These days, you can hardly have a technology conversation without talking about the Internet of Things (IoT). And when that conversation shifts its focus to the industrial sector, including energy, Oil & Gas, Power & Utilities, and petrochemicals, among others, the discussion changes to what is being called the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

So what is all this hype about? The convergence of cheap processing, unending storage, massive bandwidth, near-ubiquitous connectivity, and cloud-based applications is driving new capabilities for gathering information and changing the way we interact with machines and services. The data generated by sensors in this network of connected devices is being collected and analyzed, spawning the growth of big data analytics and applications. And the resulting analytics are being used to improve business efficiency, better serve customers and disrupt old business models.

There will be nearly 26 billion connected devices by 2020, according toGartner, which is an increase of 30 fold over 2009. Impressive, but what does it really mean to have all these devices connected to the internet? Is there any real value involved? Just because you can, does it mean that you should? We all remember the technology boom and bust of the late 1990s and early 2000s (aka Dot-com Bubble) that was fueled by an excessive amount of wishful thinking or irrational exuberance.

But the IIoT can and will be different if we keep our collective eyes on the prize. Unlike consumer-based IoT that is trying to devise a way to make your world a better place by telling you when your washing machine needs service or letting you control all of your homes systems while you are away, the IIoT is working to make our collective world a better place by improving the monitoring, control and safety of everything around us. In short, reducing risk and improving the reliability of our massive industrial systems. No small task given the amount of data that will be generated by all of those devices running around the clock.

But there is an important component missing from many conversations that will glue it all together: software.

Think about it: How good is your computer without a good operating system to make all those programs function properly, or your smartphone without a million apps to connect you and your friends or coworkers and the information you share? Large hardware vendors recognized long ago that it is the software that makes the hardware more valuable. Software supports the human interaction side of the equation by helping to turn data into information. But not just basic information, I am talking about critical, insightful, influential, and actionable information, without which we run the risk of potentially dangerous outcomes.

This next-generation software should be cloud-based because, lets face it on-premises solutions require significantly more time, money and resources than you would like to afford while trying to remain competitive. Advanced software should easily connect the existing enterprise asset management (EAM) or computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) with the field-based industrial devices and equipment. It should provide early, rapid insight into the volumes of data and information that mere mortals are expected to evaluate to find business opportunities and make recommendations as part of a larger asset performance management strategy. But more importantly, software should make it easier for your organization to achieve its highest objective: operational excellence.

Even in todays increasing connected environment, industrial organizations do little more than make use of a minimal set of vendor-supplied analytics related to machine-specific solutions automated instrument calibration, instant vibration analysis of pumps and compressors, or other equipment related algorithms. The analytical capabilities of affordable processing and storage capacity in new software solutions are just beginning to be tapped.

One key to discussing the software needs of the IIoT is to include asset performance diagnostics. More specifically, to take advantage of all the useful information out there and the connectivity promised by equipment and software vendors, we need to discuss asset performance diagnostics; the ability to quickly assess a plants equipment/asset status or health. This ability can be critical for merger and acquisition activity versus building new. This implies that we must be able to check across many equipment types, not just one or two manufacturer-specific reports, in order to understand where our metrics stand in relation to our industry peers.

Additionally, with next-generation software, organizations will gain enhanced asset reliability and comparative analysis for operational goals. Operators can perform better and faster analysis on collected data to report to the C-Suite executives, who then have better context for defining strategic goals. Comparative analytics provide the ability to internally compare the status and performance of the equipment or assets to get your own house in order and really ignite your continuous improvement initiatives. Next-generation software must help organizations take it to the next level. To get there, you need to benchmark your operations against your peers and competitors. That capability will help you move to the pinnacle of continuous improvement, and closer to overall operational excellence.

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Whats Missing from the Industrial Internet of Things Conversation? Software

As it edges closer to its 50th birthday next April, the Astrodome is getting a bath of sorts.

This week plans were announced to give the Astrodome, that historic bone of contention for many in the city, a serious power washing. Work should begin at the beginning of December and run until early January. It's a big structure so of course it will take a month and change for work to be completed.

The price tag on the heavy duty bath? Just around $63,800, all of which will be paid for from the proceeds of the last two Astrodome memorabilia sales, according to Joe Stinebaker, director of communications for Harris County Judge Ed Emmett.

The Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation unanimously approved the plan late Wednesday afternoon. Stinebaker says he's heard nothing but support for the scheduled cleaning.

The hope is that the work will stave off further decay along the exterior of the structure. A number of events coming up at NRG Park, including the upcoming RodeoHouston season, the NCAA Final Four in 2016, and Super Bowl LI coming the year after were named as reasons for the scrub-up.

The stadium, which opened in 1965, was the world's first domed super-stadium, but has not housed a sports team since the Astros left for Minute Maid Park after the 1999 season.

A local firm, Green Team Services, will be doing the work set to start Dec. 1 and conclude on Jan. 10 using a special "green" solution on the exterior pre-cast concrete.

