarmConnector allows two-way communication, which means monitor and control. We choose, however, to provide full monitoring and we only provide control in two situations:

• When there is a partnership agreement between our company and the manufacturer of the controller or,
• when the client explicitly asks for this control option.

All parameters or set points that are used in the controller are available to be controlled remotely through the platform, such as the desired temperature or humidity, among others.

You should contact the solution vendor and the solution provider will arrange to replace FarmConnector in the shortest possible time.

The possible failure of the FarmConnector will not have any impact on the functioning of the controller to which it is coupled, it will maintain exactly the same behavior as it had before choosing to evolve to the real-time information throw our FarmCloud platform.

The FarmConnector is fixed to the wall by 4 screws and is connected through 2 cables, 220V power cable and 1 communications cable to the controller or controllers that you want to integrate into the FarmCloud solution.

Without a doubt, each FarmConnector will be accompanied by an installation manual, and the connection cables will be also provided. If you prefer, the installation can be performed through any of our official partners.

The cost of installation via FarmCloud partner is the responsibility of the company providing the service and ruled by its commercial policy.

• Plug & Play – Without installation and configuration difficulties
• Real Time Communication
• We are not internet dependent – The FarmConnector can work from GPRS till optical fiber connection (We have a contract with Jasper worldwide for the data communication)
• Bidirectional Communication – one to many
• We have centralized database for our FarmCloud platform but decentralized processing in each of our FarmConnectors – they can also work offline
• We are agnostic about the controllers – If they have any communication output we may integrate with our FarmConnector
• We can connect controllers installed more than 15 years ago with recent models installed in new farms.
• API available for integration with CRM or Production software.
• No upfront investment – monthly fee per FarmConnector

The platform allows an unlimited number of users and management by different levels of permission, only viewing and/or editing as well as access to all or just some farms.

Unlimited. They can be grouped in order to facilitate the management of the system.

Unlimited. The reports can be built from the variables available in the Control Center and besides being immediately available in this area of the platform, the user can choose to create in the Dashboard or even that they are sent periodically via email to the defined users.

The data is owned by the client.

You can configure the FarmCloud platform to automatically send various types of data, such as alarms, reports or excel or CSV files.

FarmCloud provides FTP data files and a data integration API, this way the integration possibility that is most convenient for our customers is guaranteed.

A – Manufacturers

• Plug and Play installation, more sales and a real software solution
• Less unused software’s at the Farm level
• Better after sales service and maintenance
• Solution can be sold even where there is not internet available

B – Data Analysis Companies

• Unique platform for all the client farms independently of the controller’s supplier
• Real time communication
• Less manual data introduction
• API available for data integration

C – Producers

• The solution was designed for producers, benefiting from real-time information and then being able to act in a timely manner, with significant process-level gains implemented in the company’s day-to-day management.