This document summarizes and compares several data management systems for agriculture. It discusses factors to consider when choosing a system, such as whether it is web-based, an app, or desktop software. It also covers what types of data and features different systems provide, such as maps, analytics, and imagery. Finally, it lists some major systems already used in the industry and other scouting and data management apps available.

1. A bird’s eye view of the data management systems
being offered in Ontario.
What they deliver and what to consider before you
decide.
Karon Tracey-Cowan
mapping@agtechgis.com
@AgTechGIS

2. • Product highlights/design
• Most notable offering
• What I see as singular or well done
• Sticking point
• How do I get data IN? What can I bring in?
• Manual entry, import, connected source
• How can I get it out? What can I get out?
• Dashboards, maps, reports, exports, downloads, exit strategy
What is out there?

3. Consider: Platform and Operating System
Data stored “in the cloud”, desktop software, APP or a website connects you
with the data and functions. Internet required. Usually priced on a yearly
subscription or per user.
Web accessed software or data. Must have internet enabled device to access
data and functions. Usually priced on a yearly subscription or per user.
Desktop software that stores data locally but connects to internet for
downloads, updates or data synchronization/backups. Usually priced on a yearly
subscription or per user or initial purchased plus yearly maintenance.
Phone or tablet APP. Data stored “in the cloud” and/or on device. Internet
required, sometimes can run offline with limited functions. May be a companion
app to larger ecosystem or hub. May be standalone app.
Different subscription models for multi-users. Or considered single user with
additional logins for staff and trusted advisor. Access controlled by grower or
number of paid users.

4. Consider: Intended user and relationships with trusted advisors
Grower owns account, allows data sharing or viewing with
additional logins for staff or trusted advisors.
Advisor or company owns account and opens data sharing to
their growers via logins, or linked accounts.
User has extensive data management tools, map layering and prescription writing
functions, unlimited data import and export options.
User has limited data management tools, map types and views are set in the
program, analytics, imagery and background data provided by the service.
Data being collected by service provider to aggregate, analyze, perform AI/machine
learning, extrapolate, create derivative products.

5. Consider: Map-ability of hand held apps
Running on a GPS enabled device logs georeferenced locations or can create maps
with GPS.
Drop Pins for georeferenced notes.
Takes georeferenced pictures.
Can export a report (PDF) or
actual geo file.
Can export a report (PDF) or actual
picture file.
Can export an actual geo file.Can create georeferenced polygons or regions.
Can be used to plan or execute sampling
mission.
Can export an actual geo file.

6. Consider: Features & Delivered Content
Provides to the user their own map files or regional background data such as soil
types.
Provides an online dashboard combining maps, graphs, charts or statistics.
Usually with real time data stream (i.e. weather).
Provides automatic analytics such as yield by hybrid, application by zone, actual
vs projected, grower vs regional data.
Provides detailed fiscal, ROI, break even, cost of production or other
management reports.
Provides imagery views, NDVI, crop health indices, in season or historical based
on field boundaries.
Provides live stream weather content, crop modelling, crop staging, forecasting or
predictive data.

7. Consider: Keep a copy/Share a copy
If you are using a data view services, or an automated
data upload function or device, you can still use a USB
at season end to retrieve a copy of your data from
your controller to archive or share with other
services, keep as a backup.
I recommend using an online data storage such as
Dropbox to store your data for yourself.

8. My perspective

9. My perspective

10. What is already out there and used by industry?

16. BASF

17. BASF

18. Compass Grower Advanced is fully mobile
and integrates accounting, crop plans, grain
inventories, crop input applications, soil
sampling, yield maps, contracts and more
into one comprehensive system.
BASF

19. BASF
$

20. BAYER
Not released in North America

21. BAYER

22. BAYER

23. $?
BAYER

24. DUPONT-PIONEER

26. Crop Modelling
Plan Applications
Determine Maturity
Disease/Insect Monitor
Handy Growth Stage Information

27. Create Geo Referenced Notes

28. Georeferenced Pictures

31. • 3 M Accuracy
• Flown Every 7-10 Days
Satellite Imagery
• Crop Health Index
• True Colour Satellite Imagery

38. Climate Corp

48. Syngenta
Not released in Canada

49. Summary:
1. Understand what you want or need to do that these
new products might offer
2. Understand what the product really is ( Allowing you
to VIEW or helping you to DO)
3. Understand what you are really paying-End User
License Agreement
4. How will you be supported
5. Technology is going to change- what if you want to
move your data to another service?

50. What else is out there?
360 Notes (Encirca)
Ag World Scout
AgDna
AgFiniti Mobile
AgPhd Scout
Agra Scout
Agrian Mobile
AgriSite IPM
Aphid Speed Scout
Crop Records
Croptivity Scouting Solution
CropTrak
DTN Scout
eCropScout
Farm Dog
Field X Journal
iSoylScout
LandScout 2
Marvx Scout
OpenScout
Scout Doc
Scout Pro
Sirrus
SMS Mobile
Trimble AgMobile
Western Bean Cutworm Speed Scout

51. Karon Tracey-Cowan
mapping@agtechgis.com
@AgTechGIS
www.agtechgis.com
http://www.precisionag.com/systems-management/data/data-
management-programs-in-a-crowded-precision-ag-market-how-do-you-
choose/