I love technology, and we’re fortunate to be living at a time when most of us are experiencing the great evolution of technology. For instance, we have cars that are out on our streets driving themselves. We have incredible advances in medicine and have eradicated diseases. And, as the U.S. shifts from government to public and private partnerships, I’m sure that we’re going to see incredible achievements in the space industry as humanity seeks to create a society that will thrive beyond the boundaries of Earth. The success of the reusable rocket by SpaceXin 2017 is a step in the right direction. However, technology can also be straightforward and affect our daily lives and businesses.

Zoom Room

In my company, one of the technologies that have fundamentally shifted how my team, client and our vendors relate to each other and work is Zoom. Zoom is one of the top video and web conferencing platforms on the market.

I love the technology because my team is spread out across the U.S. and even in Europe. Every single week we’re getting online with prescheduled or unscheduled Zoom meetings in our conference room, which we now call the Zoom room. People can join us at a moment’s notice from anywhere they have internet access using their desktops, tablets or smartphones.

OWL Labs

After using Zoom for a couple of months, we went one further for one-touch conferencing, which is supported by OWL Lab 360 degree camera and microphone. What does that mean? It … Read more

Human beings are creatures of habit, and most are loath to move out of their comfort zone. This perennial truth is apparent in many areas, but in technology, its impact appears formidable and challenging, with potential to bring about national disasters.

American writer and Professor of Biochemistry, Isaac Asimov, speaking at the Newark College of Engineering in New Jersey, once said, “I discovered, to my amazement that all through history there had been resistance… and bitter, exaggerated, last-stitch resistance… to every significant technological change that had taken place on earth. Usually the resistance came from those groups who stood to lose influence, status, money… as a result of the change.”

Professor Asimov’s comments are astute in observing bridge inspections in the US. One could even say truer words were never spoken. As the world’s only super power, the US is expected to set standards for the rest of the world to follow. So it seems incredulous, even shocking, to observe antiquated methodology still used extensively in inspecting the country’s vital bridges. Why? And, even as technology advances, bridges are still being inspected manually. Why?

And it is certainly not for the want of a viable alternative. Doug Thaler, President of Infrastructure Preservation Corporation (IPC) said, “Modern technology greatly empowers Inspection and Engineering staff today. Traditional infrastructure inspection methods are over 50 years old and quite outdated. New technology provides quantitative data that makes inspection far more effective, and also allows DOTs to better allocate existing funds within their current maintenance … Read more

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an unemployment rate of 9.2 percent in June 2011. That number remains frustratingly consistent each month as millions of Americans struggle to find work.

It’s clear that many of the jobs lost over the last several decades, and during the Great Recession of 2008, are extinct. It’s said that the definition of insanity is repeatedly doing the same thing, yet hoping for different results.

Government stimulus packages and extended unemployment benefits are Band-aids for what, William Holstein, author of the new book, “The Next American Economy-A Blueprint for a Real Recovery,” identifies as structural challenges in America’s economy. Holstein has traveled the United States writing about globalization and economics for major business publications.

How will our country reinvent its workforce for the 21st century, and in what industries? Holstein believes our economic rebirth lies in technology clusters and ecosystems.

Following is a cross-sectional synopsis of America and how it’s revitalizing itself with technology clusters and ecosystems. Discussed too, are lessons for all Americans Holstein addresses regarding the country’s current economic challenges.

Technology Clusters
Clusters promote knowledge-sharing and product innovation. They also champion technical and business processes by providing thick networks of formal and informal relationships across organizations. Clusters tend to happen by accident and are difficult to create.

Orlando’s technology cluster is based on computer simulation and modeling; and is rooted in part by U.S. military and major defense contractors’ decision in the 1950s to locate operations in the Orlando area. Disney’s influence … Read more