Author: Peggy Smedley
At World of Concrete last week, many were discussing all the new solutions in the construction industry—and how technology and tools can provide opportunities to solve new and long-standing challenges that exist in the construction industry. I had an opportunity to sit down with Mike McGowan, region head and chief executive officer, Hilti North America, to talk about some of the hurdles that exist in the construction industry today. “We are a little bit different in how we go to market,” he says. “We don’t go through distribution channels. We go direct. The reason is we feel it gives us…
The manufacturing industry is in a state of flux, as suppl-chain issues persist, causing sourcing bottlenecks and logistics backlogs. At the same time, we are seeing a rise in cost and cyberattacks and shortage of skilled workers. Looking ahead to 2023, Deloitte projections based on Oxford Economics’ Global Economic Model anticipate 2.5% growth in GDP in manufacturing. The solution is obvious—digital transformation—but the road is bumpy. Part of the challenge is Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 mean different things to different people. Let’s break this down. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Thorsten Wuest, associate professor, West…
Peggy Smedley digs into the workforce trends in the transportation industry, looking at recent numbers and giving thoughts on where we are headed next on the road to transformation. She says we need to address the worker shortage and we need young minds to enter the space. She also discusses: The unemployment numbers in the U.S. transportation sector. How many people are over the age of 55 in transportation. What needs to happen next as we move into a new era. peggysmedleyshow.com (1/17/23 – 805) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity,…
Peggy Smedley and Sabur Baidya, assistant professor, computer science and engineering, University of Louisville, talk about what brought him to the University of Louisville. He says he got a great opportunity to join as a faculty and participate in a research project on advanced manufacturing and robotics called KAMPERS (Kentucky Advanced Manufacturing Partnership for Enhanced Robotics and Structures). They also discuss: Innovations in human-machine interface, computing, autonomous, and cyber-physical systems. Work on digital twin-based industrial IoT and mixed-reality-based immersive applications in IIoT. The role of the human in an AI-driven future. saburbaidya.com (1/17/23 – 805) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy…
Peggy Smedley and Danielle Baughman, president, ProShare Services, talk about making a change from working for a large corporation to starting your own business. She says one of the biggest pieces of advice she can give to somebody is to just dive in. They also discuss: The biggest challenges women face in energy and oil and gas industry. The best piece of advice she has received from one of her mentors. What is included in a successful project and the importance of keeping field personnel safe. proshareservices.com (1/17/23 – 805) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning,…
This year—2023 offers interesting opportunities for hiring in the construction industry—and the vast majority expect to do just that. In fact, more than two-thirds expect to add to their headcount, according to new research. The Associated General Contractors of America and Sage recently released the finding of a new survey titled High Hopes for Public Sector Funding Amid Workforce and Supply Chain Challenges: The 2023 Construction Hiring & Business Outlook. All in all, it finds the construction industry is continuing to look to the public sector as private dries up. The survey suggests contractors expect infrastructure and other public-sector funding…
With the start of the New Year also comes the start of new building codes for residential housing here in South Carolina. I am discovering they are impacting Columbia and all of South Carolina. Let’s take a closer look at what changes are in store for 2023 and beyond. First, a primer. Prior to June 13, 1997, local jurisdictions that desired to adopt building codes were permitted to do so by local ordinance. If a jurisdiction did adopt building codes, it was required to adopt only the codes authorized by the Building Codes Act. Beginning July 2, 2003, the Council…
Today’s executives have a lot on their agenda. Amid climate change, global conflict, a worker shortage, and supply-chain hiccups, many need to prioritize objectives across many areas of the business, while also evaluating long-term costs, risks, quality, and ROI (return on investment). We are now at the juncture where technology needs to deliver value to organizations that are looking to scale and deliver new services. It is no longer a nice-to-have; it is a must-have. These are all tall orders today in an ever-changing environment that continues to experience exponential technological growth. In an attempting to master this level of…
Peggy Smedley talks all about transportation, sharing the transportation statistics from the 2022 annual report from the U.S. Dept. of Transportation. She says the pandemic has produced fast changes in transportation supply, demand, and performance. She also discusses: The supply chain and its role in keeping industries moving. If total passenger enplanements were up or down during the pandemic. If transportation energy use rebounded in 2021. peggysmedleyshow.com (1/10/23 – 804) 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 major…
Peggy Smedley and Jonathan Shroyer, chief customer experience innovation officer, Arise Virtual Solutions, talk about the trends in immersive technologies and the metaverse. He says he thinks of the metaverse as anything that is not in your own reality and any experience around that. In 2022, $48 billion was the value of the metaverse. By 2030, it is valued to be $680 billion. They also discuss: The top five applications and use cases in the metaverse. How much bullying is currently happening in the metaverse and how to protect all users of the metaverse. Some ways businesses can enter the…