The Art of Allen

HVAC systems are necessary all year; they keep us warm in the cold winter months and cool in the summer. The post A No-Fuss Guide To Proper HVAC Maintenance appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2022/04/no-fuss-guide-proper-hvac-maintenance/ via IFTTT

This blog post will discuss some factors to consider when choosing a pole barn. Let's get straight to the list. The post Building A Pole Barn: Which Type Is Right For You? appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2022/04/building-pole-barn-type-right/ via IFTTT

In this post, we will discuss six innovative ways to give your bedroom a new look using furniture pieces that you may already have. The post 6 Innovative Ways To Refresh Your Bedroom With These Furniture Pieces appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2022/04/6-innovative-ways-refresh-bedroom-furniture-pieces/ via IFTTT

Smart locks allow you to have access and take control of the security of your home even when you’re not at home. The post What Homeowners Need To Know About Smart Locks appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2022/04/homeowners-need-know-smart-locks/ via IFTTT

Parks Associates says consumers report saving $49 a month on electricity on average because of smart thermostat usage.  The post Fact of the Day – 4/29/2022 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-4-29-2022-2/ via IFTTT

Construction sites are dynamic environments with unique and often hazardous working conditions that can change daily, even hourly, as well as throughout the life of a project. On the job, what you wear can make the difference between safety and serious injury. More and more, safety gear, and even common clothing articles, are becoming connected devices that can be considered safety apparel. When used on worksites, wearable devices are often connected to a wireless mesh infrastructure via an IoT (Internet of Things) network. This network is the backbone of the system and allows for integration of the physical world into the network. For example, proximity detection and alert systems, used as a wearable technology, are reliable and effective and have the potential to warn workers on the ground or operating equipment when moving hazards such as heavy construction equipment is near. According to the NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health ), wearable technologies are...

Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Have you decided what you are going to get for your mom, grandma, aunt, or sister? Consider giving that special loved one in your life a connected gift for the home or health this Mother’s Day. I had all the intention of writing a complete list, but to be very candid—after wearing and testing this health watch that Withings sent me—which has been surprisingly, very enjoyable—I wanted to share my views with you. At the end of this blog, we have put together some unique ideas for connected Mother’s Day gifts for 2022 that target making mom a little bit healthier and comfortable at home—all while protecting the planet. So, if you need some extra ideas, check it out. Price: From $279.95 For the Medically Conscious Mom Let me start by saying when I opened the ScanWatch from Withings box, imagine my surprise, when I was truly amazed at how sleek the watch really looked. At first glance, I was truly impressed. I had seen pictures; however, I genui...

Juniper Research says cross-border eCommerce to account for 38% of all eCommerce transactions globally in 2023. The post Fact of the Day – 4/28/2022 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-4-29-2022/ via IFTTT

Jobsite energy needs fluctuate from hour-to-hour and day-to-day. Daytime use is generally much greater than nighttime use when crews are not on site. Security and surveillance at night needs constant power but not much. The power tools and equipment running during the workday are often energy hogs. Short term rental of power supply equipment like generators are an answer if planned properly. United Rentals , the world’s largest equipment rental company, now offers zero-emission power systems with the introduction of POWRBANK battery systems in its rental fleet. The company’s partnership with manufacturer, POWR2 Energy Solutions , represents a significant investment in sustainable worksite solutions for United Rentals customers in North America. The POWRBANK is a portable energy storage system that integrates with diesel generators, enabling the user to significantly reduce generator run-time and reduce emissions, noise, and fuel waste. The system is comprised of high-density lithium...

In this blog post, we will discuss five different ways that you can bring more natural light into your home using smart windows. The post Smart Windows Solutions You Should Try at Home for More Natural Light appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2022/04/smart-windows-solutions-try-home-natural-light/ via IFTTT

The COVID-19 pandemic shook up the workplace in more ways than one. Perhaps most notable is the rise of the Great Resignation—although candidly I think this would have happened with or without the pandemic. The good news is there is growing consensus about what needs to be done to address this. Last September, McKinsey reported more than 19 million U.S. workers had quit their job since April 2021, and that companies are struggling to address the problem. At the time, it suggested that many companies don’t really understand why their employees are leaving in the first place. Much work has been done since that time and it seems there is an underlying reason at play. Employees want purpose. Employees want social and interpersonal connections with their colleagues and managers. They want a sense of shared identity. Yes, they want pay, benefits, and perks, but more than anything else they want to feel valued. Study after study that I have reviewed in the past few months seem to be point ...

