Business 101 In The World of LoRaWAN - Andy Humphrey
Manage episode 484157093 series 3656713
Andy Humphrey, founder of Harmony Analytica and host of The Sprinkler Nerd Show, talks about how LoRaWAN is transforming the irrigation industry with a data-first approach that’s as practical as it is powerful.
With over 500 sensors already in the field, Andy shares how he’s built an IoT irrigation business around the principle of creating clarity—starting with simple deployments and expanding once value is proven.
He breaks down the emerging business model of Sensor as a Service and how a well-placed soil moisture or pressure sensor can uncover hidden problems, provide an ROI, and unlock powerful insights for decision-makers.
His example of using a water meter monitoring system to diagnose a faulty pool fill setup shows just how impactful water meter monitoring can be when paired with the right tech stack.
Andy walks through his real-world strategy of “land and expand,” highlighting how starting with one smart irrigation controller or sensor often leads to broader deployments once trust is built. He also explains the value of knowing your customer deeply enough to build exactly what they need—even if they don’t know what that is yet.
We also dive into Andy’s framework of “IoT for CFOs,” exploring how data from water meter monitoring systems can finally give finance teams visibility into an often-overlooked line item. From diagnosing leaks to optimizing usage, the power of IoT irrigation isn’t theoretical—it’s actionable.
Finally, Andy shows how thinking vertically and designing for real-world use can turn a $5 soil moisture board into a $200 solution by solving the exact problem a customer faces—especially in high-value landscapes.
Links:
- Helium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!
- Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.
- Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!
- MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it.
- MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
25 episodes