What is poultry project technology?
Poultry farming technology is the mechanical assistance that is available for you to run your farm.
In short, anything that will help you carry out the operational functioning – in any discipline of work.
Why is poultry project technology important?
Poultry farm technology helps you achieve your business goals.
Whether it be hardware or software, it gives you and your team the advantage of getting things done:
- quicker
- better
- more profitably
Efficiency (in a word).
It must be noted that often this ‘help’ comes at a direct capital cost.
But a benefit-cost analysis will quickly show if an option will be worth the investment.
But is technology always the answer?
No.
But where a solution has proven benefits and adds ‘NET’ value to your business, you should consider it.
Example
Best practice
Trial, trial, trial
Technology is not proven until it’s proven.
Working toward that goal takes a lot of trialling.
Each round of trialling proves the potential solution’s ability to supply the result required.
Before settling for any technological solution fully put it through its paces.
And let it prove itself worthy of the investment by showing you a clear profitable return on investment.
Further reading: Trialling new tech before you buy it helps reduce costly purchase blunders (Tech Republic)
Configuration
New technology is not a one-size-fits all.
It always requires some customisation.
Take this example,
When you buy a new computer which you are certain can solve the problems the old one couldn’t,
Don’t you still adjust all the settings to best complement how you want it to behave?
Or,
When you buy a new car…
Don’t you adjust the driver’s seat positioning and wing mirrors to suit your stature?
Also, when you adopt new poultry farming technology or equipment (either hardware or software),
Make sure you set it all up for best fit with your operation – BEFORE – you begin.
Get best practice advice and training before pressing ahead.
Further reading: Custom fit: getting the most out of your tech (Finextra)
Support
Technology and the potential ROI it presents all depends on your ability to make it work.
Your ability to use your newly invested tech solution is the rate-determining step to making it all worth your while.
The vendor’s training and support capabilities can be worth MANY multiples the cost.
Support and training should never be an afterthought.
The cut of the provider can be quickly gathered by how much they invest your ability to use what they just sold you.
- multimedia resources
- dedicated training personnel
- user guides
- immersive onboarding procedures
- well manned (& mannered) support desk
Look for these traits in your poultry farming technology providers.
Further reading: Selecting technology and vendors (Assemblymag)
Parts & repair
Technology (no matter how good it is) breaks at times and needs repairing.
Plan for the inevitable.
Ensure that your technology vendor has made ample provision for replacements and repairs.
Once you adopt technology your business becomes dependant on it working.
It’s availability then becomes ‘mission-critical’.
Any downtime experienced will be sorely felt.
Continuity is essential for profit-making.
Choose your tech suppliers wisely.
Resale value
As with anything investment-wise,
ALWAYS think of exit.
When buying new technology, the tendency is to get excited about the user journey and forget the investment practicalities.
One aspect that many tech buyers overlook is considering resale value.
Resale value is dependent upon:
- condition
- relevance
- liquidity of market (i.e. ready buyers)
Where these points exist within the tech solution you are looking to invest in,
You should be able to obtain some good resale value when you exit your business or upgrade your solution.
Service level agreement
During the presales patter with tech vendors…
…it is easy to get lost in the ‘can-haves’ and lose track on what you actually are getting in the heat of negotiating your deal.
In advance of final negotiations,
Go through all the small print with a fine-toothed comb to separate out all the key details.
Once you know EXACTLY what you ‘must-have’ and cannot do without (plus, what you would ideally like),
Begin to tie down the financial cost implications in light of potential benefits.
Every agreed service level should be written and articulated with quantified time frames.
Further reading: Service Level Agreements (SLA) And Service Level Management (SLM) – IT Governance
ROI
Avoid the temptation to invest in technology for the sake of it.
It’s only worth the investment if it returns a profit.
Otherwise, it’s a vanity purchase or lifestyle choice and not a business investment.
Further reading: ROI and the Architect (Autodesk.net)