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Increased Focus on Shopfront Security for Airport Retailers

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Airport a - resize

The Security landscape is changing throughout the world, with Australia being no exception. For the first time Australian retailers are facing new security risks that before had only been experienced in films and TV.

The demand for increased security has seen retailers proactively investing in a number of different measures to protect their merchandise from vandalism and theft, including those retailers at airports and other public buildings across the country as well as retailers in shopping centres, strip retail shops, restaurants, clubs, hotels and gyms.

In recent years the Australian Trellis Door Company (ATDC) has been successfully installing its extensive range of retailer friendly security doors and security shutters for retail stores at airports across Australia including Brisbane International, Melbourne Domestic and  International, Sydney domestic and international, Cairns, Perth ,Gold Coast, Port Hedland  and Darwin International Airports.

Many of Australia’s leading retailers are relying on  ATDC’s successful track record and extensive security industry  experience and are installing their quality range of security doors and security shutters across their retail shopfronts. Industry retailers such as Purely Merino, Australian Way, RM Williams, Billabong, News Travels, Quicksilver, Flight Centre to name but a few.

Recently Heinemann, the global German-owned retailer, was awarded the duty free concession at Sydney International Airport and has installed nearly 600 lineal metres of ATDC’s portable, expandable, roll away security barriers/doors to secure its store. This is the largest single contract ever awarded in Australia to date for portable security gates.

And JR Duty Free has recently installed 60 lineal metres of ATDC’S Top hung SO6 heavy duty trellis security door at its new store at Brisbane International Airport.

airport 17ATDC’s security doors and security shutters are unique-they fold back to a  mere 15% of their expanded width so as not to be visible during trading hours; they can be made to  comply with egress requirements under the BCA where required; they can be manufactured to span unlimited widths and can accommodate curved apertures. The trackless barrier does not require an overhead structure as it is completely freestanding. And ATDC has a fully documented WHS risk assessment completed for its trackless security gate.

Following its success at major Australian airports, ATDC has successfully installed its security doors and shutters at major international airports around the globe including London’s Heathrow Airport, Vietnam’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore’s Changi Airport, Hong Kong’s Chek Lap Kok, Fiji’’s Nadi International Airport and Port Moresby International Airport. ATDC has become a true airport specialist. Many of these jobs have been installed out of working hours under very tight deadlines with very difficult site access and trying site conditions.

ATDC’s range provides a cost effective and innovative solution to retailers’ security needs and is backed up by a 40 year trading record. Quality management staffs will design a bespoke solution to projects anywhere in the world.

 

For more information  visit ATDC’s website at  www.trellisdoors.com.au

 

JLL Introduces Virtual Reality Tool for Real Estate Design and Build

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The virtual reality tool captures 360-degree spherical images through a series of cameras at the project site.

The virtual reality tool captures 360-degree spherical images through a series of cameras at the project site.

Real estate consultant JLL has launched VR360 Services, a new technology application that allows clients to watch their real estate projects take shape from anywhere in the world.

The virtual reality tool captures 360-degree spherical images through a series of cameras at the project site. By logging into an online application, clients can explore their building projects and look around in all directions, mimicking a real life site visit. Providing transparency from the start to finish of a project, VR360 Services enables clients to track the progress of their build closely, identify any problems, and highlight potential issues that may impact the future fit-out or design.

“VR360 Services lets our clients stay on top of their projects by bridging geographical barriers and bringing them closer to their sites. They can log in from a computer, tablet or mobile device and have a virtual walk through the spaces in their own time,” explains Martin Hinge, Managing Director, Project & Development Services, Asia Pacific, JLL.

“Another advantage that VR360 Services provides is the recording of wall, floor and ceiling construction, including electrical and mechanical plumbing systems. This will transform the way clients manage their facilities in future as they can better plan refurbishments and repairs like building in additional power points or repairing blocked pipes.”

One of the early adopters of the application, a multinational technology company with significant Asia Pacific presence, has successfully implemented VR360 Services in its latest construction projects in China and Singapore, allowing stakeholders to watch their sites at every stage of development from Malaysia, India, Singapore, Vietnam and the U.S. By creating an interactive environment where clients have first-hand insights, VR360 Services acts as a substitute for conventional site photo records.

“This exciting development demonstrates how we are making a difference to our clients’ experience. Besides offering them greater connectivity to their projects, VR360 Services also provides seamless communication so we can resolve on-site issues together,” says Ian Chadsey, Solutions Development Director, Asia Pacific, JLL. “New technology is having a profound impact on the real estate industry. VR360 Services is just one example of how, as a firm, we’re applying innovative thinking to help our clients maximise efficiency and improve processes.”

