FacilityBlog from Today's Facility Manager: The First Facility Management Blog

FacilityBlog Moving as of April 11, 2008

2008-04-10T18:12:00.006-04:00

As of Friday, April 11, 2008, all new articles for FacilityBlog will be posted at this new link. At 2,000 items, the original FacilityBlog has grown to such a massive size that it simply can't be contained in one Web site. Nothing has been lost or deleted, but all new posts will reside at the new URL.

So if you're looking for FacilityBlog, simply bookmark the new address: www.todaysfacilitymanager.com/facilityblog08.

See you there!

APC Introduces New Service For Data Centers

2008-04-10T09:58:00.003-04:00

The global provider of integrated power and cooling services has introduced a Cable Infrastructure Assessment Service aimed at simplifying the process of data center transformations to 10 Gigabit (Gb/s) Ethernet network architectures.

This new service, specially designed for Cisco, supports the global launch of the Cisco Nexus 5000 Series. The Cisco Nexus 5000 is a line of Layer 2 access switches designed for data centers that provide high-density, low-latency, 10 Gigabit Ethernet switching, as well as a fully unified data center fabric integrating LAN, SAN and HPC traffic.

The APC Cable Infrastructure Assessment Service, available through Cisco Advanced Data Center services, delivers the resources, expertise and tools needed to prepare data centers to meet 10 Gb/s Ethernet specifications. Based on individual customer needs and requirements, APC’s BICSI certified Registered Communication Distribution Designers® (RCDD) will evaluate the existing structured cabling solution and recommend changes that will ensure support for current or emerging 10 Gb/s Ethernet technologies.

To read about ensuring that your network is ready for a changeover, see “It’s All About The Network,” which appears in the March 2008 issue of TFM.

Unified Fabric over Ethernet simplifies and reduces data center infrastructure. As organizations grow their networks to support bandwidth-intensive applications such as those enabled by server virtualization and I/O consolidation, 10 Gb/s Ethernet technology is becoming increasingly pervasive.

The APC Cable Infrastructure Assessment Service includes a broad range of activities to help customers deploy the Cisco Nexus 5000 Series and other advanced technologies in their data center environment using a lifecycle services approach. To find out more about the APC Cable Infrastructure Assessment Service for Cisco Nexus family switches, visit www.cisco.com/go/nexusservices or www.apc.com/techpartners.

The APC Cable Infrastructure Assessment Service for the Cisco Nexus switches is available immediately in the United States and Canada.

Free LONMARK Classes at The TFM Show

2008-04-02T11:00:00.006-04:00

In just a few weeks, LONMARK will be offering a series of FREE educational sessions in Chicago to help fms adapt to this rapidly changing industry. These classes will be held in conjunction with The TFM Show, set for April 23 to April 24 at the city's Navy Pier.

The free classes will give attendees the latest information on creating integrated solutions, implementing green and sustainable buildings, winning more jobs through integration, and leveraging utilities demand response programs. The schedule includes the following sessions:

Wednesday, April 23, Room 203

8:00am – 8:50am: Energy Efficiency Through Intelligent Control
9:00am – 9:50am: The Role or Controls in Green Buildings
2:30pm – 3:20pm: Total Facility Control—A Case for Integrating Open Systems Solutions
3:30pm – 5:00pm: The Open Systems Quandary: Are you Getting What you Paid for?

Thursday, April 24, Room 203:

8:00am – 9:30am: Master Planning and the Master Systems Integrator (Panel Session)

The program will conclude with a Professional Certified Testing Program, held on Thursday, April 24 from 2:30pm - 5:30pm. Preregistration for the test is required. To sign up for the test, visit this link.

To register for The TFM Show, click this link.

MS Word and Excel v. 2007 - destruction for its own sake

2008-03-29T13:05:00.009-04:00

OK - I've tried to be patient and I've tried to "get used to it" but I can't - It's not working. I simply detest the nonsensical changes that Microsoft has made to the 2007 versions of Word and Excel. If you are getting a new computer this year and use MS Office - good luck!

If you work for Microsoft and are reading this blog to identify dissidents - I hope you'll listen to the plight of this long term customer - I'm not happy!

I'm reminded of a timeless quote from a Sex Pistols interview from the late 1970s:

"You have to destroy in order to create.

Destruction for its own sake is dull, boring..."

Sex Pistols photo found on Wikipedia

The changes to Word and Excel are beyond dull and boring - they're maddening. Our familiarity with these important programs has been destroyed - rendered useless - and it's sapping my productivity! As though busy professionals have nothing better to do than searching for functions and clicking on tabs to find menu options that we've used for over 10 years. WHY?!?!

Full disclosure: I've NEVER owned (or even used) a Mac and I don't have an iPod or an iPhone, lest you think I'm some sort of deranged Apple apologist. In fact, I am a HUGE fan of MS Outlook and the Windows platform (well, at least until Vista) -- I consider MS Outlook to be an incredible and wonderful productivity tool.

Look Mr. Gates, I know you're busy lecturing people to give away more of their hard earned money to assuage the guilt you associate with your incredible wealth -- but that is a subject for another day. I would like to offer a compromise: How about offering a "classic menu" option in these 2 programs? If that is already available - I haven't found it but I'll apologize in advance for this rant if someone can tell me how to get it!

Poor Richard

InfoComm Credential Programs Recognized By ANSI

2008-03-26T09:24:00.004-04:00

The association's Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) and Certified Technology Specialist-Installation (CTS-I) credentials are now recognized under ISO/IEC 17024.

