Author: Peggy Smedley
We have been talking about the evolution of jobs in industries like construction, manufacturing, and logistics. Now, I had an up-close opportunity to see how it is unfolding right here in South Carolina—and how it is ultimately impacting how we produce things like EVs (electric vehicles). I recently had the chance to listen to a presentation from the SC Council on Competitiveness—also known as SC Competes—about the SC Logistics 2023 Economic Impact Study. The current economic impact of SC Logistics totals $48.3 billion, including 150,160 jobs and $8.9 billion in total compensation. This represents an increase of nearly 30% since…
Project stakeholders often have an interest in what is happening on a project, but it is even more exciting when they both have a vested interest in the project and a background in mechanical engineering. Such is the case with a recent 2023 Going Digital Awards In Infrastructure Winner. To help preserve one of the world’s most important architectural icons and religious history, Italferr S.P.A. created a digital twin for structural monitoring of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The project required an extensive survey campaign, resulting in a large amount of data needing to be managed and processed into…
The pace of change is only going to continue to get faster. Businesses need to prepare for this as best they can. Of course, this is easier said than done. Technology is advancing and IT teams are already short-staffed of the skills they need. What comes next? One new report looks at how we can bridge the skills gap to unlock the potential of cloud technology. The SoftwareOne Cloud Skills Report surveyed the opinions of 500 IT decisionmakers from the United Kingdom, Benelux, North America, and Australia. The objective here is to understand how the cloud skills shortage is impacting…
Peggy talks all about the worker of tomorrow, taking a unique angle to the topic. She says we all know there is a labor shortage, and we all know organizations need to act to attract and retain talent, but what happens when organizations fail to act on results from employee surveys? She also discusses: A new report that is out that gives greater insights into what is happening. The biggest barriers that are causing organizations to fail to act and why engaged employees are so important. Her thoughts about what needs to happen next with the labor shortage. peggysmedleyshow.com (11/21/23…
Peggy Smedley and Rigoberto Chinchilla, professor of applied engineering and technology, Eastern Illinois University, talk about cyber from a historical perspective. He says most equipment was never designed to withstand attacks. They also discuss: The importance of cybersecurity in education. Legacy problems in cybersecurity. If companies are making mistakes or staying ahead of cyber. eiu.edu/cyber (11/21/23 – 848) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of work, podcast, Rigoberto Chinchilla, Eastern Illinois University, worker of tomorrow This episode is available on all major streaming platforms. If you…
Peggy Smedley and Jessica Wyers, PhD, public relations and outreach manager, Cyber Florida, talk about who is vulnerable to an attack that puts our personal data at risk. She says at the end of the day, if you use a connected device of any kind, you are susceptible to having any of your information taken. They also discuss: The four main types of attacks. How attacks can be destructive and the importance of having a plan for an attack. The steps to protect companies. cyberflorida.org (11/21/23 – 848) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data,…
Some shakeups are happening as it relates to the final rule to modernize the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts. Perhaps this will impact how your construction company conducts business in 2024 and beyond. Let’s take a look at what is currently going down. A little bit of a history lesson here first. In 1931, the Davis-Bacon Act was enacted to prevent nonlocal contractors from invading a region, using cheap labor, and disrupting local wage rates. The Davis-Bacon Act was passed initially to address the issue of unfair competition in the construction industry. Bringing us to almost present day, we see in…
We know energy efficiency is critical in our homes, but often that efficiency needs to start somewhere else—like at the data centers. Here’s a glimpse at how companies are making a big difference at the data center, and what is to come in the days ahead. Last week at Microsoft Ignite, Satya Nadella made several announcements from the stage. Naturally, he talked about the AI (artificial intelligence) infrastructure layer and the approach to Azure, which is redefining everything across the fleet and the data center, but of course that starts with how we power the data center. He explains, as…
Should you measure the maturity and performance of your security program? How often? A survey suggests 60% of CISOs (chief information security officers) measure their security programs at least once a month and 89% measure the maturity and performance of their full security program at least once each quarter. Let’s take a closer look at how they are measuring and evaluating potential threats. The report from Onyxia Cyber surveyed more than 200 CISOs across a wide range of industries in the United States and Canada. Aspects in the survey include evaluating what metrics CISOs are measuring and how they are…
Peggy talks about the worker of tomorrow and how we can unlock the potential of neurodivergent talent. She says if we don’t actively recruit these individuals, we are missing a huge opportunity. She also discusses: Predictions some firms are indicating for the years ahead as it relates to our workforce. A few examples of companies that are taking steps to use technology to improve the quality of opportunity for all employees. The benefits this will have both on companies and employees. peggysmedleyshow.com (11/14/23 – 847) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity,…