As precision farming continues to evolve beyond the hardware, and more toward data collection and analysis, there is increased focus on protecting that information. At it's 2014 product launch event in Columbus, Ohio, on August 21-22, John Deere introduced Wireless Data Transfer, a subscription-based system that allows farmers to send data remotely from their tractor or combine cab, to their home office.

Dealers will become even more integrated with their customer base as diagnostic, prognostic and wireless data transfer technologies continue to develop.