PHOTO SUBMITTED BY JOHN DEERE
RISE
OF THE
SMART MACHINES
DEERE’S INTELLIGENT SOLUTIONS GROUP POWERS PRECISION
I
n years past, farm equipment and construction machinery were simply big iron with horsepower that multiplied the work of a farmer or contractor through brute force. Contrast this with today’s sophisticated equipment, which is loaded with advanced technology. These mobile data centers produce an array of information that’s critical to decisionmaking on the farm and the work site.
For Deere, the world’s leading producer of agricultural equipment, information technology (IT) has become a key value driver for developing customer solutions and gaining a competitive advantage in markets around the globe. Technology designed by ISG, for example, allows large combines and tractors to use GPS devices to maximize precision agriculture.
At Deere & Co., deploying this powerful computer technology requires the expertise of the company’s Intelligent Solutions Group (ISG), a key business unit based in Urbandale.
“This means John Deere equipment becomes even more exact in planting, fertilizing and harvesting, allowing for a wealth of information to be collected for the producer about these activities so future work can be improved with data,” May said.
“ISG serves John Deere’s global equipment divisions as a leader in the design and manufacturing of high-tech solutions that radically improve the productivity and efficiency of John Deere customers,” said John May, president of agricultural solutions and chief information officer at Deere. “This helps meet the challenge of feeding the world and creating much-needed infrastructure all across the globe.”
Telematics also help with fleet and machine management and maintenance. This solution utilizes cellphone technology and enables a system called JD Link™, which allows equipment owners to work with their dealer, if desired, to monitor the performance and location of the equipment. “This can be an important feature on the farm site or the construction work site,” May said.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
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