AGCOMPASS OFFERS A FREE GUIDE FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN AG AND IT

Madison, WI -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/29/2017 -- AgTech is increasingly being used to help solve complex problems in agriculture to meet the needs of our modern, high-tech food system. To keep up with these challenges, companies seek employees with backgrounds in agriculture and information technology. And, with a high demand, plenty of career opportunities exist for farm kids with an interest in technology, or computer geeks with an interest in agriculture.

The AgTech field is extensive and has huge growth potential. Using information technology, companies are trying to solve problems in the agricultural supply chain and to improve agricultural data management. Robotics and sensors are being used to optimize crop performance, effectively manage water, and to improve livestock health. Agribusiness managers use computers to track data and conduct business through word processing, spreadsheets, online applications, precision agriculture software, financial services software, and recordkeeping databases.

"AgCompass recognizes the need to spread awareness about career paths available to students with interests and backgrounds that combine information technology with agriculture," says Nick Chambers, Business Development Manager at AgCompass. "Using technology to improve access to farm data is how AgCompass started out more than 15 years ago, and the AgTech field has expanded tremendously since then."

Describing themselves as technophiles, with deep roots in agriculture, AgCompass was founded by Ken Wedig, who worked in information technology at John Deere for more than 30 years, and Ev Chambers, a farmer and consultant with a Ph.D. in Horticulture, who has worked in the ag industry for more than 50 years. To help promote the field and contribute to the industry, the team at AgCompass is offering the free guide, "Bright Future for Students Interested in Agriculture and Information Technology."

"With a description of each program and quotes from leading experts, the guide is a useful resource to learn more about the different options available and offers tips for selecting from the various fields of study," says Chambers. "The guide includes a list of universities with accredited degree programs in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, but also stresses the importance of gaining technical and practical experience through summer work or internship programs."

Many universities with programs in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering also have degree programs in Agribusiness, Computer Science, and Information Technology. Coursework in multiple degree programs can be taken as electives, or students may choose a related minor or double major, depending on each school's requirements and opportunities. Many universities, especially large land-grant institutions, offer students work study or internship programs related to their chosen fields.

To download the free guide, "Bright Future for Students Interested in Agriculture and Information Technology," go to agcompass.com/agit. There, visitors can also learn more about AgCompass, a software hosting company for agribusinesses and CPA firms. AgCompass is dedicated to helping small businesses succeed and provides a free newsletter, blog posts, and other content related to managing electronic data more efficiently.

About AgCompass
The IT staff at AgCompass share a background in agriculture and they provide unlimited, U.S.-based support to clients. The advantage of hosting your software with AgCompass is that they provide all of the software updates, conduct daily backups, and your data is stored in a world-class data center making it less vulnerable to hardware failure. AgCompass can host any windows-based software including QuickBooks, FBS, RedWing, Microsoft products, and many more. To schedule a free consultation and demonstration, call 844-4-AGCLOUD.

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AgCompass Provides Secure Accessibility to Agribusinesses & CPA Firms

Madison, WI -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/31/2017 -- Especially during tax time, a virtual desktop can make secure collaboration for sharing files, data, and scanned documents easier. With a virtual desktop and accounting software hosted by AgCompass, individuals and their tax preparers can upload and access data crucial for preparing returns from anywhere and from multiple devices.

"Security and data independence are important concerns for farmers," says Nick Chambers, Business Manager for AgCompass. "With a virtual desktop, while their data is technically in the cloud, unlike web-based applications, personal data is securely stored in their own licensed software – like how it is stored on a personal computer."

The advantage of hosting software with AgCompass is that the company provides all the software updates, conducts daily backups, and stores data in a world-class data center, preventing data loss from hardware failures. AgCompass can host any windows-based software including QuickBooks, FBS, RedWing, Microsoft products, and many more.

"We work with a variety of software companies and work with farmers and CPAs who use their products," said Chambers. "It has never been easier to collaborate with others through the software they already use."

The IT staff at AgCompass share a background in agriculture and they provide unlimited, U.S.-based support to clients. Set-up on any internet-connected device, including cell phones, tablets, and personal computers, is easy. Clients select which users they want to have access, such as business partners and tax preparers. These additional users also connect through the secure virtual desktop environment – allowing them access to the same software and the same data.

