Keith A. Wheeler ZedX Inc. - Partnering for Innovation

Keith A. Wheeler
Chairman and CEO
ZedX Inc.
How we at ZedX work?
ZedX 26 years of Innovation
Weather
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ZedX was the first company to develop high resolution, raster
weather databases that are compatible with Geographic
Information System (GIS) programs.
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ZedX has co-developed a weather forecast service called E-Weather
through a commercial venture called SkyBit, Inc.
Precision Agriculture
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ZedX developed a precision agriculture service called HighQ®
through a commercial venture called AgVenture, L.L.C.
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ZedX developed AgFleet®, an integrated interactive, web-based inseason, tactical decision support service to support sustainable
production for the agricultural community.
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Integrated mobile applications – AgServices
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ZedX created an image ordering and processing web-based
product for John Deere Agricultural Services (JDAS).
Integrated Pest Management
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ZedX developed an interactive, web-based platform (NAPPFAST) to
support United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) planners in the
allocation of resources and in the assessment of how an invasive
species impacts agricultural production.
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ZedX developed an interactive, web-based platform, the integrated
pest management (ipm) Pest Information Platform for Extension
and Education or ipmPIPE for the USDA APHIS and Risk
Management Agency (RMA), as well as the governments of Canada
and Mexico.
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ZedX is taking lessons learned to build a global BIG DATA system
for an integrated Pest Management Information Management
system (iPIPE) to be released in 2013.
Sustainable Agriculture
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ZedX has been retained to develop an interactive sustainable
agriculture web site for the Keystone Center "Field to Market" to
support strategic analysis of sustainable farming practices by
growers throughout the US.
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ZedX is now working with key stakeholders in Europe and Latin
America to create a global field print calculator to support strategic
analysis of sustainable farming practices by growers and the food
supply chain.
Agriculture Traceability
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ZedX developed a web-based mechanism for seed pedigree
tracking for the rice industry to insure GMO seed segregation for
selected markets.
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ZedX is currently developing a global crop monitoring and yield
forecast system (GRAIN) with EADS/Astrium, designed to provide
the most accurate crop commodity yield forecasts by integrating its
weather data, satellite data, and crop modeled data into a seamless
geo-referenced graphic interface with supporting analytical tools.
Irrigation
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ZedX leader in Smart Irrigation and Precision irrigation modeling
and decision support system.
R&D
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ZedX is recognized as a leading Research & Development modeling
company. A few key examples of its Research & Development
works include:
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Computer models for monitoring the environmental degradation
of non-ceramic insulators.
Gypsy Moth model for simulating the phenological development
of gypsy moth across the U.S. based on high resolution,
climatological data.
A Monarch model for simulating the arrival and coincident
development of the butterfly life stages with corn plant
phenology.
A multi-module, agricultural model which allows a user to
determine the economic advantage of planting GMO seed by
assessing the potential yield loss from a local pest, such as the
European corn borer. The grower can vary a number of
parameters such as choice of corn variety, planting date, and
market value of a crop at harvest.
A three-dimensional, aerobiological model that simulates the
potential global movement of an invasive species, such as soybean
rust, UG99, etc. into the continental U.S.
An integrated wireless in-field sensing decision support system
for apple growers to enhance tactical field operations.
An in-field customer support system that is integrated with
operational tracking software to enhance real time reliability of
customer service.
Software models to support in-field sensing of corn moisture
content for the Bio-Fuels industry.
Information Technology (IT) Paradigm
Hierarchy of Information Flow
Information Technology (IT) Paradigm
Focuses on Stakeholder Participation
1988
1993
1995
Education
2000
2003
Training
2005
2008
Management
Scope
2009
Monitoring
Modeling
2011
Government
University
Industry
News, Programs
Research
Policy
Public
Copyright © 2013 ZedX Inc.
Confidential
ipmPIPE
Modeling Products
Weather
Models
Crop &
Disease
Models
Hysplit
Model
Copyright © 2013 ZedX Inc.
Confidential
AgFleet Precision Agriculture
Monitoring/Management/Training Example
Copyright © 2013 ZedX Inc.
Confidential
Global Weather Data Input for Crop Model
32 km Daily Maximum Temperature July 26, 2009
Copyright © 2013 ZedX Inc.
Confidential
U.S. Weather Data Input for Crop Model
32 km Daily Precipitation Total July 26, 2009
Copyright © 2013 ZedX Inc.
Confidential
Global Tracking of Wheat Stem Rust (Ug99)
Modeling/Research Example
Simulation of Wheat Stem Rust Spore Transport from Middle Eastern Infection Sources
Copyright © 2013 ZedX Inc.
Confidential
Zone Maker Module
Smart Sampling tool recommends sensor/sample location
Smart Sampling
tool indicates
where to place
sensors or take
samples &
provides
navigation file
Copyright © 2013 ZedX Inc.
Confidential
Scouter Application
Step 1. Preseason. Grower bounds soybean fields & provides soil, hybrid, pest history.
Step 2. In-season. Model predicts crop stage and disease infection at an approximate 1 km resolution.
Step 3. In-season. Scout records crop stage and disease development at field level.
Step 4. In-season. Smartphone transmits crop & pest data via the Internet.
Step 5. In-season. Model uses crop & disease observations to calibrate model output to field scale.
Step 6. In-season. Interface allows expert consultant to view crop and pest data geospatially & track application decisions
versus disease infection predictions.
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Data
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Copyright © 2013 ZedX Inc.
Confidential
Pest Disease Models Via Smartphones
1. Setup
2. Historical Obs.
3. Risk Assessment
Credit: iPhone Simulator by Testiphone.com (http://www.testiphone.com/) Copyright © 2007-2010 Web design
Online Program Copyright © 2013 ZedX Inc.
GRAIN Crop Model
Comparison of 924 m Grid and County Scale Model Output
Corn Condition July 25, 2009
Copyright © 2013 ZedX Inc.
Confidential
ZedX latest idea - Ag3S
Key Elements for ZedX Product Success
Value Proposition: the product/service, its features and benefits or uniqueness
vs. competition; size of the market opportunity; and the minimum viable product
(MVP) that best illustrates the product as quickly as possible to elicit customer
feedback early
Customer Segments: who is your customer and what problem(s) does the
product solve
Channels: how will you distribute and sell your product
Customer Relationships: how will you create demand
Cost Structure: what are the fixed and variable costs required to operate your
business
Key Activities: what are the tasks your company must perform to succeed
Key Resources: who are the suppliers, commodities, or other essential elements
of the business
Key Partners: what other enterprises essential to success of the business
Revenue Streams: what are the revenue(s) and profit source(s) and size
Your Big Idea’s
Grating equipment for
easier pressing and
milling Cassava roots
into flour after drying
the pressed cassava
mash.
SMS Agronomy
Services and GIS
Mobile Applications
which smallholders
could buy as an add on
to the current soil test
service.
Portable field kit that
enables extension
workers and others to
make in-field diagnoses
of soil constraints with
Android smart phones.
Animal-drawn
farming implement
that performs farming
tasks such as ripping,
chiseling, weeding
and seeding.
Smartphones mobile
application software
Provides lead farmers
with agronomic,
postharvest and
marketing information
and seeding.
Cassava mechanization
and agro processing
technologies
Biodigester system for
smallholder farms.
Manufacture and
market a high protein
organic fish fertilizer
product made from
fish waste.
Groundnut-focused
technologies
Commodity market
exchanges for futures
markets, maximizing
price discovery,
liquidity and market
transparency.
Ideas to Innovation (Is the Market Ready?)
Great Ideas + Great Tech + Right Market + Right Plan =