Anyone who's ever run a farm knows that it takes more than a green thumb to be successful. A good farm management software (FMS) will help you track financials and budgets, integrate with other programs, and generate useful reports that can help your business grow. The following are some of the top features to look for in a good farm management software:
Reliable and secure
A farm management software should be reliable, stable and secure. It should run smoothly on the computer you're using, whether it's a desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. You shouldn’t have to worry about the system crashing or otherwise being disconnected while you’re using it.
Data security is also important to consider when choosing a farming software solution. Ensuring that your data is protected from hackers and other cyber threats is crucial for any business owner who wants to keep their information safe at all times.
Easy to use
The system you choose should be easy to use. It needs to be intuitive so that anyone on your farm can pick it up and begin working with it immediately. If you're going to spend time and money implementing a new system, make sure that the learning curve is as short as possible — you don't want your employees wasting their time trying out something that doesn't work for them!
The last thing you want when working with technology is having too many complicated steps involved in getting things done — so make sure that whatever software program you choose has an intuitive user interface (UI) so anyone can use it without needing much training beforehand!
Additionally, consider whether or not this software will be able to accommodate future growth within the company; if there are multiple people who will need access at different times throughout the day (or even just one person who works from home), then having an easy-to-learn interface will help everyone achieve their goals efficiently and effectively.
Customizable and scalable
A farm management system should be customizable to your needs, budget, and goals. Whether you’re a livestock or crop farmer, you’ll want to make sure that you can customize the software to fit your specific needs, whether this means keeping track of birthing records or planting dates.
The system should also be able to handle growth in the number of users, as well as growth in the amount of data. If your business grows and you add more employees or contract workers, it's important that they can all use the same platform with ease.
The same goes for increasing amounts of data; if you've been collecting information for years, but haven't had a way to organize it until now — or if your operation has grown so much over time that its current software isn't cutting it anymore — you need something scalable enough to keep up with all this new information without breaking under pressure (or costing too much money).
Cost effective
The next feature to look for in a farm management system is cost effectiveness. This means that you get the most out of your money, which is important since farming can be expensive. You want to make sure that the software has features that will help you save money and reduce labor costs.
The ability to track your farm's financials
If you're looking for a farm management software, the ability to track your farm's financials should be at the top of your list. This feature will allow you to keep track of income, expenses and inventory levels so that you can make informed decisions about how best to invest in your operations.
In addition to tracking income and expenses, it's also important for farmers who want their farms to run smoothly that they have access to tools that help them track receivables and payables as well as loans and debt at any given point in time.
The ability to create and manage budgets
Budgeting is a key part of running a farm. It helps you plan for the future, ensures that you have enough money to pay your bills, and makes sure that you can invest in new equipment or supplies for your business.
You should look for a farm management software that allows you to create budgets by month or year. It should also allow users to enter their own figures into these budgets, so they can update them as needed.
The ability to integrate with other software (like SAP)
SAP is a popular software program used by many businesses. It helps you manage your inventory, finance, sales and purchases.
If you have an existing SAP system, then your farm management software should be able to link with it so that all of your data can be pulled into one place. This will make it easier for you to see how different parts of your business are doing so that any problems can be addressed quickly and efficiently.
The ability to generate reports that show you how well you're doing (and where you need improvement)
Your FMS should have the ability to produce reports that show you how well or poorly your farm is doing. This can be done by generating a report on the number of animals, feed costs and expenses, labor hours spent on specific tasks, etc.
It’s important to be able to see how well your business is performing so that if there are areas where improvements need to be made in order for profitability or sustainability, then you can make those changes!
The ability to collect cash flow statements from your customers and vendors
It is important to collect cash flow statements from your customers and vendors. Cash flow statements are a way of tracking the amount of money that comes into and goes out of your business on a regular basis. This information can be used to help determine whether or not you have enough working capital at any given time, as well as how much money is available for hiring new employees or purchasing new equipment if needed.
You should be able to import these statements into your farm management software using an Excel file upload feature that many platforms offer, but there may also be some manual work involved depending on how often these documents are updated by vendors or clients.
The ability to create custom reports, forms and data exports based on your farm's needs
The ability to create custom reports, forms and data exports based on your farm's needs is an essential feature of any good farm management software. It's important to be able to customize the software so that it reflects your goals and objectives as a farmer.
For example:
If you need access to specific information at certain points in time (e.g., quarterly or monthly), then this should be an option within the software itself.
You may also want the ability to export certain data in formats such as Excel spreadsheets or CSV files so that it can be used elsewhere.
Final Thoughts on Top Features to Look For in a Farm Management System
There are many features to look for in a farm management software. These include data security and backup, the ability to track your crops and livestock, and a user-friendly interface that allows you to easily input data and run reports on your computer or mobile device.
Farmbrite’s farm management software offers all of these features and more. Check out their full list of services here.
When it comes to choosing the right farm management software, the most important thing to consider is what your farm business needs from an FMS.