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AI Is Enabling the Next Generation of Distributor Workflows by Michael Delgado

William Attardi on June 1, 2026

Customer expectations have never been greater, and distributors must respond to growing volumes of requests quickly and accurately, often across fragmented inputs and constantly changing information. Highly manual workflows can’t keep up with this new reality. AI represents a practical solution. Not as a bolt-on tool, but as a way to change how work gets done — handling the translation between how requests come in and how orders need to be processed. That shift removes the bottleneck at the center of quoting and order entry, allowing teams to respond faster, reduce errors and operate more consistently despite the rising pressure. AI has moved from a competitive advantage to a baseline requirement to keep pace. Distributors that embed it into their core workflows will operate more efficiently, compete more effectively for customers and build an operation that holds up as the industry continues to evolve. Those that don’t will find themselves poorly positioned to keep up with a world that isn’t slowing down. NAED Selects IDEA & Pull Logic for ProjectNexus E-Commerce Initiative | Electrical Wholesaling

Too Much Work to Do? Have Your Digital Twin Handle It by Joann S. Lublin

William Attardi on May 29, 2026

Ever wish you had a twin to share your workload? A small but growing number of executives have done just that, creating AI versions of themselves that offer a glimpse of future workplaces where one person’s output is no longer limited to one person. Here is how it works: An AI system analyzes how an executive writes, speaks and thinks, by studying everything from work emails the person has written to his or her speeches and interviews. Then, the AI double takes on various jobs for the executive—like answering questions from subordinates—that use the human’s knowledge and communication style. Sometimes, with a video-based version, these AI twins even speak at conferences or make presentations. Advocates and users say the digital twins have the potential to free executives from routine tasks and leave them available for higher-level work. Digital work twins could become the most significant productivity multiplier since the personal computer. Employ an AI Twin to Handle Your Piles of Busy Work – WSJ

Researchers Prepare Robots for an Aging Society

William Attardi on May 11, 2026

As the U.S. faces a historic demographic shift, Stanford experts are developing robots to help older adults walk safely, get dressed, do chores, and maintain independence at home. In brief:

  • America’s aging population is driving a need for robotic caregiving solutions.
  • Stanford labs are developing assistive technologies from walking companion robots to soft inflatable lifters to touch-sensitive robotic fingertips.
  • These innovations aim to help older adults age independently at home, addressing a shortage in caregiving resources.

Monroe Kennedy III, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Stanford Robotics Center thinks it could be a tool for older people in their homes. Its fine dexterity could help perform tasks like opening medicine bottles or picking up a dropped pill, and its gentleness could one day enable direct physical assistance in bathing or dressing. Progress requires more investment and more research, Kennedy says, but he’s optimistic we’re not far from a day when robots step in to make aging in place much easier. “We’re a lot closer than you think.”

Researchers prepare robots for an aging society | Stanford Report

The April 2026 Issue of Electrical Construction and Maintenance (EC&M)

William Attardi on May 4, 2026

Opportunities and Obstacles in the AI Data Center Market | EC&M

A New Model for Increasing Data Center Build Speed | EC&M

Rethinking Data Center Construction for Electrical Contractors | EC&M

Addressing Power Quality Challenges in AI Data Centers | EC&M

Environmental Conditions That Impact Industrial Lighting Reliability | EC&M

Smart Home Lighting: A New Revenue Stream for Contractors | EC&M

Harnessing the Power of Connected Lighting Systems and IoT | EC&M

Home | EC&M

The AI Revolution and its Impact on Facilities Management by Ronnie Wendt

William Attardi on May 2, 2026

The idea of AI replacing technicians maintaining HVAC systems, plumbing infrastructure or electrical components feels a long way off. That’s because the complexity and variability of building systems make that kind of automation difficult, according to Jonathan Slain, founder and CEO of Autobahn Consultants. Slain says the highest returns for AI are in back-office functions. “It’s in finance, communication and project management.”   Tasks like assembling proposals, drafting RFPs, managing workflows, communicating with team members, and evaluating submissions from multiple vendors are well-suited for AI support. These processes are structured and repeatable, allowing AI tools to streamline comparisons, highlight differences, and speed up bid-to-decision timelines. AI can slash the time required to evaluate bids and manage communication. Many facilities managers already use generative AI to summarize documents or draft emails. But a more advanced phase of this technology, called Agentic AI, is already here.  For more insights on how growing companies are navigating this transition, Slain explores these ideas further in “Rock Your Business: Navigating the Road from $50 Million to $500 Million and Beyond,” available soon on Amazon.  The AI Revolution and its Impact on Facilities Management – Facilities Management Insights

Lighting Controls: From Code Compliance to Retrofits by Sean Grasby

William Attardi on May 1, 2026

When we talk about lighting controls, we often limit the conversation by focusing on how lights are turned on and off, or how to optimize lighting in various spaces to enhance productivity or conserve energy. While these are important things to consider, in reality, any conversation about lighting control systems should also include several other elements as well. When electrical contractors engage with customers about lighting controls, they should ensure that any conversations also incorporate code requirements, “future-proofing,” and whether a retrofit may be beneficial. Lighting Controls: From Code Compliance to Retrofits | EC&M

 Ensuring lighting controls meet code requirements

As energy codes become more stringent, contractors now need to collaborate with lighting designers, architects, and engineers to not only ensure the lighting design and performance fit the specific needs, but also to comply with industry codes. Clearly, this is no small task — in many cases, a trusted distribution partner can bring in the right expertise or handle much of the administrative burden on the contractor’s behalf.

