Hunter Introduces Modular Central Control System That Installs In Affordable Stages

Hunter Industries has introduced the IMMS™, a modular central control system that has made large-site irrigation management and monitoring more affordable for commercial and institutional facilities. With an IMMS system, landscape supervisors can closely monitor water usage and costs, while trimming labor and transportation expenses associated with large-site management.

Up to 100 different locations can be networked from a single centralized IMMS computer. Each location has the ability to handle up to 100 controllers networked into the IMMS site interface.

Among the many unique features of the IMMS is the system’s modularity. Institutional and municipal facilities can network a limited number of controllers initially, and then add to the system as their budgets permit. This flexibility is designed to help public and private entities upgrade their water management capabilities while still working within their budgets.

The IMMS system is compatible with all Hunter controllers, including the ICC, Pro-C and SRC, and is designed for operation by anyone with basic computer skills.

With a central control system like the IMMS, landscape and property managers can direct watering schedules with greater efficiency at school and college campuses, athletic centers and sports complexes, commercial parks and municipal sites, in addition to multi-unit residential communities.

Using IMMS, landscape supervisors can centrally program and oversee irrigation functions that typically would be handled by multiple controllers at individual sites, including: scheduling of days to water, run times, start times, rain delays, cycle and soak operations, no water days and more.

With the aid of weather sensing devices, the IMMS has the ability to monitor changing conditions on every zone at individual sites. The user receives real-time, up-to-the-minute status reports and can respond with the necessary irrigation adjustments. Sensor interfaces also provide feedback on alarm conditions before they become a hazard or liability, such as a "no flow" (system did not operate) or "overflow" warning (broken line or vandalism).

With IMMS monitoring, facilities will see less water waste and a more efficient use of resources. For example, fewer staff will be required for on site visits to monitor irrigation functions; irrigation can be shut down or delayed during rainy, windy or freezing weather; and potential site hazards can be corrected immediately.

As an added feature, scheduled operation of non-irrigation functions can also be programmed and monitored using the IMMS system. These include outdoor lighting systems; fountains and water features; as well as pumps and sensors.

Athletic field managers have found the IMMS a useful tool in the day-to-day management of sports facilities because it allows the user to globally manage watering days, event days and maintenance plans.

The IMMS system features a series of components, including:

• A central control computer, typically located in the irrigation manager’s office. This computer can be a standard unit and can be shared with other office functions.
• Site interface, which is located on-site at each facility and linked to the irrigation manager. These “hubs” transmit information to and from the central control and monitor the system at each site.
• Controller interface, which is used when multiple controllers are installed at one site. These units are hardwired to the controller and the site interface.
• Communications equipment, either hardwire cable or telephone modems, which connect the central controller with individual field devices.
• Irrigation controllers, including standard Hunter ICC, Pro-C and SRC controllers, and
• Sensors, such as rain, wind and freeze sensors, that report data to the central computer and permit automatic adjustments.

For more information on the IMMS, call 760-744-5240 or visit our IMMS pages.