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Showing posts from February, 2023

AI Sends Young Workers Back to Construction

With the rise of AI (artificial intelligence), many young workers are now considering a switch from white-collar jobs to blue-collar jobs—or at least that is the most result of a new survey, suggesting Gen Zers are now rethinking where they work. Perhaps this just might be a good opportunity for the construction industry to find the humans they so desperately need to get their projects completed! Intelligent.com has conducted a survey of 1,000 respondents between ages 16 and 26 in the United States. According to the numbers, roughly 48% of respondents plan to work in the white-collar field, 32% plan to work in the blue-collar field, and 20% are still unsure. This is a stark contrast to Millennials , who revealed they spent more of their time investing in higher education than ever before. The percentage of young people who immediately enrolled in college after graduating from high school rose from 49% in 1980 to 70% in 2009. Now, Gen Z is a little bit less sure about that career pat

The State of Offsite Construction

Construction is a unique industry in that work often needs to be done on site. But does it? Just because it has always been done that way, should it continue to be done that way? There are huge opportunities that exist if we can identify how best to move to offsite construction. With offsite construction, work can be done more efficiently, in a manner that is safer for workers, and has the potential to provide more affordable housing to all. Sounds great, right? So, why then aren’t we building more projects offsite yet? Markets like the United Kingdom, Japan, and Sweden are much further ahead than the United States. So, what is the hold up? Like anything else, there are hurdles that stand in the way—but the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development , in partnership with the National Institute of Building Sciences and MOD X , are looking to address this here in the United States. Together the organizations have released the Offsite Construction for Housing: Research Roadmap , whic

BIM: Efficiency and Cost Effectiveness in the Construction Industry

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The construction industry has always been quick to adopt new technologies that can help increase efficiency and cost effectiveness. BIM (building information modeling) is one process to enter the fray, and it has the potential to revolutionize the way construction projects are planned, executed, and monitored. Here’s a look at how BIM can help improve efficiency and cost effectiveness in the construction industry. What Is BIM? BIM is a process that uses three-dimensional computer modeling to generate and manage information about a construction project. The model can be used for everything from design and construction to facilities management and maintenance. BIM allows all project team members to view and collaborate on the same model, ensuring that everyone is working from the same data set. The benefits of BIM include increased accuracy, improved communication, and reduced costs. In addition, BIM can help to optimize building performance and sustainability. As the construction i

Green Buildings Go Up—But Where?

From homes to buildings, green structures can make a big difference for our sustainable communities. They make our air cleaner, our land greener, and our homes healthier to live in. One of the key ways to track this is with the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system. First, a little bit of background about this rating system. To achieve LEED certification, a project earns points by adhering to prerequisites and credits that address carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, health, and indoor environmental quality. Projects go through a verification and review process by GBCI (Green Business Certification) and are awarded points that correspond to a level of LEED certification. The advantages are clear: healthier air quality, reduced pollution, reduced waste, and less energy use and carbon emissions. To be clear, homes and businesses can still achieve these benefits without a certification. Still, LEED i

IoT: By the Numbers

As the world becomes “smarter,” finding ways to connect data points along the IoT (Internet of Things) highway is becoming a stress point. Berg Insights has compiled a database covering the 500 largest cellular IoT deployments worldwide, including various types of projects and product categories deployed across all types of vertical markets including OEM (original-equipment manufacturer) automotive, aftermarket automotive, transport and logistics, utilities, infrastructure, buildings and security, retail, industrial, consumer electronics, healthcare, and others. The database includes project size and geographical distribution by the end of 2021 as well as a five-year forecast for each individual project. The projects included in the top-500 list together account for approximately 480 million active cellular IoT subscriptions, corresponding to as much as 22.8% of the total number of cellular IoT connections worldwide at the end of 2021. The 500 projects on the list are forecasted to g

Add a Touch of Nature to Your Walls with Floral Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper    

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Creating an accent wall without painting the walls has become more accessible thanks to sticky wallpaper. The post Add a Touch of Nature to Your Walls with Floral Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper     appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2023/02/add-touch-nature-walls-floral-peel-stick-wallpaper/ via IFTTT

