Building EcoSAT water tank monitoring system.

EcoSAT as a product and a concept was around long before its eventual release on the market. In fact I have been working on the product since 2012, and there were others working on it long before that. I suppose there was a lot of time spent 'finding our way' over the years. We didn't exactly know what the product should do and even then, once we thought we did know - we then didn't know exactly how to make it happen.

Before I began my full-time involvement with EcoSAT, a water tank monitoring system, and even at present, I frequently encounter a common suggestion from many individuals that suggests simply asking farmers for feedback. However, the reality is that farmers are not always keen on actively providing feedback. While they may communicate issues when something is not functioning properly, the general tendency is for them to adhere to the notion that "no news is good news." This mindset stems from the demanding nature of their work, where time and resources are often limited, leading them to prioritize their immediate tasks over providing detailed feedback. Additionally, farmers may have concerns about the perceived complexity of the feedback process or may simply lack the time to engage in such activities due to the demanding nature of agricultural work. This highlights the importance of developing alternative strategies to gather feedback effectively, such as implementing user-friendly feedback mechanisms or conducting targeted surveys to ensure that valuable insights are obtained from farmers while respecting their constraints and preferences.

To give you an example, some of the early prototypes were built around what little feedback we did have. An all too common question - I just want to know if there is water. 'Easy' I said to myself as a bright eye'ed and bushy tailed designer. But it wasn't long after we delivered our first prototype that we discovered our simple little solution wasn't as useful as we had hoped it to be. There were so many issues it is embarrassing to think back to. Since then, the question has pretty much remained the same, but we have learned to be much more ambitious with our answers.

And that is really what created EcoSAT I suppose. The idea that there was no point having a product that could reliably answer just one question, 'Is there water'? because for the amount of work it was going to take to build a product to answer that question - why not have it answer as many questions as possible:

* Is my electric fence on

* Is the fence still effective

* How much water have I pumped today

* Whats the weather like out there right now

* And so on

The second major influence in the creation of EcoSAT (Speaking from the designers perspective of course) is the idea that a farm could be run somewhat like the largest imaginable factory.

* Raw products come in

* Something happens to them which is monitored and controlled closely

* Products go out

Back then, when I reflect on my past experiences in automation and monitoring, I realize that those endeavors were far more intricate and nuanced than these three steps might suggest. While the steps outlined now may seem straightforward, the reality of implementing automation and monitoring systems was a complex and multifaceted process. It makes me ponder why complexity seemed inherent in those tasks. Perhaps it was the nature of the work or the technology available at the time that necessitated such intricacy.

Nevertheless, as I contemplate the essence of these practices, I recognize that the fundamental concept remains consistent even today. The core principles of automation and monitoring persist, guiding how we approach tasks and challenges in the realm of technology. However, what truly adds value to these processes is the element of flexibility. It is this adaptability and openness to change that truly enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of automation and monitoring systems.

Flexibility is the key to unlocking the full potential of these tools. It allows us to tailor solutions to specific needs, adjust to evolving requirements, and optimize performance in dynamic environments. Embracing flexibility in every aspect of automation and monitoring enables us to stay agile, responsive, and innovative in our approach. It empowers us to address a wide range of scenarios and challenges with creativity and adaptability, ensuring that our systems remain relevant and effective in an ever-changing landscape, flexibility is everything.

Flexibility in how they communicate, and so the different colour products were born.

* EcoSAT GOLD (Uses global satellite monitoring)

* EcoSAT BLUE (requires mobile data)

* EcoSAT GREEN (Links using UHF to GOLD and BLUE)

* EcoSAT BASIC (Nation wide satellite remote monitoring - stand alone)

Flexibility in how the information is delivered.

The first choice for simplicity was emails, easy done! But once again this method required the user to wait at the computer for their notifications to arrive. No way that is going to happen! So as the product grew and my understanding of what communications farms and stations have available to them we added SMS, but this also required mobile coverage. Not a fantastic addition but it did mean that you could be notified away from the computer so that was better. Next came the automatic voice dialer.

When I was first putting the voice caller together we could choose between a number of male or female voices. When I read that the female voice was called 'Alice' I just had to choose it since our head office is located in Alice Springs and to this day I have a picture of Alice Springs as the contact photo for when she (or should I say 'it') gives me a call. The thing that I like most about Alice is that for the real remote places where mobile coverage is just not a possibility, it often goes hand in hand with poor internet. But I have never seen a cattle station without at least a land line, which was perfect for Alice to work on.

The final method to notify the users was through our Apps. You might say that this required phone coverage or at least internet and your right it does. But the thing I like about this method is that for users who are constantly in and out of coverage areas the app will check for updates when it can, notifying you if something has happened while you were 'out bush'. It does the checking for you.

When I read back over the core features the EcoSAT system offers today it boils down to a few basic functions:

* A wide range of sensors (Virtually limitless. Seriously!)

* A wide range of connectivity options (3G/4G, Satellite, UHF)

* A wide range of notification options (SMS, Email, Apps, Website)

These functions have become indispensable components of our system, forming the very foundation upon which our users depend. The ability to access accurate information promptly and conveniently is paramount in our quest to establish the largest factories in the world. By ensuring that these core functions are optimized and seamlessly integrated into our operations, we are laying the groundwork for unparalleled efficiency and productivity.

Furthermore, the reliability and efficiency of these functions not only impact our immediate operations but also have far-reaching implications for our long-term goals. They serve as the backbone of our system, enabling us to streamline processes, enhance decision-making, and ultimately drive innovation and growth within our organization.