Who could have imagined that an iPhone would make cotton ginning even more efficient? A few years ago, was it possible that any ginner envisioned sitting at home with his family around the dinner table while simultaneously monitoring his gin operation?
Those possibilities are now a reality with Samuel Jackson, Inc.’s recent launch of its “Mobile Mirror” application for the Apple iPhone.
The “app” has been on the market for about a year and a half, according to Chris Jackson, company president. He says the new technology is already having a profound impact on how gins are managed.
“The purpose of the device is to monitor what’s going on inside the gin,” says Jackson. “During gin season, managers often find themselves living at the gin 24 hours a day.
“Now, we can take our families out to dinner and still see what’s happening back at the gin on our iPhone.”
Given the speed at which technology is moving today, perhaps it was inevitable that this kind of breakthrough would eventually find its way to cotton ginning.
Price Finally Came Down
Initially, like any technology, this “app” was very expensive and only compatible with the company’s Mirror 4x system. However, the technology is now priced at a lower rate and is available to small and medium-sized gins, as well as the larger ones.
At this time, it is only compatible with the iPhone.
Critical data such as production rates, shift production totals, moisture measurements and ambient weather conditions can provide specific data identical to what can be viewed at the gin’s control panel.
Given that the theme of this year’s Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association Annual Meeting and Trade Show is “High Tech In Texas,” it’s certain that this technology will be showcased on March 29-30.
“In more simple terms, it’s like the gin manager’s eyes are still at the gin even though he may have left the building,” says Jackson. “It’s just an ever present connection to the gin. You are limited only by your imagination.”
Aside from efficient monitoring of a gin’s operation, Jackson says another attractive attribute is data management using the database feature of the Mirror 4x. A gin manager can get quick answers to questions about moisture restoration, ginning rates, lint cleaners and other priorities.
“Let’s just say that, as a group moving forward, ginners are now getting information to previously unanswerable questions by using this new technology,” says Jackson.
More Convenience For Ginners
Texas ginners who have begun using the Mobile Mirror have adapted quickly and like the way the technology is delivering for them.
Larry Black, gin manager at Central Rolling Plains Co-op Gin in Roscoe, Texas, says he likes being able to look at his iPhone and monitor what is happening inside the gin.
In Black’s case, it’s all about convenience. His office is located nearly three miles from the gin, which means he is always making numerous trips back and forth. The Mobile Mirror helps him reduce that travel time.
“What I really like about this system is when I’m out in the field,” he says. “I can show a farmer how his cotton is grading out at the gin right there on my iPhone. There is nothing more effective today than observing real-time data.”
If Black wants to observe the various settings in the gin, he can connect to that information quickly.
“It’s like I’m standing in front of the control panel,” he says. “I like to call it walking around with the gin in my pocket. But that’s how it feels. It’s amazing, and it’s making us a lot more efficient.”
Contact Tommy Horton at (901) 767-4020 or thorton@onegrower.com. |
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