The Pool Pro’s Guide to Introducing Automation to Customers
Pool automation has moved from “nice-to-have” to an expectation shaped by everything homeowners experience in their daily lives. Thermostats that learn. Doorbells that notify. Lighting that schedules itself.
For today’s pool owner, convenience is the baseline and peace of mind is the payoff. The pool professional who can confidently connect automation to those outcomes earns more than the sale. They earn loyalty, referrals, and long-term service relationships.
Most homeowners are not asking for “automation” by name. They are asking for pool care to be easier, more reliable, and something they can control from their phone.
Here’s a simple framework to help guide that conversation and turn automation into an easy yes.
1. Lead the Conversation
A recent Fluidra study* of pool owners revealed an important gap. Pool owners agreed that the biggest barrier to moving towards a more automated system is lack of awareness. In other words, many homeowners simply do not know what is available or what automation can do for them.
The same study showed the majority of pool owners have a strong interest in improving energy and water efficiency, along with a desire for better monitoring and control of chlorination. These are everyday concerns for pool owners, and they align directly with what automation delivers.
The interest is there, but the average pool owner doesn’t know how to express it. They look to you to bridge the gap between what they want their pool to do and the technology that makes it possible. Automation doesn’t diminish the value of the pool pro, it reinforces it. By proactively talking with your customers, you’re positioning yourself as a trusted guide who brings clarity and confidence to an increasingly sophisticated pool environment.
2. Focus on What the Pool Owner Really Wants
When those of us in the industry talk about automation, we naturally go straight to speaking about products. LED lighting. Smart heaters. Cordless cleaners. Variable-speed pumps.
Homeowners are thinking something different: Will this make my backyard more inviting? Will this lower my energy bills? Starting with equipment details can slow the conversation down. Starting with a real-life use case moves it forward.
For example: “If you want the spa hot when you pull into the driveway, we can do that.”
Simple scenarios like this help homeowners immediately see the value. They can picture how the pool fits into their daily routine, which makes the decision feel more practical and less technical.
When you shift the conversation to outcomes like convenience, peace of mind, consistent performance, and efficiency, automation becomes much easier to understand and justify.
3. Pitch a Connected Pool Experience
Homeowners are not buying a controller. They are buying a pool that’s easy to live with.
Whether you’re looking to add automation with TCX™ or upgrade an existing system to AquaLink® RS, we have offerings you can recommend with confidence.
Automation is what brings the system together, connecting pumps, heaters, lights, sanitization, and water features into one experience. How that system is built matters.
Using an integrated platform like a Jandy® automation system with iAquaLink® connectivity helps simplify both installation and long-term service. When equipment is designed to work together, it’s easier to install, easier to manage, and easier to troubleshoot.
It also helps avoid the complications that can come with mixing third-party components. Instead of chasing compatibility issues, you’ve got a system designed to work together. That consistency benefits both you and your customers.
When it comes to automation, the future is brightest with Jandy. We believe a truly automated pool isn’t just convenient—it’s always ready when you are. It should go beyond scheduling from your phone to creating a system intelligent enough to adjust proactively to your needs. The result is a pool that runs seamlessly, anticipates your preferences, and delivers experiences you haven’t even imagined yet. We have some major announcements coming soon, and you’ll definitely want to stay tuned.
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4. Make It Easy to Say Yes
A clear path helps move the decision forward.
A good, better, best approach gives homeowners options without overcomplicating the conversation. Some may start with a smart heater, while others are ready for a fully automated backyard. Either way, you’re guiding them toward a connected solution that enhances their experience. The key is helping them choose the right brand from the start, so when they’re ready to dive deeper into automation, everything works together in a connected, cohesive way.
Automation also delivers ongoing value after the install. Being able to check settings remotely, confirm schedules, and help troubleshoot without a site visit can save time and help you deliver an even more seamless experience to customers. That efficiency matters, especially as service routes get tighter.
Why Jandy® Is the Go-To Partner for Automation
As automation becomes more essential to delivering a top-tier customer experience, your equipment partner matters more than ever.
It starts with product quality and innovation—but it doesn’t end there. We are committed to supporting you well beyond the sale. We have rewards programs to fit every pool pro, offering benefits like valuable discounts on training, priority tech support, extended limited warranties for customers, and rewards on the products you already buy.
Most importantly, when it comes to automation, we are leading the way. What’s ahead will unlock new possibilities for both you and your customers beyond what you thought possible.
With upcoming product launches, you’ll see new hardware and software emerge that together will unlock your most powerful tools yet. This starts with trackr iO™, Flu
idra’s new pool service management software. The platform is not only designed to help you run a more efficient business, but address issues before the customers notice through connection to the equipment and more.
With our next generation product line, trackr iO will transform into your operations hub for managing what is happening across every single client site from one place, without you needing to be there. If a pool experiences an issue, you will receive an alert and can have a replacement part dispatched before the customer even knows there is a problem.
This is the game-changing technology we have been developing. It puts you in the driver’s seat to deliver five-star customer experiences, while saving time and scaling your business.
Helping You Turn Conversations Into Sales
Pool owners may not use the word “automation,” but they are asking for it every day. They want something easy, hands-off, reliable, and controllable from their phone.
By focusing on what matters to them, leading with real-life usage, and offering a clear path forward, you can make automation a natural part of the conversation.
And with the right system and partner in place, you can deliver an experience that works for both the homeowner and your business long after the installation is complete.
*Fluidra Ipsos Report 2022