InfoComm International, the trade association representing the professional audiovisual industry, announced on March 18 that International Organization for Standardization's (ISO) United States representative, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), has accredited its CTS and CTS-I credentials under ISO/IEC 17024.

ISO/IEC 17024 establishes a global benchmark for the certification of personnel. ANSI accredits standards developers, certification bodies, and technical advisory groups to both the ISO and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

This accreditation meets the requirements by the U.S. DoD (Department of Defense) Directive 8570.1, which requires its information assurance workers to obtain a commercial certification that has been accredited by ANSI or equivalent authorized body under the global ISO/IEC 17024 standard. This DoD-wide policy was approved for implementation in December 2005.

"InfoComm is the only organization within the audiovisual industry to earn ANSI accreditation for its personnel certification program and we are pleased that InfoComm is continuing to set the industry standard for competency and quality in the AV industry,” said Randal A. Lemke, Ph.D., executive director, InfoComm International.

"InfoComm is commended for completing this rigorous process and receiving ANSI accreditation," said Dr. Roy Swift, program director for certification accreditation for ANSI. "ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 was developed in response to businesses and governments seeking a valid benchmark for agencies who certify people.”

About the CTS and CTS-I Credentials
Certified Technology Specialists (CTS) serve clients by creating, operating, and servicing AV solutions. A Certified Technology Specialist - Installation (CTS-I) installs and maintains audiovisual systems by following specifications, schematics, codes, and safety protocols; administering installation process logistics; troubleshooting and problem solving systems; maintaining tools and equipment; and communicating with clients, designers, other trades, other installers and staff. Ongoing professional education is required to maintain the credentials. A certification is valid for three years and certified individuals must earn 30 renewal units (RUs) within each three-year period, remain in good standing, and abide by the CTS Code of Ethics and Conduct.

Currently, 9,500 people hold CTS credentials.

InfoComm also offers an advanced certification in Design. That program is currently being revised and InfoComm and the InfoComm independent certification committee are in the process of applying to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for accreditation of this certification.

Now Podcasting: Inside Microsoft Visio 2007

2008-03-21T08:32:00.000-04:00

For a limited time, Today's Facility Manager will be hosting a podcast featuring David A. Edson. Edson is CTO/director of consulting services for Visibility.biz. The podcast provides visitors with an overview of Microsoft Office Visio 2007.

This drawing and diagramming software can help professionals to visualize, explore, and communicate complex information. It will take facility managers from complicated text and tables that are hard to understand to Visio diagrams that communicate information at a glance. Instead of static pictures, create data connected Visio diagrams that display data, are easy to refresh, and dramatically increase productivity.

To play or download this demo, click here.

Seven Steps To A Healthy Computer

2008-03-19T10:10:00.006-04:00

For the home user, a computer problem is often an inconvenience, but to a business or other type of organization, such a problem can add up to tens of thousands of dollars lost to decreased productivity or repairs.

Chip Reaves, national director of Computer Troubleshooters, which has its U.S. headquarters in Decatur, GA, says, "Malware, viruses, identity theft, and spyware account for about 80% of all computer issues resulting in downtime. It is estimated that the lost productivity cost due to these alone is around $50 billion, and the associated IT costs of dealing with it has skyrocketed from $20 billion to $198 billion in the last five years."

Reaves explains there are certain simple tips everyone can adhere to—businesses and individual computer users alike—that will keep our computers (and wallets) in tip-top shape.

1. Old Hardware. "Studies have shown that the likelihood of physical problems with computer equipment goes up significantly after 24 to 36 months," says Reaves. "Consider replacing computer systems every three years; considering how inexpensive computers have become, one major repair bill could easily cost more than purchasing an entire new system."

2. Power Protection. "Surges and power drops can cause data loss and are always damaging to sensitive components, reducing their lifespan. Most people do use surge protectors, but what many don't realize is that surge protection wears off over time. For the best protection make sure that the surge protectors for all your computer equipment are replaced every two to three years, " Reaves says.

3. Illegal Software. "Many businesses don't realize that they don't 'own' software; just the licenses to use it on a specific number of PC's. Many software programs automatically report their usage via the internet, and breach-of-license letters and audits from software manufacturers to businesses are on the rise."

4. Training. "Having to spend money training your staff might sound like a waste, but most employees understand less than 20% of the software packages they use. The gain in productivity far outweighs the training costs."

5. Firewall and Security. "The internet is full of hackers who regularly try to access computers for nefarious purposes. If they get in (either directly, or with the help of exploits from malware or viruses) the list of problems they can cause is pretty big; including stealing files or customer records, and deleting important data. It's important to be sure that all computers in your organization are updated with the latest security patches from Microsoft or Apple, and that firewalls are installed and maintained properly."

6. Backup Data. "It sounds so obvious but most companies fail to keep 100% of their important data backed up 100% of the time. There are often gaps in what's being backed up which are only discovered when it's too late. The consequences of lost data can put a company out of business on the spot, and data retrieval is frighteningly expensive."

7. Spam, Viruses, and Spyware. "80% of all Computer Troubleshooters' service calls worldwide are from people with problems directly linked to these issues. You should consider good virus protection, spam filters and anti-spyware programs as mandatory if you want a trouble-free computer," advises Reaves.

FRIDAY FUNNY: Homage to Abbott and Costello

2008-03-14T09:56:00.004-04:00

Most of us are familiar with the "Who's On First?" exchange between Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. And anyone who has experienced frustration with modern tech support (often a paradox in itself, sort of like the term, "jumbo shrimp") will relate to this updated take on the classic baseball routine.

