Shawn here. I want to tell you why I’m excited about Clarify, and why we’ve decided to make it a feature element of our overall product solution package.
I’ve been in technology for more than 25 years now. I’ve seen the transition from on-premises to cloud, from cloud to containers, and from cloud to the edge, and all of it back again. Cycles and patterns are common in the technology world, but one thing remains constant; the humans involved are just looking for better ways to solve business problems with technology. One of the ways they do that is by collaborating on information. That’s often taken the form of reports and dashboards, all of which are still excellent solutions to many problems. However, when you’re working in an industry that is time-conscious, seeing that information as bar charts and pie graphs isn’t all that helpful.
I’m probably not telling you anything you don’t already know about cannabis growth cycles, but to point out the obvious, they are much more aligned with a solution that takes time into account than one that just stores and displays data in columns, like a spreadsheet. However, data structures that use rows and columns are the more common way we express and analyze data. Most data solutions are based on this approach, but not Clarify. It makes time-series data a first class citizen.
Time-series data provides a more comprehensive view of operations compared to column-based data. Column-based data only provides a snapshot of a certain point in time, while time-series data offers an ongoing analysis of operations. This allows growers to better track and monitor changes in their cultivation environment over time, leading to more informed decisions about how to optimize their systems and processes. Additionally, because time-series data is collected over a period of time, it is possible to identify trends and patterns that may not be immediately visible in column-based data. This helps growers understand the direction their operations are heading, so that they can take the necessary action to ensure their facility is running at peak efficiency.
One of the problems we run into when working with customers in the field is the uniqueness of equipment that’s been purchased over the lifetime of the cultivation facility. Unless you are in the financial position to plan out your entire cultivation process from the ground up, you probably don’t have a unified cultivation platform. AROYA is a good example of such a platform. It basically covers everything. Sensor, control systems, and software. Most of our customers have built their systems over time and pieced together what they needed to succeed on tight budgets and tight deadlines. But that lack of unity that you would normally get from a system like AROYA creates its own set of headaches. You start to run into issues of system and software interoperability.
Interoperability is a major problem for many cultivators, as it can make it difficult to integrate different systems and software together. When a cultivator has built their system over time, piecing together different components, it can be difficult to ensure compatibility and successful operation. This lack of compatibility can lead to communication issues, data errors, and other operational inefficiencies, resulting in costly delays and lost profits. Additionally, without integration, cultivators may not be able to take advantage of all the features and benefits of the components, or use the data in the most efficient way. By partnering with Clarify, Green Nanny provides cultivators with a powerful tool to help them manage and analyze data from multiple sources, regardless of interoperability issues.
The lack of a unified cultivation platform makes it difficult for cultivators to ensure that all components of their system are compliant and adhere to the same standard of operation. This can lead to data errors and operational inefficiencies, as different components may be operating differently and not be able to communicate with each other. Additionally, it can be hard for cultivators to keep track of the various systems and software in use in their facility, making it difficult to ensure that all components are up-to-date and compliant.
With a unified platform, such as AROYA, cultivators can be more confident that their components will be operating according to the same standards, which can help improve compliance and ensure their facility is running efficiently. However, with a patchwork system, it is hard to guarantee that all components are compliant and that all systems are working together properly.
How do you get that experience of one platform without necessarily starting over?
That is one of the goals of Green Nanny as a system and software integrator. We want to help facilities digitize their operations. You may have heard the term Digital Transformation and wondered if that was only for manufacturers, or perhaps it’s just another buzzword. Well, it’s not just another buzzword. But it’s often misunderstood or misused.
We define digital transformation as the process of using digital technology to create new, or modify existing, business processes, culture, and customer experiences to meet changing business and market requirements. It is the integration of digital technology into all areas of a business, resulting in fundamental changes to how businesses operate and how they deliver value to their customers. Digital transformation enables organizations to leverage data, analytics, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve existing processes and create new opportunities. By taking advantage of digital technologies, businesses can become more agile, efficient, and competitive in their respective industries.
It’s a lot. And it’s a lot more than many organizations are ready for. So we don’t approach it as a project or even a goal. To Green Nanny, digital transformation is a journey. And if you have any type of digital system as part of your facility’s operations, you’ve already begun that journey. You are part of the digital transformation movement. Where does Green Nanny fit it? We’re the difference between a chaotic, accidental transformation and a deliberate one.
A deliberate digital transformation using an iterative approach that focuses on taking the next best action looks like an ongoing process of assessing the current state of the operation, understanding the desired outcomes, and creating a roadmap for how to get there.
The roadmap should include a plan for data collection, analytics, and automation, as well as a plan for incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into the mix. Data collection should be designed to capture information that is relevant to the desired outcomes and can be used to inform decision-making. Analytics should be used to identify patterns and trends in the data, and automation should be used to streamline operations and reduce manual labor. AI can then be used to make predictions based on the data and the analytics, allowing for more informed decisions.
The iterative approach means that the process should be ongoing, with improvements being made over time as new information is collected, and new technologies become available. It also means that the focus should be on taking the next best action, rather than trying to achieve perfection in one go. By focusing on taking the next best action, organizations are able to make continual improvements while avoiding the pitfalls of trying to “boil the ocean” and achieve too much too soon.
I really like Walker Reynolds five steps to digital transformation. They’re in alignment with the way Green Nanny approaches things.
- Admit you have a problem.
- Brainstorm a solution and make it your dream.
- Get help from a systems architect.
- Work together with the systems architect to architect your dream.
- Transform the way you think.
I won’t go into detail on Walker’s thoughts, you can watch the YouTube video for more insights, but I will point out that the approach is just as much about a shift in mindset as it as an implementation of technology. Like all things in business, the technology aligns to the business, and not the other way around.
Green Nanny loves Clarify as a solution for time-series data analysis and collaboration. It’s open and extensible, making it easy to work with. It brings many data points into one common workspace, and gives teams a way to communicate about specific events. We’re excited to partner with Clarify and introduce this data platform to the cannabis cultivation world. Our solutions, combined with Clarify, will bring something unique to cultivation facilities. Green Nanny is here to help you see how Clarify can make working with time-series data from your facility easy and valuable.
This won’t be our last post on Clarify. It’s a fantastic product, and we can’t wait to show you what it can do for you and your team.
Would you like to give Clarify a spin?
