Labor costs rank among the highest expenses for greenhouse operations. ioCrops addresses this challenge with Ation, a data-driven workforce management system designed to optimize labor practices and improve productivity. "Farmers using Ation have reported up to a 10% improvement in labor efficiency by combining data monitoring with incentive programs," says JinHyung Cho, CEO of ioCrops.
A data-driven approach to labor management
Ation is a data-driven workforce management system designed for greenhouses and farm operations, explains JinHyung. "It consists of a smartphone app for workers, QR codes placed on each growing gutter line, and a web dashboard for managers."
Workers scan QR codes to log their tasks, enabling managers to track real-time progress and analyze task data. By digitizing and visualizing metrics such as task volume, work hours, and work speed, Ation identifies inefficiencies, helping growers achieve more with the same workforce while reducing unnecessary labor waste. "Labor costs are a significant expense for farms, and Ation helps improve efficiency by reducing work losses and boosting productivity," adds JinHyung.
Enabling productivity and engagement
Beyond efficiency, Ation fosters worker engagement. JinHyung explains that enabling data-based incentive programs, motivates employees and enhances productivity. JinHyung notes, "Proper labor practices, such as plant structure steering, can sometimes have a greater impact on productivity than climate or irrigation controls. Ation ensures these practices are effectively managed."
Ation also simplifies communication between management and workers, reducing miscommunication and boosting operational alignment. "The app supports multiple languages and provides visual manuals to onboard new employees, ensuring seamless integration even for complex tasks."
Key features of Ation
Ation digitizes several labor management functions:
- Real-time monitoring: Workers' locations and task histories are visualized on a greenhouse map through QR code scans.
- Task scheduling: Managers can plan schedules and send them directly to workers via the app.
- Data analysis: Compare productivity metrics by worker, zone, or task.
- Issue reporting: Workers can report maintenance or pest issues with photos, descriptions, and locations.
- Harvest tracking: Record and analyze harvest volumes by worker or line in real time.
10% improvement
JinHyung says that Ation has delivered measurable results for its users. "Farmers using Ation have reported up to a 10% improvement in labor efficiency by combining data monitoring with incentive programs," he shares. A grower operating a 5-hectare greenhouse in Jangsu, South Korea, highlighted how the app's features boosted worker motivation and participation. The process of scanning QR codes and reporting issues, such as pest or facility problems, felt like completing 'quests' in a game. This gamified experience boosted worker motivation and led to more active participation in operational tasks, improving both efficiency and satisfaction. Read more in this article.
Expanding global reach
Currently deployed in Korea, Ation is expanding into Japan, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Australia, and Turkey. "We don't restrict service by country," explains JinHyung. "Onboarding and training can be conducted remotely, and we're open to partnering with local companies for closer customer support."
At ioCrops, the journey to Ation began with hands-on farming experience. "Ation was born out of our experience managing a 4-hectare greenhouse in Miryang, Korea," JinHyung recalls. Initially developed as a simple internal tool, Ation evolved into a fully commercialized product through collaboration with partner greenhouses. "This journey reflects our commitment to understanding and addressing the real-world challenges of growers."
For more information:
ioCrops
[email protected]
iocrops.com