Here's what would happen in today's world if Costello were to call to buy a computer from Abbott.

ABBOTT: Super Duper Computer Store. May I help you?

COSTELLO: Thanks. I'm setting up an office, and I'm thinking about buying a computer.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: No, the name's Lou.

ABBOTT: Your computer?

COSTELLO: I don't own a computer. I want to buy one.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: I told you, my name's Lou.

ABBOTT: What about Windows?

COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?

ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?

COSTELLO: I don't know. What will I see when I look at the windows?

ABBOTT: Wallpaper.

COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.

ABBOTT: Software for Windows?

COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses, and run my business. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?

ABBOTT: I just did.

COSTELLO: You just did what?

ABBOTT: Recommend something.

COSTELLO: You recommended something?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: For my office?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yes, for my office!

ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows.

COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let's just say I'm sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need?

ABBOTT: Word.

COSTELLO: What word?

ABBOTT: Word for Office.

COSTELLO: The only word for office is office.

ABBOTT: The Word for Office with Windows.

COSTELLO: Which word for office with windows?

ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue "W."

COSTELLO: I'm going to click your blue "W" if you don't start with some straight answers. What about bookkeeping? You have anything I can track my money with?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: That's right. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?

ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer.

COSTELLO: What's bundled with my computer?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer?

ABBOTT: Yes. No extra charge.

COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?

ABBOTT: One copy.

COSTELLO: Isn't it illegal to copy money?

ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.

COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy Money?

ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT!

A few days later.

ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?

COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off?

ABBOTT: Click on "START”

Baseball season is just 11 days away, for anyone who is counting.

The White House E-mail Controversy: Disturbing IT Practices

2008-03-12T11:16:00.005-04:00

David Gewirtz has authored a new special report spotlighting the glaring technical worst practices and misrepresentations stated by White House witnesses at recent hearings of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Where Have All The E-mails Gone? explores the deep, personal, candid, unfiltered communication within the leadership of the most powerful nation on Earth.

Paced like a thriller, Where Have All The E-mails Gone? is the most comprehensive analysis of White House e-mail ever published. Gewirtz (who is also editor-in-chief at ZATZ publishing) has written more than 600 articles about e-mail, collaboration, and mobile technology. As one of America's foremost e-mail experts, he's been able to do unprecedented forensics research.

The book investigates some of the more disturbing technical aspects of e-mail policy at the White House:

The bulk of the White House e-mail records are now stored in bundles of rotting PST files, all at or above their safe file size limit.
That the White House uses piles of these files as their archiving methodology is ludicrous. This is an industry worst-practice.
Both the White House and certain Congress members are dangerously mischaracterizing IBM Lotus Notes as an obsolete technology, providing a seemingly plausible but completely misleading justification for an unfounded migration during a time of war.
Claims of costs for data recovery have been inflated by more than an order of magnitude, possibly as a way to dissuade Congress from pushing recovery.
There is nobody at the White House who owns the RNC email problem and the RNC has refused to restore White House emails from their servers.

Where Have All the E-Mails Gone? explores the technical and security concerns that blast through political rhetoric and even party affiliation. Read this book to understand the three root causes of the White House e-mail problem and discover how six very doable recommendations can quickly and easily bring security and safety back to White House e-mail.

Energy Efficient Space Scheduling

2008-03-11T09:23:00.009-04:00

PeopleCube, a provider of on-demand workplace and resource management technology, and Building Sustainability LTD (BSL), a provider of energy efficient building solutions, have announced the integration of PeopleCube's Resource Scheduler intelligent workplace scheduling solution with Building Sustainability's Footprint Tracker energy consumption and carbon emissions tracking application.

This solution enables client companies to monitor and reduce energy consumption based on efficient scheduling and usage of workspace and energy resources, resulting in lower costs for energy (e.g., heating and lighting) and reduced carbon emissions.

PeopleCube's Resource Scheduler solution is an on-demand workplace and resource management application that allows organizations to use space more efficiently, which in turn empowers them to reduce real estate needs/costs and to decrease energy costs as a result of effective resource usage. It includes a wide variety of features and functionality to implement office hoteling/hot desking work environments, schedule conference rooms and services, reserve videoconferencing systems, and report on workspace usage.

Building Sustainability's Footprint Tracker software suite is a management information system that collects all information about the energy usage of a building and its occupiers. It calculates the energy costs and the resulting carbon footprint of the facility, and presents the data in a Web accessible dashboard format. In addition, the Footprint Tracker can be integrated with wearable location badge sensors to allow individuals to manage their use of energy. Individuals can control lighting, HVAC, computers, and other local resources, based on personal profiles and location.

By integrating Footprint Tracker with Resource Scheduler, customers are provided with a cutting edge, intuitive "management dashboard" model that allows organizations to fully understand their energy consumption patterns and clearly demonstrate their commitment to reducing carbon emissions and environmental impact based on room schedules, occupancy, and the actual location of people.

About Building Sustainability Limited
Building Sustainability Limited (BSL) is a technology company working with the commercial property sector, developers, and occupants to design and implement systems to track and control energy consumption and carbon emissions. BSL is part of the Cordless Group which has a 12 year track record of advising blue chip companies on workplace change. The Cordless Group has offices around the world including London, Stockholm, Sydney and Shanghai.

About PeopleCube
PeopleCube provides intelligent on-demand workplace and resource management solutions that help customers run environmentally friendly, cost-effective workplaces. Through its corporate headquarters in Framingham, MA and offices throughout the world, PeopleCube supports 7,500 customers in small, medium, and large enterprises.

