Author: Peggy Smedley
Spring is here. As construction work picks up, it’s easy to forget about good cyber hygiene practices. With geopolitical conflicts and everything happening in the world today, it is more important than ever to pay attention to cybersecurity and best practices. And turning on the news or reading an article it seems breaches are coming faster than ever before. In 2021, there was a whopping 50% increase in overall attacks per week on corporate networks compared to 2020. Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2021 alone, there was an all-time peak in weekly cyber-attacks per organization, counting more than 900…
Did you know our homes use 37% more energy today than they did in 1980? Those numbers come directly from the U.S. Dept. of Energy. The solution to bring the rapid surge in energy down just might come in the form of technology. By incorporating technologies that help make homes more efficient, ENERGY STAR estimates homeowners can save between $200 and $400 annually on their energy bills—something many homeowners need today as energy costs continue to skyrocket upwards. Today, let’s look at three tech tips to consume less energy in our homes—some of these you might know about and some…
Peggy explains challenges and solutions to new ways of working in the era of hybrid business. She says changes with the workforce were well underway even before the pandemic made remote work common practice. She also discusses: A new report that identifies how to make hybrid work work. Why employees are now rethinking their “worth it” equation. How companies will need to meet employees where they are. peggysmedleyshow.com (3/29/22 – 764) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of work, podcast This episode is available on all…
Peggy and Dawn James, director, global IoT industry strategy – energy & environmental science, Microsoft, talk about energy, environmental, digital transformation, and everything in between. She says we are seeing a transition from coal and a race toward net zero. They also discuss: Her background in digital transformation and energy. How data insights can transform industries today. How to reduce waste while infusing renewable energy into industry. microsoft.com/sustainability (3/29/22 – 764) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of work, podcast, Dawn James, Microsoft This episode is…
Peggy and Vinnie Quinn, cofounder and director, Evercam, talk about cameras on the construction jobsite. He says camera hardware and communications were getting much better, but the applications of camera software hadn’t really come a long way. They also discuss: What led to the development of the company. Construction case studies in Ireland and the United States. How Evercam is being used in the Living Lab. evercam.com (3/29/22 – 764) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of work, podcast, Vinnie Quinn, Evercam This episode is available…
The supply chain is fragile—this is something the world has been talking about for the past two years and those of us in the industry have been talking about longer than that. Now, the conflict with Ukraine and Russia could have a greater impact on global agricultural markets. The Russian Federation and Ukraine are among some of the most important producers of agricultural commodities in the world, playing a leading role in global markets of wheat, maize, rapeseed, sunflower seeds, sunflower oil, and fertilizers. This could expose markets to increased vulnerabilities, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the…
Do consumer intentions for sustainable lifestyles align with the actions they are taking? Peggy answers, citing a new report that measures these metrics. She says 33% have strong intentions to live sustainably and another 63% have moderate intentions. She also discusses: The nine most impactful sustainable behaviors that brands and consumers can take together. The most common approaches taken by consumers today. The most challenging behaviors to adopt today—and why. peggysmedleyshow.com (3/22/22 – 763) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of work, podcast This episode is…
Peggy and Patrick Gall, head of channel development, Orro, shares about the company and what it provides. He says it provides a smart living system, comprised of intelligent lighting, which doubles as a way to control other smart home connected devices. He explains how human-centric lighting can take artificial lighting and sync to circadian rhythm. They also discuss: The interoperability of devices in the home and how Orro acts as a connected tissue. How this technology makes a better living environment and improves energy efficiency. How technology can help us live as healthy as possible at home—and how light fits…
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and amid global geopolitical conflict, supply-chain disruptions are impacting nearly every industry—and construction is no exception. The result for contractors is higher material prices—think 20% higher year-over-year—and supply delays, just to name a few, but technology can help in more ways than one. On the commercial side of the business, the AGC (Associated General Contractors of America) says prices of construction materials used in new nonresidential construction jumped more than 21% from February 2021 to February 2022 and noted price announcements made after the February data was collected suggest contractors are experiencing even…
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). This matches the rise in prices in other areas of our lives—gas, food, rent, medical care, you name it. Interestingly, the only other major component index to decline in the past year was airline fares. So, what’s the solution to rising home utility prices? Lowering our bills by lowering our energy consumption. The good news is as homeowners we can save on our home-energy bills by making home-energy upgrades. In fact, in a report released at…