Cultivating Workforce Efficiency: Agricultural Data Systems & CipherLab Modernize Field Data Collection

CipherLab is proud to partner with Agricultural Data System (ADS) , a California-based pioneer in farm labor management and food traceability. For over 40 years, ADS has engineered specialized systems to help growers all over the world transition from paper-based tracking to high-accuracy digital systems. By combining ADS’s flagship software with CipherLab’s rugged Android devices, agricultural operations can now easily collect and manage complex data for payroll, food traceability, job costing, and more. ADS has supported CipherLab scanners for nearly 20 years, beginning with early models such as the 8300 handheld series, and has sold thousands of CipherLab units to date.



The Challenge: Labor Complexity in the Field

The agricultural industry faces unique operational hurdles that demand more than standard consumer technology:
● Dynamic Pay Structures: Tracking multiple pay types, including hourly, piece-rate (by unit or weight), job- or task-based pay, and complex group bonuses.
● Immediate Onboarding: The need to hire and verify new employees in the field, including capturing photos and signatures for I-9 and W-4 forms.
● Environmental Extremes: Hardware must withstand intense sunlight, dust, rain, and the physical rigors of harvest cycles.

The Solution: Rugged Intelligence with CipherLab RS38

ADS has optimized its Datatrack system to seamlessly integrate mobile applications, leveraging the advanced capabilities of CipherLab’s RS38 Touch Mobile Computers. Engineered for high-demand environments, the RS38 features a 6-inch sunlight-readable screen and 5G/Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, ensuring real-time data sync in large-scale operations. Managers can use its fast, accurate barcode and RFID scanning for labor and traceability tracking, while the advanced camera captures new hire paperwork with precision.

Integration Benefits

Effortless Data & Labor Tracking: Use the built-in scanner to record time and attendance or piece-work activities, instantly feeding into ADS’s cloud portal for payroll.
● Item-Level Traceability:
Link every harvest container to a specific employee and field location in seconds, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and accountability.
● Field-Ready Mobility: Print temporary employee badges or harvest receipts on-the-go via Bluetooth thermal printers integrated directly with the mobile app.

The Result

By deploying ADS’s software on CipherLab’s RS38, farms can eliminate manual data entry errors, reduce payroll processing costs, and gain the real-time insights necessary to optimize their workforce and harvest success.