Saunders Brothers: Growing a Smarter Nursery with UniFi Network

Discover how Saunders Brothers transformed their agricultural operations with robust and scalable UniFi solutions.

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Background

Founded in 1915, Saunders Brothers is an esteemed nursery and orchard operation located in Virginia. With a legacy of over a century, Saunders Brothers specializes in growing a diverse range of plants including perennials, annuals, fruit trees, woody shrubs, and is particularly renowned for their premium boxwoods, which have adorned the White House grounds since the 60’s.

Operating with 70 full-time employees and approximately 90 seasonal workers, Saunders Brothers maintains an extensive agricultural footprint, comprising a central nursery and multiple satellite orchards. The company has historically relied on manual processes for monitoring environmental conditions and managing critical systems like irrigation and ventilation.

Our processes were entirely manual. We had dedicated personnel who monitored irrigation systems, temperatures, and forecasts, making educated guesses rather than acting in real-time.

Stephen Branch, IT Specialist at Saunders Brothers

Business Requirements

Saunders Brothers faced key challenges which prompted their network upgrade:

Automation and Real-Time Control: Transition from manual oversight of critical environmental conditions to automated IoT-based control systems.
Reliable and Extensive Coverage: Ensure seamless network coverage across a vast agricultural site, supporting IoT devices critical for environmental management.
Ease of Management and Scalability: Establish a simplified, manageable network capable of future expansion without operational disruptions.

Why UniFi

Saunders Brothers selected UniFi and UISP solutions for several distinct advantages aligning with their needs:

License-Free Scalability: Eliminating recurring licensing fees allowed cost-effective deployment across an extensive area, promoting seamless scalability as operations grow.
Robust and Reliable Coverage: UniFi’s mesh networking capabilities and long-range access points provided comprehensive coverage critical for real-time IoT monitoring and automation.
Simplified Network Management: UniFi’s centralized management platform streamlined oversight, troubleshooting, and facilitated easy integration of new devices and upgrades.

UniFi made networking accessible, understandable, and significantly easier to manage. It helped transform our operations dramatically.

Stephen Branch, IT Specialist at Saunders Brothers

Deployment Highlights

Comprehensive IoT Mesh Network:

Saunders Brothers deployed a robust mesh network to support IoT-driven automation for environmental control. Over 70 UniFi Access Points, including legacy "rabbit ears" units and newer AC Pro models, ensure consistent connectivity. Fiber infrastructure across the nursery, complemented by UniFi meshing capabilities, extends coverage even further.

Our mesh network supports IoT sensors for temperature, humidity, and other critical factors, enabling automated control of ventilation and irrigation systems. This precise environmental management allows us to cultivate exceptional plants with remarkable consistency.

Stephen Branch, IT Specialist at Saunders Brothers

Centralized Network Management with Dream Machine Pro Max:

The UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max serves as Saunders Brothers’ centralized network controller and is their primary router. This device provides a unified interface to manage the entire network seamlessly, simplifying operations and enabling rapid response to issues.

Having one centralized controller like the Dream Machine Pro Max simplifies our management tremendously. It provides real-time insights and allows us to manage multiple devices effortlessly.

Stephen Branch, IT Specialist at Saunders Brothers

Transition from Legacy to UniFi Switching:

To replace aging Netgear equipment, Saunders Brothers implemented UniFi Gen 2 switches, enhancing network reliability and performance. The ongoing transition demonstrates UniFi’s flexibility and ease of incremental adoption.

Moving to UniFi switches has significantly improved reliability and visibility of clients. We’ve steadily replaced legacy gear, making our network more robust and simpler to manage.

Stephen Branch, IT Specialist at Saunders Brothers

Additional Solutions and Expansion

UniFi Protect Integration:

Saunders Brothers integrated their existing Amcrest camera infrastructure with UniFi Protect, leveraging UniFi’s open capabilities. This has enhanced their security and operational monitoring significantly. Future expansions include using UniFi’s AI Key for proactive notifications, such as detecting tractor-trailer arrivals in the shipping area.

UniFi Protect allowed us to seamlessly integrate our legacy cameras, dramatically improving our monitoring capabilities. Future AI enhancements promise even greater operational efficiency.

Stephen Branch, IT Specialist at Saunders Brothers

Exploring UniFi Talk:

Saunders Brothers is evaluating UniFi Talk as a potential replacement for their current Verizon VoIP system, driven by the simplicity, reliability, and cost-effectiveness that UniFi Talk provides.

I’ve used UniFi Talk personally, and it’s outstanding for straightforward deployments. It could significantly simplify our communications infrastructure and reduce costs.

Stephen Branch, IT Specialist at Saunders Brothers

Future with UniFi Super Link:

UniFi Super Link, Ubiquiti’s upcoming long-range IoT solution, presents significant potential for Saunders Brothers to modernize and enhance their sensor networks further, achieving even greater operational control.

Super Link excites us because of its extended range and capability to streamline our IoT applications even further. It’s the natural next step in our networking evolution.

Stephen Branch, IT Specialist at Saunders Brothers

Conclusion

UniFi solutions have successfully transformed Saunders Brothers’ network, delivering significant operational enhancements through automation, scalability, and streamlined management. The reliability and flexibility provided by UniFi have not only modernized the nursery’s operations but positioned Saunders Brothers for continued growth and technological innovation.

UniFi has made networking approachable and efficient, profoundly impacting our daily operations and long-term strategy. It’s been integral to our ongoing success and readiness for future advancements.

Stephen Branch, IT Specialist at Saunders Brothers