Constructive Clarity by Vikrant Duggal

Intelligent Building Case Study: Ave Maria University

Here is a great video case study on Intelligent Buildings that Johnson Controls put together on Ave Maria University. This is worth the 7 minutes!

Can Construction and Social Networking co-exist?

Social Networking has been the huge craze lately. But is it sustainable? And is there any use for it in the construction industry? LinkedIn, branded as a professional network was recently valued at $1 billion. Wow! That's huge and for me, personally, it really doesn't do a whole more than act as an online rolodex. And those recruiters on there? The ones that have 500+ connections, stars, smileyfaces, 50 thumbs-up, and are Featured members; you know the one's I'm talking about. I've never heard from them. Have you?

As I look at the industry, one thing that I heard from Day 1 and still continue to hear today is that the industry is all about relationships. But as I get to thinking about it, where do all my relatonships really stay? In my phone and in my Lotus Notes of Microsoft Outlook address book. Now how am I truly leveraging my relationships if that's where they sit.

How the online network world will end up merging with the construction industry is a loaded problem, but it will happen. Additional services around projects folks are bidding, bid day activities, vendor webinars, education on industry changes will all occur through the niche network. I wanted to write my brief thoughts on the matter, but what do you think? Do you think there's a big need for online networks in the industry?

Feel free to share in the comments.

Telepresence =? Sustainability

What's going on here?
Not to beat the Cisco drum too much, but this came into my inbox this morning and I had to share.

The future of presentation or the future of collaboration and teamwork! Cisco's Chuck Stucki claims that they're taken the equivalent of 3,300 cars off the road. Chambers claims that the value of each telepresence device increases according to Metcalf's Law - the value increases with the addition of devices to the network.

Very cool video - Watch it

5 reasons I [heart] Cisco Connected Real Estate

I need a t-shirt that reads, "I [heart] CCRE." I'm serious. There is nothing about Cisco Connected Real Estate that you shouldn't like. Everything. The branding, the marketing (are the first two the same thing?), the white papers, and the book (yes, there's a book out there from 2006). All of it is good.

If you are in the business of city planning, economic development, commercial land development, general construction, or technology consulting/contracting, there is nothing better than heeding the advice of the CCRE message.

So let me get into the reasons why I [heart] it so much:

1) Explains the convergence story properly

I have seen the convergence message (of IT and facilities) get botched time and time again.. Developers, Owner's reps say they get it, but I've run into too many that don't or can't turn the concept of convergence into reality (they're either scared or uneducated). Cisco understands and clearly explains that business models can be transformed for the betterment of an organization. It is defined as bringing together three key aspects in a facility:

1. Building technologies
2. Physical security
3. Unified communications

And while many get scared barely putting their toes into the world of convergence the greater the level of convergence, the greater the efficiencies and the more the real estate and IT functions can react to ever changing business climates. It is the convergence of all the systems over one building network that enables the owner and users of the property to drastically enhance their IT and real estate value.

2) Leverages Service Oriented Architecture (SOA)

More than ever, IT organizations are under pressure to improve profitability with technology implementations linked to business objectives. Cisco has a broad-based understanding of the key value chains in the real estate industry, from a service provider providing telecommunication services to a property to a large enterprise renting the property right down to a consumer living and working in the property.

To address these different needs, Cisco’s services-oriented approach defines the type of services, ranging from traditional security surveillance to Unified Communications-based voice over IP services, that can be built on an IP-based infrastructure.

3) Wireless is defined as a Utility

The connected real estate story starts with the foundation, the next generation building information network, or what Cisco refers to as the "fourth utility". Like a building owner/developer places plumbing, piping, and wiring into a building, so to now can they add an IP network to the fabric of the building.

The mantra here is: "Reduce cost and complexity by replacing disparate networks for communication, security, and buildings systems with one simplified, flexible, and scalable IP network."

Who doesn't want that? Key point: The key deliverable is connectivity.

4) Technology is the focal point of the Real Estate strategy

(click to enlarge)

With such a strategic impact on business transformation, technology must be considered earlier in the building life cycle. Moreover, 75% of the lifecycle costs is incurred during the operational stages. Historically, building and workplace design do not include IT considerations, and IT design is not dealt with until after delivery of the property.

Key point: Think about technology early & often!

5) Gets the Capex/Opex story

First off, if you think that the only way to save money on your building is on the energy side with all the talk of "sustainability" and "green", you're wrong!

Continental Automated Building Association stated in 2004 that, "First costs for integrated systems (including management hardware and software, network upgrades, web services, and reduction in devices) were 56% less than non-integrated systems."

Cisco shows how one can change the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) model for the better showing savings on the CapEx and OpEx side.

Savings on the CapEx side come from:

• Cabling & Cable pathways
• Labor
• Equipment
• Project Management
• Consolidation of servers for the system
• Reduction in personnel training
• System configuration
• Wireless
• Power of Ethernet (PoE)

Cost savings in areas such as:

• Service contracts, additions/remodels
• Energy cost savings
• Improved load factor, coordinate supply
• Maintenance, Repair and Replacement
• Savings related to "productivity"
• Staff training, Efficiency, IT support

Conclusion
These are some of my thoughts on Cisco Connected Real Estate. Hopefully this is helpful. One thing to note is that Connected Real Estate is a vision (an idea, if you will). Cisco will NOT come and make this a reality. For that you'll need a Technology Contractor.

Commentary on Ideation - a response to IBM's Ideating ad

IBM launched a "Stop Doing, Start Talking" campaign and one of the ads resonated with me and I'm surprised no one has responded with a solution to their problem (that they "haven't Ideated that yet", so here I go with an attempt. (But first, the video for those who haven't seen it).

A few quick thoughts:
In general, I like how IBM is showcasing what ideation - or in this case, "ideating" - is all about and they do tell you what it's all about. They also do a great job of having the setting in a large conference room with chairs against the wall and having each individual talk as though they are in sync. This is important because when in an ideation environment, you involve key stakeholders with the goal of building consensus and alignment. The four issues they brought up in the ad were:

• Rethinking how things are done
  
• New ideas
• Structure & Process
• The need to innovate
  

Some notes on these items:

1. Rethinking how things are done
The one question you need to ask yourself whether you are responsible for a business unit, or are trying to help/support one is: "Are we interested in a better way to do things?"

If the answer to this is "No," then you need to ask yourself how you feel about that. If that answer is a problem for you, then maybe you're in the wrong organization, but I guarantee you there's always someone looking for a better way (especially when it comes to money). If the answer is, "Yes," then start to find out who else cares about looking for a better way and who needs to be convinced of the change and what the criteria for bringing change is.

With respect to ideation, rethinking how things are done is a HUGE first step. If anything it's a prerequisite to getting one of those yoga mats and being able to participate. The best thing you can do in an ideation setting is to truly share what's important to you. This is how stakeholders in various areas of a business unit are able to have a better appreciation and understanding of the entire business.

2. New ideas
New ideas are everywhere today - and people are out there sharing them. Find out what's going on in your industry. Read the current magazines, books, or blogs; maybe you'll find your inspiration in an entirely different industry. I hate to use the word consultant, so I'm going to use the word expert. Find experts in the area you are looking for new ideas in. Maybe they are a consultant, maybe they work for a different company. Maybe they sit next to you. Ideally you are looking for someone who also has the skill set of a great facilitator.

In an ideation workshop, with all the key stakeholders coming together, new ideas are bound to flourish because everyone is (yes, going back to the prerequisite) rethinking how things should be done. The person who you may think has nothing to do with your role in an organization in fact does so very much! In my particular field, I've run into IT managers who think that the person running the Facilities has nothing to do with them. As we've been finding out in the last four to eight years, that mentality is nothing but hogwash.

3. Structure & Process
Changes or improvements to structure are critical. If the boxes on the chart aren't lined up properly and if you're not getting the efficiencies you could get for the same amount of expense then something's wrong.

I don't have to tell you that there are a LOTS and LOTS of inefficient processes out there. Just because they are netting you a profit of some sort, doesn't mean it couldn't be better. It will always come back to, "Are we interested in a better way to do things?"

4. The need to innovate
In today's competitive landscape the next BIG thing can come out of anywhere. It's about relationships and people helping people, so don't think that just because you're the 800-pound gorilla in the room that you can count on that being the end all.

It's about being efficient with our time and resources because things can be better. IBM's ad doesn't ask why we need to come up with new ideas, change or improve structure and process, and the need to innovate. It's unfortunate to see the leadership of an organization that thinks they're different and doesn't need to ideate. Ideating is very much like working out. You try to work our a few times a week. If you ideate once a year, you should be pretty good.

Conclusion
So as for helping the people on floor figure out how to ideate all the things they were telling the gentleman with the inquisitive mind, find a company who has a stellar ideation process to help bring about positive changes in structure and process and can help you innovate. And if IBM is reaching out for help, well, they can give me a call and I'll forward them to a few friends who are great at running ideation sessions.