Stinebaker noted that the work was approved by the Texas Historical Commission this week. The commission must sign off on all things related to the Dome's appearance as it continues to deliberate over whether the structure should be granted state antiquities landmark status. The matter has been tabled to give the county more time and leeway to strike a deal with private investors, while also protecting the half-century-old stadium from the wrecking ball.

While designation as a state antiquities landmark would not assure that the world's first domed stadium is safe from demolition, it makes the possibility more remote because the county must first get permission from the commission. That also is the case when an application for designation is still under consideration, meaning that tabling one has virtually the same effect.

In Nov. 2013, Harris County voters rejected a $217 million bond to turn the Dome into an event and exhibition center. That would have increased the property tax rate by half a cent.

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50-year-old Astrodome to get a bath

The clean up is underway after severe storms uprooted trees, felled power lines, washed away cars and shut down Brisbane's commuter rail network.

The storms hit southeast Queensland late on Wednesday afternoon, bringing driving rain and powerful wind gusts of over 100km/h to some areas.

The two hardest hit suburbs were on opposite sides of Brisbane - the southwest suburb of Inala recorded 100mm of rain in one hour, while the northside suburb of Geebung was hit with 95mm of rain in one hour.

Heavy downpours flooded many parts of the city, washing away a number of cars, including in inner city suburbs like Bowen Hills.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services told AAP swift water rescue teams were called to some reports of people trapped in flooded cars, but they managed to escape by the time crews arrived.

Emergency services received around 250 calls for assistance - more than 90 from within the Brisbane city area.

Energex recorded more than 16,000 lightning strikes and said at the peak of the storms 250,000 homes and business had power problems.

About 530 customers still didn't have power on Thursday morning.

Trains, buses and ferries were also disrupted, with hundreds of commuters forced to wait for hours because of flooded train tracks in some CBD stations.

Translink took to Twitter to announce that all rail, bus and ferry services had returned to normal on Thursday morning.

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Clean-up begins after Qld storms

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) -

You go get a cup of coffee at work. But instead of your morning Joe, are you actually getting your morning germs?

"Yeah there is always a lot of places that people touch every day and they don't even think about it," said UAB virologist Dr. Sunnie Thompson.

Germs are everywhere in your work place. Places like light switches, water fountains, even your own desk can all be hot spots for bacteria.

So how does it make if from those items to your body?

"Basically the way germs travel is through your hands, through commonly touched items in the office," said Thompson.

University of Arizona researchers recently conducted a study where they took a virus not harmful to humans and placed it on the door of an office building with about 80 employees.

Within only two hours the virus spread to places like the coffee pot, microwave button, and refrigerator handle; even individual offices and cubicles showed signs of contamination.

"You go and you grab a cup of coffee, and then you go back to your keyboard. And without washing your hands, you're of course bringing any germs you got on the way to get your coffee and then on the way back to your keyboard," said Thompson.

That's just one example of how germs can travel. However, Thompson says you do have an easy way to fight back.

Excerpt from:
The dirtiest places in your office may be a surprise

Buford, GA (PRWEB) November 11, 2014

While summer is almost over, Georgia will continue to see its share of severe weather. With temperatures sometimes reaching 70 degrees as late as November, the state remains vulnerable to thunderstorms for much of the year. Once winter begins, temperatures decline bringing the possibility of those dreaded ice storms. To combat the threat of severe weather, the Socket Doctors offer peace of mind in the form of home generator installation.

Generators keep homes powered even during the harshest of conditions. When inclement weather knocks out power lines, the generator flips on and begins to send electricity throughout the house. This is vital for anybody that works from home or owns medical equipment that requires electricity. Socket Doctors, a Buford, GA electrical service company, has provided home generator installation for numerous customers throughout the area. Their generator installation services provide electricity for homes within seven seconds of the loss of power. Brad Puckett, co-owner of Socket Doctors, understands the importance of powering a home. Many people dont realize how much they rely on electricity until they lose their power. We take pride in knowing that our services provide families with the power they need during all types of severe weather. says Brad.

While generators keep your power running during storms, surge protection will protect your electronics from lightning strikes. Lightning can damage any electronic that is plugged into an outlet. A surge protector blocks or shorts the excess voltage that travels through the outlets keeping your appliances and electronics safe. Socket Doctors provides whole home surge protection to prevent the costly damages caused by lightning strikes. This is an important service for any homeowners who do not want to risk replacing their refrigerator, washing machine or other expensive appliances.

The Socket Doctors are master electricians who provide electrical service and repair to Buford, GA and the surrounding cities. The two owners/operators have over twenty years of combined electrical experience. For more information regarding generator installation, surge protection or Buford electrical services, visit their website at http://socketdoctors.com.

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Socket Doctors Now Providing Georgia Homes with Year-Round Generator Installation

Part 2: A special report. Click here to read Part 1.

