Growers familiar with modern technology use a variety of digital solutions to improve greenhouse productivity. Their interests focus on a wide variety of technologies, including greenhouse monitoring systems, AI-driven data analysis solutions, and agricultural robots. However, according to ioCrops, more is needed to improve specific indicators such as daily yields in the greenhouse.
ioCrops is a Korean Agtech startup that attracted a $5.5M Series A investment last year, allowing them to launch a Workforce management solution called Ation in March this year. Ation is a software-only solution that records and analyzes farm data by scanning a QR code with a smartphone. It displays real-time farming progress in the greenhouse through the app and web. "This solution allows you to check various data such as cleaning, de-leafing, harvesting, and sorting by the operator. Managers can, therefore, see in real-time who is performing better on what tasks. Typical benefits include understanding the farm's work status at a glance, helping to reflect insights gained through the solution into work plans, and reducing routine management tasks such as matching workers and confirming their locations," says Janseon Yoo of ioCrop.
Screenshot of Ation
Minseok Lee, Co-founder and Cultivation Director of ioCrops, shares some noteworthy insights with modern growers around the world. These are 'three principles that innovative managers who want to digitize greenhouses can make a fundamental difference in greenhouse productivity with data-driven work management solutions.'
First, think from the perspective of 'employees in the greenhouse'
Unfortunately, the work management solutions that strategic managers want to adopt are often accepted as mere employee tracking software in some fields. Managers who want to make a difference in productivity with data-driven solutions must accurately recognize the positive functions that these solutions provide to workers and appeal to employees.
A work management solution allows workers to know where they should go after completing work on their line, thereby increasing work efficiency. It also strengthens psychological stability by conveying the message that 'the manager is aware of the fact that I am actively and efficiently performing my work through objective data.'
Second, remember that it increases 'employee employment stability'
Managers who demonstrate excellent leadership already know that 'all workers in a greenhouse are employees with various motivation points.' By using a data-driven task management solution, you can go one step further and instill strong motivation in your employees.
Greenhouse managers must clearly understand that a work management solution makes them a 'helper' rather than a 'monitor,' helping them to immediately discover difficulties faced by workers and quickly resolve obstacles that prevent them from completing tasks. If so, all employees in the greenhouse will feel a higher level of job security, and we will do our best to ensure that all agricultural work data in the greenhouse is recorded and utilized. And you will motivate yourself to objectively prove your performance and receive greater rewards.
Third, monitor and provide feedback on 'employee skill improvement'
From an HR perspective, attempts to use data-driven work management solutions always have positive effects. Rapid application of agricultural technology to the field and creation of visible results does not depend solely on the manager's will. The degree of digitalization of the greenhouse is determined by the attitude of workers, another end-user, who accept the technology.
ioCrops employees discussing operations inside the greenhouse
Using a task management solution, all activities in the greenhouse are tracked. You can then check which tasks were performed by each individual, when, where, and how. Check worker performance and plan work accordingly.
"What must be accompanied at that time is 'specific feedback-driven on changes in the worker's skill level.' If you notice an employee working slowly, you may suspect the following: Problems arise in the work environment, data entry methods are not properly understood, or the employee is in poor health. Conversely, if a worker's performance has improved, it can be judged that his or her skill level has increased. Quickly deliver feedback acknowledging him. Workers will know that their manager is constantly checking their work data. And they will continue to try to prove their abilities through performance of the task," says Janseon Yoo.
For more information:
ioCrops
Janseon Yoo
Email: sun@iocrops.com
https://www.iocrops.com/?lang=en