Click HERE to sign up for your free VR360 tour.

Autodesk and Trimble Sign Agreement to Increase Interoperability

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Autodesk and Trimble will take steps to accelerate interoperability by exchanging (APIs) and developer tools. Image courtesy of Autodesk.

Autodesk and Trimble will take steps to accelerate interoperability by exchanging (APIs) and developer tools. Image courtesy of Autodesk.

Trimble and Autodesk, Inc. have entered into an interoperability agreement aimed at saving customers time and reducing project costs typically associated with workflow inefficiency across different suppliers’ technologies. This will benefit architects, engineers and contractors, and importantly, project owners by enabling more freedom to optimise technology workflows needed to meet the complex requirements of today’s construction projects

Autodesk and Trimble have a shared goal of meeting the evolving needs of the building and infrastructure industries. Reliable, fluent exchange of information among multiple stakeholders and platforms is essential to this end. The Trimble and Autodesk collaboration demonstrates their ongoing commitment to support open industry standards such as Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) and Construction Operations Building Information Exchange (COBie), and can enable current and prospective Autodesk and Trimble customers working on the same projects to work together seamlessly through optimized file compatibility across applications.

Under the terms of agreement, Autodesk and Trimble will take steps to accelerate interoperability by exchanging Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and developer tools to build and market interoperable products. This allows the two companies to improve upon existing data exchanges, as well as open up new workflows between their products.

Tighter product-to-product integration can enable design and construction professionals to share models, project files and other data between select Autodesk and Trimble solutions both in the office and the field, and allow for the reuse of information during design and construction throughout all phases of the project.

“The strength of a company is best measured by its willingness to do what is right for its customers and the industry at large. This interoperability agreement, like others we’ve signed, speaks to Autodesk’s commitment to openness,” said Amar Hanspal, senior vice president, Autodesk. “This collaboration with Trimble speaks to our shared dedication to making the building process more efficient and productive for all involved.”

“This collaboration demonstrates our mutual commitment to provide design and construction professionals with a seamless experience from both Autodesk and Trimble design-build-operate solutions,” said Bryn Fosburgh, vice president at Trimble. “As a result all stakeholders across the construction lifecycle can optimize their workflow efficiency.”

REC invests S$200 million to automate and upgrade technology over the next three years

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Minister Iswaran on a tour of REC’s global HQ and manufacturing facility in Tuas, Singapore.

Minister Iswaran on a tour of REC’s global HQ and manufacturing facility in Tuas, Singapore.

As escalating climate change remains the biggest challenge today and the nascent renewable energy sector picks up speed, REC, a global provider of solar energy solutions, has announced a total investment of S$ 250 million in automation, technology upgrade and research and development (R&D) efforts to unleash the full potential of solar as a source of renewable energy.

At its manufacturing facility in Tuas and in the presence of Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry), S Iswaran, this morning, REC unveiled plans to invest S$200 million in Singapore that will further increase its productivity and efficiency through automation and technology upgrading.

This will fully convert all 1.3 GW of REC’s solar modules capacity in Singapore to TwinPeak production. These panels yield the highest energy efficiencies as compared to any other multi-crystalline panels that are mass-produced today. Committed to its vision that every person benefits from electricity generated directly from the sun, REC’s move to expand its capacity and technology with sustainable, reliable and high performing products is closely aligned with the Singapore government’s plans to grow the cleantech sector.

The Singapore government has recently announced about S$900 million of R&D budget in Urban Solutions and Sustainability, one of four key technology domains to be funded under the national Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) 2020 Plan. This RIE initiative, amounting to S$19 billion, maps out the focus for Singapore’s R&D efforts for the next five years.

Said Steve O’Neil, CEO, REC, “With such a strong commitment to cleantech innovation, Singapore is the ideal location for REC to channel new innovations and push the boundaries for solar solutions. We are very excited to share our roadmap for advancements in solar energy production as we dedicate resources for research and development into our game-changing TwinPeak solar panels.”

Minister Iswaran speaking with a REC employee.

Minister Iswaran speaking with a REC employee.

Lauded for its high performance, the high power 120-cell module, Twin Peak, was launched by REC last year. Developed based on Passivated Emitter Rear Cell (PERC) technology and half-cut cells, TwinPeak solar panels convert more sunlight into electricity as compared to standard modules, effectively allowing customers to derive the most energy and value out of their installations.