ST-JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU

Neighbours who had known him as a smiling teen quick with a cheery bonjour barely recognized the insular 25-year-old who kept his head down and said nothing.

Friends saw him falling heavily into a new religion soon after his bid to start his own power-washing cleaning business failed. He grew a long beard, wrote out the Quran over and over, then started gorging on Internet jihadi-porn, as one friend termed it. He became estranged from friends and family and his infant child. He seemed brainwashed, some said.

He preached his fervour to the world on Facebook under his new name, Ahmad Rouleau, spouting conspiracy theories, bashing American policies and military personnel, becoming so radicalized his desperate father called the police last June for help.

The RCMP arrested him at the airport a month later when he tried to fly to Turkey, a common stopover for would-be freedom fighters eager to enlist in the battle of the righteous in Syria or Iraq. Lacking clear evidence of terrorist or criminal intent, prosecutors advised officers to let him go. They seized his passport, ensuring he could do no harm outside Canada. Couture Rouleau became one of 93 individuals under active RCMP surveillance across the country.

RCMP outreach officers met with him several times over four months to try to change his way of thinking, to avoid him turning to violence, as did the imam from the modest strip-mall mosque Couture Rouleau had joined. In their last meeting on Oct. 9, police thought they were making progress.

Yet despite all the efforts and the interventions and the concern, all the seemingly obvious clues of a tragedy foretold, 11 days after his last meeting with police, Couture Rouleau left the basement apartment in his fathers house, bade an innocuous good morning to his father, and drove off in his 14-year-old Nissan Altima to quietly bide his time outside a federal government agency building that provided services to many of the military men and women stationed in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu.

After two hours idling beside the Tim Hortons on the main drag in this peaceful city of 94,000 located 40 kilometres southeast of Montreal, he finally spied his prey: a soldier in uniform. He stepped on the gas, accelerating through the parking lot, seriously injuring one soldier in civilian clothes and killing the one in uniform, 53-year-old Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent.

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Martin Couture Rouleau: Clues of a tragedy foretold

DENVER (CBS4) Denver police arrested 10 people accused of spray-painting graffiti on the Colorados state capitol building Wednesday night.

Crews started cleaning it up Thursday morning.

The suspects face charges of destruction of property, and one faces a charge of assaulting an officer. Police didnt saywhat led to that charge.

Suspects (credit: CBS)

State Sen. Bill Cadman, a Republican from Colorado Springs, surveyed the damage Thursday evening.

This is especially disheartening when Iveworked here and when you know the history of this place and what it took to create this, he said.

Some of the graffiti includedprofane language and some appeared to be similar to the symbols used by the international hacktivist group Anonymous. The group has been staging protests around the world for several years on Nov. 5. On Wednesday the group staged protests in Philadelphia, Ferguson, Mo., and Brussels in Germany.

Graffiti at the state Capitol on Thursday (credit: Denver Police)

(credit: Denver Police)

Now the Department of Personnel and the Capitol Complex staff, our mission is to get this cleaned up quickly and appropriately as possible, Doug Platt, communications manager of the Department of Personnel and Information, said Thursday morning.

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Vandals Possibly From Hacktivist Group Anonymous Tag Colorado Capitol

Dunamis Power Washing Services (919) 443-3282
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Dunamis Power Washing Services (919) 443-3282 - Video

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The RNC in Labrador City is investigating a single motor vehicle collision near the area of Blueberry Hill, just East of Labrador City and Wabush.

Photo by Ty Dunham/The Aurora

A truck rests in a mangled heap at the bottom of a hill with guard rail strewn on the ground Friday morning. The driver was taken to the hospital in Labrador City shortly after the accident 7:30 p.m., Oct. 30, where witnesses say he was good spirits. RNC is continuing the investigation.

Officers with Patrol Services responded to the scene last evening, Oct. 30 at 7:30 pm along with members of the Labrador City Fire Department. The investigation is ongoing and Route 500 has been reduced to one lane in that particular area. Motorists are asked to use extreme caution and reduce speeds when passing through.

The driver was taken to the Captain William Jackman Memorial Hospital in Labrador City, where witnesses say he was in good spirits. The truck appeared to have rolled several times.

Contaminated oil and water mixed with PCBs leaked from the tanker. Labrador City Fire Chief Joe Power issues a statement as per Services NL, Environment Canada and Coast Guard, warning all Labrador West residents the water in the Albert Lake area may be contaminated. Residents are advised not to use this water for consumption or washing until further notice.

The RNC is continuing to investigate this incident and we are asking anyone with information to contact the RNC at 709-944-7602 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222- TIPS (8477). You can also provide information anonymously on the NL Crime Stoppers website at http://www.nlcrimestoppers.com.

Organizations: RNC, Patrol Services, Labrador City Fire Department Crime Stoppers Captain William Jackman Memorial Hospital Services NL Environment Canada Coast Guard

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RNC investigating single motor vehicle collision on TLH