TechBrief

The AGC IT Forum is working hard to plan the best IT Forum Conference yet and would like your input on the topics you'd like to see covered for the 2016 event. The conference is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 4 and Friday Aug. 5, in Chicago, Illinois. Please spend a few moments and share with us your thoughts on technology topics by taking this brief survey. Your input is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=362649&issueID=41295 to view the full article online.

Seventy-one percent of construction firms plan to expand their payrolls in 2016 as contractors expect a range of public and private markets to grow, according to survey results released in January by AGC of America and Sage Construction and Real Estate. The survey, conducted as part of The Challenges Facing a Growing Industry: The 2016 Construction Industry Hiring and Business Outlook, indicates that contractors foresee a positive year despite tight labor conditions, regulatory burdens and IT security challenges.

Visit https://www.agc.org/sites/default/files/Files/Communications/2016_Construction_Hiring_and_Business_Outlook_Report.pdf to view the full article online.

At AGC's 97th Annual Convention in March, the AGC IT Steering Committee will hold three presentations on the following topics: 1) 3D Printing in the Construction Industry, 2) Update on UAVs (Drones) and Best Practices to Know, and 3) Use Cases for BIM and Safety on Project Sites. Be sure to catch these exciting and informative sessions!

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=362477&issueID=41295 to view the full article online.

Patent and Trademark Office's database shows some recently filed patents by Google. The search engine titan is obviously firing all cylinders in its research of robots/drones, driverless vehicles and what looks to be either a Google Glass reboot or some sort of stylish frames for virtual reality headsets, perhaps.

Visit http://www.blackenterprise.com/technology/google-files-patents-for-unique-glasses-a-robot-and-a-driverless-car/ to view the full article online.

With Apple's tablet sales in decline, all eyes are now on an expected iPad refresh coming in March, the so-called "iPad Air 3." Officially, Apple hasn't said a word about the next 9.7-inch consumer iPad, but several hints from its supply chain have pointed to a hefty upgrade for the device, with many features that could be borrowed from the larger 12.9-inch iPad Pro, released in November 2015.

Visit http://www.ibtimes.com/ipad-air-3-rumors-6-things-expect-apple-incs-upcoming-97-inch-tablet-2309571 to view the full article online.

Adoption of emerging technologies in today’s construction industry -- from the latest CAD and 3-D modeling and printing platforms to the proliferation of always-on mobile devices and cloud-based services -- has vastly improved the pace, quality and volume of information that’s shared and processed throughout the life of a construction project.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=362650&issueID=41295 to view the full article online.

The Construction Open Standards Alliance (COSA) is a community of construction industry professionals who support open integration standards in construction software. Join the effort today.

Visit http://cosa.build/ to view the full article online.

VDC for Design Phase Management & Preconstruction
Tuesday, October 20, 2015 to Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Orlando, Florida

The use of virtual design and construction (VDC) techniques is becoming more widespread in just about every global economy. Governments, such as in the United Kingdom, are even setting targets for required VDC/BIM within the next few years. We would like to explore how the utilization of VDC techniques in the design and planning phase are ultimately impacting our project outcomes.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=362478&issueID=41295 to view the full article online.

Mark your calendars for the 2016 AGC IT Forum Conference, scheduled for Aug 4-5, 2016, in downtown Chicago, Illinois. The IT Forum Steering Committee is currently in the planning phase and working hard to produce another stellar event. Visit http://meetings.agc.org/itforum/ to stay abreast of plans as they develop.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=362479&issueID=41295 to view the full article online.