CONTROLLER COMPARISON CHARTS “Tis year, the past couple of years and definitely a de-


cent chunk of next year, it’s all about planning,” Merlesena says. “Stay ahead of the game as much as humanly possible when things tighten up, especially if you’re a smaller con- tractor.” Merlesena explains that it depends on the product


a contractor needs, but they should be planning projects months ahead rather than weeks. “As soon as they know (an irrigation system) is going


in, it’s better to put the order in and come check on lead times,” he says. Peters urges contractors work with their suppliers to let them know their anticipated needs well in advance of needing their smart controllers. “Te more information and advanced notice the con-


tractor can provide their distributor, the better the odds are of the distributor being able to supply the contractor with what they need, when they need it,” Peters says.


How to prepare


With an entirely new process of going about setting up projects, contractors need to learn to prepare in new ways as well. Peters says that on top of advanced communication


with distributors, contractors should anticipate allocating financial resources to stocking more inventory than they may have in prior years. “It would be wise to have smart controllers in inventory


versus not having a controller when needed and sidelining a crew because they could not finish a job,” Peters says. Matthew Hall, product manager for ResCom control-


lers and sensors at Te Toro Company, Bloomington, Min- nesota, offers the idea of installing a traditional controller that has the capability of being upgraded to a smart con- troller at a later date. “At any time, but in these times in particular, choose


components that provide maximum flexibility and options for add-ons,” Hall says. “Beyond supply chain issues, a lot can change over time. Irrigation components that enable easy retrofit, upgrades and maintenance will save time and money as landscapes mature, needs change or conditions evolve.”


Restuccia encourages contractors take advantage of this


time and focus on impactful water management. “Water management is a lot more than hanging a smart


controller on the wall,” Restuccia says. “Now is the time to do water analysis, create potential return on investment calculations, set water budget goals and focus on pressure issues and spray to drip conversions.” Love furthers this idea of diving into the steps prior to


installing a controller. He encourages contractors figure out whether all of the smart data parts are available. Consider if the system will be plugged into a virtual or physical weath- er station, is a flow sensor available, is a moisture sensor available, is a rain sensor available? Te process is a lot like baking cookies, he says. “If you just throw a bunch of flour and sugar together and expect the cookie to happen, it’s not going to work,” Love says. “You’ve got to make certain that all parts are there. It’s the same thing with setting up a controller site


irrigationandlighting.org


or a customer site. You’ve got to make sure all the parts are available and let the customer know the appropriate time constraints and time problems that might arise.” If a contractor is left without a smart controller when it’s


needed for a project, Restuccia encourages contractors find creative alternatives. Contractors should evaluate the sys- tem and take the time to improve distribution uniformity. “Te key here is to satisfy the customer’s need for water


savings,” he says. “You may have to make manual adjust- ments more often than usual. With DU improvements and a smart controller, your customer will be really satisfied.”


Talking to customers


In the midst of a flurry of unknowns, it can be difficult to let customers know specific dates or part availabilities. For many contractors, they themselves don’t even know when to expect certain items from manufacturers. Merlesena says it’s all about being aware and keeping others updated, and this awareness trickles down from the manufacturer to the distributor, from the distributor to the contractor, and from the contractor to the homeowner or customer. “Tis is one of those things that everyone is involved


in, and it’s affecting everybody to some degree,” Merlesena says. Similarly, Love urges contractors to put the custom-


er first. It’s important for a contractor to have options, so when a customer asks for a specific item type, the contrac- tor knows, for example, that product one and two aren’t available, but product three is two months out. “It’s just like going to an interview: You’ve got to get


dressed up, you’ve got to know a little bit about the position you’re interviewing for and the person you’re interviewing with,” Love says. “It’s the same thing with irrigation — you’ve got to know your customer.” At the crux of speaking to customers is making sure


they’re aware of the worldwide shortage situation, says Pe- ters. Tis, he says, will allow for a contractor to be successful in meeting budgetary and production deadlines if a cus- tomer is able to provide earlier commitment. “Managing customer expectations is more critical today


than ever before, and including the customer in the process by securing an early commitment is key,” Peters says. Te smart controller shortage isn’t expected to be solved


any time soon. Restuccia shares that it’s estimated that the shortage will continue well into 2022 and 2023. So while performing certain irrigation projects are


completely different and take longer, Restuccia reminds contractors to take advantage of the situation, take the time to find suitable replacement solutions and continue moving forward. “Tis is an unprecedented time,” Restuccia says. “It’s


time to hope for the best and plan for the worst. Remem- ber, smart controllers save water over many years. Don’t get impatient and purchase something that is not up to the job and then be disappointed with the lack of water savings. Sometimes it is OK to wait.”


McKenna Corson is the digital content editor for Irrigation & Lighting and can be reached at mckennacorson@irrigation.org.


Summer 2022 Irrigation & Lighting 39


THE MORE INFORMATION AND ADVANCED NOTICE THE CONTRACTOR CAN PROVIDE THEIR DISTRIBUTOR, THE BETTER THE ODDS ARE OF THE DISTRIBUTOR BEING ABLE TO SUPPLY THE CONTRACTOR WITH WHAT THEY NEED, WHEN THEY NEED IT.


– David Peters, Mottech Water Management


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