IDC says three quarters of organizations plan to increase their edge spending in the next two years, with an average increase of 37%. The post Fact of the Day – 4/27/2022 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-4-27-2022/ via IFTTT

Inflation hits everyone but not equally. Those who depend on personal automobiles for work are complaining about the rise in gasoline prices eating away any salary benefits they may have gotten recently. Manufacturers worry about costs of parts for assembly and contractors about raw material costs. They all have reason to see inflation as a challenge. Annual inflation rate in the U.S. accelerated to 7.9% in February of 2022, the highest since January of 1982. Energy remained the biggest contributor, with gasoline prices surging 38%. Government agencies are acting, too slowly some say, to rein in the escalation and the Federal Reserve, the national bank in effect, is taking steps to increase interest rates, a reaction to the pressure to bring down inflation. Companies are also being tasked, by executives and shareholders, to act. According to Gartner , CFOs should move beyond short-term, reactive moves to counter inflation and identify opportunities to build long-term competitive adva...

When we have the appliances, it’s important to think of how to properly install and store them so that their condition is preserved properly over time. The post Responsibly Caring for Your Smart Home Appliances appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2022/04/responsibly-caring-smart-home-appliances/ via IFTTT

People are not laboratory mice. But people often are happy to experiment with new technology, new surroundings, new approaches to life in general that can be considered laboratory projects. With the backing of major corporations, such experiments can lead to the future in the present. At a site in Higashi-Fuji, Japan, in a prototype town of the future where people live, work, play, and participate in a living laboratory called Woven City, the future of transportation is being developed. It will be a smart city that allows researchers, engineers, and scientists the opportunity to freely test technology such as autonomy, mobility as a service, personal mobility, robotics, smart home connected technology, AI (artificial intelligence), and more in a real-world environment. Together with Toyota Motor Corp. , BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group is designing and developing Woven City as the world’s first urban incubator dedicated to the advancement of all aspects of mobility. The name, Woven City, is ...

Gartner says worldwide PC shipments declined 7.3% in the first quarter of 2022. The post Fact of the Day – 4/26/2022 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-4-26-2022/ via IFTTT

With a rise in inflation, global geopolitical conflict, labor shortages, and supply-chain disruptions, have we finally reached the impetus where technology is no longer optional, and companies must now accelerate investments to remain nimble in a competitive market? One analyst firm recently threw its forecast in the ring for what’s coming next with technology. Earlier this month, Gartner predicted worldwide IT spending will reach $4.4 trillion in 2022. It anticipates we will see the rise of enterprise application software, infrastructure software, and managed services in the near and long term and suggests the trend toward digital transformation is not a one- or two-year trend. Rather it is systemic and long-term. For example, IaaS (infrastructure as a service) underpins every major offering, accounting for a significant portion of the almost 10% growth in software spending in 2022. Let’s take a closer look at Gartner’s predictions for how today’s trends will impact spending on tec...

Ensuring delivery is on time for construction projects can be a difficult promise. Project planning and technology solutions can certainly help, and this is where VDC (virtual design and construction) enters the equation. While VDC certainly isn’t a new concept, have we made any strides with leveraging it in the past two decades? What are we still doing wrong? Why didn’t it work on your last project? Let’s explore in more detail now. While seeds of this idea date back to the 1970s, it really began to take root in 2002, when Dr. Martin Fischer and Dr. John Kunz of Stanford University officially used the three-letter acronym. They used VDC as a way to describe multi-disciplinary performance models of design-construction projects including the product, work processes, and organization of the design-construction-operation team. As we always say here at Constructech , VDC is not a technology in and of itself, but rather it centers on business objectives. Often, construction companies wil...

As with any property rental, you will have a set of responsibilities that you must provide for your tenants. Read on to find out more about your duties. The post What Are You Liable For as a Commercial Landlord? appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2022/04/liable-commercial-landlord/ via IFTTT

This blog post will explore five different exterior renovation ideas that can help improve the look and functionality of your home.  The post 5 Renovation Ideas for the Exterior of Your Home appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2022/04/5-renovation-ideas-exterior-home/ via IFTTT

Estimating is a risky business, especially with the supply-chain issues that are common today. But before the estimator gets to the costs and availability part of the equation, the type, quality, and quantity have to be determined. From CAD (computer-aided design) drawings to BIM (building information modeling) models, the data is there, getting it out and into a usable form is the challenge. One of the more time consuming and high-risk tasks for an estimator is the takeoff process. Technology has been used at various points to ease the operation and limit the error rate but today’s estimators have been waiting for the application of even more advanced tech—AI (artificial intelligence)—to come to the rescue. And it is coming. Beck Technology , a preconstruction data lifecycle company, and  Togal.AI , a machine-learning takeoff software, have formed a partnership, the first phase of a future integration planned between Togal.AI and Beck’s DESTINI Estimator , an integrated con...

ABI Research says hardware optimization promises up to a 70% improvement in 5G power consumption. The post Fact of the Day – 4/25/2022 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-4-25-2022/ via IFTTT

With temperatures and energy bills rising, lowering energy costs just might be the ticket to seeing green—in your pocket when it comes to saving money on your next utility bill—all while providing some energy-efficient benefits to you and the environment. As we all know , in 2021, Americans paid 25.1% and 6.5% more for gas utilities and electricity, according to data from the U.S. BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics). The good news is even small changes can make a big difference. Consider these three ways to save some “green” with your appliances this year. Wait to Wash Your Clothes If you don’t have a full load of clothes to throw in the laundry, wait. Or consider washing the clothes in cold or warm water instead. ENERGY STAR suggests almost 90% of a washing machine’s energy consumptions is spent heating the water, so it is best to wait until it is full. Some other tips are to clean the lint trap after every use and to air try clothes whenever possible. Just imagine the fresh smell y...

