Comprehensive Automation of an Agricultural Enterprise

Comprehensive automation of an agricultural enterprise

The automation project for the Orbita farming enterprise has been implemented by Vostok-IT specialists since 2015 and continues to develop today.

This is a comprehensive project that includes operational accounting automation, modernization of the technical infrastructure, implementation of new automated workplaces, integration of equipment and video monitoring systems, as well as ongoing service and technical support.

The main task set by the enterprise management was formulated quite simply: to create a clear, reliable, and convenient accounting system for a network of agricultural enterprises operating in crop production and poultry farming.

Project start: survey of the grain processing and storage facility

The work started in 2015 with a survey of the Maryana grain processing and storage facility, designed for receiving, cleaning, processing, storing, and dispatching grain products.

Various types of agricultural products were handled at the facility, including:

• wheat;
• barley;
• rye;
• oats;
• other grain crops.

The initial task was to simplify and accelerate operational accounting at the facility. To achieve this, Vostok-IT specialists studied the existing business processes directly on site, including the movement of vehicles, documents, and products, as well as the distribution of functions among employees.

Based on the survey results, the original accounting workflow was significantly revised.

Truck weighbridge as the key accounting point

The truck weighbridge was selected as the central point of the operational accounting system.

It is through this point that the main operations related to receiving, internal movement, processing, storage, and dispatch of grain products are performed.

This approach made it possible to concentrate the registration of key operations at one technologically clear point and to use weighing data as an objective basis for further accounting.

The automation and technical infrastructure were designed to reduce the routine control workload of the enterprise manager and the head of the grain facility as much as possible.

The manager creates instructions and assignments, while their actual execution is recorded directly by employees using the information system, barcode identification of documents, identification of storage locations, and registration of operational activities.

Integration of accounting and video monitoring

Alongside the operational accounting system, a video monitoring system was deployed across the enterprise.

Cameras were installed at the most important and critical points: at the truck weighbridge, vehicle traffic areas, product receiving and dispatch points, as well as other zones where objective monitoring of operations was required.

Operational experience showed that the integration of operational accounting and video control provides significantly better results than using these systems separately.

If data in the accounting system raises questions or a discrepancy occurs, the responsible employee does not need to spend significant time investigating the circumstances. The relevant operation can be quickly checked using video records, allowing the cause of the error to be identified and corrected.

For projects of this type, video monitoring becomes not only a security system, but also an important tool for production and accounting control.

Automated workplace for weighbridge accounting

One of the key elements of the project was the automated workplace for the truck weighbridge employee.

The integration of truck scales, operational accounting software, and the video monitoring system removes a significant amount of mechanical and routine workload from the employee.

Instead of manually filling in paper logs, the employee receives tools for managing the entire weighing and accounting process.

Within the automated workplace, the employee can work with:

• vehicle queues;
• tasks for product receiving and dispatch;
• weighing results;
• route sheets;
• allocation of products to storage locations;
• internal movements;
• operation execution control;
• video monitoring data.

As a result, the traditional role of a “weighbridge operator” gradually evolves into a more responsible role of a weighbridge accounting manager.

The employee does not simply record the weight of a vehicle, but manages the related accounting and logistics processes, while maintaining or increasing the throughput of the weighbridge.

Phased expansion of the system

After the main processes at the truck weighbridge had been fine-tuned, the project continued to develop.

New automated workplaces and functional modules were added as required:

• route sheets for internal product movement;
• accounting of grain movement between storage locations;
• harvest planning;
• combine operator ticket;
• registration of completed work;
• piece-rate payroll calculation sheets;
• additional operational control tools.

This approach makes it possible to develop the system gradually, starting with the most important and problematic areas and then combining individual solutions into a unified information environment for the enterprise.

Equipment preparation before installation on site

An important part of the project is the preliminary preparation of equipment.

Before installation at the enterprise, Vostok-IT specialists inspect, connect, and preconfigure the equipment in the office.

The main purpose of this preparation is to minimize the number of unexpected situations directly at the customer’s site and to ensure rapid commissioning of the equipment.

Installation and technical support

The project includes not only software development, but also a comprehensive range of technical works: equipment installation, communication cabling, installation of video monitoring cameras, connection of workplaces, network configuration, and integration of equipment with the accounting system.

After launch, the system continues to develop and is supported by technical specialists.

This is particularly important for an agricultural enterprise, where operating conditions, seasonality, and the development of production infrastructure require the system to be continuously adapted.

Agricultural enterprise automation as a unified system

The Orbita project demonstrates that grain accounting automation is not limited to installing software at a truck weighbridge.

An effective system is built from a set of interconnected tools: weighing equipment, software, automated workplaces, identification of documents and operations, internal logistics, and video control.

As the project develops, individual areas are integrated into a unified operational accounting and control system that allows enterprise management to obtain more objective information about current production processes and spend less time on routine supervision.

The project continues to evolve together with the enterprise: existing solutions are modernized, new functional modules are added, and additional operational areas are automated.