 Key Takeaways

  • Ensuring lighting control systems meet industry standards such as ASHRAE 90.1, IECC, and NFPA 101 is essential for compliance and safety.
  • Future-proofing involves selecting adaptable, integrated lighting controls that support upgrades and system integrations like HVAC and BMS.
  • Retrofits offer a cost-effective way to upgrade lighting technology, improve efficiency, and reduce disruption compared to new construction projects.
  • Advanced controls like luminaire level lighting control (LLLC) optimize energy use and enable real-time environmental adjustments.

 

2026 Commercial Lighting Rebate Outlook by Craig DiLouie

William Attardi on April 17, 2026

The commercial lighting rebate outlook is strong for 2026, with widely available rebates covering all popular categories of LED lighting and lighting controls, including networked lighting controls. Overall, 2026 marks a year of evolution for programs as they adapt to declining lighting energy savings due to LED market saturation. Average rebate amounts per LED product significantly increased, particularly for higher-energy-saving products. Some programs are shifting from incentivizing products to energy savings. More programs recognizing LED-to-LED upgrades were introduced. On the lighting controls side, average rebate dollars per installed solution generally increased in 2026. As AI infrastructure/data centers and meta projects continue to come online, rising demand for electric power is leading to cost increases. This article evaluates the 2026 commercial lighting rebate outlook based on data provided by BriteSwitch’s RebatePro for Lighting North America database, examines opportunities for LED lighting and lighting controls, and offers insights into how rebate programs are evolving as LED adoption increases. 2026 Commercial Lighting Rebate Outlook

LEDs Gain Ground in Controlled Environment Agriculture Space by Tim Kridel

William Attardi on April 10, 2026

Key Takeaways

  • LED lighting has shifted from niche to mainstream in controlled environment agriculture, driven by improved spectrum, output, and cost reductions.
  • Energy efficiency of LEDs allows growers to achieve higher light levels with less power, enabling cost savings and increased crop productivity, especially in high-value sectors like cannabis.
  • Dynamic spectrum control enhances crop quality and yield by allowing growers to customize light recipes for different growth stages, improving nutritional density and shelf life.
  • Utility rebates and incentives significantly offset the higher upfront costs of LEDs, making them a financially attractive option for growers investing in long-term infrastructure.
  • LEDs’ lower heat output impacts HVAC and humidity management, creating new opportunities for electrical contractors to optimize greenhouse climate control systems.

Those are just a few examples of artificial lighting’s role in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) facilities, which include greenhouses, warehouses, vertical farms, and even caves. The CEA market will grow from nearly $10 billion this year to $27.7 billion by 2035, Business Research Insights estimates. LED lighting is helping enable that growth. LEDs Gain Ground in Controlled Environment Agriculture Space | EC&M

The Rise of Supply Chains That Adapt by Professor Jeannette Song

William Attardi on April 10, 2026

Professor Song explains how AI is turning supply chains from rigid workflows into adaptive, decision-making systems. When you click “buy now” on online stores, recommendations appear, warehouses spring into action, and packages begin their journey to your door. Behind that seamless experience is a fundamental transformation. Supply chains, once governed by fixed rules and human planning, are becoming AI-driven systems that learn, adapt, and increasingly act on their own. In her book chapter, Reshaping Supply Chains Through AI-Empowered Automation, Jeannette Song, the R.David Thomas Professor at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business argues that AI is fundamentally changing how supply chains work.“AI is reshaping supply chains in four connected ways: expanding automation across the chain, changing how humans and machines work together,” she said, “raising new questions about privacy and accountability, and pointing toward a future of more autonomous, agentic systems.” The Rise of Supply Chains That Adapt

Design Research Looks at How Lighting Affects Mood by Jim Romeo

William Attardi on April 1, 2026

A 2026 study published in The Journal of the Illuminating Engineering Society is adding a new layer to the conversation about lighting design—one that electrical contractors and electricians working in commercial environments may want to pay close attention to. The research explored whether lighting conditions influence people’s self-reported mood, perception and health symptoms. Twenty-eight participants took part in the study, working in pairs inside a controlled room under two different diffused-light conditions: variable daylight and static artificial lighting. The test environment was designed to remove visual cues such as windows or outdoor views. Participants could not tell whether the light they were experiencing was coming from daylight or an electric system. Both lighting conditions met current circadian-oriented lighting guidance and delivered strong daytime illumination levels. The results revealed a clear difference at: Design Research Looks at How Lighting Affects Mood – Electrical Contractor Magazine

Remembering the Solemn Purpose of Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed on the last Monday in May to honor and mourn U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the armed forces. The holiday traces its roots to the years immediately following the American Civil War (1861–1865), which caused massive casualties—roughly 620,000 soldiers dead, about 2% of the U.S. population at the time. Communities across the North and South began spontaneously decorating the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers, wreaths, and flags, a practice that gave rise to the original name: Decoration Day. On May 5, 1868, Major General John A. Logan, commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)—a powerful Union veterans’ organization—issued General Order No. 11. This proclaimed May 30, 1868, as a nationwide “Decoration Day” to honor those who died in the Civil War. After World War I, the holiday expanded to honor all American service members who died in any war, not just the Civil War.  In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act to create more three-day weekends for federal employees. This moved Memorial Day to the last Monday in May, effective in 1971, when it was also officially named “Memorial Day.” As one 1868 quote put it: “That Nation which respects and honors its dead, shall ever be respected and honored itself.”