Fact of the Day – 2/24/2023

Guidehouse Insights says the global market for energy as a service is estimated to grow to more than $2 billion by 2031. The post Fact of the Day – 2/24/2023 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-2-24-2023/ via IFTTT

Get Your Health Back on Track After Traveling

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Traveling can be exciting, but it can also affect your health. Follow this guide to get yourself back in shape and feel healthy after your trip. The post Get Your Health Back on Track After Traveling appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2023/02/get-health-back-track-traveling/ via IFTTT

Fact of the Day – 2/23/2023

Forrester says global tech spend will reach $4.4 trillion in 2023, despite a turbulent macroeconomic environment. The post Fact of the Day – 2/23/2023 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-2-23-2023/ via IFTTT

Fact of the Day – 2/22/2023

Juniper Research says 5G IoT connections will surpass 100 million for the first time globally by 2026. The post Fact of the Day – 2/22/2023 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-2-22-2023/ via IFTTT

Qualcomm Enables Digital Transformation with Aware Platform

Digital transformation is happening fast and furiously across sectors as more businesses realize the importance of harnessing connectivity and data to operate effectively, efficiently, and resiliently in today’s connected world. In industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics and transportation, the ability to transform operations with the help of digital and automated technologies is nothing short of game changing. Interestingly, Fortune Business Insights has even reported the global digital transformation market is projected to grow from $1.79 trillion in 2022 to $6.78 trillion by 2029, at a CAGR of 20.9% in the forecast period. Time will really tell if that’s true. A new platform from Qualcomm hopes support this market growth and accelerate digital transformation by reducing friction points for customers looking to stitch together IoT (Internet of Things) solutions in various categories. Qualcomm says too many CEOs aren’t executing on digital strategies because of res

What Do You Need for a Private Clinic: The Best Tips

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Building a private clinic can be challenging, especially in rural areas. However, you can accomplish this by taking a few essential steps. The post What Do You Need for a Private Clinic: The Best Tips appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2023/02/need-private-clinic-best-tips/ via IFTTT

Fact of the Day – 2/21/2023

IDC forecasts nearly $1 billion in future of work investments in 2023. The post Fact of the Day – 2/21/2023 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-2-21-2023/ via IFTTT

What Is Really Happening on Jobsites?

In the past year, I have had my own experiences with builders and trades, but it is always interesting to hear what is happening on other jobsites around the world—both large and small, commercial, and residential. That is why my interest was piqued when I saw a new report that digs into what is actually transpiring on construction jobsites. The report from Tel Aviv and London-based Buildots —The Numbers Behind Inefficient Construction Practices: A Data-Driven Report—uncovers the true inefficiencies that exist in the multi-trillion-dollar global construction industry. Uncovering the Data This report is unique in that the information was not gathered from what workers thought was happening on the project. Rather, the anonymized data was gathered from the platform that was in use on 64 global construction projects between 2018 and 2022. Combined, the projects equaled more than 82 years of construction time and 14 million-sq.ft. of built space. The projects ranged from multiple region

Boarding the Bentley Bandwagon

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The Bentley Systems iTwin platform keeps growing. One reason companies find the iTwin platform a good way to increase their penetration into the construction market is that Bentley provides an easy way to integrate software and products into the platform and adds its own additional benefits on a regular basis. For example, Bentley Infrastructure Cloud is a combination of enterprise systems that span the end-to-end lifecycle and value chain of infrastructure and is powered by the iTwin Platform. Infrastructure Cloud enables creation, delivery, and ongoing operation of infrastructure, through complete and evergreen digital twins. Infrastructure Cloud includes ProjectWise, for project delivery; SYNCHRO, for construction; and AssetWise, for asset operations. These enterprise systems now leverage digital-twin technologies to open up data contained in engineering files through automated and intrinsic mapping to Bentley’s infrastructure schemas. By advancing these enterprise systems to bec

