IT Solution from Gorman Controls designed to help farmers prevent storage losses
A company using information technology to improve agricultural storage has been chosen for support from the Rural Broadband Fund, says Innovation and Advanced Learning Minister Allan Campbell.
Gorman Controls has redeveloped their flagship product, the Micro Vent Vision (MVV) Storage Monitor, to advance the agriculture community on Prince Edward Island and beyond. The new features of this system will provide storage managers with increased flexibility in the monitoring and control of their climate system. If farmers can quickly identify any storage issues, they have the ability to act on this information and potentially save a substantial portion and maintain the quality of their produce.
“I want to congratulate Gorman Controls for their on-going efforts to service the Agriculture community of Prince Edward Island, Atlantic Canada and abroad,” said Mr. Campbell. “Gorman Controls is a true example of a local company who has benefitted from our ability to give Islanders across Prince Edward Island access to high speed internet.”
After over a year of development work, the Micro Vent Vision (MVV) Monitor has been released to the agriculture market. With these advancements, farmers can now monitor the storage conditions of their warehouses from any device with an internet connection. Additional security functions will also be added, including e-mail alerts and text messages sent to the owner if conditions within their facilities deteriorate beyond specified limits.
“This project truly demonstrates the success of bridging new and innovative technology and our rural broadband initiative,” said Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development Minister Neil LeClair.
Through support from the Rural Broadband Fund, Gorman Controls was able to support the development of this advanced product without sacrificing customer service or product offerings. The increased functionality of the system also includes a new LCD touch-screen display for each facility, web-based interface and faster processing speeds.
“The assistance from the Rural Broadband Fund will help us grow our business and expand our market,” says Jim Gorman, President of Gorman Controls. “Our new product will be the most advanced and user-friendly device available on the market today.”
The Province and Bell Aliant are pleased to announce that they have partnered to issue a third call for applications to the Rural Broadband Fund. This program supports projects demonstrating innovation in the information technology sector and focusing on rural economic development through the utilization of the Island wide broadband network.
“Bell Aliant is pleased to support IT projects across the Province,” says Bruce Howatt, Vice President, PEI. “We are pleased to continue our assistance to businesses on PEI who are pursuing projects in, or lead to, the continued success of our rural economy.”
For more information on the Rural Broadband Fund, please visit the Innovation PEI www.innovationpei.ca or the Island Prosperity website www.islandprosperity.ca.
BACKGROUNDER
Gorman Controls Ltd. has been supplying environmental controls for agricultural storage facilities since 1983 and has become a specialist in the development, manufacturing, installation, and servicing of agricultural storage systems. In an evolving marketplace where consumers are demanding advanced IT product solutions, Gorman Controls undertook the advancement of their flagship product, the Micro Vent Vision Storage Monitor.
Gorman Controls Ltd. strives to be at the forefront of agricultural storage, renewable energy and water solutions, is committed to providing quality products and service, is proud to be serving the Agri-food industry and looks forward to continuing this service in the years to come.
The Rural Broadband Fund (RBF) is a strategic partnership between Bell Aliant and the Province of Prince Edward Island. This fund represents a commitment made by the Province and Aliant to increase investment in information technology projects in rural areas of Prince Edward Island. Projects supported under this program must demonstrate innovation in the information technology sector and focus on rural economic development through the utilization of the Island-wide broadband network.
The RBF will provide a grant of up to $50,000 for one year projects or $100,000 towards projects extending through two years. These contributions will aid the successful applicants with eligible expenses outlined within the project proposal. Applications will be evaluated by a review committee based on the project’s level of innovation, commercialization strategy, job creation, market potential, use of the broadband network, qualifications of the proponent and identified partners, and the ability to meet budgetary requirements.