For commercial, industrial and residential entities in Singapore, this is of extreme importance, given the limited rooftop space. Putting it into context, REC’s recent 2.2MW TwinPeak installation in Singapore is able to generate an additional 157MWh of clean energy annually as compared to standard panels.

The additional clean energy produced by TwinPeak panels can power up to 38 HDB 5-room flats yearly or the equivalent of 1,088 light bulbs. Similarly, it is also able to mitigate an additional 80 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually – the amount that takes the planting of 3,200 new trees to offset.

REC also announced today, an investment of S$50 million in the development of a novel solar panel with 350 watt power, over the next five years. In partnership with the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore’s flagship solar energy laboratory, this technological breakthrough will generate 1.35 times more energy, at a comparable cost and size to standard multi-crystalline modules.

Said Prof. Armin Aberle, CEO, SERIS, “Collaborations between university institutes and industry are very beneficial for growing the solar sector, especially when it comes to developing and commercialising new technologies. With REC on board to further the green agenda in Singapore and the region, we believe this will stimulate other companies to follow suit and enhance their R&D investments to address the issues of climate change and dwindling resources.”

The Minister visited the Cells and Modules production.

The Minister visited the Cells and Modules production.

Added O’Neil, “REC constantly strengthens its position as a leader in terms of solar panel reliability, performance and cost. With SERIS’ support, we’re in a good position to ride on market opportunities where growth prospects remain positive.”

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was also signed between REC and SERIS.

“We warmly welcome REC’s S$200 million solar manufacturing expansion, which will further strengthen Singapore’s cleantech industry ecosystem. The investment is testament to the competitiveness of Singapore’s advanced manufacturing sector in terms of engineering talent, automation expertise and supplier base,” said Yeoh Keat Chuan, Managing Director, Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). “REC’s S$50 million R&D collaboration with SERIS will accelerate the commercialisation of innovative solar technologies in Singapore,” he added.

Autodesk announces new cloud-based service for early 2016

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Autodesk BIM 360 Docs will help to save time, reduce risk and errors in construction projects.

Autodesk BIM 360 Docs will help to save time, reduce risk and errors in construction projects.

At its flagship annual user event Autodesk University, Autodesk, Inc. announced Autodesk BIM 360 Docs, a comprehensive, cloud-based service for the construction industry that provides a virtual workspace to create, access, maintain, mark-up and share 2D and 3D project documents, plans and models.

Up to 25 percent of construction is rework, and approximately 10 percent of materials are wasted, according to the 2013 industry report by Autodesk, “Making the Grade.” Much of this waste can be attributed to the error-prone process of managing hundreds to thousands of project documents. Today, the construction industry must contend with a tangled web of multiple document management solution providers, contributing to significant inefficiencies and risks on construction project sites.

Formerly known as Project Alexandria, Autodesk BIM 360 Docs will help to save time, reduce risk and errors in construction projects. BIM 360 Docs is designed to ensure that the entire project team is building from the correct version of documents and plans.

“Autodesk is delivering a new world order for construction management,” said Amar Hanspal, senior vice president, Products at Autodesk. “A comprehensive solution is long overdue, and the delay has cost the construction trades too much money and too much time. Autodesk saw the challenge, owns the expertise, and is delivering a powerful step forward for the industry.”

Autodesk BIM 360 Docs connects construction project team members through collaborative, real-time access to construction documents throughout the project lifecycle. Planned capabilities include:

  • Linked 3D and 2D experience, allowing users to interact with models in 2D views and visualise them in 3D on the same page, and vice-versa
  • Permission-based access control and approval processes to manage the updating and release of documents, preventing project teams from working from out-of-date information
  • Blazing-fast viewing experience for large-format PDF design documents, optimized for Apple iOS devices; and
  • Automated organisation of original and updated construction docs into sets, including highly accurate and customised optical character recognition (OCR) of title blocks.

Industry leaders from designers to general contractors and from engineers to owners/operators tested and provided feedback to the Autodesk BIM 360 team throughout the product’s development.

“Document management has historically posed a significant challenge for much of the construction industry, yet many still rely on a cobbled-together web of one-off solutions, which isn’t really a solution at all,” said Jason Reece, technology and innovation improvement lead at Balfour Beatty Construction. “We’ve collaborated with Autodesk throughout the development process and based on what we’ve seen so far, BIM 360 Docs is on the right track to offering the industry an integrated technology solution for this generations-old problem.”

