Starting Off:
Last Friday, the ConTechTrio aired episode 63 of the podcast in which James Benham (@JamesmBenham), Rob McKinney (@Conappguru) and Josh Bone (@BIM2theBone) discussed the latest construction tech news. Headliners last week included Bullclip by Drawboard, advances in dozer technology, Gravity Jack’s PoindextAR, convergence of the AEC & MEC industries and much more! Special guest, Alan Bracken, Speaker, Coach and Trainer and Co-founder of InsideTrack WOW, also joined to discuss developing leadership skills.
Listen to “ConTechTrio 63 Developing Leadership Skills with @AlanBracken & @drawboard” on Spreaker.
Tech You Should Try:
Bullclip by Drawboard – Bullclip is a collaborative markup system for Windows 10 and the web. Bullclip by Drawboard provides a smooth zooming experience, great annotations, and has real time synchronization. Sign up for a 30 day free trial here!
[Img. Source: Drawboard]
Weekly ConTechTrio Twitter Poll:
Last Week’s Poll: Which web based collaboration is your company using? The poll resulted in 43% “BIM Track,” 15% “BIM 360 Glue,” 2% “Revizto” and 40% “None of the above.”
This Week’s Poll: “Does your company have a well-defined mission that is shared and understood by all employees?” Visit the ConTechTrio Twitter page and simply answer “Yes” or “No.”
Construction Tech News:
Industry Education, Insights & Trends
Trump Signs Internet Privacy Repeal
Last Monday, Donald Trump signed a resolution officially repealing broadband privacy rules. These privacy rules would have required broadband and wireless companies to get users permission before sharing sensitive information.
ClearEdge3D Releases Verity Construction Verification Software
ClearEdge3D releases their new solution that is a quality control tool for the construction industry. Verity uses an algorithm to compare the model and the point cloud which helps catch mistakes before they occur. Try the free 21 day trial today!
OSHA Delays New Silica Dust Exposure Rules
Construction Junkie explains in this article how the new rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regarding silica dust exposure limits has been delayed an additional 90 days. The new rule was originally set to be enforced on June 23, 2017 and is now set to be enforced on September 23, 2017.
Contractors Fined $229K For Safety Violations in Seattle Crane Accident
Three contractors in Seattle, Washington are being fined $229 thousand dollars for a safety violation that involved cranes, employees, and overhead powerlines. This safety violation resulted in two workers getting severely burned after a crane touched an overhead wire.
This article by ForConstructionPros discusses how advancements in electronic technology in dozers can increase operator efficiency and productivity, as well as, lower operating costs.
PlanGrid Launches Universal Documents
The CEO and Co-founder of PlanGrid, Tracy Young, announces on LinkedIn the launch of PlanGrid’s universal documents. Users can now store all their spreadsheets, videos, Revit, BIM files in PlanGrid and link them directly to other documents and blueprints.
Hacking Architecture: Pitfalls of Smart Buildings and Intelligent Infrastructure
Computer networks that control buildings and infrastructure are getting hacked on a regular basis. Read this article from Redshift to learn more about how to prevent these hacking problems for your company.
How Construction Firms are Integrating New Technology into Their Workflows
This article from Construction Dive discusses what construction companies should focus on in order to implement new technology successfully. “For companies to be successful innovators they need to invest in resources to manage change.” – Tony Colonna, Senior Vice President of Innovative Construction Solutions at Skanska USA.
Augmented & Virtual Reality
Gravity Jack’s PoindextAR Tracks Objects’ Smallest Details for Augmented Reality Anywhere
TechCrunch explains in this article how a new AR system from Gravity Jack called PoindextAR is making serious advances in the field. PoindextAR enables augmented reality overlays using regular cameras both found in smartphones and headsets. Watch the video here to learn more.
Caterpillar, Lockheed Martin, P&G Lead Effort to Shape Future of Augmented Reality
This article discusses how Caterpillar, Lockheed Martin, and P&G are initiating the guidelines developmental process for AR hardware and software. This will help AR technology companies develop products for industrial users.
Emerging Technology
Blokable Plan to Ship Homes that are Modular, Stackable and Smart
The former product manager for Amazon, Aaron Holm, is now transforming the housing market along the West Coast by empowering communities to build their own houses with shippable housing units. Blokable aims to produce “Bloks” which are available in lengths from 18 feet to 38 feet. Completed units are estimated to cost between $25,000 and $100,000 dollars.
Convergence of AEC & MEC: Why Construction Companies are Thinking like Manufactures
This LinkedIn article discusses how combining tools of high-tech manufacturing with BIM will help buildings be designed faster, safer and with less waste. The chart below shows the overview of productivity improvements over time that was discussed in this article.
INTERVIEW] Alan Bracken, Speaker, Coach and Trainer and Co-founder of InsideTrack WOW, Discusses Developing Leadership Skills
In the second half of the podcast, Alan Bracken, Speaker, Coach and Trainer at AlanBracken.com and Co-founder of InsideTrack WOW joined the ConTechTrio to discuss developing leadership skills. Alan currently lives in east Tennessee with his family in an area known as the Tri-Cities.
At age 19, Alan started Bracken Paving Company. After 20 years of working there, Alan sold his company in 2011. Now Alan is living to inspire others as a speaker, executive coach and business consultant at AlanBracken.com and InsideTrack WOW.
InsideTrack WOW focuses on adventure experiential learning. Alan explains that the biggest problem in the construction industry is centered around people and lack of leadership. Alan and the ConTechTrio wrapped up the interview by discussing challenges leaders in the construction industry face, traditional management styles in construction, as well as, applying the four core emotional intelligence skills to achieve your fullest potential.
Tune into the ConTechTrio podcast this Friday for Episode 64, featuring Ralph Gootee, the CTO at PlanGrid on creating software for construction.
Listen to the Podcast: Spreaker, SoundCloud , YouTube, iTunes
Follow On Twitter: @JBKnowledge, @ConTechTrio
