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Where service and software meet
Helping agricultural customers update their management programmes and software tools
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by F. Byers, President & CEO, AgriSphere, LLC, Illinois, U.S.A.
n 2014, a group of independent professionals working together as a project-based consulting team noticed a trend with the agricultural companies with whom they worked. Many of these companies were distinctly lacking comprehensive management programmes and the right software/technology tools to effectively manage them. Occupational health and safety, preventative maintenance, and food safety and compliance programmes were of key interest and concern to the AgriSphere, LLC team. Documentation, training methods, and administration for these programmes were often out-dated, not standardised, and, in many cases, not uniformly enforced. Further, available software systems and technical solutions designed to manage these programnes, which were more common in other industries and becoming increasingly cost effective, were distinctly lacking from companies within the industry. Enter AgriSphere, LLC – the company was formed at the end of 2014 with a clear mission to “combine world-class subject matter expertise and service with effective, customisable software to allow customers to get the most out of their programmes.” AgriSphere’s two key ingredients are service and software; it is the unique blend of these ingredients based on each client’s individual needs, which makes AgriSphere unique. The founders of AgriSphere knew that these two elements were necessary to ensure that the programmes and consulting they provided had real, lasting value for their customers. The services and software solutions AgriSphere provides to clients work together to help move customers forward. In simple terms, the service suite helps generate the content and planning which then drives the software, making it relevant and useful to client organisations. The software similarly enhances the content by providing long-term management systems as opposed to a one-time report,
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deliverable, or series of recommendations that often result from consulting engagements. AgriSphere software helps facilitate organisational changes, advancements, and cultural progress, which the consulting services create, highlight, stage, or prepare. Early on, AgriSphere’s founders identified a common complaint among companies in the agriculture industry. Commercially available programmes or software that focused on areas such as occupational health and safety tended to be rigid, fixed, and came in a single format or configuration. Essentially, the industry was tired of a “one size fits all” approach. By taking a dynamic, customised approach, AgriSphere is able to engage with the largest grain companies in the world and small firms and regional cooperatives alike. AgriSphere understands that “one size does not fit all.” Being dynamic means that AgriSphere offers a great deal of flexibility in their products and services. Each client’s needs are different and therefore their management programmes should reflect their specific needs. AgriSphere works with their customers to assess their needs and create solutions. Most solutions combine services, content, and software, but this is not a requirement. Some customers may only need training documentation or live training services, while others simply need assistance with a specific safety program. Conversely, some customers may only have a need for a software platform to help them manage their existing maintenance program. AgriSphere’s ability to package together or separate offerings for clients, as well as the specific topics and content they cover, means that AgriSphere can generate value for virtually all types of businesses in the agriculture industry. Flexibility also means that AgriSphere can engage with agricultural-related firms, such as contractors, fumigation companies, merchandising firms, insurance agencies, equipment manufacturers, etc. AgriSphere actively partners with companies that provide a