laptop or notebook computer into the fi eld with little problem. Your only concern might be the battery life of your laptop. Tablets can give you more freedom when it comes to work-
ing in the fi eld, especially if you only need to do light work or station monitoring. It may not be as easy to answer long emails or work on spreadsheets, but many apps and programs exist to help you use your tablet as a valuable tool on the ranch. Tablets can make it easy to log which heifers are open,
keep track of forage inventory, or watch a video on how to recalibrate a sprayer; all while you’re sitting in the cab of your truck. And if you have a remote weather station set up on your property, you can see what the conditions are without having to step outside. Both tablets and smartphones have thousands of apps
Using the Cloud to keep track You may have also heard about “The Cloud” when it comes
to technology. The Cloud usually refers to the use of the Internet as a tool for housing information or utilizing a program that exists on a remote system, as opposed your home computer or smartphone. Instead of opening a program that runs on your computer, you log onto a website or web-based applica- tion on the Internet. Using web-based technology doesn’t use up your computer’s
limited resources and allows a user to access information from anywhere, as long as there is a connection to the Internet. This keeps your data and information secure and accessible
from any location. You can back up your home or offi ce com- puter and house information on a secured remote system that cannot be destroyed by local fl oods, fi res or computer failures. Using the Cloud is like having a virtual
safety deposit box for your information. You can run programs or watch security feeds from any device, even if you’re not on your home network or computer.
Computer, tablet or phone? Sorting through the choices for using your
wireless devices on the farm or ranch is get- ting easier. Many technologies are merging to make the user’s experience more streamlined, such as WIFI-enabled vehicles, larger phones that give the user a more tablet-like feel, and tablets that have touch screens and portable keyboards. Most tablets and phones have cellular ac-
cess built into their service plan, so your only concern would be carrier coverage in your area. Laptop and notebook computers are getting
lighter, faster and more powerful. If you are within your WLAN’s range, you can take your
tscra.org June 2015 The Cattleman 95
available to help you with a wide range of information, ac- tivities and data; most of it up-to-the-minute. Track markets, weather and news on both your phone and tablet. Some apps allow you to send information from your phone to your home computer or tablet with the touch of a fi nger or tap of a button. Don’t be afraid to search around to see what is available at your phone’s app store. As more equipment companies and software developers
focus on developing technology used exclusively for agricul- ture, more options will become available. The technology has become more affordable, reliable and useful, so it’s worth considering options for your ranch or farm use. With a little research, you will be well on your way to
making your operation a “smart” ranch and conquering the digital frontier.
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