Tuesday, 08 September 2015 12:36

Digital start-up gets job done

Written by 

Digital innovation start-up company Job Done has won a deal with Fonterra to develop an app to save farmers time and money.

Job Done won an idea pitch last week at GridAKL, in Auckland’s innovation precinct.  Seven teams representing Icehouse, Spark Ventures and BBDO spent a month developing prototypes at their own cost in the hope of supplying the co-op. 

The seven ideas were pitched to a judging panel of Fonterra farmers and staff.  Pitch winner Job Done, founded by Manawatu farmer Nigel Taylor, was mentored by Icehouse. 

They presented a new workforce management and productivity app that allows farmers to track their workers’ location in real time using GPS. This helps with compliance and replaces timesheets.

Each company worked with a co-op farmer who gave practical and honest feedback to guide and shape the ideas and concepts.

Fonterra farmer Olin Greenan says the winning app has great promise.

“Having more instant information and data available for my farm will help me run a more efficient operation.

“Some important things such as compliance, environmental and employment regulations take a lot of time to track and manage.”

Fonterra director cooperative affairs Miles Hurrell, one of the judges, says they gave a simple brief: “look for new ways to help farmers with their businesses by reducing input costs, improve  profitability and save time”.

“Job Done has a strong idea that looks promising for helping our farmers save time and money.” 

All attendees were also invited to vote in a People’s Choice Award, won by Proximity with its Dairy 360 smartphone app.  This connects with Fonterra’s existing app Fencepost to help farmers manage workflow and paperwork.

Fonterra is hoping the initiative will become a regular event, bringing continuous innovation to the farm.

“I [want] anything which provides more assurance that dairy products made from my milk are made to highest industry practices,” says Greenan.

More like this

Featured

Farmers will adapt amid global trade turmoil

New tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump signal an uncertain future, but New Zealand farmers know how to adapt to changing conditions, says Auriga Martin, chief executive of Farm Focus.

National

Machinery & Products

Amazone extends hoe range

With many European manufacturers releasing mechanical weeding systems to counter the backlash around the use and possible banning of agrochemicals,…

Gong for NH dealers

New Holland dealers from around Australia and New Zealand came together last month for the Dealer of the Year Awards,…

A true Kiwi ingenuity

The King Cobra raingun continues to have a huge following in the New Zealand market and is also exported to…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Dairy power

OPINION: The good times felt across the dairy sector weren't lost at last week's Beef + Lamb NZ annual meeting.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter