13 January 2017
|
 Ben Bartle-Ross | Ben Bartle-Ross, a trainer at Mitsubishi Electric, asks if we are being smart enough with some of the latest technology available. In my last column, I talked about the various Apps that manufacturers, such as Mitsubishi Electric, are developing for engineers when they are out on the job. These can help with things like fault codes, pipe runs, wiring details, etc and are designed to help you get the information you need, when you need it. |
Software like BIM is really starting to make a difference now with consultants and designers able to use exact digital information on products and design them into projects.
BIM will eventually enable the construction industry to track the lifecycle of a building from drawing board to demolition and – for our industry – will help track the lifecycle of a piece of equipment in a similar way.
I can also see a day in the not too distant future when monitoring and reporting the energy consumption of each piece of kit also becomes a part of whole process, especially with legislation forcing commercial landlords to look at the efficiency of their buildings before they can lease them out.
So, are you making full use of these Apps and digital tools, or do you find yourself ‘digitally disconnected’?
Most people have a smartphone of some kind these days, so it is worth investigating if you’re not currently using what is available.
At the same time, we know the reality of installing air conditioning into a building – especially retrofitting, can sometimes be less ‘exact’ than what was on the designers plan, given the constraints of working in an existing building around other professions such as electricians, plasterers, ceiling panellists, lighting, alarm systems, etc.
So we also know that there will be times where you need to pick up the phone and talk to an expert from the manufacturer, regardless of what App is available or not.
That’s what we the manufacturers are trying to do, provide the right digital tools, alongside the training and expert advice when you really need it.
If you have any comments on this column or any other training issue, contact Ben by email: [email protected].
BIM will eventually enable the construction industry to track the lifecycle of a building from drawing board to demolition and – for our industry – will help track the lifecycle of a piece of equipment in a similar way.
I can also see a day in the not too distant future when monitoring and reporting the energy consumption of each piece of kit also becomes a part of whole process, especially with legislation forcing commercial landlords to look at the efficiency of their buildings before they can lease them out.
So, are you making full use of these Apps and digital tools, or do you find yourself ‘digitally disconnected’?
Most people have a smartphone of some kind these days, so it is worth investigating if you’re not currently using what is available.
At the same time, we know the reality of installing air conditioning into a building – especially retrofitting, can sometimes be less ‘exact’ than what was on the designers plan, given the constraints of working in an existing building around other professions such as electricians, plasterers, ceiling panellists, lighting, alarm systems, etc.
So we also know that there will be times where you need to pick up the phone and talk to an expert from the manufacturer, regardless of what App is available or not.
That’s what we the manufacturers are trying to do, provide the right digital tools, alongside the training and expert advice when you really need it.
If you have any comments on this column or any other training issue, contact Ben by email: [email protected].
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