Autodesk is now accepting reservations for a limited release and free preview version of Autodesk BIM 360 Docs at www.bim360.com/docs. The product is expected to come to market in early 2016. In addition to the free, limited version of BIM 360 Docs, Autodesk will offer the option to subscribe to additional capabilities that scale to meet more advanced needs of construction firms. The product will initially be available in English only.

KONE opens one of world’s tallest elevator test towers

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The Kunshan test tower is the tallest among KONE's eight global testing facilities.

The Kunshan test tower is the tallest among KONE’s eight global testing facilities.

KONE, one of the global leaders in the elevator and escalator industry, recently celebrated the opening of one of the world’s tallest elevator test towers. The new 36-floor tower is centrally located at the KONE Park manufacturing site, engineering facility and research and development (R&D) center in the Kunshan New and Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone in Eastern China.

Reaching a height of 235.6 meters, the tower contains 12 shafts that can be reconfigured for testing new high-rise solutions and components. Permanent features include a high-speed elevator that carries visitors to a sky lobby and showroom at speed of up to 10m/s. This is the world’s first double-decker elevator to feature KONE UltraRope(TM) super-light rope technology.

“The new test tower demonstrates our strong commitment to developing R&D in mid- and high-rise elevator technology. We are the industry leader in China, and this investment will further strengthen our position in a rapidly changing market. Now that we have additional capacity and capability to test our innovations, we will be able to deliver new products faster than ever before,” says Henrik Ehrnrooth, CEO and President at KONE.

The Kunshan test tower is the tallest among KONE’s eight global testing facilities. KONE’s underground testing facility in Tytyri, Finland, is 305 meters deep, allowing the company to test elevators at speeds up to 17 m/s – the only testing facility in the world where such speeds can be reached. In the new Kunshan test tower, the maximum speed is 15 m/s.

The Kunshan R&D team works in close collaboration with KONE’s existing high-rise laboratory researchers in Finland. “It will bring our R&D units in Finland and China closer together. Geographically it benefits us to have two separate laboratories near our markets in Europe and Asia, serving both hemispheres,” adds Ehrnrooth.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Finnish Minister of Economic Affairs Olli Rehn, the Vice Mayor of Suzhou Xu Huimin, as well as KONE Chairman Antti Herlin, and KONE President and CEO Henrik Ehrnrooth.

Plazit-Polygal launches economic new roofing material

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The easy-to-fit system comes in five colours. Image courtesy of Plazit-Polygal

The easy-to-fit system comes in five colours. Image courtesy of Plazit-Polygal

Plazit-Polygal, a producer of polycarbonate building materials, has launched Topgal, a modular range of translucent roofing material, which is attractive, economic, flexible and easy to install.

The Topgal range is suitable for any building that requires natural light, such as sports stadiums, commercial buildings and even pool enclosures. The Topgal sheets come in five different colours: clear, bronze, ice, blue and polyshade silver. It also comes in a variety of sizes and thickness levels, and delivers different levels of light transmission to meet even the most demanding of needs.

Topgal panels are linked together with easy-to-fit connectors, which create a mechanical lock between the sheets, ensuring that the panels are strong and watertight. Fixture points are hidden and the sheets can be flexed to suit any type of structure.

The Topgal system. Image courtesy of Plazit-Polygal.

The Topgal system. Image courtesy of Plazit-Polygal.

“The Topgal system is translucent but all damaging UV rays are filtered out while heat transference is limited,” said Tito Asher. “It is modular so units can be added as needed,” he added.

The Topgal standing-seam panels and components integrate the unique properties of multi-wall structures to deliver superior strength, rigidity and thermal insulation. Topgal sheets are manufactured in 600 mm and 1,000 mm widths (centre to centre) and in thicknesses from 8 mm to 20 mm. In addition to the standard colours, Plazit-Polygal can tailor special colours and solar radiation levels. Find out more at www.plazit-polygal.com.

Caesar Ceramic Innovation at Futurescape 2014

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Caesar brings its porcelain solutions for outdoor application to the landscape, garden designer and architect exhibition in Esher, England

 

November 2014, Esher (England) — On November 18, the Sandown Park Racecourse in Esher, England, is hosting the latest edition of Futurescape exhibition, a day of meetings and lectures dedicated to the world of design, building and sustainability.

Ceramiche Caesar will be present at Stand 38 with Aextra20, the system of monolithic porcelain stoneware slabs with a premium thickness of 20mm, perfectly squared and rectified with anti-slip finish and suitable for outdoor destinations.

