Cloud service rolls out

Farmers around New Zealand now have a much simpler way to run their business, with Farming In The Cloud by Xero.

The global online-based accounting company has a goal to substantially improve GDP globally by making small businesses more productive.

Xero formally announced their launch of the Farming In The Cloud programme at the Mystery Creek Fieldays.

Xero's rural strategy leader, Ben Richmond, says Farming In The Cloud is a programme that allows farmers and their accountants, banks and rural service companies to work together within the Apple iCloud online storage system. The programme uses real-time data and will provide one centralised home for accounting and farm management tools.

"This technology will help make local farmers' businesses run a lot more efficiently."

Ben says there are many benefits of developing a programme in the cloud - "it never stops, it is constantly being updated and is multi-access".

He adds the security developed for the programme is similar to that of online banking.

"In the past, online services have been seen as a security threat, now, however, it is one of the biggest draws."

At Fieldays, Xero also announced rural services company RD1 has joined Farming In The Cloud as a partner and, as part of this, is working with the wider Fonterra group to explore opportunities for integration.

Rollout for Farming In The Cloud began earlier this year, with Ben and his colleges travelling around the country introducing the programme to rural professionals.

"We have had great feedback from those we've spoken to."

Ben says that in the past, the biggest struggle for farmers was the ability to get real-time data and information wherever they are. "With farming in the cloud, everyone will have access to what they need on any device."

For more information, visit www.xero.com/nz/tv/video/?id=5355-farming-in-the-cloud