Berg Insight says Europe and North America reached 37.8 million active insurance telematics policies in 2021. The post Fact of the Day – 4/22/2022 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-4-22-2022/ via IFTTT

Virtual reality (VR) has been a growing trend in many areas, starting with gaming and entertainment and progressing to architecture and building. One benefit of VR is being found in the HR (human resources) departments where it can be used for training and vetting of skills in workers. States are also finding use for VR in training and recruiting workers for employers within the state as is the case in Arkansas. The AOSD (Arkansas Office of Skills Development) , a division of the Arkansas Dept. of Commerce responsible for aligning the state’s career and technical education programs with the needs of employers, in partnership with Arkansas Community Colleges has a statewide program that is harnessing the power of virtual and augmented reality for career exploration. Through a partnership with economic development platform  TRANSFR , the program reached 205 students throughout the state during its first 6 months and now has plans to serve more than 4,500 students in 2022. Hundreds ...

Juniper Research says smart building deployments will exceed 115 million globally in 2026. The post Fact of the Day – 4/21/2022 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-4-21-2022/ via IFTTT

As the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be winding down in much of the world, companies are recognizing a new threat. The war in Ukraine has potential for massive cyber attacks in retaliation for sanctions and companies are expected to be targeted along with governments and critical infrastructure. Combined with stricter compliance requirements by governments to help secure cyber assets, the market for MSS (managed security services) is growing stronger. More and more companies are falling victim to data theft, espionage, or asset sabotage. Hackers are becoming increasingly aggressive in their approach, deliberately exploiting vulnerabilities to gain access to systems. Many companies don’t have the expertise or time to raise their level of protection. This is where MSS providers can help deliver an end-to-end solution tailored to the exact threat situation. From NTT ‘s perspective, four themes will drive the MSS market in the coming months: The exceptional situation is becoming the norm....

Do you feel as though your home is looking a little worse for wear? If so, then you’ll want to get it sorted out before you even think about listing it. The post These Tips Will Help You Prepare Your Home for a Sale appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2022/04/tips-will-help-prepare-home-sale/ via IFTTT

IDC says European ICT spending is expected to shrink by 1.7% in 2022 due to the Russia-Ukraine War and other factors. The post Fact of the Day – 4/20/2022 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-4-20-2022/ via IFTTT

No, not “ET Call Home.” EV—electric vehicle—charging at home has become as common as EVs themselves. Charging stations may pop up along highways and byways but at home charging is often the most convenient. In fact, a study from  Juniper Research  found that spending on EV charging at home will exceed $16 billion globally in 2026; up from $3.4 billion in 2021. This rapid growth, more than 390% during the next five years, is being driven by the lower cost and convenience of home charging for EVs, rather than using costly and frequently inconvenient public charging networks. The research recommends that home charging vendors and automotive manufacturers form partnerships to make home-charging central to future EV transitions , given the fragmented availability and high costs of public charging networks. By 2026, over 21 million households globally will charge using a home wall box, from just 2 million in 2021. This reflects that, while public charging networks are growing r...

There is no doubt that connected devices and technologies are transforming how humans and machines work together in places like operating rooms, factories, and roadways/intersections. Increasingly, AVs (autonomous vehicles) paired with smarter infrastructure is paving the way for safer roadways, which leads to fewer transportation-related fatalities. According to Allied Market Research , the global autonomous vehicle market will reach $2,161.79 billion by 2030, up from $76.13 billion in 2020 and representing a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 40.1% between 2021 and 2030. Part of this market growth will be thanks to advancements in cellular technologies. Last week, Cisco and Verizon announced a successful POC (proof-of-concept) demo in Las Vegas that will help bring applications like robotaxis and autonomous delivery bots to more people and more places in the near future. Cisco says in the past, autonomous features have relied on roadside radios that extend vehicles’ low-latency...

With Earth Day, just a few days away, on April 22, let’s explore how different vertical markets can make a lasting impact on Earth Day and every day, specifically as it relates to ESG (environmental, social, and governance), which is becoming more critical for businesses every day. History of Earth Day First, if you have been following along with us all week, then you know we are doing a little Earth Day quiz. If you know me, then you know I love a good history lesson. So, let’s answer a few key questions about Earth Day before we look at how businesses can make a difference. When was the first Earth Day? 1970. When did Earth Day go global? 1990. How many individuals have taken action? 1 billion. How many countries are engaged today? More than 190. Why did it start? In January 1969, Senator Gaylord Nelson and many others witnessed the massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, Calif. Inspired by a student anti-war movement, he wanted to infuse that same public consciousness into air an...