Hopefully my commentary added some value - thanks Jeff for reminding me about this ad a couple weeks ago.

Corporate America comes knocking...

Vikrant Duggal,

I'm currently an analyst on the Global Energy and Sustainability team here at our office in *********. I'm working on a project to track ******************* media coverage on Energy and Sustainability in the "blogesphere" which is what lead me to come across a post you created on your blog Constructive Clarity which was picked up by a search for **************** in IceRocket.

Essetially, I was wondering if you had some suggestions in regards to what would be the best way to track coverage of *** in blogs, guage is favorability and store it for trending. Our team feels that there is a huge potential for promoting our practices through viral marketing and this could be a great starting point.

If you could provide me with any recommendations, they would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,


Alfredo **********
**************************
phone *************
cell *************
******************************

Constructive Clarity received its first request for help. Not being new the blogging game, I was sure this was bound to happen, but not so soon. The email having come from a fairly large and respected player in the energy and sustainability game, I've decided to keep it anonymous.

That being said, I did respond to Alfredo that I'd be up for chatting on the phone as I have some great ideas for a company trying to go viral.

Keep you posted.

Technology at the heart of China Olympic Games 2008

The thing to watch/look out for at this year's Olympic Games is the technology and one of the world's oldest capital cities, 3,000 year old Beijing, is hoping to capitalize on it as they attempt to race to the 21st century.

The Beijing Organization Committee for the XXIX Olympiad is seeking to deliver communications services that will allow anyone to enjoy the games from anywhere through a network that is not only high-speed and secure, but convenient and efficient.

The cornerstone of Digital Beijing will be the the Digital Beijing Building (pictured above), a dramatic representation of the impact of digital technology in the 21st century. I can hear you heading to Google, so I am providing a link here for more pictures. The profile resembles a bar code and the LED facades suggest the complex, integrated circuitry of silicon chips.

What will happen after the Games to this building is yet unknown, but the obvious bet is that it will turn into a museum to attract visitors. No?

Regardless of what you think, at least it shows that many agencies were able to come together in a coordinated effort to build a landmark.

Here's the thing to think about though - Being technology-heavy sounds great, but I am curious to know how much energy this thing uses. The U.S. is typically behind the Europeans when it comes to building design and sustainability and I feel that Asia is probably a decade or so behind us. It will be sad to see this project by the way-side, or undergoing a massive remodel, in 20-25 years.

The Cloud - If you don't know, now you know

Servers - lots of servers.

Cloud computing is the buzzword in the tech world these days. The New York Times did a great write-up on it that you should read. The basic essence of cloud computing is that you are now obtaining computer resources - processing, storage, messaging, databases, etc. - from somewhere else outside your own four walls and only paying for what you use.

A couple examples of cloud applications include: salesforce.com and facebook.

I guess the phrase, "Don't spend too much time with your head in the clouds," just doesn't apply here.

Track equipment with Virtual Walls

GE and CenTrak, have partnered together to introduce a new system that allows hospitals to track equipment using RFID down to a section of a room.

Product Description:

GE Healthcare, through a collaboration with CenTrak, Inc. of Newton, PA, today announced the availability of a new RFID technology capable of dividing a room or segmenting a bay by creating radio frequency identification (RFID) “virtual walls.” The technology was developed to meet the needs of healthcare providers to track tagged mobile medical equipment down to portion of a single room. This sub-room-level distinction in certain areas of the hospital provides an important enhancement to RFID room-level accuracy.

The Asset Optimization System gives hospitals the ability to accurately locate assets within a monitored area as small as 6’ x 8’, which is the size of a typical small patient bay, whether curtained off or wide open. “Our customers tell us that reliable accuracy, along with cost, are the two most important factors in choosing among current RFID systems,” said Bret Barczak, general manager of Services & Solutions for GE Healthcare. ”Most systems capable of providing higher than room-level accuracy, like ultra wide band, traditionally have been cost prohibitive. The Asset Optimization System allows healthcare providers to create virtual RFID rooms where higher level intelligence, tracking and reporting are more valuable, particularly in places like the OR and ED.

Product: http://www.centrak.com/CenTrak_EquipmentTracking.asp?menuid=p5

Are you working for a B Corporation?

WorldChanging.com's Susan Kuck wrote a great article on the what the new B Corporation means. Whether you're a employer, employee, or consumer, the advantages of a B Corporation are clear:

• differentiates the business from a deluge of "green" companies
• embeds the values into corporate governing documents so that they survive investors and managers
• improves the company's social and environmental causes
• best practices shared among B Corporation community

Link: B Corporation