Miller Magazine Issue: 139 July 2021

64 COVER STORY MILLER / july 2021 vanced level sensor technology requires fewer people and processes and is therefore, a very cost-effective in- vestment providing a high ROI. Inventory information is portable and available to any authorized user at any location wherever they may be locally or globally situated. Personnel in functional areas such as shipping, logistics, finance, and purchasing or processing can be provided data access to prevent the need for preparing and send- ing reports. Users will all have access to identical data at the same time, ensuring total transparency and fewer bookkeeping and accounting discrep- ancies. The volume of grain available for shipment can be viewed across multiple locations. Enhanced access to in-depth information allows individuals to make informed decisions regarding the timing of buying and selling traded commodities. Cloud-based applications ensure centralized digital control, require minimal human intervention for routine processes, and lead to faster and timelier outputs with a small number of staff. Employees will be more satisfied in their positions as they will perform less mundane clerical work, which will allow more time for planning and prob- lem solving. Streamlining vital communication between people and devices and getting everyone on the same page allows for optimizing processes such as filling bins during harvest, or railcar or ship loading when grain is sold or exported. SIMPLICITY, SPEED AND COST CONTROL Automation also helps to contain both direct and in- direct costs. This can lead to the need for fewer work- ers, less overtime payroll expense, and greater produc- tivity. The automation of daily tasks will result in fewer inefficiencies, and fines or reparation fees charged for non-compliance or late deliveries. Continuous updates are performed effortlessly with no human invention. The software updates automatical- ly with real-time reports of on-hand supply and can be used to forecast when inventory will be depleted based upon usage trends. This also allows for improvements while processing grain and ingredients for animal feed, such as projecting shortages that result in production stoppages. Ensuring adequate supply of all ingredients will result in fewer batch processing errors and lead to less waste and consistent quality. Adapting a Cloud-based application does not require on-site installation or remote hosting of servers or em- ploying an IT department. Programming updates are developed, tested, and released by the host provider. Users do not need to be trained in programming to ef- fectively use the software. The data related to business transactions and production processes is stored secure- ly and safely. Corporate headquarters, remote workers, business partners, or ingredient suppliers can be assigned login credentials and for broad or limited viewing rights, so they can monitor inventory remotely or uti- lize vendor managed inventory. Providing direct ac- cess reduces the amount of time spent on the phone, managing spreadsheets, fewer trips to remote sites, and less time doing routine, or redundant tasks. Ex- pedited reporting is possible due to consolidated data that can be segmented by fields in the software application. 3D Sensor on Large Bin