Another example is Hayward® Pool Products’ Aqua Connect® remote pool management system, which was designed for pool owners who travel frequently, have vacation homes or multiple pools in various locations. This system can keep track of more than 100 pool/spa conditions, parameters, and settings and similar to ScreenLogic, it can be monitored, controlled, and acted on remotely, allowing adjustments to be made from virtually anywhere.
Aqua Connect is also among the available systems that allow pool owners to have their pool service company monitor and maintain their pool with reporting, diagnostics, and adjustments being managed via computer or any Wi-Fi-enabled smartphone or mobile device. For example, homeowners can check their pool/spa while away from home or remotely alter settings such as turning up a spa heater and lighting before they arrive home.
Zodiac Pool Systems Inc., has also introduced a new mobile app to make pool/spa operation easier for pool owners/operators. The company’s iAquaLink™ app, in combination with an AquaLink® controller, gives the ability to monitor, adjust and program pool/spa functions from anywhere using a web browser or custom smartphone/tablet. The app, which is available for Apple and Android mobile devices, features an intuitive, user-friendly interface for easy operation, making programming of variable-speed pumps, cleaners, lighting, waterfalls, temperature control, and monitoring of system status simple.
Further, multiple pools can be controlled from a single app, which is capable of being used as the only user interface, or combined with one of the company’s wall-mounted or wireless AquaLink controllers.
What does the future hold?
The Internet helps people accomplish almost everything and anything these days with very little effort. In the aquatics industry, for example, mobile technology has revolutionized pool/spa operation and water maintenance for both consumers and service professionals in many ways by increasing efficiency and reducing the need for service calls. With a variety of options available, and new technologies being developed every day, it is easy to say the industry is keeping pace with what is possibly the most significant consumer trend of the decade. Yes, even the pool industry can say, “There’s an app for that!”
Eric Schechter is president of GAME, a swimming pool and spa accessories manufacturer in Scottsdale, Ariz. He is experienced in merchandise and event marketing, and has been a leader in the pool industry for 20 years. He can be reached via e-mail at ehs@game-group.com.
