You probably know about 鈥淔ind My Friend鈥 on your phone. But did you know Simplot uses technology that鈥檚 akin to 鈥淔ind My Fertilizer鈥? Through innovative tank monitor technology, the Company鈥檚 AgriBusiness division and Simplot Grower Solutions (SGS) have transformed how crop nutrients are tracked, stored and managed from Rayville, Louisiana to California鈥檚 Central Valley and all points in between.
What Exactly is a Tank Monitor?
The tank monitors used by SGS on remote and smaller stationary tanks are 4鈥 x 4鈥 solar-powered monitors about the size of a drink coaster. These remote sensors attach to liquid fertilizer tanks, sending real-time data to SGS employees and growers about product levels and tank locations. By minimizing the need for manual checks, this small but mighty technology reduces time on the road, cutting emissions and allowing staff to work more safely and efficiently. They also provide employees with another touch point with customers and allow them to better anticipate grower needs.
鈥淭hey were easy to install, they were accurate and they were affordable,鈥 said Simplot Grower Solutions Head of Agronomy and Digital Sales Enablement Jeremy Singer. He pointed out that unlike older models the Company piloted a few years ago, these new-era monitors can be more widely deployed.
The monitors are sonar-based and intended for use with remote or on-site plastic tanks up to 30 feet tall. Mobile tanks, typically located at grower sites, range from 1,000 to 6,000 gallons. SGS also manages and monitors its own mobile tanks, as well as about 300 massive stationary tanks鈥攚hich hold anywhere from 20,000 to over a million gallons. These huge tanks are outfitted with a different type of tank monitor due to their size.
A Smart Start
SGS first piloted tank monitors in 2022 in partnership with a California-based startup. The test included 200 units each in Texas, Colorado and California, with an additional 100 in use by Simplot鈥檚 Water Logic team in California. We also placed a small number in the Columbia Plateau region for comparison.
The pilot鈥檚 success led to widespread implementation, including in new SGS facilities where automated tank farms come standard with monitor systems. Today, thousands of monitors are deployed from SGS locations across the U.S., including an estimated 5,000+ on mobile field tanks.
Making a Measurable Impact
The benefits of tank monitors go far beyond convenience. According to Simplot鈥檚 SmartFarm team, the technology supports sales, operations and sustainability goals all at once.
鈥淵ou know, it鈥檚 like, why send someone out to drive an hour each way just to find out that the tank doesn鈥檛 need to be filled?鈥 said Singer. 鈥淲ith monitors, we鈥檙e driving with purpose.鈥
This visibility helps build customer relationships and prevent missed sales opportunities, too, according to Singer. 鈥淚t's like, 鈥楬ey, we noticed that your tank is half empty. Do you want to fill it up? And by the way, do you want to buy anything else from us?鈥欌
Tank monitors have created other new opportunities. SGS sells the service to large growers with their own tanks, helping boost the grower鈥檚 efficiency.
A Field Perspective
Hector Tiscareno, Water Logics Team Lead for SGS in Fresno, oversees customer irrigation system efficiency across Southern California. For him, the sensors are essential to staying ahead of demand.
鈥淭he tank monitors have been a lifesaver 鈥 they have helped me out tremendously,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hey provide advance knowledge that allows both SGS and the customer to plan.鈥
As an example, Tiscareno presented a potential scenario where a 2,000-gallon tank at a grower鈥檚 site drops to 500 gallons. Having that insight via the tank monitoring system would allow him to reorder in time to avoid service disruption.
鈥淚t helps us maintain a steady supply, so the grower doesn鈥檛 run dry, and untreated water doesn鈥檛 get applied,鈥 he said.
The monitors also improve collaboration. Growers have access to the data, too, enabling real-time decision-making and stronger relationships.
鈥淐ustomers are seeing that we provide premier service,鈥 Tiscareno added, noting that builds trust in other areas of the business. 鈥淭hey say, 鈥楬ey, if Simplot is able to provide us this service for sulfuric acid, we can rely on them to provide other customer service.鈥欌
Technology With a Purpose
The SGS tank monitoring system includes a color-coded status report delivered daily鈥攇reen for sufficient levels, yellow as a warning and red when the tank is below threshold. This allows both Simplot operations and sales teams to prioritize refills and use their resources more efficiently.
Sensors also help track mobile tanks through GPS, ensuring that valuable equipment doesn鈥檛 go missing when it鈥檚 on the move from location to location.
鈥淲e can track where the equipment is and monitor the levels,鈥 Tiscareno said. 鈥淭hat visibility has been key.鈥
Growing Forward
What began as a modest pilot is now an SGS-wide initiative supporting operational efficiency, safety and Simplot鈥檚 sustainability efforts. From safer fieldwork to smarter inventory management and enhanced customer service, the tank monitor technology is proving to be a game-changer.
鈥淚n the absence of these sensors, we鈥檇 have to call the grower and hope they answer鈥攐r send someone to check the tank,鈥 said Singer. 鈥淚nstead, we get reliable, actionable data remotely every morning.鈥
And that鈥檚 a good thing for Simplot, our customers, and Company sustainability and safety.
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