Stopping an agricultural machine during an operation could mean loss, waste, and sowing delay. For this reason, having an immediate reliable and technical support is as important as the on-board technology on the machines.
Having this in mind, Stara has created Conecta, an exclusive remote technical assistance service that allows the operator to contact a Stara after-sales technician in real time and from the machine cab directly, wherever the machine is.
By watching this content, you’ll understand what Conecta is, how it works, who is allowed to use it, which machines are compatible, and why this service is one of the greatest features of the Stara agricultural machines.
What is the Stara Conecta and what is it for?
Conecta is the Stara remote technical assistance service provided for the agricultural machine operator free of charge and in real time. The access is done directly from the machine cab, and it all starts by the QR code scanning, which is available on Topper controller, or by means of the direct contact with the factory technicians on WhatsApp.
The function is simple: delivering a fast diagnostics of the issue and ensure the constant operation of the agricultural machines in the field, without unnecessary stops.
Through the service, the factory technical team helps the operator with:
- Questions about calibration, adjustment, or system configuration;
- Detailed instructions about the situation;
- Operation difficulties using Topper;
- Practical instructions to restart the machine operation safely.
This close follow up makes Conecta much more than just a maintenance channel. As the Stara Product Support team member, Jéssica Vargas highlights:
It’s more than maintenance — Conecta is a direct channel between the operator and the factory with real-time technical support.
Conecta starts working after understanding the issue, and when required, remotely accesses the agricultural monitor. In a few minutes, the factory technician can see and interact with the system as they were inside the machine cab.
How does it actually work?
It all starts when the operator scans the QR code available on the Topper monitor, which automatically directs to a chat with the Conecta team on WhatsApp. If you have the contact saved already, it sends a message directly through the application, without the scanning the QR code.
Then, the support is carried out by a person, an expert technician. There are around 15 technicians exclusively working with Conecta.
The support works all the days of the week, from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., including weekends and holidays, and on duty technicians arranged according to the schedule table. It ensures an agile and reliable customer support, allowing the farm to be provided with remote help, regardless of the day of the week or place.
Service steps:
- First automatic triage: the system collects basic information;
- Technical support from a person: in up to five minutes, a technician starts the conversation;
- Remote access to Topper monitor: when the connection allows it;
- Immediate solution or forwarded to the dealer;
- Service rating: the customer grades the support from 0 to 10.
Who is allowed to use the Conecta service?
The Conecta service is available to all Stara customer who use:
- Topper 5500 or Topper 6500;
- Software with minimum version of 3.4.9;
- Internet connection during operations.
Conecta advantages for the farmer
When using Conecta, the farmer is provided with an agile smart and connected technical after-sales support directly from the factory. It offers numerous advantages in the operation daily basis:
It’s 100% free of charge
The support service is free of charge. The only likely charge happens if the dealers need to send a technician to the where the machine is, if some parts need to be replaced, or in person services.
Shorter stopped machine time
Simple issues that could take hours or days to be solved by an in-person service are solved in minutes.
Precise technical diagnostics
When the issue requires the dealer to come to the machine, Conecta anticipates the diagnostics and instructs it on which spare parts and tools are required — avoiding an extra job.
The service is adapted to the operator’s profile
Either through a text, voice message, video, or even through a video call, the communication is adapted to how familiar the operator is with the technology. As the Stara Product Support team member, Jéssica Vargas highlights:
We’ve had a situation in which the operator was having a hard time finding a Topper icon. We recorded a video of our monitor here in the factory and we forwarded it through WhatsApp. He managed to follow the step-by-step and go back to work.
Is Conecta some maintenance for agricultural machines?
It’s important to make it clear: Conecta doesn’t perform any physical maintenance services on the agricultural machine, such as replacement of parts or inspections. This is the Stara dealership network responsibility.
However, the service is a strategic adding to the traditional agricultural machine maintenance:
- Preventing failures by means of the preventive maintenance and the Stara Maintenance Program;
- Helping with decision making;
- Correctly directing the support on the farm, when required.
When a physical repair is needed, the Conecta support can contact one of the dealers, if necessary.
What’s the relation between connectivity and agricultural machine maintenance?
The agriculture technology is changing the maintenance services. Thanks to connectivity, it’s possible to:
- Have real-time diagnostics;
- Recording and following operating information of the machines.
Conecta has an important role of this changing. It shows how the technical assistance on the farm can be higher efficient, planned, and smart.
See also: How to adjust a fertilizer agricultural spreader | Stara
Three main usage options of Conecta in the crop field daily basis
Conecta is in the routine situations in the crop field, from simple instructions to technical requirements that demand extra attention. In all situations, the Stara team works quickly, with specialized knowledge and flexibility to adapt the communication as each operator’s profile.
In practice, it means to support the farmer in three main situations:
- Operation follow-up: helping with the information interpretation displayed on the agricultural monitor, answering questions about settings, and instruct on daily adjustments;
- Technical support: offering clear instructions so that the operator can keep operating safely, even under unexpected situations;
- Remote training and customized instruction: using resources, such as video calls, voice messages, and demo videos to ease the learning process and make sure the operator can use the technologies with confidence.
More than solving specific situations, it’s a permanent technical support in the crop field daily basis activities. In plenty of cases, the operator makes contact for precaution, seeking a technical validation before proceeding with an operation. This is what the experts stand out:
We receive all kinds of services: experienced operators who want to make sure of a fine adjustment is correct, to operators who are starting and need a close following up. We adapt the support according to each person profile.
Even when connectivity doesn’t allow the remote access to the agricultural controller, the service is carried out with the same quality standard. The factory team is prepared to instruct through a text, audio, video, or live call to be sure the operator receives the correct instruction and in the right time:
From every 30 services, we can remotely access 15 to 20 monitors. The other ones are solved with customized instruction, always aiming to keep the machine working.
This number and types of service show how important Conecta is for the Stara customers’ routine — not as an emergency channel, but as a reliable technical extension of the factory in the field.
Conclusion
Conecta is one of the Stara remarkable features. Free of charge, remote, performed by a person, and integrated to the factory, it sets the operator in the center of the support — with fast, practical, and technology solutions.
If you use a Stara agricultural machine, Conecta is your direct contact channel to whom develops the technology that moves the field.
Other questions about Conecta:
What do you need to use Conecta?
You need a Stara agricultural machine equipped with the Topper 5500 or Topper 6500 monitor connected to the Internet. Software minimum version for remote access is 3.4.9.
Does Conecta work on weekends?
Yes. The Conecta service is provided all days of the week, from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, with an on duty specialized team.
Is Conecta service provided through chatbot?
No. The service is 100% carried out by a person, the Stara technicians, with experience in the development and support of the pieces of equipment.
Do you have to pay to use Conecta?
No. Conecta is a free of charge service provided to the Stara customers by the factory. You’re only charged if the dealer needs to send a technician to your place, when necessary.
What if your machine doesn’t have Internet connection?
Even without enough connection to remotely access the agricultural controller, the service is provided normally through WhatsApp, voice message, video call, or a call. The operator keeps on receiving all the necessary support.
Does Conecta replace the dealer maintenance?
No. Conecta adds to the technical assistance by offering a remote diagnostics, detailed instructions, and direct support to the operator. If physical repairs are needed, the team forwards the service to the dealer with all technical instructions.
Did you like the hints and want to find out the agricultural machine that best suits your crop field?
Stop by a Stara dealer and find the most suitable equipment to boost your crop production. Request a quotation.
