The ScoutDoc agricultural field scouting app now offers more power and convenience with GPS map and pin drop functions.

ScoutDoc for iPad is a user friendly and flexible field scouting app for crop consultants, field scouts and farmers. The app allows users to create or import a field map and save information collected when scouting or inspecting field crops. The new GPS update adds even more scouting power and convenience by allowing the user to automatically generate a field map using Google Maps.

Users who purchase the new in-app GPS upgrade can now create pin drops on Google Maps to mark locations within a field and indicate the weeds, disease, pest or other issues observed at that location. Users can also include photos for field observations or tag photos to pin drop locations.

After a successful launch in 2012, adding GPS capability was the logical next step. "We talked to numerous crop consultants and professional agronomists. They told us that ScoutDoc was great and allowed them to easily record field scouting results while on the go, but that being able to generate maps using Google Maps and mark specific locations within a field would make it even better," says Peter Gredig, a partner in AgNition.

Both ScoutDoc and the new ScoutDoc GPS upgrade eliminate the chore of recording field scouting information on paper and transferring it to record keeping software. "Simplicity is key. This app will work for any crop or region. You can draw a simple map right on the iPad screen using a stylus, import a field map image, or use Google Maps to generate a live GPS map," explains Gredig. Each scouting trip can be saved to the device and a PDF formatted report can be emailed right from the field, allowing farmers and crop advisors to monitor agronomic issues and treatments through the course of the growing season.

The app has defined data entry areas for crop type, field name as well as weed, disease and insect pressure. There are also customizable input areas to allow users to add comments, action plans and progress reports. Additional improvements include compressed file sizes to reduce the memory required to store files and for easier email delivery. ScoutDoc GPS is only compatible with iPad2 and newer devices.

To learn more, go to www.scoutdoc.com. To download the app, search for ScoutDoc at the iTunes App Store and select the GPS in-app upgrade.

AgNition Inc., based in Guelph, Ontario, is dedicated to producing mobile technology solutions for the agriculture and agri-food sector.