"Especially around tax time, but also year-round, the ease of support and more efficient process brings true value to our businesses," said John McNutt, a business consultant at Latta Harris, a CPA firm in Southeastern Iowa. "The Latta Harris and AgCompass relationship has been good for our clients."

Another advantage of a virtual desktop is that users can truly go paperless by scanning in documents from office scanners or smart phones. Then users just upload the documents to a folder on their virtual desktop. Paperless offices have proven to be more efficient. By scanning in receipts, invoices, and mileage logs, people no longer have to deliver a stack of papers or a shoe box full of receipts to their tax preparer.

"By uploading statements from credit cards and vendors to the shared desktop, tax preparers can securely access multiple records," said Chambers. "Users just designate a shared folder to deposit all the information needed to file their returns and then let their tax preparer know where it is located."

AgCompass is providing a free download "3 Farm Business Management Tips for Tax Time" at agcompass.com/taxtime. On that page is also an explainer video and a comparison of AgCompass to other solutions such as web-based applications, local PCs, or private internal servers.

About AgCompass
AgCompass is dedicated to helping small businesses succeed and provides a free newsletter, blog posts, and other content related to managing electronic data more efficiently. They offer a free consultation and demonstration and can be reached at 844-4-AGCLOUD.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

AgCompass Aids Collaboration on Critical Business Decisions

Madison, WI -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/14/2016 -- With commodity prices falling, already tight operating margins may become even tighter, increasing the need for farm partners to keep an eye on their operating expenses. One solution that many producers have turned to is remote hosting of their software so that all the farm partners can be on the same page when making critical business decisions. AgCompass provides reliable U.S.-based software hosting to producers and CPA firms.

"With AgCompass, farm managers and consultants can look at farm data together in real time, securely from anywhere, allowing them to make informed and timely decisions that have a positive impact on the bottom line" said Nick Chambers, AgCompass business development manager. "AgCompass has been hosting software for agribusiness and CPA firms since 2003. Our solution provides the flexibility and collaboration that improves a farm's efficiency, while producers maintain control and data independence."

AgCompass also saves farmers time, and potential stressful situations, by handling all software updates and daily data backups. The advantage of off-site back up in AgCompass' world-class data center is that a farm's data is safe from computer crashes or any other on-farm disaster. In addition, the remote access enables farm partners to keep tabs on the operation while their away.

"I don't have to worry about going on vacation," says Cheryl Walsh, who manages the finances and payroll of Cowser Field and Feedlot in Peoria, IL. "It is worth a lot knowing I can keep tabs on the company away from home."

The value of shared data is especially apparent as tax season approaches. AgCompass is used by CPA firms to help them collaborate more efficiently with their clients, to save on travel expenses, to reduce IT costs, and to focus on providing higher-value services.

"With the shared environment, clients and our staff have easier access to their financial records and our staff can easily support them to maintain robust financial statements," said John McNutt, a business consultant at Latta Harris. "With Ag Compass we help our clients reduce costs freeing up everyone to concentrate on adding value instead of moving files around."

Sharing a background in agriculture and with Midwestern values, the IT Staff at AgCompass provides one-on-one technology support. However, the only requirements for the customer are an internet connected device and a secure connection to the AgCompass cloud server. Installation is easy and there's nothing new to learn. Farms use the same software that they use now.

Dedicated to helping grow small businesses, AgCompass recently launched a new website at www.agcompass.com. AgCompass also has a subscription newsletter and a blog with monthly posts from Purdue University's Ag Economy Barometer. To schedule a free consultation and demonstration call 844-4-AGCLOUD.

About AgCompass
AgCompass provides reliable, U.S.-Based software hosting for Agribusiness and CPA Firms. Serving small to mid-sized businesses since 2003, the virtual desktop provided by AgCompass securely connects them to their software and data from anywhere, allowing them to collaborate with partners and clients, and increase the flexibility and efficiency of their operations. Plus, our U.S.-based IT consultants provide free, one-on-one support.

For more information and to watch a brief video, please visit Agcompass.com/hosting

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