Hello, Metman. Well, farm/ranch operations around the world seems to be an area worth considering. Regarding:
<< Most farms are well within cellular reach>>
This might be but the things I hear from "the field" indicate that many are not within cellular reach and, when they are, service is spotty.
<<This is not the market one should count on for success. When tractors cost $80K and combines up to $150K or more, you won't have room in your budget for a fancy G* phone>>
I don't think anyone is counting on this segment of the market for success of the G* system. I still think it's a viable market. I've seen several presentations lately on the use of GPS by farmers and it seems that many accept use of technology as a way to be more profitable in the future; if not recognizing integration of technology as a requirement for staying in business. Good/bad. right/wrong, desireable/or not, it looks like that's the way things are headed.
Ethical and emotional issues of current commodity prices aside, farmers have little control over the price of their product and demand. But they can increase profitability by increasing operating efficiency. (Without getting sidetracked, anyone inclined to lash back that "I don't know what the farmers and ranchers of today are up against" has developed an erroneous conclusion.) If you don't think farmers and ranchers will come to G*, maybe G* can come to them with a special program that helps them get the coverage that helps them operate more efficiently.
Finally, the concept of G* for farmers/ranchers, increased operating efficiency, spotty/no coverage, etc. can be stretched out to other businesses that are different in form but similar in need. Might not an analysis by these businesses conclude that G* doesn't cost, it pays?
Additional thoughts?
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