1. agrirouter – what is it?

The agrirouter is a universal data exchange platform for farmers and agricultural contractors that makes it possible to connect together machines and agricultural software solutions across manufacturers. For companies with mixed fleets, agrirouter lays the foundation for networked, process-oriented data usage within your company. You can use it to improve your production process and, in turn, the profitability of your business.

 

The agrirouter provides only the ability to exchange data. It does not store any data. Further information can be found here.

 

The agrirouter is the core of your company’s digitalization that is adapted to your individual needs. You retain control of all your data.


2. Yet another farm management software product?

The agrirouter is not farm management software. It is a web-based tool for farmers and agricultural contractors and works like a postal service or logistics provider, but for your data. You can use it to easily transfer data between your machines and the software solutions currently being used within your company. Data can also be exchanged with your contractor. With agrirouter, this works independent of manufacturer and only you control who receives what data and when. The agrirouter can also be used for other tasks, such as exchanging AB lines between your machines, or boundary data between your agricultural software solutions. The agrirouter provides you with a wide range of options for data exchange. Further information can be found here.


3. How is this useful to me?

Using the agrirouter, you can simplify data exchange throughout your entire production process. This reduces your administrative overheads and, in turn, improves the efficiency of your business.


4. How does data exchange via agrirouter work?

Once you have set up an agrirouter account you can start connecting your software and machines. The order in which they are connected does not matter. Software always appears in the default software group and machines in the default machine group. The configuration for both of these groups provides routes for all message formats. Data can therefore be exchanged immediately after connecting the software/machine. Once your machine(s) and agricultural software solution(s) are connected, no further action is needed. Further information about connecting machines and software solutions can be found here.

 

If you want to exchange data between machines or between software solutions, then you will need to create individual routes to do so. Our Academy provides help with this.


5. Are there any examples of how this works?

Example 1:

Let us look at an example of fertilizer spreading or sowing based on an application map:

You use the agrirouter to transfer field boundary data from your connected farm management system to an app that can create application maps. These application maps can then be easily sent to your fertilizer spreader or sower to start the process in the field. During the spreading or sowing process, data on the actual amounts of fertilizer or seed used, combined with tractor data, can be sent back via the agrirouter to your farm management system. See examples 2 and 3.

 

Example 2:

You can use the telemetry data that your machines are often already generating whilst in operation in the field, e.g. GPS location, amounts spread or harvested, diesel fuel consumption, or operating time. If these machines are already connected to your agrirouter, this data can be forwarded to your software application (app). You can use this machine data for documentation purposes or to optimise your production process. This works regardless of the manufacturer.

 

Example 3:

You can send documentation data generated by a machine/group of machines for work completed in a field to a software application (app) that is connected to your agrirouter. This works across all manufacturers and vendors. This makes complying with current and future documentation requirements easier and more comprehensive.


6. I am still using some older machines. Can I connect them?

The use of retrofitted telemetry units is only possible for machines with a standardized interface (e.g. signal connector or ISOBUS in-cab connector). Alongside retrofitted telemetry units, it is possible to connect apps running on mobile devices to your agrirouter in order to see how your machines are performing. The driver can make manual entries.


7. What does this cost?

The usage fees charged for data transfer via the agrirouter are low and are billed to the user by their respective agricultural software provider. Mobile wireless fees for data transfer between machinery and the agrirouter are extra. All in all we're talking about a few euros per month. DKE-Data does not charge any additional fees to the owner of an agrirouter account.


8. How secure is my data?

The agrirouter does not store any data. It only “transports” it according to your instructions. If, for example, a machine to which you have sent an application map is not activated, then the agrirouter will buffer this message for a maximum of 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, messages are automatically deleted from the buffer. You will receive a notification before this deletion happens so that you can take action if necessary.

Data transfer via your personal agrirouter account is secure. DKE-Data makes sure of this. The servers for the data transfer are located in Germany, are secured, and are subject to German laws. The software and hardware components are certified and are checked regularly. The requirements of current data privacy regulations are of course fulfilled.


9. Does this also work in other countries, or only in Germany?

The agrirouter can be used worldwide. The user interface is available in German, English, French and Russian. More languages are being added. Agricultural software vendors and machine manufacturers are increasingly integrating the agrirouter interface into their products. This means there are ever more new options for exchanging your data – no matter where you are in the world.


10. Does the agrirouter help me with conversion issues?

The agrirouter does not inspect the contents of your data packets. It simply transports it following the standard routes and the routes you have configured yourself. Much like a postman cannot look inside the letters he delivers, the agrirouter cannot look inside the data packets to do any conversion. DKE-Data certifies the integration of agrirouter interfaces for all available products (machines and agricultural software) in order to ensure maximum compatibility. Data formats are checked as part of this certification process. If you encounter problems, take a look in our Help Center.


11. Can other data formats be added?

New message formats can easily be added to the agrirouter at any time. For example, you could add message formats for weather information or feed mix rations. You can then use your local weather app for your production process or easily send feed mix information from your feed management system to your mixer wagon via the agrirouter.


12. Are any further improvements to agrirouter planned?

We will continually improve and develop the agrirouter. The goal of this is always to take into account the suggestions and criticisms of users, and meet the general requirements of the market and developments in agricultural technology. You can share your ideas and suggestions with us here.


13. What does SAP do with my data?

SAP is the IT service provider for DKE-Data. They do not have any stake in the company. SAP has been selected by DKE-Data to develop the agrirouter in line with the market requirements as defined by the consortium. The contract with SAP stipulates that SAP is responsible solely for ensuring the secure transport of your data to the defined recipients via your agrirouter account. In this regard, SAP functions like a postman, maintaining the confidentiality of your messages, or “data sovereignty”.

 

As well as carrying out work to further develop the agrirouter, SAP is responsible for ensuring its smooth and secure operation.


FAQ Customer