John Deere, CLAAS and 365FarmNet jointly announced DataConnect this week, which they described as a groundbreaking approach to data exchange using the cloud for precision farming applications. 

Up to now, farmers and contractors with a mixed machinery fleet can only record, process and document their data using the respective equipment and web portals of the individual manufacturers.

With the new DataConnect, CLAAS, 365FarmNet and John Deere say they have created for the first time a direct, manufacturer independent cloud-to-cloud solution. In a similar way to ISOBUS, customers can now exchange their data via a common interface as well as control and monitor their entire machinery fleet using their favourite system.

With DataConnect, users can choose their preferred data platform from a specific manufacturer while also being able to transmit data from other machines via the new interface. This means that the data is still available in the John Deere Operations Centre, CLAAS TELEMATICS or 365FarmNet portals, but can be exchanged in real time from one cloud to the other. The key benefit to the user is that all the necessary machine configurations are available in one system.

DataConnect enables the exchange of all important machinery data, including current and historical machine location, fuel tank level, current working status and forward speed. Transmission of agronomic data is also being planned.

With DataConnect the companies involved also wish to share their experience of cloud-to-cloud communication with ongoing Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF) projects. This is why the architecture of this new interface is designed to support existing industry standards.

The companies say any interested agricultural machinery manufacturers and software providers as well as associations and standardisation committees are welcome to help develop the existing interface. A first insight into the operation of DataConnect will be possible on the CLAAS, 365FarmNet and John Deere stands at Agritechnica 2019 in November, while the official launch is scheduled for summer 2020.