Swimming with the tide – smart IoT solutions for pool users and engineers
In the age of the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G networks, remote communication with devices as diverse as home appliances, security equipment and wearable technology is commonplace.
Whether it’s via smartphone, tablet or even watch, the expectation is now to be able to programme, monitor and manage devices on the go, allowing them to fit seamlessly into our lifestyle.
And with the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT), remote connectivity is becoming increasingly valuable to operators in the commercial and industrial sectors, revolutionizing processes in manufacturing, warehousing, transport and countless other applications by allowing operators to:
- Monitor their overall business processes
- Analyze and improve customer experience
- Save time and money
- Enhance employee productivity
- Integrate and adapt business models
- Make well-informed business decisions
- Generate more revenue
Within the leisure industry, where stringent health and safety legislation, intense competition and tight margins make the latest innovations even more valuable, remote connectivity solutions for engineers and end users are increasingly coming to the fore.
The commercial and domestic swimming pool sector is no exception and has seen a number of innovations enter the market in recent years designed to improve chemical performance, reduce direct user interaction and save time.
Among the pioneers of IoT for swimming pools is water-treatment expert SEKO, which has introduced dedicated online platforms to enable remote communication with its range of chemical dosing pump systems.
Founded in Rieti, Italy in 1976, SEKO has spent decades refining its peristaltic, solenoid and motor-driven pumps solutions for water-treatment applications as varied as wastewater, drinking water and swimming pool water treatment.
Following this period of continued growth, in 2022 SEKO is a truly global company with regional offices in 24 countries and more than 1,500 employees worldwide.
Within the leisure industry, remote connectivity solutions for engineers and end users are increasingly coming to the fore
With its vast experience in the field of water treatment, SEKO has developed a leading range of swimming pool chemical dosing systems for indoor and outdoor installations, suited to both international demands and unique local requirements.
These established pump solutions include chemical dosing systems for single or multiple pools and spas which automatically inject chlorine flocculant and other solutions into the water in order to control pH levels and maintain safe, healthy conditions for bathers.
Featuring intuitive built-in controllers, SEKO’s range of systems include dedicated solutions for installations of every size, from small domestic pools to water parks. In addition, SEKO manufactures systems specifically designed to dose essence in therapeutic applications such as spa pools and saunas.
SEKO has also developed panel-mounted systems such as Kontrol Guard Fort, an all-in-one solution that features a multi-parameter controller that activates solenoid-driven pumps using a proportional dosing method.
Other combined devices include the Pool Photometer, which includes a built-in sampler dedicated to chlorine measurement and is specifically designed for professional pools such as competition-grade installations.
As part of its comprehensive range of solutions, SEKO also manufactures a line of quiet-running Side Channel Blowers that are widely used in swimming pools and spas to discharge air into hydrotherapy applications such as Jacuzzis and whirlpools.
Now, with more than four decades’ experience in the field and a design philosophy of continuous improvement, SEKO has introduced IoT capability to its range to redefine the limits of what was previously possible in swimming pool chemical dosing.
SEKO has achieved this by including integrated Wi-Fi hubs in many of its systems, which allow users to connect to their equipment via dedicated smartphone apps and a unique online portal.
Known as SekoLink and SekoWeb, these apps are designed specifically for end users and technicians respectively and enhance SEKO’s range of disinfection systems by enabling immediate access to user-appropriate data and settings.
SekoLink
For those benefitting from the luxury of a residential swimming pool, having to manage chemical dosing and water quality can be stressful and detract from enjoyment of their facility.
SEKO’s automatic dosing systems already allow users to avoid manual chlorine dosing, typically carried out by pouring from a bucket, which leaves them exposed to harsh concentrated chemical.
SEKO has developed a leading range of swimming pool chemical dosing systems for indoor and outdoor installations
In addition, manual dosing is extremely inaccurate and inevitably causes chlorine levels to be under dosed – putting swimmers at risk of water-borne disease – or excessive, which puts them at risk of skin irritation or worse.
This has led to the development of the exclusive SekoLink app, which is available on both Android and iPhone devices and is fully compatible with SEKO swimming pool dosing systems such as PoolDose.
SekoLink enables users to start or pause their pool’s chemical dosing system at any time as well as view live pool temperature and health updates, allowing issues to be identified and actioned quickly.
SekoLink also sends a notification when chemical level is running low, giving the user time to order more product and ensure water quality is maintained.
By limiting but not removing the owner’s influence on their pool, SekoLink prevents vital parameters and programmes being tampered with by unqualified users while still allowing a degree of control – the perfect balance for those who want to spend more time swimming and less time maintaining their pool.
SekoWeb
Complementing the SekoLink app is SekoWeb, SEKO’s unique online portal for professional pool and spa management designed exclusively for technicians, who access the platform simply by scanning a product’s QR code or via their online login.
For technicians used to entering uncomfortable chambers and hot plant rooms on site in order to adjust pool parameters, SekoWeb allows them to maintain safe, healthy water conditions 24/7 from any location.
This enables engineers responsible for multiple sites to monitor and manage dosing systems without the associated travel costs and environmental impact of journeys, some of which may not be necessary should equipment be functioning normally and servicing not required.
This is especially useful for businesses such as hotel chains and leisure centre groups with sites spread nationally or even internationally, where a single technician can have immediate access to data for any installation.
By keeping on top of chemical consumption across their entire operation, managers are able to manage stock control with greater precision and budget accordingly. In addition, by analysing chemical use, engineers can identify potential system faults and schedule maintenance accordingly.
SEKO’s systems include dedicated solutions for installations of every size, from small domestic pools to water parks
As well as revolutionizing operational efficiency, the password-protected SekoWeb prevents unqualified users from altering programmes and jeopardising water quality, which could lead to a risk of infection, temporary closure and loss of income.
This is particularly important at a time when the leisure industry tries to encourage visitors to return post-COVID, with the public still anxious about the spread of viruses in shared spaces and keen for reassurance over infection control.
In an increasingly-connected world, SEKO’s smart swimming pool and spa solutions save time, reduce costs, improve safety and make life easier – for end users and engineers alike.