TechBrief

CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Join Us in Las Vegas for the 2017 One-Day Tech Summit

AGC is proud to announce a One-Day Tech Summit in Las Vegas on Friday March 10, 2017 (at the conclusion of the AGC Annual Convention) at The Linq Hotel & Casino.

This summit is built on two pillars: Knowledge Sharing & Innovation, focuses on The Process, The Technology and The People. This unique event brings together thought leaders from our industry to discuss the current and future state of construction technology and innovation.

We invite you to join us at this interactive event which will cover topics such as:

The PROCESS:
o Process and Perspectives – from the perspective of an Owner, Contractor and Sub-contractor, the state of technology and how to become more innovative
THE TECHNOLOGY:
o Cybersecurity – beyond preventative measures or solutions, how an organization’s culture impacts Cybersecurity
o Tech In the Trenches – an open forum discussion on various technology solutions and a peek at some of the tools and software in our future
THE PEOPLE:
o Millennial or early-career employees in the Workplace
o Traditional Practices that cannot keep up in a digital world
o Strategies to Overcome Adoption Barriers in the workplace

Speakers: Industry Thought Leaders

Fee: One-Day Summit (with paid AGC Convention registration): $149 | One-Day Summit Only: $225

Please also join us for a Summit Welcome Reception at The Linq on Thursday, March 9, 2017, from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

AGC Technology Showcase: GAME ON!

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Bellagio Las Vegas

3:30 - 5 p.m.

Mark your calendars and don't miss the Tech Showcase, brought to you by the AGC IT Forum, during AGC's 98th Annual Convention in Vegas. This year's session will demonstrated how video game platforms can attract and train construction workers.

Speakers:

Bob McCall – Master Builders Association of Western Pennsylvania

Jason Koss – Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania

Jason Malatak – Mosites Construction Company

Ken Smith – Simcoach Games

According to a recent study, video games capture the attention of over 155 million Americans. And they spend 3 billion hours a week engrossed in their games. While some may view that as a monumental waste of time, video games are not just for entertainment anymore. They have become a powerful communication and learning medium.

Two AGC chapters in Western Pennsylvania are leading the way in using video games to help potential and current members of the construction workforce to assess career fit, explore construction careers, learn basic skills and experience what they are learning virtually. In this year’s AGC Technology Showcase, you will see some of these amazing video games and hear about the results they are producing.

By attending this session, participants will be able to:

Experience, firsthand, how powerful video games can be used as a communication and learning medium.
Explore different types of video games, including micro-games, short 3-5 minute experiences that grab your attention and get right to the point.
Examine the benefits of the effective use of video games in attracting and recruiting new employees.
Demonstrate how video games can be used for workforce development and training.

TRENDS IN TECHNOLOGY

How Mobile and Cloud Technologies Can Give Contractors Access to Worker Training Records at the Jobsite

BY DAVID FINKELSTEIN
It’s crucial for construction companies to ensure updated worker training records are available to supervisors and inspectors in the field. Contractors must make sure that only qualified employees are tackling potentially hazardous jobs. It’s a foundation of safety.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=421327&issueID=50064 to view the full article online.

Firms Set to Increase IT Investments in 2017, Survey Says

According to the Expecting a Post-Election Bump: The 2017 Construction Industry Hiring and Business Outlook, released by AGC of America and Sage Construction and Real Estate, contractors are prepared to increase investments in information technology (IT). According to the Outlook, 35 percent of firms report they invested at least 1 percent of their revenue in IT last year. In addition, 40 percent say that their IT investments will increase in 2017. Contractors are also becoming increasingly aware of the need to better protect their data. Seventy-seven percent of respondents report they currently have an overall IT plan in place to prevent against hacking.

The Outlook was based on survey results from nearly 1,300 construction firms from 49 states and the District of Columbia. Varying numbers responded to each question. Contractors of every size answered over 30 questions about their hiring, workforce, business and information technology plans. Click here for Expecting a Post-Election Bump: The 2017 Construction Hiring and Business Outlook report. Click here for the survey results.

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2017/01/10/seventy-three-percent-construction-firms-plan-expand-headcount-2017-contractors to view the full article online.

TECHNOLOGY TIDBITS

iPhone at 10: The Best is Yet to Come?

BY JOHN P. MELLO JR.
It seems like yesterday -- not 10 years ago -- that Steve Jobs took the stage at MacWorld to debut Apple's latest new gadget: the iPhone.
SOURCE: TECHNEWSWORLD.COM

Visit http://www.technewsworld.com/story/iPhone-at-10-The-Best-Is-Yet-to-Come-84213.html to view the full article online.

Evernote's New App is More Than an Update - It's a Reboot

BY DAVID PIERCE
Evernote rolled out an updated to its iOS app in January. Version 8.0 brings with it an entirely new design, a bunch of refinements to what had become a hopelessly overwrought service, and a renewed focus on what Evernote is actually for.
SOURCE: WIRED.COM

Visit https://www.wired.com/2017/01/evernotes-new-app-update-reboot/ to view the full article online.

Associated General Contractors of America