Time to Implement and Reduced Risks to Current Operations

Investing in new technology or implementing major changes to your business is a big step for any business, but it can be a step in the right direction. Doing the inventing during the off-season rather than the midst of harvest provides several advantages.

There is always a learning curve when implementing modern technologies. Software systems take time to implement and get comfortable with. The off-season provides adequate time to focus on integrating new technology, training the staff, and troubleshooting without the constant pressure and stress associated with active farming. We have seen people try to implement our technology on the first day of harvest, and let’s just say, it isn’t pretty.

Employees need time to embrace new processes. Many businesses already have a set way of operating. Making drastic changes during harvest poses risks to ongoing current operations, but experimenting with new systems or technologies during the off-season doesn’t disrupt the established workflows of harvest.

Luckily, 2^nd Sight is here to help. Offering a plethora of Labor Tracking, Inventory Tracking, and Traceability products with the goal of helping farmers maximize their investments. We offer constant support and free Zoom trainings to help staff get up to speed, fast.

The Learning Curve and Adjusting

With big changes comes a big learning curve. During the off-season farmers and their team have the time and resources to help familiarize everyone with the new tools, and gradually integrate them into their workflow without affecting productivity. As we all know, the learning curve varies from employee to employee, and having the ability to learn at their own pace and use given resources and training will help everyone be comfortable and efficient when the harvest begins.

Every system has some tweaks and adjustments to fine tune it to each customer’s personal processes. Making sure the system is a perfect fit for your specific business takes time and effort on both sides. The off-season allows testing and fine-tuning of the new systems or processes created from the investment. Testing allows employees to then identify and resolve issues or inefficiencies before the farm’s critical phases – planting, cultivating, and harvesting – begin.

Planning, Strategy, and Availability of Support

There is no better time to plan and strategize for the upcoming harvest than immediately following the previous one. Investing in a new labor or inventory tracking system post-harvest allows you to align your strategies with the capabilities and insight that a new system might offer. For example, increased access to productivity metrics such as the “Pay Period Report” or the “Employee Receipt” found on the 2^nd Sight Portal. Having access to data at your fingertips and being able to track overtime and worker productivity can help you more successfully plan and strategize your operations moving forward.

Many technology providers such as 2^nd Sight offer support and training during implementation as well as support after. Access to this assistance is much more readily available during the off-season when we have fewer ongoing demands from our client base.

Conclusion

Over the years, several phrases have developed for those who need something but end up procrastinating too long. (I’m guilty of this myself). I am sure everyone has heard, “You snooze you lose,” or “The early bird gets the worm.”

Addressing potential and getting organized and properly prepared for your upcoming harvest can make all the difference. The off-season is a fantastic time to address weak points, maximize your workforce, or replace equipment that is approaching the end of life. We specifically created systems specialized for the agricultural niche and have a team of staff who not only are knowledgeable, but eager to help. If you want to maximize your future harvests, the best time to begin is now.

For more information regarding 2^nd Sight’s labor and inventory tracking systems feel free to contact a representative at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

See You at the Show

By the way, if you are attending the Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference next month, stop by booth #724. I’d love to see you and chat about your growing challenges.

Proper Allocation of Resources and Reducing Manual Work

Labor and inventory tracking systems such as 2^nd Sight’s FairPick, FairTrak, InstaCaliper, and StockTrak can help your business allocate resources and labor more effectively. Our systems provide real time traceability and productivity data that enable your business to allocate your workforce to areas that need immediate attention.

2^nd Sight’s labor and inventory tracking systems also automate many manual tasks, such as counting punch cards and data entry. This reduces the time and effort required to keep up with these tedious tasks and will free up your workforce to focus on more valuable and strategic activities.

Increasing Productivity and Preventing Staffing Issues

Productivity is of the utmost importance, especially in agriculture. With real-time data and automation, your workforce can respond quickly to changing conditions and customer demands. Having the ability to track productivity allows you to become more agile when demand changes and market fluctuations happen.

When using a labor tracking system like FairTrak, you will not only be tracking productivity, but also hours. This allows you to accurately forecast your current and future staffing requirements. By doing so, you can avoid higher labor costs due to overstaffing or unmet production demand due to understaffing.

Cost Reduction and Compliance

Moving onto everyone’s favorite benefit: Saving Money. Incorporating an automated or semi-automated labor or inventory management system will save you money by helping you avoid overstocking and stockouts within your inventory. You will also improve your inventory management. Additionally, by maximizing labor efficiency, you reduce manual labor costs. By cutting these costs, you will improve your business’s bottom line.

Moving onto the not so fun part of business: compliance. With rules and regulations constantly changing, it can be exceedingly difficult to keep up. Luckily, tracking systems ensure that labor and inventory data are accurate and readable accessible, which is crucial to abide by current regulations and standards. Incorporating a tracking system will help prevent costly errors and fines.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cost is of the utmost importance, and saving money by maximizing your workforce and inventory through automation is a terrific way to start. Incorporating a tracking system may come with an initial investment as well as a small learning curve, but, after you incorporate the system into your process, you will see the savings rack up year after year. We are here to streamline your processes, save you money, and help grow your business to the next level.

For more information regarding 2^nd Sight’s labor and inventory tracking systems feel free to contact a representative at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Precise Measurements and Efficiency Incentives

Weight is a tangible and objective measure of output. It's easy to quantify and verify, reducing the potential for disputes between workers and employers over the amount of work completed. There will be no more arguments regarding whether a fruit picker’s bin is deemed as “full” or not. In that case, they would simply be compensated for the weight of the fruit that they picked. Additionally, when someone is paying employees by weight the employees then realize that working efficiently and maximizing their output leads to more financial gain, urging the workers to work as much as possible. This increase in productivity not only rewards the employees, but also the employers.

Simplifying Calculations and Providing Connection to Output

Weight-based payment calculations are often straightforward, making payroll processing simpler and more predictable. This can save time and administrative costs. Incorporating a scale system such as our FairPick Pro is much greater than the simplicity of the measurements. Our hardware all comes with in-depth software that makes these calculations for you. Using our system creates a direct link between compensation and output. Workers can see the immediate financial rewards of their efforts, which can provide strong incentives for them to perform well.

Less Room for Manipulation and Helps Comply with Regulations

Unlike piece-rate systems based on other factors, such as the number of units produced, weight is less susceptible to manipulation. Workers are less likely to engage in quality shortcuts or inflate their output to increase their earnings, and if they do try to manipulate their weight our systems have you covered. The FairPick system has several “anti-cheat” functionalities. These include a 2-3 second stability period before allowing an employee to scan their badge, and a minimum weigh interval that will flag employees who try to double weigh or weigh multiple items within in given time range. Our customer portal also allows users to filter by a maximum weight, which allows administrators to quickly find data outliers. Additionally, in some cases, weight-based payment systems may help employers ensure compliance with minimum wage laws, if workers consistently earn at least the minimum wage when their total compensation is considered. Our systems automatically calculate minimum wage and compare it to the employee piece rate by weight calculated earnings. The system then highlights the amount that you owe the employee, making data organization and payroll a breeze.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it's essential to note that while weight-based payment systems offer various advantages in specific contexts, these systems take time and effort to implement. Regardless of the current payment method, it's crucial to maintain a balance between productivity and worker well-being, ensuring that workers are not pushed to the point of overexertion or injury in pursuit of higher earnings. Safety measures, training, and fair labor practices should be a priority in any payment system. When employees are more familiarized and are on the same page of understanding as staff it allows the business to reap all the benefits. For more information regarding the FairPick Pro Weighing System feel free to contact a representative at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..