How can SFI help you?

What is it?

Networking refers to all the systems and components that allow computers to connect and interact with each other. Or to put it more simply, networking is what makes the internet work. Routers, WiFi, switches, bridges, phones, and modems - all part of networking.

How does it help?

All the remote accessible monitoring and record keeping systems are useless without internet to reach them. That’s where networking comes in. Want WiFi in your barn? Want cameras in all your high tunnels or remote field? Done. We handle all the technical stuff, you just say what you want and where. Better still, everything we install is securely manageable from anywhere, allowing us to troubleshoot and fix issues quickly if they come up.

What sets SFI apart from other farm tech installers and companies is our commitment to support. That’s why we assist you however we can through our farm support plans or hourly at $60/hr.

We may not have the magic cure for all technical troubles, but we want you to have a knowledgeable, helpful and reliable person to be able to reach out to when technology just isn’t working the way you want it to.

Since all of our systems are remotely managed, we can assist you from anywhere and avoid costly service fees. Our plans follow the types of systems we install, so even if you just have a WiFi system, there’s a plan size made just for you!

Details, Explanations & Terms

Q: What are remote configuration requests?

A: Anything we can setup for you remotely, such as changing a sensor name, adding an alert, changing an alert threshold, changing a WiFi name or password, adding motion recording for a specific camera, adding another user to a sensor or camera system and hundreds of other small things that can save you time and frustration.

Q: What is the difference between regular and priority support?

A: We do our best to handle all support requests as soon as they come in, but our team is small and we travel a lot. If we are on an install job, traveling or working on the farm, those under priority support plans will get quicker response (if we have cell or internet of course). Furthermore, if we get too many support requests at once, those with priority support will be taken care of first.

Q: Are these support plans for businesses that aren’t farms?

A: In general, yes. However, if you are a business that needs more advanced support for multiple users including remote desktop support, server & network administration, backup services and other enterprise services, we will gladly give you a custom quote. If you aren’t sure, reach out!

Q: How do I know what plan to choose?

A: Our plans are simply based on the types of systems you have purchased from us (or if you have existing systems in the same category). If we have just helped you with a sensor or camera system, then you just need the Basic plan for example. If you have both WiFi and a camera system then you would need the Pro plan. The plans are designed to give an option for everyone, whether you are farming on just a few acres and simple needs or a large 100+ acre farm with more systems and tech. You can also just choose one system to cover and have the others be on hourly support if you wish!

Q: What are the costs if I don’t have a plan?

A: We bill on a case by case basis at $60/hr. If it’s a quick email, it will just be $5 or $10 for us to help you out. If you are inquiring about something sales related, we won’t bill for things like that! We may bill for:

• questions about products we don’t sell or recommend that require research (which we are happy to do for you!)

• remote configuration requests (like “can you change tunnel 2 sensor to alert us at 32 degrees”)

• helping choose any system we don’t sell (like laptops, greenhouse controllers, or that new smart toaster you’ve been eyeing. And yes, we can help you pick out a smart toaster.)

• helping configure any system or service (we can help with all sorts of things like websites, social media and iPhones)

We will ALWAYS let you know an estimate of the support costs before we proceed. In some cases we may require down-payment or the full amount up front.

Q: Is there anything the support plans DON’T cover?

A: There’s a lot of tech out there, so we can’t guarantee we can help with everything. For those cases, we try to give advice on how you can get help. Also, having a support plan does not wave our setup fees for new systems, either on site or shipped. We DO guarantee you can always ask us anything and we will be up front about prices and if we can’t help.

Q: Do you have any service fees I should know about?

A: Just a couple general ones:

• On-site service fee: $25 for within 60 minutes, beyond that mileage is added and possibly an increased fee depending on location

• On-site support is $60-$75/hr with a $30 minimum

• Off-site system setup fees: $60+ Depending on size (applies to sensors, networking and camera systems)

  • Ex: Sensor system - $60

  • Ex: Small WiFi system + Sensor System - $180

  • NOTE: The above are estimates and for example only. Every order is custom, for most sensor systems we charge $60 to $120.

  • For sensor systems keep in mind the fee covers initial testing, configuration and training once you receive the sensors!

• Shipping & Handling: Based on order size

Q: Do you accept credit cards?

A: Usually, depends on the size of the order. We don’t charge extra fees when we do, and we will not change that policy. We currently accept credit cards for all hourly and tech plan support, sensor systems and most orders under $1500. For other work, we kindly request checks, ACH or cash.

Q: Is there anything else I should know?

A: Probably a lot, but we’d like you to know we love helping farms and solving unique challenges. So PLEASE reach out if you have an idea for something and want to know if it will work.

*requires you to have had an equal or higher support plan for at least 6 months or pre-paid for 6 months of future support.