Author: Peggy Smedley
More than a decade ago, we started this conversation surrounding the IoT (Internet of Things) in manufacturing. Now, with the rise of AI (artificial intelligence) and the industrial metaverse, we have new opportunities with ML (machine learning) and deep learning to sharpen our skills, reduce mundane tasks, and improve business processes once again. We are at that next stage where we can truly improve profitability, while becoming more efficient, all with the help of technology. This was reinforced on my recent trip to the Innovation Design Lab and the Houston Microsoft Technology Center, aka MTC, which helps enterprise customers tackle…
With yesterday’s Earth Day top of mind for many, I have some thoughts about how we are currently in the perfect storm. Infrastructure in the United States is continuing to fail. Couple these challenges with increased drought, not enough food and water, and severe storms. This also comes while we are struggling to find skilled labor to address many of these challenges. The time is now to rebuild a more sustainable and resilient future. But what exactly does that really mean? Simply, we have a lot of work ahead of us, but opportunities abound. The Biden-Harris Admin., aims to help…
We are officially in the middle of Distracted Driving Awareness Month—a month that began back in 2010 when Congress passed a resolution to create a special month devoted to increasing awareness of the dangers of distracted driving. Have we made any progress? Let’s look at some of the data since we all would like to talk about the significance of the numbers. And after we dive into the numbers, we will explore how technology and other methods can step up to help save some lives. The numbers paint a dire picture of the state of distracted driving in 2022. That…
For a long time, I have been saying the solution to the worker shortage will necessitate action from a variety of stakeholders—industry, academia, government, and more. In many areas, we are beginning to see action aimed at spurring students to consider careers in the trades. So today let’s look at one example from Kentucky. Senate Bill 164 The approval of Senate Bill 164 during the 2024 session of the Kentucky General Assembly offers new opportunities for construction trade students, particularly those studying the licensed trades of electric, plumbing, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning). Under Senate Bill 164, students…
Yesterday was IoT Day, and it has me thinking about the evolution of the IoT (Internet of Things)—something I chronicled in-depth on The Peggy Smedley Show yesterday. The day was first organized more than a decade ago in 2010 by the IoT Council. Much has changed since that time, with the rise of AI (artificial intelligence), ML (machine learning), and deep learning, just to name a few. And much will continue to change in the days ahead. Even before that when we first introduced the M2M (machine-to-machine) technology to push us forward to find our way forward to the IoT.…
One of the most eye-opening questions and responses from our recent Worker of Tomorrow study is what currently keeps workers in their current position. Why do workers choose to stay where they are? Naturally, the answers vary, but what tops the list paints an interesting picture of where we are headed with the future of work. In our study we break this down by overall findings and by different vertical markets such as construction and manufacturing. Looking specifically at the construction vertical market we find there are eight reasons why construction workers stay in their current position. Technology is one…
In the past 5-10 years, from a design standpoint, we are starting to see manufacturers bring in and accelerate the amount of digital content in a vehicle, which causes a convergence of the classic mechanical and materials design with software design. With this, we are seeing greater integration of automotive design more closely with manufacturing, all driven by Industry 4.0 and AI (artificial intelligence). This comes at the perfect time too because automakers are feeling the pressure to deliver cars faster than ever before. This is precisely the conversation I had recently with John Reed, global solutions leader, manufacturing &…
In 2024, we are seeing a resurgence of even more repetitive tasks being replaced by new technologies, creating a shift in the way we work. This is producing a new open work environment, giving the worker of tomorrow more flexibility over their work schedule, while also creating a safer, more collaborative jobsite for everyone. Our research report Who Is the Worker of Tomorrow reveals technology is driving the world forward in new and exciting ways. When it comes to the use of technology in the construction industry, we see Gen Z workers looking more intently at companies who are putting…
Research shows 93% of people acknowledge the future of work is facing remarkable transformation. Shifting attitudes are reshaping a more normalized work culture both for individuals and for organizations, as technology becomes adopted and plays a greater role. This is precisely what we have found in our research report Who Is the Worker of Tomorrow? Now is the time to spend some time getting to know who the worker of tomorrow is. It is time to learn about their needs and wants. By learning about who they are, businesses can craft a business strategy for a better tomorrow. The detailed…
Traditional work cultures and paradigms are shifting very rapidly. Both employers and workers recognize a transformation is underway. Roughly 65% of workers state the emergence of technology is having a profound impact on the workplace, as the paucity of workers continues to hamper industries across the globe, according to our soon-to-be-released worker survey. Today, let’s consider an example in the construction industry. Olsson Roofing Co., has specialized in the maintenance, installation, and repair of commercial and industrial roofing systems and architectural sheet metal for more than 100 years. The company works on a variety of projects such as green roofing,…