Author: Peggy Smedley
The evolution of technology and what comes next with AI (artificial intelligence) and the cloud. In the 1990s there was a movement away from DOS to software tools to help companies better manage their buildings, roads, homes, and industrial plants, all built on Microsoft Windows platforms. And that was important. Now we are having the same types of discussions about AI (artificial intelligence) and the cloud. View the full article here.
The residential construction software market has seen its share of M&A (merger and acquisition) activity and perhaps one of the biggest this year took place quietly just before those of us here in the U.S. celebrated the Fourth of July holiday, as ECI Software Solutions scooped up two residential home construction software business units from MiTek. Before we look at this one specific acquisition and what it means for the construction industry going forward, let’s back up for a minute and look at the residential construction market as a whole during the past two decades—because much has changed and perhaps…
Perhaps one of the best ways to improve a connected device or service would be through customer feedback. But what if customers weren’t telling the manufacturers about the issues with the devices? This is the reality for many, according to a new survey. The Memfault survey sought to understand consumer spending, use, and experiences with their connected devices such as fitness trackers, media devices, health monitors, GPS, and entertainment devices, just to name a few—not including smartphones. It surveyed 800 users aged 25-55 in the United States. Here is what it found. One of the more startling statistics is that…
Peggy shares five steps to consider to ensure you hire the right candidate for the job. She says industry is struggling to uncover the right talent mix for the job because leadership must adjust their thinking and hiring practices. She also discusses: Where you should use technology to help in the hiring process. What the worker of tomorrow is looking for from hiring professionals. How to fill the gap of the 8.5 million job openings in the United States. peggysmedleyshow.com (7/9/24 – 878) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G,…
Peggy Smedley and Laura Black talk to Craig Yu, associate professor, computer science, college of engineering and computing, George Mason, Brenda Bannan, professor, division of learning technologies, college of education and human development, George Mason University, and Liuchuan Yu, third-year computer science PHD student, George Mason University. They discuss a project they are doing that uses VR (virtual reality) simulations to study the work and collaboration patterns of people with ADHD in construction. They also discuss: Why there is a need for this today. Why target the construction industry. What value this will ultimately bring. craigyuyu.github.io/home cehd.gmu.edu/people/faculty/bbannan chuange.org (7/9/24 -…
Peggy Smedley and David Long, CEO, National Electrical Contractors Assn., talk about electrification and where NECA contractors fit in. He says NECA will be 125 years old in 2026 and the purpose is the collective good of the industry. They also discuss: Workforce development and training and the demand on electricians and electrical contractors. Project management apprenticeships and creating a talent pipeline. The development of the electrical industry workforce of the future. necanet.org (7/9/24 – 878) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of work, podcast, David…
Road project sets the path for the information and technology highway of the future. If I said “Big Dig” what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Unless you live in or near Boston, Mass., you might not know in 1992 it was the place where many were exaggerating the ideas that the information superhighway would meet the interstate highway. View the full article here.
In the last five decades, we have seen a big shift in the construction industry—one that has developed a culture around safety. Long gone are the days of dozens of men hanging off the top of the empire state building, nary a hard hat to be seen. Hard hats didn’t become mandatory on most jobsites until the 1970s. The numbers from OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health) tell an interesting story too. We see worker deaths in America are down from about 38 worker deaths a day in 1970 to only 15 a day in 2019. That is certainly progress, but…
For airports, communication is still often typically manual through phone, walkie talkies, and email. A big challenge here is there is a lack of common situational awareness and there is no single source of truth. Now, two companies’ vision for the future could completely change how the industry operates, creating greater opportunities for both airlines and passengers. According to an Amadeus report, with 150 senior aviation leaders, 67% of airlines are experiencing more or similar levels of disruption than in 2019, and a ‘lack of common technology that brings stakeholders together’ is the number one barrier preventing better management of…
Unpacking the inefficiencies and expenses that come along with technology challenges in construction. It is very common to see a variety of companies participate and engage in the creation of a diverse set of documents throughout the construction lifecycle of any residential, commercial, or even infrastructure project. Architects and engineers contribute to the initial plans, which undergo multiple revisions. View the full article here.