Day Two At CeBIT: Security In The Air

2008-03-05T05:29:00.003-05:00

After cruising the fairgrounds yesterday afternoon and seeing everything from ATV races to Guitar Hero-type competitions to blue haired Intel "representatives," this editor found the experience to be slightly disorienting. But lo and behold, today has been much more on target, with several halls devoted to business solutions--exactly what the doctor ordered.

Some highlights so far have been:

Personal Interlock System from Kaba
Network Security from Microsoft
Contactless Smart Cards from LEGIC
Automatic ID Terminals from AXESS TMC
ID Solutions from Digital Identification Solutions
Smart cards from HID.

An afternoon session from Microsoft on Information Security should also prove to be informative. Stay tuned!

Live from CeBit: It's FacilityBlog

2008-03-04T08:40:00.003-05:00

Today is the first full day of exhibits and sessions at CeBIT, held at the massive Hannover Trade Fairgrounds in Hannover, Germany. The focus of the show is technology broken down this year into three distinct sections: Public Sector, Business, and Home & Mobile Solutions.

Last night's opening ceremony included words of welcome from some of Europe's top political names--Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy--along with one of the heaviest hitters in the IT game, Steve Ballmer. Educational sessions kicked off today with classes based around the theme, "Improving Life for the Global Village." One interesting keynote on global threats looked at the unsettling question of infrastructure vulnerability. On a lighter note, the session on the IT "hits and flops of the last decade" also looked at some of the possible standards that may make it easier to avoid problems of the past.

As for the exhibits, the Green IT pavilion proved to be an intriguing concept, but there appeared to be a bigger buzz in some of the more consumer oriented exhibits. Perhaps the public isn't quite ready to accept green into its daily technology lifestyle?

More to come!

LONMARK Testing Program Reaches Milestone

2008-02-14T09:15:00.005-05:00

LONMARK International (LMI) recently marked the first anniversary of the introduction of its Professional Certification Testing Program. LMI—a non-profit trade association recognized as an industry authority for certification, education, and promotion of interoperability standards for the benefit of manufacturers, integrators, and end users—began administering the testing program in January 2007.

As end users continue to require their engineering staff to become trained and certified, thus paving the way for an even higher level of qualified industry professionals, LONMARK 's Professional Certification Testing Program continues to gain strength, and since the testing program was launched in January 2007, nearly 135 individuals have taken the test.

The test will be administered at the upcoming TFM Show on April 24, 2008 in Chicago. This will be in addition to a selection of educational sessions about LONMARK capabilities. The information can be found in the "Conference Sessions" section of the TFM Show Web site.

The aim of the Professional Certification Testing Program is to test and certify engineers, integrators, and designers. This will ensure that building owners and occupiers the world over will be safe in the knowledge that the most qualified people are working on their projects.

The test is open to any industry professional involved in the design, specification, integration, or installation of LON® control networks. Those passing the test are recognized LonMark Certified Professionals and hold the credentials associated with comprehensive LON technology knowledge.

Additionally, LONMARK members who have passed the credentialling program requirements will have their contact information published in the Certified Professional section of the LONMARK website.

The LONMARK Professional Certification test is a comprehensive online test, which can only be taken at the certified LONMARK Testing Centers. The 150 multiple-choice questions cover 12 subject areas, including: LONWORKS® history and terminology, physical and logical network structuring, installation, communication, LONWORKS and IP, and user interfaces. The test is currently available in English and German, with other languages to follow.

The cost is US $250 for LONMARK members, and $300 per person for non-LONMARK members.

About LONMARK International
Since its inception in 1994 and new corporate structure in 2003, LONMARK International has become a driving force in the establishment of interoperable guidelines for building, industrial, transportation, residential, and utility automation. LONMARK membership is open to any manufacturer, distributor, engineer, system integrator, or end user committed to the development, specification, and use of open, interoperable products utilizing ANSI/CEA 709.1 and related standards.

LONMARK International is a non-profit, mutual-benefit trade association with close to 600 members worldwide, and local affiliates in the Americas, Asia, and Europe. LONMARK's mission is to create, support, and promote the standards for open, interoperable LON-based products, systems, and professionals.

Products, which have been verified to conform to the LONMARK interoperability guidelines, are eligible to carry the LONMARK logo.

LONMARK and the LONMARK Logo are registered trademarks in the U.S. and other jurisdictions. Other marks belong to their respective holders

Brigham Young University Receives Software Donation

2008-02-06T09:21:00.001-05:00

TRIRIGA INC., a global provider of Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS), has donated more than $500,000 in workplace management software and services to Brigham Young University's (BYU) Fulton College of Engineering and Technology. The donation is aimed at enhancing the learning environment for engineering students so they can develop key skills and knowledge around facility management. The software will be used by students of the Facilities Management program as part of their studies, and has been incorporated into the curriculum to help students gain an understanding of how leading IWMS systems can be applied to maximize the return on workplace assets and facilities.

BYU Fulton College of Engineering and Technology is recognized by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) as one of the top facility management first-professional degree programs at colleges and universities. The College educates more than 3,000 students each year, with over 90 students a year concentrating on facility management. In 2007, the Student Chapter of the IFMA at BYU received the Student Chapter of the Year Award and Dr. Jeffery Campbell, Chairman of the Facilities Management Program at BYU became an IFMA Fellow in 2005.

"With TRIRIGA's contribution of leading technology and industry best practices, our students will receive the key skills and knowledge to further their careers. We look forward to partnering with TRIRIGA to help students prepare for today's competitive job market," said Dr. Campbell.

