KRONE

One unified operating concept for different machine types makes work easier

KRONE – a family business and leading manufacturer of fodder harvesting technology – sought to unify operations across its entire fleet. Users should be able to hop on any machine and start moving. Gofore took up this challenge and developed a uniform and consistent operating concept for numerous machine types.

THE CHALLENGE

Developing a unified user interface for different machine types

KRONE offers over 240 models for agricultural use – from forage harvesters to high-performance mower conditioners and all kinds of other transport technology. Since requirements change over time and users take on different tasks depending on the work at hand, regular updates to the operating and user interfaces of the machines are necessary.

For KRONE’s customers to operate their machines more easily and effectively than ever, the company needed a scalable, modern solution. Both the self-propelled machines and the tractor-towed implements – connected via the ISOBUS protocol – should be operable in the same way. But how does one create an operating concept that covers such different machine types, each with its own technical specifications and broad range of functions?

KRONE turned to Gofore, tasking the team with developing a unified operating philosophy for all KRONE machines.

With changing global market conditions and innovative technologies, agricultural machinery must continuously evolve and adapt to different needs. How can user interfaces be designed so that operators can quickly familiarise themselves with each type of machine?

OUR APPROACH

Assessing the current situation, finding commonalities, and examining every angle

The solution was developed based on various customer requirements as well as the needs of other stakeholders – from farmers to technicians and customer service teams. A complete picture could only be obtained through wide-ranging user research. Together with KRONE, Gofore went on site, interviewing end users and collecting in-depth knowledge about the existing machines.

To achieve the desired recognition value of a KRONE machine on the one hand and user-friendly operation on the other, the entire control system had to be rethought. This involved above all identifying and standardising the commonalities of individual components.

The practical solution ultimately lay in creating a modular system that allows new operating functions to be added quickly and easily. A design system documented which elements can be used for the control system and what the general navigation structure should look like – all the while taking account of the different requirements of each individual machine.

Consistency drives the project. We know which contacts at Gofore handle which tasks, saving us a lot of coordination effort and preventing misunderstandings.

Dr. Thorsten Schiermann, KRONE Digital, Maschinenfabrik Bernard Krone

THE RESULT

One uniform, recognisable user interface for an entire machine park

The result of the project is a consistent operating concept for all machines. Whether the operator is sitting behind the steering wheel of a tractor or a self-propelled vehicle, he or she will immediately recognise the KRONE brand and know where to find the controls. There is little need for adjustment.

This means that a customer of KRONE can switch relatively easily and comfortably from one machine to another, without having to learn new operating concepts each time. This added value also extends to downstream areas such as service, consulting, and training.

The user quickly understands how to operate various machine types, resulting in less frequent calls to the hotline or looking up user manuals. In other words: KRONE’s customers are enabled to answer usage-related questions themselves, which makes work considerably easier.

Project Highlights

CHALLENGE/OBJECTIVE

For KRONE’s customers to operate their machines more easily and effectively than ever, the company needed a scalable, modern solution. Both the self-propelled machines and the tractor-towed implements should be operable in the same way. But how does one create an operating concept that covers such different machine types, each with its own technical specifications and broad range of functions?

APPROACH

Together with KRONE, Gofore went on site, interviewing end users and collecting in-depth knowledge about the existing machines. This involved above all identifying and standardising the commonalities of individual components. The practical solution ultimately lay in creating a modular system that allows new operating functions to be added quickly and easily.

OUTCOME/RESULTS

The result of the project is a consistent operating concept for all machines. The operator behind the steering wheel of a tractor or a self-propelled vehicle will immediately recognise the KRONE brand and know where to find the controls. In other words: A customer of KRONE can switch relatively easily and comfortably from one machine to another, without having to learn new operating concepts each time. This makes work considerably easier.

Project in numbers

13 revised product categories
3 Goforeans participated in the project
4 years of cooperation

EXPERTISE

The skills and competences utilised in the project

Get in touch!

Ari Hirvonen

Intelligent Industry

ari.hirvonen@gofore.com

+358 40 5662133