Premier Technologies Uses the
TouchLite for Farming
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SInce 1992, Farm
Works Software had been developing comprehensive farm manaGEMent
systems, but it lacked the necessary hardware and OS support to
make their applications viable: both realistically and
commercially. Small, hand held units lacked the power, punch and
practicality needed while high-priced laptops could not
withstand the rigors of life in the field. Premier Technologies,
Inc., in partnership with Farm Works Software, understood the
need for an easy-to-use, precision agriculture tool that would
take advantage of the latest technology. The two companies
joined forces to create the joint venture, agBoss. |
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"(The) goal was to
provide a ruggedized, hand held, touch screen computer to
provide mapping and fertilizer application control operations.
This unit had to be able to withstand the rigors of off-road
operation in a sometimes very dusty, vibration filled
environment." Said Andy Hill, President of Premier Technologies,
Inc. "In addition, it had to have a wide screen viewable in
bright sunlight and be powerful and fast enough to run custom
designed software." |
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The computer
terminal that Premier chose also had to be affordable and rugged
enough for variable rate application as well as GPS mapping and
scouting in the field. A readable display, in blinding sunlight
or evening shadows, and touch sensitive screen with a
user-friendly interface were among the other requirements. After
researching a multitude of terminals, Premier chose TouchLite by
Two Technologies, Inc., to meet their critical requirements.
This rugged Windows®
CE based terminal could stand up to harsh environmental factors
and was also extremely cost effective. Ultimately, Premier
merged FWS and TouchLite to produce AgBOSS. |
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"Even then it took
intensive field testing, minor modifications and a strong
working relationship between us and Premier to get AgBOSS into
the hands of the customer," said Russ Maynard, Two Technologies,
Inc.' Vice President of Technical Services. "You can do all the
testing in the lab you want but you’re still never satisfied
until you witness success in the real world." |
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Challenges are
nothing new to Two Technologies, Inc. a Horsham-PA based
company. SInce 1987, it has been providing products for
industries in need of reliable and rugged hand held solutions.
The AgBOSS hand held computer allows users a fast, rugged
interface to both mapping and application functions. The
TouchLite/AgBOSS computer not only provides the necessary
support for the application, it also withstands the demands of
the farming environment such as rain, mud and other harsh
elements. The large icons are easy to see and easier to use,
with either bare fingers or gloved hands. The unit can be viewed
in full or failing sunlight conditions. |
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Utilizing a
reliable, integrated, non-volatile FLASH memory, the AgBOSS
software is "burned" into the memory of the unit and is not
dependent upon a hard drive. This ensures that the application
will be available even after extended periods of power loss.
Conventional solutions utilize battery backed Static Ram (SRAM)
or require costly PC Card solutions to provide storage for
essential applications. |
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Portable data
storage between applications and platforms can take place
because data is stored in a removable PC card. The data
collected can later be transferred to a desktop PC. In addition,
up to two PC Cards, Including Type III profiles may be added to
AgBOSS, a feature that sets this precision farming tool apart
from others. The ability to cover the PC-Cards, once installed,
maintains the integrity of the AgBOSS unit’s seal. |
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Today, modern GPS
systems are required to provide accurate mapping to determine
field boundaries. Resource locations are calculated based on
these FWS surveys and the necessary information is transmitted
to the guidance systems mounted in the field equipment. AgBOSS
provides this data to interface controllers that vary
application rates of needed chemicals and fertilizers. Any data
recorded by the AgBOSS software is automatically stored on the
FLASH card (Included with the package). This data can be
transferred to a PC using Win 95, Win 98, or NT. |
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For years farmers
dreamed of a device that would enable them to map fields and
create soil-sampling grids all from within the confines of their
tractor. Now, with the union of Two Technologies, Inc.’
TouchLite and Farm Works Software, it’s a reality.
"The fact that
AgBOSS has been out there in the fields on the tractors for
several months, working in such harsh environments, and we have
had no problems with any of the units, tells me that we’ve done
a good job," added Maynard. "Again, there’s no test like the
real world." |
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For more information about agBOSS,
visit their website at:
www.agboss.com. |
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