Here are answers to a few potential questions you might have about the Harvest App
What are some of the benefits?
- Totally Paperless Data Management! No more double handling of data, no more paperwork, no more arguments with pickers. Pickers can be handed a tear off receipt from the bin card which has a copy of the bins barcode. You can create non repeating bin tickets and each picker will have their own barcode, which is stored in GrowData.
- Save Time! Once you establish a process which works best with your harvest system you will be delighted at the time saved and the hassles avoided. The system is very intuitive and you will see from the testimonials that the field staff find the process very easy to adapt to. ‘Simple Input – Smart Management’
- Easy Scanning! There are no expensive programmable scanners required. You can simply use iPhones, iPads or even simple iPods. Because the mobile app is linked to your GrowData Database, all the necessary data required to record harvest details in the field is downloaded into the app. The supervisor can also pre-set the harvest screen to default to the block, the bin type, the method of payment and the $ rate. All they have to do is scan the bin card and barcode sticker that the picker attaches to the card.
How Does it work?
The relevant information is set up in your GrowData Program/back office and pulls through to the app. This includes:
- Properties
- Blocks
- Pickers (and their associated contractor, if applicable)
- Bin Types
The app is then used to scan in harvest data in the field, which syncs back to the main GrowData Program.
Does the app work with both iOS and Android phones?
Yes
Does the phone need to be connected to the internet for the app to work?
No, the app will work in the field even when it's not connected to the internet. However, it'll need to be connected when information has to sync from the main program to the phone (or vice versa). For example, it'll need to establish a connection when you've set up new pickers in the main program, for these to sync up and show on the app. Or, when you've finished collecting harvest data for the day, make sure it has a chance to connect to internet so that this data can come back into the main program).
What data can be captured on the Harvest App?
The app is designed to be flexible as everyone’s harvest workflows are different. The harvest screen has the following data entry fields:
- Date & time
- Bin card number
- Bin type
- Rate type (per hour or per bin)
- $ Rate
- Block
- Employee, Crew (or Team if they are team picking).
Bin card numbers can be scanned by your phone or can be entered manually, Pickers can be selected manually or they can stick their barcode onto the bin card. If desired, you can also allocate a fruit quality descriptor as well as identifying the row.
A percentage slide allows you to enter a part filled bin and the picker is charged accordingly. Pickers can be linked to contractors and they can also work as teams. The app will track by bin and by hour methods of payment.
What Reports are available on the app?
You can see live stats for Picker, Team and Contractor tallies, and total amounts picked by block. All of this data is synced back to the GrowData base in the office. If there is no connection in the field the sync will take place when the phone is back in range.
The GrowData program/back office then has a suite of reports including information for uploading into payroll or for contractors, as well as rate comparison reports.
Can I restrict who-sees-what on the app?
Yes. There are two in-field levels of authority, users who only have access to the data they have recorded and Supervisors who have access to all users data.
What if I don't know who my Pickers are until the day of picking?
New pickers can be entered in two ways. If you don't know who they are until the day of picking, we recommend using option B as it might be easier for you.
A. Via the GrowData main program/back office (see second part of this article for more info: Employees & Pickers Setup); or,
B. Directly into the Harvest app on your phone. For this option, you can either enter their details manually, or if they have an induction card, you can simply scan the QR code and their information is stored in the phone, then synchronised back to GrowData (therefore, you do not need to also enter it into the back office).
How can I see which pickers/crew members have been signed in?
There are two ways to view who’s signed in on the app:
- Harvest > Select Picker. Anyone signed in will appear green on the list.
- Crew > Edit Members > Select All > Apply. Anyone signed in will appear green on the list.
