TECHNICAL
Smart technology
Technology and turfcare
The world of smart technology is evolving exponentially, and it is thought by 2020 that over 200 billion devices will be talking to each other and sending data on the web*. From buying a cup of coffee to controlling our thermostats, smart devices are continually putting more convenience and control at our fingertips
W
ith computer software, hybrid and all-electric equipment - and even autonomous mowers - being innovated and
launched by forward-thinking companies, technology is helping turfcare businesses to better manage resources and workers to complete tasks faster. And, as we all know, speed combined with accurate information is critical in today’s business world and, thanks to technology, business is now conducted at the speed of thought and at the click of a remote button.
Using technology and connecting certain elements of turfcare management online can help golf course professionals and groundspeople maintain the perfect playing conditions every day by providing actionable data to help optimise turf management decisions. The Toro Company has identified a virtual ecosystem of products and services such as irrigation control, fertiliser and pesticide application, turf and soil monitoring, equipment performance monitoring, and technical support that, when connected online, help reduce operating costs, enhance safety and more. The key is that these information sources not only connect to the internet to send and receive data, but will even connect with each other in the future, providing smarter, more integrated solutions that deliver increased value. The ultimate benefit is a big-picture perspective that delivers more insights about managing turf. Technology has brought us accurate and easily accessible information and data is one of the biggest things helping industries to manage resources better and complete
132 PC February/March 2020
tasks faster. The more we know, the more solutions, tactics and plans can be implemented. Turfcare professionals don’t have time to wade through data; they need to be out getting the job done. Delivering connected information on one platform brings easy access to all aspects of the turf, showing how it all comes together to enable decisions to be made that maximise the performance of the crew, the equipment and the turf instantly.
With systems on the market able to wirelessly transmit data on everything from the weather to nutrients in the soil, for the first time accurate information on all aspects of turfcare management is available to turfcare professionals from one access point.
Irrigation control
We all know that, whatever your surface - football stadium, golf course, cricket ground or rugby pitch - effective irrigation is vital to the healthiest grass and to affect the playability.
Advances in technology mean that, where once turf managers were reacting to conditions in order to care for turf, they can now formulate more specific plans based on accurate data. By being able to prepare and implement what the turf needs in advance, rather than trying to fix issues after the fact, the quality of the playing surface can be maintained to the highest standard ensuring the best playability for customers. When it comes to irrigation, accuracy is
key. Having access to information, such as how much water your turf needs, gives turf managers the ability to implement the best course of action which can result in huge
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