Syngenta's online services evolving

Golf Course News, Dec 2001 by Overbeck, Andrew

GREENSBORO, N.C. - While turf and ornamental market leader Syngenta Pro, fessional Products spent 2001 working on providing the golf industry with new chemistry, it also embarked on an ambitious online initiative to provide its customers with value-added information and technology services. The Web site, www.greencastonline.com, was announced atthe GCSAA show in Dallas (GCN April 2001) and tweaked during the course of the year before formally being introduced this fall. (GCN November 2001)

The primary feature of the site is Pest Outlooks, an online insect and disease prediction service. The service was developed in partnership with Warrenton, Va. - based Pest Forecasting Group, Inc. and was field-tested throughout the year. While the Pest Outlooks service is largely seasonal, the site also features weekly Golf Notes that are available year-round.

TWEAKING THE SITE

After gauging user response from its initial launch, Syngenta is now in the process of tweaking the site, said golf market manager Joe DiPaola.

"There are a number of things that are being evaluated," he said. "The whole idea is to provide information that makes it easier to be more effective and environmentally sound. As we move along, you will see more aspects of the site become customized."

Currently, Pest Outlooks utilizes weather data from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, historical data and pest models to identify weekly climatic conditions that favor outbreaks of a variety of diseases and insects. While the information available now is regional in scope, DiPaola is working on providing more localized data.

"We are looking at the possibility of enhancing this with local data," said DiPaola. "We met with Chicago-based Interactive Pest Group that is collecting data from area courses. We are discussing how we can work together to enhance the viability of this system going forward."

Another possible add-on to the site would be the integration of Global Positioning Systems to track, record and measure the use of pest control products.

"GPS lets you know where you are, what you did and in what weather conditions," said DiPaola. "Having that be a part of your data record automatically would be highly advantageous."

MEMBERSHIP NECESSARY

Before superintendents can use the features on the site, they must first log on and agree to become a member of Syngenta's Green Partner program. Initially, the site will be available to everyone, even non-Syngenta customers. While some portion of the site will always be available for free, DiPaola said that access to some of the features would have charges attached.

"Down the road, as we start to add more aspects to the site that are more technical and expensive, access will be tiered," he said.

While there is no firm timetable on the additions to the site, DiPaola is looking forward to introducing the service to more superintendents in 2002.

"We got a lot of information back from this season," he said. "This service is not designed to tell people what to do or what not to do. It is designed as a series of tools to help them use their professional experience and other tools to make better judgements on how to manage their facilities."