"In working with an internationally recognized university such as BYU, TRIRIGA extends its network at the university level to advance facility management education and knowledge to improve and deliver leading workplace management solutions to the IWMS market," said George Ahn, Chief Executive Officer and President at TRIRIGA.

Four Schools Compete in Compressed Air Engineering Contest

2008-02-05T10:14:00.000-05:00

The Compressed Air & Gas Institute (CAGI) has announced the teams taking part in the organization's first Innovation Awards contest. Participating engineering schools include Milwaukee School of Engineering, Purdue University, Virginia Tech, and the University of Minnesota.

The Innovation Awards are an invitation-only awards program designed to honor undergraduates for innovative use of compressed air. Students submit their air powered designs for judging by the members of CAGI, the association of manufacturers of compressed air systems and equipment. The contest challenges students to create innovative designs, using compressed air as the power source.

“With creative team names like ‘Stressed and Compressed,’ ‘Gas Giants,’ and ‘Full Throttle,’ we’re looking forward to seeing what inventive submissions the teams produce,” said David Prator, president of CAGI.

First place teams will receive $2,500 and will also see $8,000 awarded to their school. $1,500 goes to the second place team, with $4,000 going to its school. Results will be announced April 1, 2008.

New Book Addresses Changes in the 2008 National Electrical Code

2008-01-31T09:26:00.001-05:00

American Technical Publishers, Inc. has released the book, Significant Changes Based on the 2008 National ElectricalCode®. This new textbook, also available electronically, is intended to familiarize learners with the major changes contained in the 2008 National Electrical Code® and includes only the most significant revisions. Through the headings at the beginning of each Code change addressed in the textbook, readers will easily identify the section affected by the change and the specific subject being discussed.

The "Significance" section contains information about the type of change and highlights its importance. The "Analysis" section includes an explanation to help learners understand the revised language, its background, and the logic of the change. Graphics, photographs, examples, and calculations are used to illustrate the change and to enhance learning. The "Summary" section is a brief statement of the change. Where a code change involve new or updated technology, pertinent information is included under the"Technical Update" section.

The application questions within the textbook are designed to assist the reader in applying the new code revisions in practice and can be used by an instructor to assess comprehension.

FM:Systems Partners With Nigerian FM Firm

2008-01-30T09:17:00.000-05:00

FM:Systems, a provider of integrated workplace management systems (IWMS) and computer-aided facility management (CAFM) software, has announced a new business partnership with Nigerian-based company Messrs ShelterCareFM Consult. Through the partnership, FM:Systems will provide the company with software and training to ensure quality implementations of FM:Systems products in and around Nigeria.

“After looking at other software solutions, we were most attracted to the intuitiveness of the FM:Systems interface,” said Collins Osayamwen, senior consultant at Messrs ShelterCareFM. “FM:Systems is extremely forward-thinking and user-centric, and we felt their products would work well in the Nigerian market.”

Added Collins, “In the past Nigeria simply recreated and rebuilt when buildings needed repairs instead of maintaining the current infrastructure. People have grown tired of watching our cities deteriorate, and an atmosphere of maintenance is emerging. We feel the environment is ripe in Nigeria for the facilities industry to explode. Partnering with FM:Systems will help us bring quality products to our customers to help in this transformation of thinking in Nigeria.”

“It’s exciting to see the profession grow especially in emerging markets like Nigeria,” said Marty Chobot, vice president of marketing for FM:Systems, which is based in Raleigh, NC. “ShelterCareFM Consult is not only a thriving business but is also very passionate about advancing the facilities profession. We look forward to helping them expand in Nigeria.”

The FM:Systems international partner program is a comprehensive package of training, technical support, and marketing and sales opportunities. The program offers competitive advantages for FM:Systems partners and provides a highly skilled and knowledge base of resources for FM:Systems customers.

About Messrs ShelterCareFM Consult
Incorporated in 2004, Messrs ShelterCareFM Consult is a multi-disciplinary consultancy group possessing a broad spectrum of high caliber expertise in Facilities Management. The company delivers professional services with efficient project management through a network of twelve interrelated branches throughout Nigeria, including: Lagos State, Edo State, River State, Oyo State, Kaduna State, Benue State, Imo State, Delta State, Kano State, and Abuja the Federal Capital Territory.

About FM:Systems, Inc.
By connecting people, place and process, FM:Systems helps facilities and real estate professionals improve customer service, reduce costs and increase productivity enterprise-wide. FM:Systems web-based software improves management of space, occupancy, moves, maintenance, leases and property. FM:Systems is headquartered in Raleigh, NC and conducts business in the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

New Version of National CAD Standard Now Available

2008-01-28T09:11:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday (1/24/08), the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), and National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) unveiled the United States National CAD Standard® (NCS) Version 4.0, the first update to the Standard since 2005. The latest edition, designed for owners, architects, engineers, contractors, facility managers, code officials, manufacturers, and suppliers, adds the following improvements to Version 3.1:
* Expanded and reorganized CAD Layer Guidelines make it easier to locate layer names, including new telecommunications and electrical discipline layer names.
* Updated Uniform Drawing System adds new and revised symbols for geotech, security, fire suppression, masonry, plaster and updates and clarifies common drawing practices.
* Completely re-written Plotting Guidelines reflect that line widths are no longer required to be mapped to color numbers.
* Version 4.0 now includes documents in PDF, Excel, and .dwg file formats, making it easier to search and integrate the standard into CAD, BIM, costing, and other software.