Fact of the Day – 2/17/2023

Guidehouse Insights says global biofuel supply estimated to grow at a rate of 6% by 2031. The post Fact of the Day – 2/17/2023 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-2-17-2023/ via IFTTT

How to Create an Outdoor Space in Areas with High Rainfall

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Creating an outdoor space can be a great way to enjoy the beauty of nature, get some fresh air, and relax. The post How to Create an Outdoor Space in Areas with High Rainfall appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2023/02/create-outdoor-space-areas-high-rainfall/ via IFTTT

Fact of the Day – 2/16/2023

Berg Insight says 56.8 million patients worldwide are remotely monitored. The post Fact of the Day – 2/16/2023 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-2-16-2023/ via IFTTT

5G Growth Opportunities for Service Providers

With more than 200 5G networks currently in commercial service and a continuously growing 5G subscriber base, it seems 5G is on a solid growth path, despite factors that may threaten to hold it back, such as an economic slowdown. A special Business Review edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report was recently released , and it discusses topics like 5G revenue growth opportunities, the role 5G is playing in driving new opportunities and services, 5G’s role in the enterprise, and the opportunity for 5G FWA (fixed wireless access) in depth. Ericsson’s data suggests global data consumption has increased by more than 50% per year during the past five years. And the growth rate in the top 20 5G markets isn’t slowing down. In fact, it continues to match the global average, suggesting even those markets with already relatively high data consumption continue to grow at the same pace as those with relatively lower data consumption rates. Going forward, the report highlights three areas of grow

Remote Work, Real Worries

COVID-19 is still around even though many people are back to pre-pandemic behavior patterns. Companies are less likely to require or even request employees to wear masks unless they want to. Even customer-facing workers are less likely to wear a mask than wear a smile. But one aspect of the pandemic protocols is still in effect: many employees are working remotely, often from home. And that continues to present security and other problems to companies across industries. Remote workers need access to company files, digital resources, and even personal data. In return, they transmit data and files back to the company’s servers or cloud providers. This two-way traffic can be a source of concern to IT professionals and a source of revenue for criminal elements. The ability to share digital data effectively is a critical factor that also impacts the success of digital transformation in the design and construction industry. This includes both the ability to share data within different depa

Fact of the Day – 2/15/2023

Juniper Research says OTT business messages to exceed 93 billion globally in 2023. The post Fact of the Day – 2/15/2023 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-2-15-2023/ via IFTTT

The Future Home

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For decades pundits have been talking about what the “future home” might look like—some looking to the shape and design of the home; others looking at the technologies present in the smart home; and others looking at the unique construction methods used to build the home. Even media throws its predictions of what a futuristic home might be. In fact, look no further than the 1960s show the Jetson’s Skypad Apartments in Orbit City, which envisioned a Space Needle version of a home that looked like a circle pod on a long stick. Others lean into the more high-tech mansion—think Tony Stark’s cliffside home that is ripe with AI (artificial intelligence) and voice controls for lights, music, blinds, and more. The bottomline is dreamers like to dream about what a “future home” might be. Perhaps no better time to do this is right after CES and the IBS (Intl. Builders Show), where innovation is ripe. Innovative Technologies At the end of January, the NAHB (National Assn. of Home Builders)

Kill Them with Kindness?

Most of us have been taught treat others like we would like to be treated. So, it goes without saying that when we encounter others, we need to respond in the same way we want to be treated if the experience was reversed, because we just never know who that person just might be. As a builder, how important is customer service? Are we running so fast and furious with limited staff that we are forgetting that very point and good customer service, people skills, and maybe just genuine southern hospitality will lead to more referrals, recommendations, and repeat business? I am curious how builders are going to market today. Let me share my experience. A builder has been filing up my Big Red Box with his garbage, putting his trusses on my driveway to block it for three days and his contractors are parking in front of our house and on the lawn without regard that it’s our property. We have kindly asked them to stop, but it keeps happening. Simply, we can complain, take pictures and videos,

Fact of the Day – 2/14/2023

IDC says Indonesia Big Data and analytics software market grew 14.7% year-over-year in the first half of 2022. The post Fact of the Day – 2/14/2023 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-2-14-2023/ via IFTTT

