Reliable inventory data form the foundation for managing agricultural operations economically and sustainably. A lack of transparency can quickly lead to additional costs and avoidable emissions. With WIKA’s Silo Manager, inventory monitoring becomes an integral part of modern, connected agriculture.
The challenge: Manual silo inspection and digital stand-alone solutions prevent efficient inventory management
Today, agricultural businesses face a mix of economic and structural challenges. Rising operating costs, volatile commodity prices, and an increasing shortage of skilled labor coincide with stricter environmental regulations. At the same time, remote locations and weak network coverage make it difficult to implement digital solutions that could actually help manage inventories efficiently and optimize logistics processes.
Many farms still monitor their silos manually or rely on outdated systems. These provide only unreliable or delayed information about fill levels. On top of that, a fragmented supplier landscape forces operators to use different systems for each task, from inventory management to irrigation. This results in high complexity, additional administrative effort due to numerous standalone solutions, and integration problems.
The consequences are severe:
- Lack of transparency regarding current fill levels
- High and unnecessary logistics costs due to inefficient route planning
- Unforeseen shortages that endanger animal health or disrupt operations
- Expensive urgent or repeat orders
- Difficulties in meeting emission and sustainability targets
Without a connected monitoring solution, agricultural businesses lack the data they need to operate economically, efficiently, and in compliance with regulations.
The solution: Connected and predictive silo management with WIKA
WIKA’s Silo Manager combines precise sensor technology, reliable wireless connectivity, and a cloud-based platform into an end-to-end system for digital silo monitoring. The goal is to establish a consistent data foundation for inventory tracking and refill planning.
Sensor technology:
Strain cell sensors detect even the smallest deformations and temperature changes at the silo legs. This enables precise measurement of weight and fill levels without altering the silo wall or adding additional openings.
Connectivity:
The collected measurement data are transmitted securely over long distances via LoRaWAN® gateways. This technology is specifically designed for large, rural areas where stable mobile coverage is often unavailable.
Data platform:
The cloud-based WIKA IIoT platform calculates exact fill levels in real time and makes the data available centrally—even on the go via an app. Feeding and refilling processes can thus be monitored from anywhere.
Functions:
Automatic alerts and recommendations for action provide timely information about low fill levels and offer advice on optimal reordering. Data can be analyzed directly in Power BI to identify trends, create dashboards, and manage operations based on reliable insights.
Integration and installation:
The solution is designed as a plug-and-play system. It can be installed without roof access, wiring, or modifications to the existing infrastructure. Existing systems can be integrated via standardized interfaces such as REST, MQTT, or HTTPS.
The result: Transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in silo management
By combining robust sensor technology, secure data transmission, and intelligent analytics, WIKA provides a seamless and reliable data foundation for inventory management and refill planning. This gives farms a clear overview of their silo stocks and enables data-driven logistical decisions:
Maximale Transparenz für sichere Planung
Fill levels and consumption data are continuously recorded. This enables precise refill planning and prevents shortages of feed or grain.
Optimizing logistics and exploiting potential savings
Deliveries can be planned proactively. Emergency and empty runs are avoided, fuel consumption decreases, and logistics costs are significantly reduced.
Acting sustainably and documenting clearly
Optimized routes reduce CO₂ emissions. At the same time, the system supports compliance with environmental regulations and enables automated documentation for quality and sustainability reporting.
Flexible scaling – for any size of operation
The solution grows modularly with operational needs. Whether managing ten or a thousand silos, the system can be rolled out step by step and adapted to existing processes.
The result is modern, data-driven farm management with clear advantages in efficiency, environmental performance, and competitiveness.
More than silos: A platform for the entire operation
The Silo Manager is part of WIKA’s scalable IIoT approach. The same platform can be used to monitor additional facilities and media, such as tank storage, milk coolers, or biogas plants. Existing sensors and systems can be integrated, including user roles and permissions for cross-site teams. The result is a central data hub for the entire operation, providing end-to-end transparency, unified documentation, and optimized resource planning.
