Can a software really save grower's time inside a greenhouse?

In life and in farming, the game changes fast. But, how did we go from a farmer cultivating on land under the sun... to a #grower in a greenhouse controlling his crops from an iPad?Can a farming software help a grower and make his-her life simpler? Are these technologies really worth the hype and the effort to learn? Let’s see!?

We, CleanGreens Solutions, a Swiss B Corp enterprise that developed the “GURU Software” (the soulmate of our Greenova #AEROponics farming system for Greenhouses) found the answer to these questions with two things in mind:? First, that a grower and its ability to adapt to new technologies should not be underestimated. Second, that technology will never replace experience, so you can rock it with a technology based ON this experience.??

Let’s discover what our Digital Team have to say about #technology and #farming!?

Can you tell me in a few words, what is GURU (the software)??

GURU is a comprehensive desktop and tablet software solution designed to help greenhouse managers and operators to plan, execute, and track their Greenova greenhouse operations efficiently. It ensures optimal yields, continuous high product quality, and effective management of inputs and harvest metrics.?

Who is it for, in which contexts, and which problems does it solve??

GURU is designed for Greenova managers and operators. It addresses challenges in crop planning, operational execution and data collection. By providing detailed insights and facilitating real-time data input, GURU helps users make informed decisions, improve productivity, and ensure traceability throughout the cultivation process.?

If you had to choose the 3 features that most distinguish it, what would they be??

1) Planning: Allows managers to easily plan and manage crops on the Greenova system.?

2) Data Input and Monitoring: Enables operators to input data on-the-go via tablets, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records.?

3) User-friendly Interface: Designed with simplicity and ease-of-use, for experienced and less experienced users.

How do you see the role of technology evolving in the agricultural sector over the next decade??

Technology in the agricultural sector is greatly transforming farming and crop management, increasingly addressing various pain points and challenges.

Technology should complement traditional agricultural knowledge and practices, providing tools that enhance rather than replace human intuition and expertise.

It also has the potential to empower local growers, rethink food supply chains, and encourage a re-evaluation of how we produce and consume food.?

In a world with finite resources, efficiency is paramount. However, technology isn't a one-size-fits-all solution; innovation should be driven by real needs to ensure adoption. Moreover, it’s crucial that these technologies become accessible to all, including those in developing countries who face the brunt of climate change impacts.?

Side note: Sci-fi is an underrated and exciting space to explore solutions, in agriculture and anywhere else.?

As a UX/UI designer, what were the main challenges to ensure that the software is intuitive and user-friendly for farmers who may not be very tech-savvy??

There is no “generic farmer” persona: actually, and most of them already use various tools for climate control, crop management, and ERP systems. Most farmers are practical and open to innovation, provided they see clear value. However, sometimes, transitioning from traditional methods like Excel sheets and paperwork, which are prone to errors, to a more centralized digital solution still can be a bit of a hurdle.?

The inherent complexity of Greenova required GURU to simplify and make it actionable for the end-user.?

We included training sessions, a “Playground Mode”, and tutorial videos to help users get familiar with the software. Handling large amounts of data while ensuring responsiveness, especially in areas with poor network connectivity, was another significant challenge.??

What does the design and development process of GURU look like??

The design and development process of GURU is highly iterative, user-centered and agile, ensuring continuous integration of feedback and refinement of the product. We start with user research to understand client needs and pain points, followed by prototyping and testing initial designs. User feedback is integral at every stage, guiding adjustments and improvements. In-house beta testers using GURU daily provide quick feedback, allowing for short development cycles. Regular testing, both in-house and with beta users, keeps the software relevant and effective.?

In this regard, how do you ensure agility in this process??

We ensure agility through regular user feedback sessions, agile development methodologies, and continuous integration. By breaking down the development process into smaller, manageable sprints, we can rapidly iterate on user feedback and make necessary adjustments. This approach allows us to be flexible and responsive to user needs and our general roadmap.?

What do the customers say about the use of GURU??

Customers appreciate GURU for its ease of use, comprehensive features, and the ability to make data-driven decisions. They particularly value the real-time data input capability, which streamlines operations and improves accuracy. Guru provides valuable insights that help optimize greenhouse management. Generally, customers find GURU helps them better tap into the Greenova system’s potential and offers a more pleasant UX / UI compared to other agritech tools.?

What inspired you to develop this tool and on which devices can it be used??

Our motivation is to fully embrace the specificities of the Greenova system and create a software that maximizes its potential. More generally, GURU was inspired by the need to address inefficiencies and challenges in greenhouse management: we wanted to create a tool that leverages technology to simplify planning and monitoring processes, providing actionable insights.?

We recognize the importance of centralization and flexibility for different user types: GURU is available on desktop for managers for in-depth planning and management and on tablets for operators for on-the-go data entry.

We draw inspiration from various software types, including crop planning, calendar, project management tools, and from general UX / UI best practices.?

If a customer has a problem or an idea, how do you handle it??

We prioritize open communication and quick resolution for customer issues. For day-to-day problems and bug fixes, users can access a Helpdesk through GURU, where they can find user manuals or submit requests handled by our support team. New users receive training when the project is set up at their site, and training videos are available in the GURU Playground, a sandbox version for safe experimentation.?

We identify ideas and requests through user research and testing sessions. Each suggestion or pain point is reviewed, and incorporated into our development roadmap. This collaborative approach ensures GURU continues to evolve in ways that benefit our users.?

If you can tell, what features are you currently working on to improve GURU??

Currently, we’re enhancing GURU’s flexibility to increase user autonomy and fully interfacing it with the Greenova system for full control. We’re also reinforcing decision-making and reporting through new dashboards and bridging with third-party solutions like climate computer data.?

If you ask us, we see a promising future in our system and its relationship with the software, but we can't tell you more for now ! Thanks for reading us!?

The Tech-Team of CleanGreens Solutions SA?

CleanGreens Solutions SA is a Swiss B-Corp creator of GREENOVA, a modern farming AEROponics system for big scale Greenhouses with patented mobile modules and a spraying rolling robot that already have systems installed and working in different countries.?

More info:?

[email protected]?

www.cleangreens-aeroponics.com??

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