Walter Marlowe, CSI’s executive director said, “NCS Version 4.0 will further streamline design, construction, and facility operations communication among all participants in the facility life cycle. Better communication means fewer errors and lower costs for all disciplines.”

“A current, widely used National CAD Standard is an essential part of NIBS’ cooperative effort with AIA, CSI, and the buildingSMART Alliance to ensure an open, interoperable information format and communication environment—including integration into the new National Building Information Model Standard (NBIMS)—that will serve both the building community and the general public,” added NIBS President David A. Harris, FAIA.

NCS Version 4.0 will benefit a wide range of industry stakeholders:
* Owners and facility managers will benefit from a consistent appearance of drawing sets for all projects, reducing errors and change orders.
* Designers will spend less time creating and maintaining in-house office standards.
* Contractors will benefit from a consistent detail reference system.
* Code officials will benefit from the consistent location of regulatory information in the drawing set and on specific individual sheets.
* Manufacturers and suppliers will save time on price quotes and submittal review and approval.

The NCS incorporates three important components from the partnering organizations: AIA’s CAD Layer Guidelines; Modules 1-8 of CSI’s Uniform Drawing System; and NIBS’ Introduction, Appendices, and Plotting Guidelines (all maintained and balloted by the NIBS NCS Project Committee). Combining these resources, the NCS prescribes CAD layer names, drawing set organization, drafting, notation, and plotting conventions. It adds an extensive symbols library and thousands of terms and abbreviations.

Over 5,000 workplaces have voluntarily adopted the NCS since its debut in 1999. Many federal agencies require NCS use and many private sector users have adopted it, including auto manufacturers, international shipping companies, national retailers and financial service providers. The NCS helps building designers, constructors and operators coordinate their efforts by classifying electronic design data consistently, easing information retrieval. It improves communication among owners and project teams, cuts or eliminates costs of developing and maintaining company-specific standards, and reduces the expense of transferring building data from design applications to facility management applications.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: LincGroup Case Study

2008-01-22T10:44:00.000-05:00

The Linc Group is a facilities management (FM) company providing services to more than 100,000 in 45 states and abroad. Linc cost effectively maintains and improves building facilities for its clients, maximizing energy efficiencies and optimizing operations. With headquarters in Irvine, CA, Linc's notable clients include JFK International Airport, Glaxo-Smith Kline, and Andrews Air Force Base.

The Challenge
With multiple business units, 24 company stores throughout the United States, and 134 franchisees, Linc initiates more than 1,000 new projects each month. This decentralization makes it possible for Linc to provide on-site localized services to a large number of locations.

However, it also makes employee collaboration and centralized tracking of projects difficult. Also, managers need additional tools to perform effective employee evaluations. A big challenge for Linc was providing its distributed workforce with the tools they needed to communicate, accomplish projects, and achieve the level of customer service that Linc clients expect.

The company was using Microsoft® Office Groove™ software and Excel® spreadsheet software to track and manage these projects. However, these tools were not fulfilling the company’s needs, and employees were still spending a lot of time following up on the status of projects. What the company needed was a clear, centralized view of how projects were progressing and a way to determine individual employee contributions.

The Solution
As a result, Linc teamed up with LMR in February 2007 to implement Microsoft® Office Project Server 2007 to manage both its internal and external projects in an effective, homogeneous system that could track progress.

“We chose Office Project Server 2007, because it is already integrated out of the box, and that’s what is important to us. Our partner, LMR, stood it up, and it worked like a top, just like Microsoft advertises,” says Greg Lush, vice president and chief information officer at Linc.

LMR proposed that Linc use its SMART EPM program, a customized program that provides best practice services and configurations for enterprise project management solutions. “It was really quick—around a month of assessment, installation, and training. Linc has been running with the solution since May 2007,” says Mark Virnig, senior project management consultant at LMR.

The Results
After a smooth implementation, the solution was deployed to 350 employees within six months. Office Project Server 2007 has saved Linc time and money, improved employee collaboration and customer service, and provided Linc with an efficient way to evaluate employees fairly. The solution is being used to manage 90% of all internal corporate projects and a growing number of external projects.

• Benefits. Office Project Server 2007 saves Linc time and money, and has proven to be reliable. It also gives Linc an efficient way to evaluate employees accurately and provides enhanced customer service. Additionally, because Office Project Server 2007 is easy to learn and use, its benefits are immediately apparent, which results in ready acceptance by Linc vendors, partners, and employees.

• Money Savings. Office Project Server 2007 provides greater visibility and facilitates employee collaboration by providing a forum for centralized tracking and modifications, both of which lead directly to cost savings. With just one project, “We saved 500 hours.... I will have earned back the fee paid to use Office Project Server 2007 on this project 40 times over by the time we are finished,” says Lush.

• Improved Employee Efficiency. Office Project Server 2007 saves Linc time and increases employee collaboration by providing a centralized location for project modifications and comments. Supervisors have one stop access to a complete overview of the project, giving them the tools to manage initiatives efficiently and effectively. Employees and partners are able to log into Office Project Server 2007 and see the complete history of a project.

“Team members on projects are saving 50% to 60% of their time; they spend less time tracking tasks and more time actually performing them," explains Sandra Smith, program manager, financial management group.

The solution also saves the Linc management team time, because it can access and review projects easily and trust the information—obviating the need for time consuming follow up.

“Partners don't have to use Office Project Server 2007, I can’t force them. However, they see what a dramatic difference it makes and what a good tool it is, and they are using it. It has really helped my job. I save at least six hours a week being able to see what our partners are doing at any given time without having to send out constant ‘Can you please update?’ e-mail messages,” says Smith.

