July 24, 2019

MSA Safety announces new Latchways RIBA CPD

MSA Safety has announced a new Latchways® RIBA CPD programme, available to architects, principal designers and principal contractors. MSA’s new CPD will help them keep up-to-date and understand the latest regulations and requirements when it comes to specifying fall protection systems. Architects and principal designers play a fundamental role when

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Smart Buildings & Smart Cities Security Whitepaper

Axis Communications, the market leader in network video technology, has announced the release of its latest whitepaper, Smart Buildings & Smart Cities Security. Authored in association with Virtually Informed and Unified Security, the whitepaper is the third in a series looking at specific aspects of security and provides an in depth review of

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Kubota in One-Horse Race at Chepstow Construction Equipment!

Chepstow Construction Equipment has been a Kubota Construction dealer since 2013 and covers South Wales as well as a large part of the West Country, areas that are both steeped in National Hunt Racing history. Both of CCE’s depots (Chepstow and Tiverton) conveniently have race courses located nearby, and the company has a long-running association with the Chepstow Racecourse and has sponsored the Silver Trophy Handicap

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James Latham Is Looking for Design Superstars

James Latham has launched a competition across its social media platforms to celebrate the best projects and examples of design which have been created using their high-quality timber or decorative products. Using the hashtag #LathamsDesign2019, the competition is inviting designers, architects, joiners, furniture makers – indeed anyone who uses their products

Read More »

Top Five Smart Home Tech for Your Apartment

Smartphones, smart cars, and smart homes. It is the age of things designed and built to make our lives easier. And, for the most part, they do just that. You need to spend out some cash initially and work out all of the cool new settings. But, before you know

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Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

July 24, 2019

MSA Safety announces new Latchways RIBA CPD

MSA Safety has announced a new Latchways® RIBA CPD programme, available to architects, principal designers and principal contractors. MSA’s new CPD will help them keep up-to-date and understand the latest regulations and requirements when it comes to specifying fall protection systems. Architects and principal designers play a fundamental role when it comes to the construction of a new project, they also have a huge role to play when it comes to working at height as it is their vision that strongly influences the rest of the construction process. As per the CDM (Construction, Design and Management) regulations, putting health and safety at the very centre of the building process, from start to finish, can make a monumental difference when it comes to protecting lives. James Sainsbury, MSA Safety’s International Fall Protection Specialist (Architecture and Roofing) comments: “Having a real understanding of fall protection and designing the most suitable system from specification to building completion and beyond can help save lives. We want to help the industry with its continuous professional development, and this CPD does just that.” Russell Clayton, Associate at MJP Architects Limited, commented: “As an architect, considerations around health and safety are becoming more important than ever. MSA’s CPD really helped me to clearly understand safety requirements and regulations and what I need to think about when it comes to the specification of fall protection equipment.” To sign up to the MSA RIBA CPD: Click here to book online Or call 01380 732700 to book a spot in one of MSA’s upcoming sessions

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Smart Buildings & Smart Cities Security Whitepaper

