Construction
Rob McManamy
DEWALT shifts to solve jobsite WiFi woes

Yesterday, DEWALT, accompanied by Procore, announced their new WiFi Mesh, which promises to increase wireless connectivity on the jobsite. We talked to two DEWALT executives about the new product — here's what they had to say.

DEWALT shifts to solve jobsite WiFi woes
Architecture + Design
Rob McManamy
Data-driven design propelling collaboration

"Data-driven design" suggests an impersonal, robotic process that replaces human creativity with cold numbers. But at our latest BuildIdeas Breakfast, we learned from IBM Watson and Detroit Mercy Hospital that it can mean greater customer satisfaction.

Data-driven design propelling collaboration
Business
Rob McManamy
Hawaii, Vermont, RI see clean energy surge

Despite wavering venture investment, the clean energy market is still growing from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Here, the annual Clean Energy Trust Challenge gives us a welcome opportunity to check in on multiple, vibrant efforts to implement power innovation.

Hawaii, Vermont, RI see clean energy surge
Cities
Rob McManamy
Cities, data drive BW Summit conversations

If cities will yield the richest data upon which tomorrow's most consequential decisions will be based, then it is no surprise they were a recurring topic at last week's BuiltWorlds Summit. To see some of the actionable insights that were shared, read on.

Cities, data drive BW Summit conversations
Architecture + Design
Rob McManamy
Obamas unveil Presidential Center design

Just days after the former First Lady urged architects not to neglect inner cities, she and her husband came home to Chicago this week to reveal their vision for a $500-million community hub that they hope will reinvigorate a long-struggling community.   

Obamas unveil Presidential Center design

Operations + Maintenance

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FieldLens, Bluebeam launch layered drawings tool

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FieldLens, Bluebeam launch layered drawings tool

Unveiled at Bluebeam eXtreme in LA, FieldLens Drawings will integrate with Bluebeam Software to work with any PDF file, and tag conversations right to your drawings to enable real-time tracking and reveal location conditions at any given moment.

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TT+20: How can we retain the 'Other 51 Percent'?

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TT+20: How can we retain the 'Other 51 Percent'?

Women make up 51% of the population, but less than 20% of engineers and architects. Thornton Tomasetti convened several prominent female leaders from our industry to discuss this issue and explore solutions for improving those numbers.

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After decades of delay, LaGuardia remake at last taking flight

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After decades of delay, LaGuardia remake at last taking flight

In 2014, VP Biden said, "If you were blind-folded and taken to LaGuardia Airport, you'd think you were in a third-world country." Last week, NY's Gov. picked up that gauntlet and unveiled a huge, public-private redevelopment plan.

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The construction worker of the future

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The construction worker of the future

Last week, the ConAppGuru visited Chicago to present at the annual AGC-IT Forum. Here is another presentation he also made to AGC last month on the high-tech jobsites of tomorrow, and the evolved workers who will populate them.

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Quantifying software's value for the AEC

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Quantifying software's value for the AEC

With more options available now, the ConAppGuru says AEC firms face two choices when considering whether to adopt new technology: 1) Try new things that push their firm forward, or 2} Continue to manage projects as before, without investing in improvement.

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How technology can cultivate a culture of greater safety

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How technology can cultivate a culture of greater safety

With new technology, teams now can proactively plan, effectively communicate, and dynamically contribute to safety programs that move us from a tradition of command-and-control, to one of informed and distributed safe work behaviors, writes Autodesk's Stacy Scopano.

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SKYSITE syncs risks with greater docs control, tighter security

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SKYSITE syncs risks with greater docs control, tighter security

As jobsites cut paper, ARC Doc Solutions has morphed its services from traditional reprographics to the virtual organization of documents. For the litigious AEC industry, its newly updated SKYSITE allows users to share up-to-date files and hopefully avoid conflict.

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40 universities issue grand call to spread BIM use, education

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40 universities issue grand call to spread BIM use, education

The Academic Interoperability Coalition – a group of 40+ universities worldwide - has launched a "grand effort" to investigate the current state of BIM implementation and use across disciplines. The project will help shape future BIM-related education, training, certification, licensing, and workforce development.

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Burnham 'eyes' better data, more consistent field inspections

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Burnham 'eyes' better data, more consistent field inspections

As the sun shines brighter on the solar energy market, thousands this week are in San Francisco for the Intersolar North America conference and trade show. Burnham Nationwide is there, showcasing the benefits of its BurnhamEYE PV inspection app for solar arrays.

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Unlocking the power of operational data

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Unlocking the power of operational data

Companies that leverage an advanced approach to operational data will have a distinct advantage in meeting construction needs and enhancing profitability. B2W Software founder and CEO Paul McKeon explains.

Power of one goes beyond financial management

Power of one goes beyond financial management

For a group dedicated to keeping the books and maintaining the corporate balance sheet, it was no surprise that the Construction Financial Management Association had timed its annual conference and trade show for the end of the fiscal year. The fact that the event proved a source of inspiration was, however.

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Virtual valhalla speeds new Vikings stadium

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Virtual valhalla speeds new Vikings stadium

When the Minnesota Vikings’ shimmering new U.S. Bank Stadium opens in 2016, the team and its hardy fans hope the $1-billion facility will capture the best of both worlds: an indoor stadium with an outdoor feel. Right now, that magic, and more, is being achieved virtually.

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Hard Hat Hub launches new app for employers

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Hard Hat Hub launches new app for employers

On June 19, after more than a year of partnership with many of Chicago's top employers, Hard Hat Hub revamped its online portal to allow prospective employers to browse anonymous profiles, and then click to unlock a candidate's name, and contact information.

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Burnham Nationwide turns up the tech

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Burnham Nationwide turns up the tech

Burnham Nationwide, a leading provider of building permits, code compliance services, inspection/verification, and solar energy services, has released a newly enhanced burnhamnationwide.com web site, providing users with a customized, interactive experience.

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Ozinga owes it all to dad, and his dad, and...

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Ozinga owes it all to dad, and his dad, and...

In an era of corporate conglomerates, construction still has more than its share of family-owned businesses. Chicago boasts long-standing firms like Pepper, Walsh, McHugh, and Graycor, all still led by members of the founding families. This Fathers' Day tribute comes from one such grateful heir.

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And you thought doc management couldn't get any safer

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And you thought doc management couldn't get any safer

Newforma's new software ties EDMS workflows into other project delivery processes. The goal is to integrate document management systems to streamline workflows and reduce the risk of mistakes, explains cofounder Allen Preger.

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Across crowded room, eyes finally meet for Autodesk, Leica

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Across crowded room, eyes finally meet for Autodesk, Leica

We've all had friends we just knew would make the perfect couple if they'd ever just date. Well, this month, Autodesk and Leica Geosystems have finally decided to leverage their natural compatibility.

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