A collaboration between local technology innovation company PCDworks and two Tyler companies has resulted in the production of a new wireless water management system. The new product, known as H2O Flow Pro, wirelessly monitors irrigation systems to prevent water loss, potential property damage and injury, and is one of dozens of products in development over the company’s 25 years. There is one.
After more than seven years of research and development, PCDworks (Product, Concept, Development, Inc.), located in northern Anderson County, created a new system for Berry Irrigation and investor Rexhide Industries.
Bret Berry of Berry Irrigation began his partnership with PCDworks when he was looking for a system to better monitor his clients’ sprinkler systems. These retailers need to irrigate large parking lots that include patches of grass that are too far away to connect with the wires often used with standard sprinkler systems.
Not being able to monitor these systems means thousands of dollars can be lost due to overwatering or damage to outdoor structures if pipes or sprinkler heads break.
H2O Flow Pro solves this problem by sensing when an interruption occurs and cutting off the flow almost instantly. It uses a transceiver to establish a baseline of data about the normal operation of the irrigation system from mechanical flow sensors in the form of pings sent by the sensor.
If a pipe or sprinkler head is damaged, the system remotely shuts down the zone and notifies the operator by sensing an abnormal increase in water flow. Automatic fixes can save retailers thousands of dollars in water loss, structural damage to parking lots, and even injuries to retail customers.
“When something breaks, we know right away and it actually works,” Berry says. “This was a need that no one was looking to develop, and something that was really needed in the industry.”
Berry sells its completed water management systems to commercial businesses in Texas, especially outdoor shopping malls and grocery stores with large landscaped areas where irrigation cannot be controlled with a series of wires.
PCDworks led the product’s development from start to finish despite disruptions to the computer chip supply chain during the pandemic. They developed a method to produce H2O Flow Pro at scale through a process known as bridge manufacturing, including building a supply chain and developing a manufacturing process.
They use 3D printers to create parts for prototypes and tools, and are currently producing 200 H2O Flow Pro units, selling them for $1,400 each. This project is one of many led by PCDworks.
PCDworks was founded in 1998 by Mike Rainone and Donna Rainone and has worked with over 50 clients on over 150 projects. The company holds more than 30 patents for product innovations in industries ranging from healthcare and food services to transportation and renewable energy.
Donna said PCDworks’ mission is to collaborate with other companies looking for technological solutions to create new products and related businesses.
“We launch new businesses with partners who present us with problems for which there is a viable market,” Donna says. “In other words, if we look at things that aren’t currently being taken up in the market and say, ‘This is something that could go somewhere. It has a lot of legs,’ we jump in there and participate.” I did.”
Berry said H2O Flow Pro is currently limited to Texas companies because of the need for quality control, but the potential for growth is great.
“It has the ability to conserve water for long periods of time in times of global scarcity,” Berry said. “At some point, it will be applied all over the world.”
PCDworks also leads innovation through its recently formed nonprofit organization, the East Texas Technology and Innovation Coalition. The organization provides a forum to foster networking in order to “foster a more innovative environment for entrepreneurs and innovators.”
ETTIC will hold a region-wide meeting on January 31st at the Soules College of Business at the University of Texas at Tyler. PCDworks Project Manager Drew Pyle explained the purpose of the meeting.
“We want to share what AI can do for business,” Pyle said. “How can we leverage that emerging technology to increase operational efficiency and drive revenue?”
For H2O Flow Pro or PCDworks, visit H2Oflowpro.com or PCDworks.com. For more information about ETTIC, visit etic.tech or email Pyle at apyle@pcdworks.com.
