Proactively responding to reports of GPS thefts increasing, which the company has seen first-hand with the number of customers purchasing equipment linked with insurance claims, Vantage ASC has has come up with a number of solutions that can deter theft. Replacing stolen equipment is not good business, the company says; its priority is retaining technology on farms and protecting customers assets.
To date, the following solutions are available under the security package:
1, Receiver Tracking
New as of February 2022, this service costs £252. This includes the reconfiguring of the receiver, activation and two year’s monitoring by Vantage ASC. Should a theft take place, the customer notifies the company and it accesses the equipment’s location.
How does it work:
> New receivers – the customer can add the option to their purchase, and Vantage ASC will complete the activation before the receiver leaves its premises. There is nothing more to do for two years.
> Existing receivers – the customer can ship the receiver back to Vantage ASC’s premises and it will then reconfigure and activate the receiver before shipping it back out to them for installation back on the machine. Again, nothing to do for two years.
After two years the service will be due for renewal, which will include a welfare check of the receiver. Customers will be contactwes four weeks in advance of the renewal date.
2, Smartwater Forensic Marking
Vantage ASC offers a SmartWater Forensic Marking option for displays/receivers/ECUs that costs £70.
This Smartwater solution includes:
> 100ml of unique marking fluid;
> six small circular SmartTrace stickers;
> three large rectangular SmartTrace stickers;
> assets serial number registration to SmartWater database;
> access to SmartWater investigation services/ representation for proof of ownership;
> asset serial registration on Trimble worldwide database.
How does it work:
> New equipment – if the customer chooses this option, all equipment will be marked and assets registered before before shipping or installing on farm. Surplus stickers/ fluid is also shipped to the customer for their own use.
>Existing equipment – Customers can request the kits from Vantage ASC, they just need to supply the asset types and serial numbers so they can be registered on databases. The kit is then supplied, and marking can be completed as desired.
3, Receiver Quick Release Brackets
Vantage ASC can provide brackets for Trimble receivers from £173. This allows customers to remove them from the machine without any tools. The brackets allow insertion of the receiver, which is then secured with a lock back clasp making it tool free. The lock back clasp also has a hole for padlock if required. These brackets make the installation/removal of equipment much easier, making it more likely to be done on farm.
4, Display Quick Release Brackets
RAM Mount products, that well known in the industry, can be specified for numerous locations in a vehicle and allow the simple removal of equipment from machine cabs. Pricing is dependent on fixing requirement.
How does it work:
> New equipment – Trimble equipment comes with RAM Mount fixings as standard
> Existing equipment – Customers can contact Vantage ASC with their requirements.
5, Cloud-based storage and AutoSync
Taking advantage of Trimble cloud software, Vantage ASC can provide automated data backup of display data including field A-B lines, boundaries, farm and field names, application information and task data. To do this, it equips the machine with a modem (hardware £512) and then connects it to the cloud software that costs £298/year for the whole platform and the connection. Sim cards for the modem can be supplied, or the customer can use their preferred mobile network. This service ensures personalised farm data is being backed up and is available to download onto replacement displays should the worst happen, significantly reducing downtime and retaining years of hard work.
While there are no official reductions in insurance premiums as yet, insurers are actively encouraging the options as it mitigates the risk. Vantage ASC is working with the main insurers and provides a full service from survey, configuration and quotation. This can save on administration associated with claims for both the claimant and the insurer.
