How do you contribute to feeding the world? This is the question HTS Ag asked itself when defining its mission. The answer? By equipping farmers with cutting-edge technology to optimize their operations, improve efficiency, and ensure the sustainability of agriculture for generations to come.
HTS Ag has been at the forefront of precision agriculture for nearly 25 years—an impressive feat in an industry defined by rapid technological advancements. Based in Harlan, Iowa, and with a dedicated team of 14 professionals, it provides precision equipment that enhances farming. From advanced tractor and planter technology to grain monitoring systems that automate fan control and maintain grain quality, the company ensures that farmers can operate at peak efficiency.
But also, unlike many competitors, the business has developed mature operational systems that allow the team to focus on what they do best: supporting farmers. When a customer calls HTS Ag, they don’t just get a salesperson—they get an entire team ready to assist. Whether troubleshooting an issue or optimizing a system, they ensure farmers have the support they need to keep their operations running smoothly.
“There’s no nobler endeavor than feeding America and feeding the world. Our job is to come alongside farmers and make sure they are doing the best they can to provide for their families and future generations.”
Challenges lead to innovation
HTS Ag traces its roots to a small family farm that combined that experience and technology to develop a system to manage farm books on an early Apple computer. Seeing an opportunity, they began helping neighboring farmers set up PCs and accounting systems for their operations.
What started as a farm IT service quickly grew into a full-fledged business, eventually expanding into precision agriculture as technology evolved. But that also means that it inherited multiple disconnected systems along the way. Initially, the company used three separate platforms for CRM, quoting, and accounting—each designed for IT businesses rather than agriculture.
Over time, these fragmented systems became a major challenge. Two were server-based, while one was cloud-based, creating integration issues, frequent disruptions, and costly inefficiencies: “Managing three different platforms led to technical roadblocks, finger-pointing between vendors, and expensive maintenance. The need for a fully cloud-based solution became urgent as the company faced the decision to either invest in a new server or find a scalable, modern alternative”.
Then, Odoo shows up
Initially skeptical, the company began investigating it more seriously in June of 2024. Odoo stood out for its comprehensive cloud-based approach and user-friendly design. Since then, the feedback from the team has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly because of Odoo’s ease of use in the field. With remote access available on tablets and phones, employees no longer need to rely on a fixed location to manage their tasks.
“The fact that everything is in one system has been huge. Odoo has made the processes smoother and more reliable, and the user experience has been fantastic, especially for our field staff.”
Odoo has provided several significant benefits for this company, particularly with its comprehensive, cloud-based system that streamlines operations across different functions:
- One of the advantages is the integration of event management directly into the platform. Previously, the company had to rely on external tools like Eventbrite to manage drone training registrations and track attendees. Now, Odoo’s Events app consolidates all these tasks within the system, integrating with billing processes.
- The cloud-based nature of Odoo has made accessing critical accounting functions much easier. Employees no longer need to log into a remote server with multiple security layers; they can simply access the system from any device, regardless of their location.
- The automation capabilities have drastically improved the company’s post-sales processes. Previously, handling sales tax exempt forms was a cumbersome task requiring physical mailing and multiple follow-ups. Now, the Sign function within Odoo allows the company to automate the sending and signing of after-sales documents.
- The integration of various systems—such as inventory management, invoicing, and CRM—has also eliminated the need for constant manual data transfers between systems.
"As a result, the company has seen a reduction in the time spent on these tasks, significantly improving operational efficiency."
The future of HTS Ag
As HTS Ag looks to the future, it remains committed to innovation. With drone technology and automation on the rise, the company is exploring new ways to enhance precision farming. "Our goal is to ensure farmers are using the best possible methods to maintain efficiency and sustainability," says Olmstead. "That’s how we help feed the world."
By leveraging decades of expertise, cutting-edge technology, and a strong commitment to customer support, HTS Ag is not just selling products—it is shaping the future of agriculture. Unlock the full potential of your business with Odoo, and discover how its seamless integration, cloud-based accessibility, and automation can revolutionize your operations, drive efficiency, and fuel sustainable growth.