Additionally, projects can be handed off within the organization at a fraction of the time they used to be, allowing employees to contribute easily to projects.

• Better Customer Service. Linc has improved its customer service using Office Project Server 2007 and gained repeat business. Specifically, a Linc project manager recently added the customer’s project team to the site providing them with complete oversight. All work—including issues, risks, product documentation, and review cycles—was tracked through Office Project Server 2007.

• Accurate Employee Evaluations. Team members who are always on task and complete their benchmarks accurately and on time will stand out due to the screen views on Office Project Server 2007 and vice versa. Linc can use this information to make informed, effective choices when it comes to promotions and employee feedback. It can also help determine employee work loads.

Check back on FacilityBlog and TFM online for updates on this project and more from Microsoft.

FRIDAY FUNNY: Forging A Closer Relationship

2008-01-18T09:19:00.000-05:00

It's a given these days that many people "can't live without their techie gadgets." One architectural firm will make it possible for iPod lovers to live in one. James Law Cybtertecture International has designed iPad, a 26-story apartment building in Dubai. The building is scheduled for completion in 2010.

From the James Law Cybtecture Web site:

iPad is the world’s first Cybertecture apartment tower located in Dubai’s Business Bay, and scheduled for completion in 2010. The iPad embodies the vision of Omniyat Properties and our vision of “Living the Future” is brought to life. The iPad, with its architecture and technology designed by James Law of James Law Cybertecture International, is a piece of Cybertecture that is a symbiotic mix of technology, architecture, interior design and software. Cybertecture being the new 21st Century approach to designing and building our world where human exper experiences are enhanced through both space and technology. iPad is conceived as the world’s most interesting and young living building. It is meant to be where the “in” crowd would live, young people who know how to get the most out of life, and out of the technology they use….and it is also a wonderful life of possibilities where the boundaries of your home is unlimited through the integration of technology.

To read more and view more photos of the iPad, visit the James Law Cybertecture site.

In July 2006, FacilityBlog posted some gift ideas from BusinessWeek online for the special iPod in your life.

Open Standards Supported by IFMA

2008-01-14T09:24:00.000-05:00

The Open Standards Consortium for Real Estate (OSCRE) announced last September that the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) has joined OSCRE and will support OSCRE’s efforts to develop workplace standards and improve the efficiency, consistency, and transparency of data used in the corporate supply chain.

“Technology is the newest facility management competency, and it is revolutionizing how real property assets are managed and how fast critical information can be shared,” said David J. Brady, IFMA president and chief executive officer. “Previous to OSCRE’s initiatives, FM software used different platforms and there were no information exchange standards. Custom interfaces were necessary or time was wasted by manually re-keying information. Data standards enable facility professionals to readily share information with architects, designers, contractors, government officials and other stakeholders.”

IFMA will play a strategic part in establishing OSCRE’s roadmap for future development. The Executive Committee meets regularly to set OSCRE policy, including the priorities for the maintenance and development of standards. The committee also advises the board of directors on its business plan and provides resources to support the organization’s workgroups.

"As an IFMA member since 1993, I’m extremely pleased to have all of my long-time industry friends associated with OSCRE,” said OSCRE Chief Executive Officer Andy Fuhrman. “My ability to lead OSCRE has a lot to do with the collaboration and exchange of ideas enabled by my participation in IFMA, and I am excited about the huge benefits OSCRE will provide IFMA members via our interoperable data standards. A standardized vocabulary for the facility management industry is long overdue.”

OSCRE Americas, Inc., exists to establish a common business language for the Real Property industry that enables stakeholders throughout the supply chain to quickly, easily and cost effectively receive and send electronic business information regardless of the technology operating system or applications they use. Data standards are being developed to greatly reduce the cost companies currently incur for customized integrations, data scrubbing, manual data entry and re-entry.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, as a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization, OSCRE’s mission is to facilitate the standards development process among key real estate stakeholders, including owners, tenants/occupants, investors, operators, tenants, developers, service providers, regulatory agencies, consulting firms, vendors and suppliers — to benefit all stakeholders and enable the real estate industry to function more efficiently in the digital economy. Supporting member organizations of OSCRE Americas represent in excess of $2.1 trillion in real estate assets, 12.3 billion square feet of floor space, and 1,370,500 association members.

Powered by the Sun

2008-01-09T10:34:00.000-05:00

With so much emphasis on energy conservation, compounded by the cost of traditional copper wiring, one company is offering a not so new solution with an important twist--solar power for municipal services like streetlights, WiFi, and other infrastructure services that tend to depend on vast amounts of cable.

Orlando, FL-based Solis Energy, a provider of continuous outdoor power generation and connectivity, has announced a suite of products that provide customers with easy, immediate access to 100% power necessary to run critical, low wattage devices (typically 100 watts or less), wherever they are located, even where grid-supplied electricity is unavailable. Such critical, low-wattage devices and applications include security/surveillance cameras, WiFi hotspots, WiMax radios, lights, traffic control sensors, and more.

The use of low-wattage electronic devices and applications is exploding as the demand increases for ubiquitous wireless access and as security requirements are heightened globally. With the resulting rapid expansion of WiFi technology and the growing deployment of security technologies and devices, businesses, utilities, and government entities now demand easy, cost-effective ways to reach and guarantee 100% power to run these vital applications.

