GTA 300 Mapping, to be launched at the Agritechnica show in Germany with availability in early 2006, is the latest step in AGCO Advanced Technology Solutions comprehensive software suite. Designed to work with the firm’s GTA Consoles and Fieldstar systems, it adds the ability to create maps from information gathered with GPS position data.
Straightforward and easy to use, it is a cost effective tool that allows users to analyse and measure performance of both crops and equipment. At the same time it offers the ability to compile a comprehensive record of all operations and applications, providing total crop traceability.
This latest software joins GTA 100 Communicator, which comes as standard with tractors equipped with a GTA Console I, and the optional GTA 200 Record Keeping. GTA 300 Mapping, is a further option, costing 300 Euros as an upgrade to GTA200, and builds on the existing features of the other GTA Suite modules.
GTA 300 Mapping features:
• Extends functions of existing software suite, following exactly the same format. This means current users will be familiar with its operation and are able to use all existing information
• Create, view and print maps of field data
• Make and print map reports
• Import a wide range of data from other sources
• Fully compatible with other farming programs
• Edit field boundaries
Mapping further enhances GTA software suite
Although the GTA software suite builds into a powerful package, its key benefits are its ease of use and the way each of the individual software modules follow a familiar format. This not only allows users to quickly master the system, but also means it also uses the existing farm and database structure. There’s no time wasted on laboriously entering new information or having to learn a completely new operating system.
Maps show path to higher profits or savings
GTA 300 Mapping simply adds a ‘Map tab’ to the software’s main display screen. Click this and the screen splits into two parts, with the map showing in the upper section and full details of the job data, listed under various headings, appearing in the lower pane.
A job selection ‘tab’ provides access to all the information stored previously. If this contains ‘geo-referenced’ data - that is records made using GPS – then this is displayed automatically as a map when the view option is chosen.
A ‘Map Properties’ tab allows users to customise the map, edit the key and overlay any markers that may have been created. Markers are points noted during fieldwork, such as weed patches or waterlogging. These can be overlaid on, for example, a yield map to help ascertain the reason for variances.
An ‘Information tab’ provides a comprehensive summary of all, or different parts of the map. Simply highlight the area of interest to see the average values for each of the items recorded for that particular position.
Quick and simple map reports
With GTA Mapping 300 it is straightforward and easy to produce map-based reports from the data collected during work. These are created by simply pressing ‘Map Report’. Pressing ‘print’ provides a print-out of this information.
Map reports can be drawn up using any of the accumulated data including yield, product applications of seed, sprays and fertiliser or machine operating data such as wheelslip and fuel consumption.
Fully compatible with other systems
GTA 300 Mapping is designed to handle data and make maps from a wide range of data. As well as taking in information from the GTA Consoles and Fieldstar it works just as well with ‘geo-referenced’ data from other manufacturers, and will support all the commonly used file types.
Conversely, the data managed by the GTA software suite is also easily transferred to other farm management programs. The system’s design makes it easy to export this information in a suitable file format.
Choice of editing options
Boundary editing is simple with GTA 300 Mapping. The software allows users to choose between Field or Enterprise boundary types and then edit the information, with six further tools, to create the maps to exact requirements.
Field boundaries show the entire perimeter of the area, whereas Enterprise boundaries ‘fence off’ areas within the field. This is particularly useful to remove areas of set-aside or conservation headlands from the cropped area. Furthermore, it is also possible to assign colours to various different crops.
The simple mapping solution
GTA 300 Mapping is a comprehensive program that provides users with a wide range of powerful functions. But it is also very easy to use, follows a familiar format and makes use of existing data that may already be accumulated in the system. This cost effective software makes it easier than ever before to create meaningful maps for a farming business to use to provide full traceability records, track field operations as well as monitor and measure performance of crops and machinery.
