MEDIA RELEASE - WaterForce has selected Vodafone to supply its global SIM and cloud-based data management services in a deal that will clear the way for the irrigation company to scale its SCADAfarm innovation overseas.
SCADAfarm is an Internet of Things (IoT) innovation that allows farmers to control, monitor and manage their irrigation and pump systems remotely across Vodafone’s network.
By incorporating Vodafone’s global SIM, SCADAfarm becomes operationally compatible with telecommunications networks in 70 countries around the world - significantly boosting the kiwi company’s export opportunities.
WaterForce CEO Ron McFetridge said, “Efficiently managing and monitoring irrigation and other farming systems has become increasingly important for local producers and their counterparts across the world. This is particularly true of the younger generations because they expect these processes to be digitised.
“They are looking to companies like WaterForce to provide innovative IoT solutions that make it easier for them to add value to their farms, increase productivity and assuage impact on the environment,” he said.
In four years, the SCADAfarm product has evolved from an innovative irrigation system with remotely controlled pivots, to include sophisticated pump station metering and data monitoring capability.
Using the system, farmers can efficiently irrigate their land and collect useful environment data, which then informs key aspects of their farm’s entire operation.
Vodafone Enterprise Director Ken Tunnicliffe said the anticipation associated with IoT is attracting a lot of attention from agriculture companies.
“Vodafone is a global leader in the deployment of IoT networks and is well placed bring IoT product opportunities to life in partnership with forward-thinking companies like WaterForce.
“IoT applications are starting to drive remarkable supply chain efficiencies throughout the primary sector, and interest will no doubt continue to boom as environmental sustainability, traceability and compliance become more important,” Ken said.
In its partnership with Vodafone, WaterForce will shift its data management services into the cloud – boosting security and end user experience, and eliminating the need for continued investment in expensive IT infrastructure.
Ron adds, “The data we collect, process and provide back to customers must have integrity - so ensuring it flows through a secure and robust end to end framework is crucial for our business.
“We already use Vodafone’s secure network, but by moving our data management services to the cloud, we’ll make our end customers’ experience even more robust and seamless,” Ron said.
Ken said Vodafone is excited to be growing its partnership with WaterForce, “As a result of this partnership, WaterForce will be free to focus on its customers and core business, without having to worry about maintaining, or staying up to date with the latest IT.
“Our global SIM has paved the way for many companies to manage and scale their business overseas, and the same potential exists for WaterForce. We look forward to contributing to the continued success of this proud and long-standing kiwi company,” said Ken.
About WaterForce
WaterForce is a leading company in the New Zealand irrigation industry, with branches strategically placed throughout the country. The company has over 25 years of industry knowledge and technical expertise. Key to its success is the partnerships formed with local subcontractors, and national and international manufacturers. WaterForce is 100% owned and operated by New Zealanders. It is constantly innovating to remain at the leading edge of design and systems - at cost competitive prices. With 11 branches nationwide, WaterForce is well positioned to offer its customers a complete range of solutions (products and services, technical and project advice, sourcing).
