In late August, CNH announced a major refresh for both its Case IH AFS Connect and New Holland PLM Connect telematics web portals.
They’ve been merged into the new FieldOps, which will now be the single web portal and app for both brands, giving users a new single source to access all their machine and agronomic data.
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Both the web and mobile app will look the same and share all the same information.
“Historically we had both, a web version and a mobile version,” says Kendal Quandahl, precision segment lead for North America.
“But those two things had different user interfaces, they had a different feature set. Some of those really critical on-the-go features weren’t available in the mobile app. So we redesigned the entire FieldOps app to make sure we had some of those really important operation features available.”
Added Jacob Maurer, CNH’s global product manager: “We’re taking an approach now that is internally defined as a common design language. What our icons and design looks like in our web portals should match what is in our mobile app.
“We’re not providing any more or less information. It’s bringing it to the surface where our customers have been asking to see it at their fingertips with less button clicks to get to. It skips you right to where you want to get to.
“Now we’re bringing everything under a single umbrella called Field Ops, so you can refer to Fields Ops on the web or mobile, and at the end of the day they’re the same.”
Although the same basic machine information will be available through the new portal and app, the ability to track machine movements has been enhanced significantly. Previously, machine data was uploaded every 60 seconds. Now, that interval is down to just three to five seconds.
It will also be easier for farm managers to remotely coach an operator through the web portal or app by directing an icon that will appear on the monitor in the machine.
“By touching the screen, I can add a finger pointer to the display in the cab,” says Maurer.
“So If I’m working with an inexperienced operator, I can say, ‘go press that button right there.’ ”
The new app will also more seamlessly integrate with a smartphone’s features.
“Both our Android and IOS applications were built on what’s called the native code base,” says Maurer.
It’s not built on a three-part interface or generic tool set, It’s built in the IOS function. So if I switch my phone to dark mode or change the font size, for example, our application will reflect those changes you have made in your device.”
Case IH and New Holland owners who currently use the AFS Connect or PLM Connect telematics will find the transition seamless.
Through the web portal, users can log in with the same passwords, and they will be redirected to the new web page automatically. All passwords, bookmarks and preferences will remain in place.
“If they want to use the mobile app and currently have the old one, they will have to download a band new one,” says Maurer.
“They don’t have to download it right away. But once they do, they use the same credentials they used before, and it logs them right in. They can use existing Case IH or New Holland credentials to log into either the Case IH or New Holland app. And they don’t have to chose a brand preference either way. Today it’s all inclusive.”
The app is free for both IOS and Android and can be downloaded from the Google Play or Apple Stores.
Any Case IH machine with a Pro 1200 monitor or New Holland machine with its comparable system is compatible with the app. However, some machines may need a software update from the dealer.
“The way it feels, it’s almost like you’re looking at your machine or your fleet for the first time with a very different set of eyes,” Maurer said.
“It’s amazing the digital story telling that’s in play here and how much of an impact it can have, how a grower can make decisions.”
