Published on the 30/05/2018 | Written by Newsdesk
The new tech lets farmers order and manage their nutrients online, turning raw data into useful information…
Ballance Agri-Nutrients (a New Zealand farmer-owned co-operative) – in partnership SAP and technologies provider, Soltius – has won the Best Run Award at the SAP Innovation Awards 2018 for its new farm-friendly digital platform.
Two years in development, the technology – dubbed MyBallance – connects multiple data sources to provide real time information and analytics, helping inform on-farm decision-making as well as simplifying business processes.
“Leveraging SAP’s progressive technologies, like SAP Hybris Commerce and Marketing, we were able to connect siloed data systems to create a seamless digital experience for farmers across all Ballance offerings; from nutrient analysis and planning through to purchasing and placement,” says CEO of Soltius New Zealand, Nick Mulcahy.
“The single CX platform helps farmers operate sustainably and protects the environment while maximising production profitability.”
“Combining and consolidating information and processes into a single customer experience platform also offers better information about fertiliser placement and volume, helping farmers to operate sustainably and protect the environment while maximising production profitability,” Mulcahy says.
Dave Scullin, CDO at Ballance Agri-Nutrients, says that Soltius has been pivotal to Ballance being able to execute its digital strategy and take a big step towards its future vision of a connected farm.
“We would not have been able to take this transformative step in our business – or win this global award for MyBallance – without Soltius challenging what is possible and delivering exceptional results.
“They have been an extension of the Ballance team and this award is just as much theirs as it is ours,” he says.
“By re-designing our business from the inside out, Soltius has helped us set the stage for the next phase of connected agriculture with the Internet of Things (IoT) and predictive analytics,” Scullin says.
Both Ballance and Soltius will travel to SAPPHIRE NOW, SAP’s flagship annual conference in Orlando, June 5-7, where they will attend the Innovation Awards ceremony to receive the Best Run Award in person.
