Intelligence that adds value for our customers

From tangible products to connected services

With the “internet of things” we can perform advanced diagnostics for customers, using the data they provide. The VMS milking robots already have many sensors installed that can provide feedback to both customers and service technicians. What we’re moving towards is being able to predict potential problems that cause downtime and handle them before they even happen, such as replacing worn parts, or changing settings to improve performance of our VMS system. We can also solve many issues remotely, without having to visit the farm, which saves time and cost for both us and the customer. This benefits all farmers regardless of size, but particularly those with a high level of automation.

By harnessing connectivity, we can provide customers with advanced animal management tools to increase farm productivity. The DeLaval Herd Navigator™, for example, performs remote advanced diagnostics on the cows themselves to keep them healthy and monitor their production. Coupled with DelPro™, the customer interface where they can regularly see their data, they can make more informed decisions about their herd – and their business.

Knowing what to do with the data

Once we’ve delivered a product, we can use relevant data to communicate with the product  and know when it needs to be serviced, upgraded or replaced. Digitalisation creates a true advantage when using large amounts of data in the right way – not just historically, but predictively. One example is providing customers what-if scenarios and suggesting changes that could affect their production. Taking customer data and delivering it to them in a more useful format creates a strong offering.

By monitoring our products better, we not only improve our service, we improve our product development in ways that truly benefit customers. R&D gets a boost since we can both use actual data in simulations and reduce testing times, improving our internal efficiency in the development process.

Connectivity can also create new business opportunities for us as a company by offering it together with a product for a fee, when it adds value for the customer. Furthermore, selling managed services then doesn’t require a face-to-face meeting, since relevant offers based on data can be offered at the right time.

Digitalisation isn’t about the technology itself, it’s about what we can use that technology for to help our customers improve their profitability and efficiency. Our people know what it’s like to be farmers and our mission is to help them with their daily lives. Milk producers are pragmatic by nature and willing to use digital tools when they make sense. They value automation that reduces the need for manpower, and they value the use of data models to help make the right decisions for their farm and their business.