The characteristics of resistance of Caesar porcelain stoneware, as well as the precious aesthetics and the broad range of colours and trims means being able to meet any planning need of outdoor flooring, ensuring functionality and visual appeal.

The recent broadening of the range sees the addition of the colours of the new ONE series, including the Frame decor, the Graustein collection, the new porcelain stoneware exclusively dedicated to Aextra20 as well as the 60×120, 30×120, 75×75 cm sizes added to the traditional 60×60 cm format.

Would you like to find out about Aextra20 solutions and products? Go to www.caesar.it and click on http://www.caesar.it/caesartech/aextra20.jsp

 

Ceramiche Caesar invites guests to Stand 38.

For more information, please contact INtono Comunicazione – Ceramiche Caesar Press Office: ufficiostampa@intonocomunicazione.it

Delta Faucet Company Debuts New Ara™ Bath Collection in Singapore

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Delta Faucet Company, America’s faucet innovation leader, has unveiled the Delta®Ara™ Bath Collection for the first time in Singapore. The award-winning, contemporary line of faucets, showers and bath accessories in the Ara™ Bath Collection are influenced by the angular silhouettes seen in modern residential homes. The new suite of cutting edge products boasts crisp rectangular shapes with slim profiles that will satisfy home and commercial building owners looking for sophisticated designs to complement their modern interiors.

Ara™14 Series Shower Trim

Ara™14 Series Shower Trim

 

Ara™ Two Handle Widespread Lavatory Faucet with Channel Spout

Ara™ Two Handle Widespread Lavatory Faucet with Channel Spout

The Ara™ Bath Collection incorporates Delta Faucet Company’s renowned technologies. All showerheads in the collection feature the company’s innovative H2Okinetic® technology that sculpts water into a unique wave pattern, creating the feeling of more water than a standard shower モバイル カジノ flowing at the same rate.
“As modern interior designs continue to be sought after in Singapore, we are extremely excited to introduce the Ara™ Bath Collection, which we believe will appeal to the local market with its sleek design and innovative water-saving technology.” said David Naber, General Manager of Delta Faucet Company, Asia Pacific. “We have been in the Asia Pacific region for over two decades and have observed home design trends evolving as consumers become more discerning. With an eye on these trends, we are now strengthening our presence in the region, in line with Delta Faucet Company’s global expansion plans.”

 

In Singapore, selected products from the Ara™ Bath Collection are available through Delta Faucet’s local dealers. The full collection will be available by Q4 2014.

ABB and Philips Join Forces

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ABB and Philips join forces in commercial building automation for energy efficiency and increased functionality

Philips’ lighting systems will connect seamlessly with ABB’s building device controls, reducing the cost of renovation of mid-and small-sized commercial buildings

Amsterdam, the Netherlands – ABB, a leading power and automation technology provider, and Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), the global leader in lighting, today announced a collaboration to simplify the integration of connected lighting systems and building device control for commercial buildings. Combining Philips’ wealth of expertise in LED lighting systems with  ABB’s knowledge of building automation will benefit systems integrator, commercial building owners, facility managers and the people who work in these buildings.

Philips’ connected lighting system will interface seamlessly with ABB’s automation software to offer the ability to control a commercial environment including lighting, blinds, building access and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC).  The introduction of the solution from ABB and Philips will make it much simpler to reconfigure spaces. In a hotel this could mean altering the lighting scene after combining several separate rooms into a large meeting room, just through one click.  Or in a shopping complex, a building manager can simply reconfigure the access, HVAC and lighting when a single unit is split into smaller ones.

Eric Rondolat, CEO of Philips Lighting, said: “Philips’ LED lighting combined with controls can deliver up to 80% energy savings compared to conventional lighting, while providing high quality light for a comfortable, more productive work environment. Together ABB and Philips will support our customers by making it easier to introduce the latest technology to drive energy efficiency and increased functionality.”

Tarak Mehta, head of ABB’s Low Voltage Products division, added: “The future is the ability to reconfigure spaces at the touch of a button, while reducing energy consumption. ABB and Philips will work together to offer a simple, scalable solution to streamline the introduction of this technology in commercial buildings.’’

Currently, re-configuring different building systems requires entering lines of code for each separate element.  By enabling the control of all the different elements of building automation through compatible software, building management is simpler and more affordable to install and maintain.

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and lighting constitute 70% of the energy consumption in commercial buildings and the introduction of building device control can improve energy efficiency by approximately 30%. Upgrading to more energy efficient systems represents a significant opportunity for building managers to save on operational costs.