AEF Launches Ag Interoperability Network to Address Data Integration Gaps

The Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF) has announced it will introduce its Agricultural Interoperability Network (AgIN) at Agritechnica 2025. AgIN is a standardized global gateway designed to connect equipment manufacturers, data hubs, Farm Management Information Systems (FMIS) and service solutions to enable brand-agnostic data sharing.

The network aims to address data integration gaps that currently exist between various proprietary agricultural software platforms. While many platforms can exchange data through individual connections, not all are interconnected, which can limit operational efficiency and data security.

“AgIN ends a common frustration: sharing data easily while using your preferred software platforms to manage ag operations,” said Norbert Schlingmann, general manager at AEF, in the press release announcing the launch. “Farmers, contractors and farm service providers worldwide will finally be empowered with data control while ensuring compliance within their own local regulations.”

Enabling Platform Choice and Interoperability

According to the AEF, a lack of interoperability can force farmers to use software platforms that may not be their preferred choice or are unsuited for their operational needs. AgIN is designed to work in the background, leveraging existing standards and data formats to facilitate data sharing between different platforms.

“The new AgIN solution leverages existing standards and data formats enabling farmers and contractors to choose and stick to their preferred software solutions by facilitating trusted sharing of agricultural data between equipment manufacturers, data hubs, FMIS solutions and service providers,” said Slawi Stesny, senior product manager at AGCO and AgIN Team Lead at AEF.

The AEF and its member companies will manage data compatibility, security and updates. The system requires no additional account, license fees or software update management from the end user. AEF conformance tests will be used to ensure compatibility and data safety. Key applications include cloud-to-cloud exchange of machine data, work orders and work records.

Stesny noted that AgIN connects software platforms and cloud solutions without affecting how farmers manage data communication between an FMIS and an in-cab ISOBUS terminal. “AgIN only connects the respective software platforms and cloud solutions in a secure, trusted and scalable way,” he said.

Development and Availability

AgIN has been in development for two years and received an AE50 award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) in 2024. The network is scheduled to become operational in 2026, with a staged release planned for March 2026 and a full production release in September 2026.