In the past, farmers had minimal technological tools at their disposal. Because of this, farming large plots of land was time-consuming and physically demanding.
Thankfully, as time progressed, several technological tools have been introduced into the agricultural industry. Some of these tools include:
- Digital pH testers
- Tractors
- Nitrogen sensors
- Electronic planters
However, these tools pale in comparison to the most useful technological tool of them all: the rugged computer.
For those that are unaware, a rugged computer is a top-of-the-line device that can be used in harsh environments and conditions. These fantastic pieces of equipment are essential to modern farmers for several reasons.
If you’re still on the fence about investing in a rugged computer, continue reading.
1. Perfect for All Weather Conditions
Traditional desktops and laptops aren’t made to withstand harsh conditions. If the unit becomes too hot or too cold, it will malfunction or not work at all. If you were to use a traditional computer on your farm, you’d spend the majority of your time trying to get it to work correctly.
Thankfully, rugged computers are a completely different story. These computers can withstand the most extreme weather conditions imaginable.
Aside from being heat and cold resistant, rugged computers are also ideal for environments that are:
- Bumpy
- Wet
- Dusty
However, you can’t go to your local electronics store and expect to find a reliable, rugged computer — you have to go to a company that specializes in these devices, like Small PC.
When you work with a reliable manufacturer, you’ll know that you’re making a sound investment for your agricultural business.
2. Versatile
If you’ve never used a rugged computer before, then you most likely don’t know how versatile they are.
Like traditional computers, you can customize rugged computers, allowing it to excel in any given environment.
As an example, if you need something that’s lightweight and has no moving parts, you should consider purchasing a PC without a fan. On the other hand, if you want a product with a bright background and a user-friendly touch screen, you can get a device with an LCD rugged computer monitor.
Additionally, you can install rugged computers in your tractors and motorized harvesting equipment. All you have to do is purchase a panel or rack mount for your product. This means that you’ll never have to go a minute without your rugged computer.
3. Makes Soil Sampling Easier
Any farmer worth his or her salt knows that if you want to grow delicious, bountiful crops, you need to have high-quality soil.
However, there’s only so much that randomly spreading compost and fertilizer can do. Occasionally, you’ll need to test your soil. When you test your soil, you’re able to learn more about the environment that your crops are growing in.
Testing your soil can help you:
- Find the perfect balance of nutrients and vitamins for your crops
- Learn about pest activity
- Determine the water density
However, if you don’t have a rugged computer, soil sampling can take quite a long time. In the past, farmers had to hand-write their notes and enter the data into a computer program afterwards. This elongated process was a massive waste of time.
Thankfully, if you have the best rugged computer, you can significantly simplify the soil testing process. Instead of writing your notes by hand, you can bring your rugged computer into the field and input the data directly into your preferred software or database. This turns a multi-hour chore into a short and straightforward task.
4. Manage Infections and Diseases
One of the hardest parts about farming is removing crops that have succumbed to a disease or infection. Even though many hybrid varieties are bred to resist common illnesses, you never know when an unexpected infection could take over your crops.
Although there’s no method for entirely preventing agricultural diseases, you can use a rugged computer to manage and monitor them. The easiest way to do this is by downloading a data collection program onto your rugged computer. You can also use these programs to analyse your past outcroppings and to keep track of which parts of your property were affected by a specific disease.
Knowing this information can help you make informed decisions that will benefit your crops and agribusiness in the coming seasons.
5. Mapping Capabilities
A good farmer knows his or her land as well as the back of their hand. However, even if you’ve worked your land for decades, it’s always a good idea to have an up-to-date map of your farm. This is especially true if you have a team of workers that aren’t familiar with the area.
Mapping your land is exceptionally beneficial for many reasons. You can use your map to:
- Flag areas that have a high weed density
- Identify ideal areas for drainage and water pooling
- Track how specific weather patterns affect certain areas
Although these things can be done on a traditional computer, these devices can’t withstand the daily use and harsh conditions that rugged computers can. Whether it’s snowing, raining or sweltering, you can bring your rugged computer out and update you map while you’re working your land.
6. Sharing Data and Information
If you want to run a successful farm, you need to have an open line of communication with your farmhands. However, this can be quite a challenge if you and your employees are working dozens of acres apart.
Thankfully, you can communicate with your employees easier by having a collection of rugged computers.
You and your employees can use your devices to communicate and share vital data. This makes these devices essential for farmers that have large teams or work on farms that span over hundreds or thousands of aces.
Running a farm is a full-time job; if you want to be profitable, you need to be productive and efficient. Thankfully, technological tools, like rugged computers, have made it easier for farmers to get the most out of their land.
These heavy-duty pieces of technology are not only weather-resistant and versatile, but they can also help with essential tasks like soil sampling and communicating with your farmhands. With this in mind, it’s easy to see why several modern farmers rely on their rugged computers every day.
