Farming has come a long way from the days of pencil-ledgers and manual labor. Today’s barns are filled with precision technology, autonomous equipment, and real-time data systems that help farmers make smarter, faster decisions. But as amazing as these tools are, they come with a catch: technology doesn’t stand still.
For farmers investing in robotics, buying the equipment is only the beginning. Staying competitive—and ensuring your robots perform at their best—means staying current with the software, servers, and systems running behind the scenes. It’s not a one-time investment; it’s an ongoing journey. And at Lely Center Mid-Atlantic, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Understanding Today’s Tech Demands
Let’s talk about what your farm computer needs to keep up with Lely’s Horizon software and your robotic equipment. As of May 2025, the minimum PC requirements for smooth performance are:
- RAM: 16 GB for Windows 10 / 32 GB for Windows 11
- CPU Benchmark:
- Class A: Greater than 10,000
- Class B: Greater than 12,500 (check your CPU at cpubenchmark.net)
- Hard Drive: 500 GB SSD NVMe M.2
- Internet Speed: At least 20 Mbps download / 5 Mbps upload for Horizon connectivity
These aren’t just “nice to have” specs—they’re essential. Horizon and other modern ag software require fast, reliable performance to process real-time data, run updates, and securely store information. If your system is lagging behind, it can lead to data loss, robot communication errors, or worse—downtime.
And just like a worn-out tractor eventually needs replacement, farm computers need attention too. Older machines tend to crash more, run slower, and may not even support the latest updates, putting you behind before the day starts.
We Built Future-Proofing Into Level 3 Service Agreements
We get it: technology upgrades aren’t where most farmers want to spend their time or money. That’s exactly why we took the guesswork—and the cost spikes—out of the equation. In our Level 3 Service Agreement, we’ve included server replacement as part of the plan.
Here’s how it works:
- Servers typically last about five years before their performance and compatibility begin to decline.
- Under Level 3, we’ve spread the cost of a new server across the life of the agreement.
- Once you’ve been on Level 3 for five years, you’re eligible for a full server replacement, without the shock of a $5,000+ bill.
We didn’t stop at hardware. This agreement also includes regular software updates, system monitoring, and priority support. It’s all designed to keep your technology current, reliable, and off your worry list—because we know your time is better spent in the barn, not troubleshooting computer specs.
Focus on the Farm—We’ll Handle the Tech
Technology is constantly changing—and let’s face it, keeping up with PC specs and software compatibility isn’t what you signed up for when you got into farming. But when it comes to robotic milking systems, staying current matters.
That’s why we designed our service agreements to work in the background for you. We take care of the details, the timelines, and the planning—so your robots stay productive, and your system stays up to date.
You focus on your cows, your team, and your farm. We’ll make sure the technology behind it all keeps up with the pace of modern agriculture.
Want to learn more about our Level 3 Service Agreement or check your farm PC specs? Contact Lely Center Mid-Atlantic—we’re here to help.