“Our products provide continuous, reliable outdoor power generation, connectivity, and emergency/secondary power back-up, anywhere it’s needed - including remote locations that don’t have power. Whether on-grid or off-grid, our products are easy to install, requiring no special expertise, and they give our customers the ability to take control of their outdoor power,” said Solis Energy’s Founder and CEO Robert Reynolds.

Independent testing lab Technology Assurance Labs’ Co-Founder Douglas S. Peeples commented, “We find Solis Energy’s solutions to be ‘engineer friendly,’ having been designed by engineers with actual field experience. The lab sees their products as robust, and they will fare well in extreme climates. Engineers should give fair consideration to the product set and not be fooled by its modest cost.”

Solis Energy’s product suite includes the Solar Power Plant SPP Series Solar Generators with Smart Enclosures, Outdoor Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), Streetlight Power Tap Adapters, and soon, devices for multiple DC power or Power over Ethernet (POE) requirements, and Remote Power Monitoring (RPM):

Solar Power Plant SPP Series
The Solar Power Plant SPP Series is a complete platform of solar generators with Smart Enclosures that provide a renewable energy source for powering applications and devices where conventional power doesn’t exist or isn’t viable to install. It is ideally suited for low-wattage requirements and can be easily mounted to a pedestal, side of pole or wall location. The Solar Power Plant SPP Series support today’s enormous Going Green initiatives to conserve the global environment with renewable energy sources, and they make great business sense. The one-time capital expenditure for a Solis Energy Solar Power Plant is often less expensive than having an electrician and/or power company extend power, and it includes integrated brownout and blackout protection.

Outdoor UPS Series
Solis Energy’s AC>DC Outdoor UPS Series is ideal as a secondary power source for routine applications or as battery back-up power for short-term emergency needs to maintain vital applications like wireless communications and video surveillance security systems.

Streetlight Power Tap Adapters
Solis Energy’s Streetlight Power Tap Adaptor provides easy access to 120 vAC power from outdoor lights for running devices and applications like security/surveillance cameras, WiFi hotspots, WiMax radios, traffic monitoring or Solis Energy’s AC>DC Outdoor UPS systems.

APC-MGE Recognized For Data Center Solutions

2008-01-08T09:21:00.000-05:00

Frost & Sullivan recently bestowed the company with its 2007 Global Data Center Solutions Company of the Year Award.

APC-MGE, part of the critical power and cooling services business unit of Schneider Electric, announced yesterday that it received the award from global growth consulting company Frost & Sullivan. The award is based on a number of criteria, including market share growth, quality product performance, manufacturing capabilities, technological skills, and the effectiveness of distribution channel partners.

"For the past seven years, APC-MGE has consistently increased its revenue share and mindshare within the data center market," said Farah Saeed, senior consultant with Frost & Sullivan. "Their success is a combination of customer-centric power and cooling solutions and the execution of successful strategic industry alliances. By advancing the progress of data center solutions in efficiency, design and scalability, while continuing to exceed the latest application requirements, they are a true leader and a worthy recipient of the 2007 Frost & Sullivan Data Center Solutions Company of the Year Award."

Another factor cited in APC’s selection was the company’s customer service and customer loyalty levels. The company has the expertise to identify market needs and changes while executing innovative strategies within the existing competitive landscape.

"We are delighted that Frost & Sullivan chose to recognize APC-MGE’s success in both data center product innovation and company performance," said Laurent Vernerey, APC-MGE’s president and chief executive officer. "With the investments we are making today, we are positioning APC-MGE for long-term success in our traditional markets, as well as within the data center and enterprise space."

In order to select the award recipient, analysts quantify several market factors for each market participant according to predetermined criteria, paying close attention to their combined operations. This process includes interviews with all market participants, customers, and suppliers, along with extensive secondary and technology research. The companies’ efforts are then analyzed based on the number of new customers, new segments, and commitment to business expansion together with market growth. Industry participants are then ranked based on predetermined measurement criteria.

Gifts from Google

2007-12-18T10:30:00.000-05:00

Lately, I have been finding myself out and about, wishing I had a decent tool for getting information while away from my computer. Sure, there's always my cell phone and 411, but those calls are often automated and if you can't spell the name of the business (or don't even have a name, but are looking for a list of service providers), they end up at dead ends.

Last week, I received an e-mail from Popgadget about a wonderful service called Google SMS. If you are comfortable sending text messages on your phone and would prefer straight address and phone numbers to phone based Web browers, this could be a real great find.

Here's the explanation from Google:

Text message your search query to 466453 ('GOOGLE' on most devices) and we'll text message back results.

New! Personalized SMS saves you time by saving your location. We'll automatically save your most frequently used location for future queries. You can also text 'set location' followed by a city & state or zip to save a new location. Google SMS will return results using your saved location if no location is specified.

Try our interactive demo.

Another interesting feature I have yet to try is GOOG-411. This free tool allows you to search for businesses by name or category.

There are more options, for those who don't like texting. From Google:

Can't stand typing? GOOG-411 will understand your voice and find the business you're looking for. Search by name ("Giovanni's pizza") or category ("Pizza").

Connect to the business directly, free of charge. No need to write down a note or memorize long phone numbers. GOOG-411 connects you, free of charge.

Get more details by SMS — Simply say "text message" and GOOG-411 will send you a text message with more information and a link to a map of the business you've selected, free.

Dial 1 800 GOOG-411. For fastest access, simple add GOOG-411 to your contact list: 1 800 466-4411.

Of course, there are Google Maps and Google Calendar tools for mobile users, which will come in handy the next time I'm away on business. For the whole list of free Google mobile tools, click this link. And if you've had any experience with these mobile tools, tell other FacilityBloggers about it here!