Axis Communications, the market leader in network video technology, has announced the release of its latest whitepaper, Smart Buildings & Smart Cities Security. Authored in association with Virtually Informed and Unified Security, the whitepaper is the third in a series looking at specific aspects of security and provides an in depth review of the topic, addresses key questions and, importantly, provides recommendations that must be considered if the smart promise is to become a reality. Against the global backdrop of population growth, the strain on limited resources and climate change, there is a growing demand for businesses and governments around the world to deliver significant improvements in the way our cities and the buildings within them are managed. The promise of future cities and buildings built around a smart vision to reduce waste, drive efficiencies and optimise resources is a prodigious one with many inherent challenges, not least, security. Smart technology enables the collection and analysis of data to create actionable and automated events that will streamline operations. To deliver this at far greater scale means bringing together a large number of very different systems and empowering them to communicate freely with access to important and often sensitive data. Device interoperability will be a crucial component of its success but to have full confidence in the way that these diverse ecosystems operate together, and to ultimately cede important decision-making to them, stakeholders must be fully confident in the security of the systems. The proliferation of IoT devices has witnessed in parallel an exponential increase in the number of threat exposures and attack vectors, that put in jeopardy the systems that our smart cities and buildings will rely on. With an ever-increasing number of cyber breaches and a common acknowledgment that ‘you are only as strong as your weakest link’, it is important that cybersecurity is considered and evaluated throughout the whole supply chain to protect data, maintain privacy and keep risk associated with cyber threats to a minimum. This process should always start by looking at device security and the vendors’ cyber maturity. Managing cybersecurity in environments of this scale involves drawing up thorough risk assessments that go right back through the supply chain. Identifying vulnerabilities and mitigating the potential for damage that they could cause. Axis’Smart Buildings & Smart Cities Security whitepaper topics include: Smart cities and why we need them – Smart cities are increasingly playing a significant role in meeting today’s resource and population challenges Smart and intelligent technology – Smart devices, systems, buildings and cities defined – questions and issues around existing definitions are addressed Roles and responsibilities – Review stakeholder roles and security risk management to better understand the security issues associated with smart building systems Security challenges – Threat vectors are vast and varied with increasing levels of sophistication; understand the vulnerabilities, technologies and standards to be applied Recommendations – Getting started; security standards and frameworks; product strategy, system and solution security; supply and purchasing; and converged operations. The associated disruption as a result of a cybersecurity breach of a smart system could be catastrophic. At a minimum, it would cause system downtime and impact its ability to operate. The loss of personal data or IP may also damage reputation, impact a company’s share price or even cause actual physical harm. Ensuring that converged security becomes a vital component of this rapidly changing paradigm is of critical importance; safety and security must be at the heart of the shared ambitions for a smarter environment. Steven Kenny, Industry Liaison, Architecture and Engineering at Axis Communications commented:“At Axis we are passionate about using technology to help create a smarter and safer world. We also believe that technology should be used in an ethical and responsible way. You might say that this whitepaper reflects the very values of our business in that, used responsibly and with security front and centre, smart technology will help us address the big challenges of our time. Increasing efficiencies is vital in meeting carbon reduction targets and avoiding climate catastrophe. The smart vision provides a strong basis for economic growth and improved quality of life. We greatly admire the work that Virtually Informed and Unified Security are doing to help ensure that the worlds of physical and cyber security are aligned and working together to achieve a common goal of increased safety and security for all.” The whitepaper’s two authors have impressive credentials. James Willison is the founder of Unified Security Ltd and one of IFSEC Global’s top 20 Security thought leaders in the world. Sarb Sembhi is the CTO and CISO at Virtually Informed and has contributed on security projects for the likes of the London Chamber of Commerce and the Internet of Things Security Foundation. Mr. Sembhi also sits on the editorial board of SC magazine.

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Kubota in One-Horse Race at Chepstow Construction Equipment!

Chepstow Construction Equipment has been a Kubota Construction dealer since 2013 and covers South Wales as well as a large part of the West Country, areas that are both steeped in National Hunt Racing history. Both of CCE’s depots (Chepstow and Tiverton) conveniently have race courses located nearby, and the company has a long-running association with the Chepstow Racecourse and has sponsored the Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle for the past two years.  CCE has 25 years’ experience in the plant industry and supply a range of Kubota machines, including the market-leading mini excavators, tracked dumpers and RTVs, to a variety of different customers such as plant hire firms, contractors and builders.   Since becoming a Kubota dealer, CCE has supported Chepstow Racecourse and used the superb facilities for charity events and hospitality functions for suppliers, customers and employees. Most recently, the firm supplied a Reggae-style U48-4GL machine for its Caribbean-themed race night which is currently being raffled.   CCE’s goal is to develop strong working relationships with construction and plant hire across the area it serves, and be the leading provider of compact construction equipment and mini excavators in particular. Therefore, Kubota has been the perfect partner with which to do so, and both companies have shared values of putting customers at the forefront of everything they do.   The reliability of the Kubota product has helped to save customers a considerable amount of potential downtime and lost productivity on sites, as well as time in administrating machine problems and breakdowns. But they also save the CCE team huge amounts of time, both in terms of engineering and administration work on breakdown and warranty claims. Instead, this time can be much better spent on providing customers with a swifter reaction time to an issue, or to provide advice or training, for instance.   As a result, CCE’s market share has grown by some margin over the last five years with three times the amount of Kubota machines being sold now than in 2012, and the company has been able to expand its service area into Devon to better serve customers in the West Country. Customer retention is above 90%, even during a very volatile and competitive period for the market.   There are many likenesses between the thoroughbreds that race on the tracks at Chepstow and the Kubota mini excavators that are sold by CCE – both are top of their class. Hard working, reliable and with an impeccable pedigree but perhaps not quite as fast (!), Kubota’s mini excavators work just as well in soft ground as well as on good to firm, and always deliver a winning result.  

