"Today’s grower will much more shift towards being a process operator"

A lot has been written about Big Data, but the main thing is to apply Big Data in a smart and relevant way. Companies are aware that realising growth targets needs more than the current crop growing management system, which is based on human experience. The challenge is simplification, digitisation and scalability of growing crops. An increasing range of data is becoming available for analysing, allowing for a better understanding of the processes. This can increase productivity while saving costs (energy, CO2, labour etc.). The speed in which data and analyses can be translated into practical adjustment actions determines the added value of Big Data. This is exactly what ClimaConnect is leveraging. ClimaConnect forecasts that today’s grower will much more shift towards being a process operator within the next five years, operating with green fingers, but also using facts and scenarios generated with Big Data.

ClimaConnect developed a stand-alone Monitoring Platform, i.e. operating platform-independent. The sensors are installed in a standard configuration, allowing for exchanging information with any other user of the Platform. The Monitoring Platform runs in the cloud, consisting of 9 applications accessible to any stakeholder 24/7 with 2 mouse-clicks. All stakeholders (growers, cultivation consultants, business analysts) have the option of simultaneously analysing the data any time, any place using a user-friendly Business Intelligence tool. Correlations between the various parameters can be created within seconds, displayed in any visually desired way, and shared with the desired stakeholders. This way, analysing hypotheses about deviations and optimisation measures is quick, easy and fact-based. Any deviations that have not been detected by eyesight and the current climate systems now become visible. The calculation power of the Business Intelligence tool enriches the crop grower and cultivation consultant with insights, continuously improving the process.

This way, the ClimaConnect Monitoring Platform adds an extra dimension to growing crops.


The ClimaConnect Monitoring Platform is fed by data derived from wireless sensors. 40 to 60 sensors are installed in each compartment, measuring the following details:

* Greenhouse climate

* Greenhouse technology

* Plant condition

* Energy consumption

* Plant irrigation

The sensors of the Monitoring Platform can be fitted in any greenhouse and the location and number of sensors can be added and expanded as required.

The Monitoring Platform user interface is web-based, consisting of the following Apps with customer-specific configurations:

* Overview with all key deviations

* Energy analysis monitor

* Business Intelligence tool for specific selection, filtering and comparison of the data

* Actions and scenarios: status of actions and validated processes

* Strategic objectives

* Quality management: process assurance, instructions and training (webinars)

* Greenhouse configuration: type, systems and equipment

* Weather forecast: forecasts and notifications for sudden deviations

* Support: 24/7

The ClimaConnect Monitoring Platform unburdens and enriches the crop grower and the cultivation consultant by:

* Ability to analyse quickly

* Flexibility to analyse any correlation between parameters

* Ability to respond quicker and fact-based to any deviations and test scenarios

* Validation and assurance of Best Practices

* Benchmarking based on quick, uniform and easy information exchange

* 24/7 real-time insight into data