Success Stories: Shades for Sustainable Homes

Sustainability is paramount in homes these days, as many homeowners want homes that are energy efficient and net zero. Energy-saving shades can help enable an off-grid, self-sufficient, resilient, and carbon-neutral home. As an example, VISION House at Mariposa Meadows has battery-powered, automated roller shades to highlight the role of motorized shades in generating energy savings and overall sustainability. The technology from PowerShades can be programmed to reduce energy costs to take advantage of the sun during colder days and keep rooms cool during the heat of the summer in residential, commercial, and hospitality applications. Here is how this can help in homes: Set custom schedules using cloud-based control. Use a remote-control device or mobile up to reduce energy consumption by up to 30%. Set up highly customized scenes integrated with other devices such as smart locks, thermostat, entertainment systems, and more. Looking to the future, we are going to see the rise o

Fact of the Day – 2/13/2023

Gartner forecasts worldwide IT spending to grow 2.4% in 2023. The post Fact of the Day – 2/13/2023 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-2-13-2023/ via IFTTT

Fact of the Day – 2/10/2023

IDC predicts by 2027 blockchain technology will enter the mainstream, touching 70% of common consumer activities. The post Fact of the Day – 2/10/2023 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-2-10-2023/ via IFTTT

Fact of the Day – 2/9/2023

S&P Analysis says in 2023 the metaverse has an opportunity to lock into the virtuous cycle of business and personal use cases feeding into one another’s development cycles. The post Fact of the Day – 2/9/2023 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-2-9-2023/ via IFTTT

Fact of the Day – 2/8/2023

Berg Insight says professionally monitored alarm systems in Europe and North America surpassed the 50 million mark in 2021. The post Fact of the Day – 2/8/2023 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-2-8-2023/ via IFTTT

Top EV Predictions Impacting Adoption in 2023

With the price of gas fluctuating dramatically in the past 12 months and the climate crisis inching toward a tipping point no one wants it to reach, the EV (electric vehicle) market has reached an important moment in time. It’s also on the verge of some huge growth. According to MarketsandMarkets , the global EV market will grow from 8,151 thousand units in 2022 to 39,208 thousand units by 2030, representing a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 21.7%. J.D. Power says EV sales in the U.S. rose by two-thirds in 2022, and research from McKinsey suggests EVs will gain a lot of ground in the luxury sector, making up 50-60% of this market by 2030. But what is in store for this year in particular? EV futurist Lars Thomsen has made five predictions for EVs and factors that will impact EV adoption. Thomsen represents Juice Americas , a producer of EV charging solutions. He anticipates EVs will continue to become more affordable as options flood the U.S. and European markets. Thomsen predi

Fact of the Day – 2/7/2023

Gartner says by 2024 60% of finance organizations will seek composable finance applications in new technology investments. The post Fact of the Day – 2/7/2023 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-2-7-2023/ via IFTTT

What Is the Cost of PMI?

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If you were surprised to see PMI as part of your payment, here’s what you need to know to calculate the cost and factor it into your budget. The post What Is the Cost of PMI? appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2023/02/what-is-the-cost-of-pmi/ via IFTTT

What’s The Roof Replacement Process When Repairing Roof Rot?

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If it’s not properly repaired, or if the underlying causes are not addressed, roof rot can reoccur and compromise your new roof. The post What’s The Roof Replacement Process When Repairing Roof Rot? appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2023/02/whats-roof-replacement-process-repairing-roof-rot/ via IFTTT

10 Tips for Creating Your First Home Office

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Having an organized and efficient workspace can make a huge difference in your productivity and overall work experience. The post 10 Tips for Creating Your First Home Office appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2023/02/10-tips-creating-first-home-office/ via IFTTT

How Vehicles Impact Business Growth Today

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Whether it's cars, trucks, buses, or vans-vehicles are essential for the success and growth of modern companies. The post How Vehicles Impact Business Growth Today appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2023/02/vehicles-impact-business-growth-today/ via IFTTT