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Posted 3 November 2005. Crop Management. CropTrak™ Software Adds Enhanced Support for Wireless Smart Phones and GIS to Deliver Cost Savings and Productivity Gains ScanControl, Inc. Pleasanton, California (November 2, 2005) - ScanControl, a global provider of data collection solutions that “put crop management in the palm of your hand,” announced enhanced scalable support for smart phones, Wireless devices, GIS, and barcode technologies in CropTrak™ software, providing vineyards and diverse agricultural businesses with on-demand, cost saving crop sampling and field operation reporting. CropTrak’s new “Sync over Cellular” wireless synchronization eliminates delays in field data collection by connection through cellular networks to instantly enter and remotely synchronize field data. The benefit of on-demand reporting of crop status and field operations is automatically obtained through immediate updates to databases and spreadsheets, without the time, cost, and labor of returning to the office to manually enter new information. Newly scalable connectivity to PDAs and Wireless devices, meets the needs of growing agricultural businesses and globally distributed operations. These new CropTrak enhancements enable one server to economically manage multiple crop sampling and field data processes from a variety of sites, as well as support scalable connection of hundreds of handheld devices used by field personnel. Barcode integration delivers the means to track equipment use, maintenance, and other field resources, or tie specific growing operations to a particular code or location. Interactive Mapping through direct GIS integration solves the challenge of linking and correlating data to specific growing operations. CropTrak equips users with the ability to easily configure data collection and operations management for single or multiple crops, at one site or multiple growing locations. GPS integrated smart phones pinpoint and correlate data collection to particular locations, and then visualizations are presented in an internet-based digital map format. Trends in growth, crop quality and use of field and labor resources are immediately displayed providing the capability to identify quality assurance challenges, and measure operational performance. Ultimately, GIS based graphical visualization leads to faster, more informed decisions and actions by vineyard personnel, agribusiness managers and executives, resulting in improved product quality, and productivity. “Many growers and agribusinesses are seeking improvements to enhance their bottom line. These newly announced enhancements effectively place CropTrak software as the value leader in crop data collection, and grant growers an efficient and economical solution for crop management.” Said ScanControl CEO, Rob Wood. “Our clients gain an instant understanding of cost and quality variables, as well as rapid identification of market timing opportunities that were previously difficult to manage.” Users of CropTrak software have found that their operations are more responsive to business partners, such as distributors, vintners and other customers dependent on crop timing. This enhanced ability to manage market timing, control quality, and improve processes through faster information results in reduced waste and substantial decreases in operational costs. After implementing CropTrak, one grower reported cost savings greater than $100,000, due to a 30% reduction in seasonal labor costs. In addition, most CropTrak installations deliver ROI within three to four months. Contacts: Rob Wood, CEO ScanControl, Inc. 925-249-9463 www.scancontrol.com |