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James Latham Is Looking for Design Superstars

James Latham has launched a competition across its social media platforms to celebrate the best projects and examples of design which have been created using their high-quality timber or decorative products. Using the hashtag #LathamsDesign2019, the competition is inviting designers, architects, joiners, furniture makers – indeed anyone who uses their products – to share their images. The competition, which runs throughout the UK and Ireland, launched in early July and will continue through until September 30. Selected images will be showcased across Latham’s various social media platforms and the winning entry will receive a £500 voucher for Artist Residence, the eccentric boutique hotel group, with venues situated in Brighton, London, Oxfordshire, Penzance and Bristol. “We are constantly amazed by the high-quality, end-products created by our customers who are designers, joiners, woodworkers, landscape designers, architects, and much more. We know there are some world-class design and craft skills out there, but too often, we don’t get to see where our products and materials end up and what they turn into,” said Group Head of Marketing Stuart Devoil. “We really want to encourage people to share more pictures of their work which showcase their skills, so creating a summer photo competition was the perfect opportunity to do this.” Using the hashtag #LathamsDesign2019 and tagging Latham’s, anyone wishing to enter can post images on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook using @lathamsltd or via LinkedIn using @james-latham. 

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Top Five Smart Home Tech for Your Apartment

Smartphones, smart cars, and smart homes. It is the age of things designed and built to make our lives easier. And, for the most part, they do just that. You need to spend out some cash initially and work out all of the cool new settings. But, before you know it, you will be speaking to a voice-activated assistant in your beautifully furnished LA apartment, checking the weather for three days time.  But it doesn’t stop at a voice assistant. You can implement smart home systems to fit your life. If you work away a lot, a smart security system will be right up your street. If you are looking to save cash and the environment, then a system that focuses on keeping your energy usage low and automatically turning things off will be your best buddy.  Photo by Thomas Kolnowski on Unsplash But this poses the next questions. Is there a list of products that come recommended? What are the tip smart home tech items for your home? Let’s dig in, shall we? Audio Sonos was putting out their sleek designed smart home music kits before it was trendy. So, audiophiles were on this trend before it was fashionable. They are high-quality, very reliable, easy to install, and sound is impressive. They have a higher and lower price point, so it’s not a sound system for the elite, it is for everyone.  Sonos also have a range of supported music devices, including iTunes, Deezer, and Spotify and if you are into Alexa – the newest models come equipped for that too.  The basic principle is you can have music playing all over your home. You can opt for the same playlist, or different ones in different rooms and they are not bulky enough to take up too much space.  Sleep Tech Yes, the world of ‘smart’ has extended out into your sleep. We all know that if you don’t sleep well, your daily life is impacted. There are wrist devices like the Fitbit, which can aid you in learning more about how you are sleeping, but the Withings Sleep goes a little bit further.  It is placed in between your sheets and mattress, in a very noninvasive way. And, is able to gauge just how much sleep you are (or aren’t) getting. It can give you a break down of when you went to bed when you got out of bed, plus track your deep sleep and light sleep.  You can hook up IFTTT and when you lay in bed, and the Withings Sleep is triggered, it can turn off your lights for you (if they are smart lights – of course).  Thermostat These wise temperature keepers are keeping the smart home market in business. Nest Learning Thermostat is one of those things. You can get cheaper alternatives that do the job, but this one gets more intelligent as time goes on. And, having technology that learns as you go is just a better investment.  The Nest Learning Thermostat works with all of the other nest products, so it makes sense for those who have decided this is the best smart home kit for them. It also works with some from other manufacturers. Typically though, this one needs to be installed by a professional – as it hooks up to your heating system and boilers.  This little piece of kit learns when you use the heat when you don’t and when the hot water is used, and from there works out how to save you money and keep you warm.  Cleaning Who doesn’t wish to automate their cleaning? Well, if you just really don’t love vacuuming, then the best thing you can get is a Roomba. These little robots of wonder do a perfectly great job of cleaning the floor, and it is a set and forget situation.  The downside is if you are one for leaving cables on the floor, you can find yourself in a heap of trouble.  Generally, though, it is compact does its job until it needs to be charged and does carpets and hard surfaces without an issue.  Coffee Fix Have you ever been laying in bed, wishing that your coffee would make itself? Well, then this is for you. It works with Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and a handy app on your phone. It is a bean-to-cup coffee machine, so you are getting the very best coffee you can have – at the touch of a button.  You will still have to clean the Smarter Coffee system, but in general, if you are busy in the mornings, or just like to pick up your coffee cup without waiting for it to be made, then this is the gadget for you. 

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