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The Digital Nervous System: The Internet of Things Is Becoming the Internet of Everything By Jeff Beavers

William Attardi on August 13, 2025

When we think of the internet of things(IoT), it’s easy to picture smart buildings, energy-efficient thermostats and intelligent lighting systems. But IoT is so much more than that. From connected power grids to emergency services, transportation and water infrastructure, IoT is becoming the digital nervous system of the real world. The number of IoT devices is projected to reach 32.1 billion globally by 2030. This is almost double the number of devices in 2023, which was 15.9 billion. Some reports also suggest a slightly higher figure of 40 billion by 2030. The “things” in the internet of things include the devices in our personal area network (watches, smart thermoses, tablets and phones), the devices in our homes (computers, smart TVs, streaming devices, Wi-Fi-enabled pet feeders, smart appliances), those in our buildings (IT and OT) and outside (cameras, intelligent traffic control systems, planes, trains and automobiles)—any device, object or person that uses sensors or devices and communication technologies to collect, transmit and manage data. These are the “things.” IoT is rapidly being redefined as the “internet of everything.” The only questions that remain are which objects will be connected and what the rate of adoption of new technologies will be. The Digital Nervous System: The internet of things is becoming the internet of everything – Electrical Contractor Magazine

IoT Will Drive the Automotive Industry into the Future

William Attardi on June 22, 2025

The enhanced connectivity facilitated by IoT extends beyond the factory floor.  Vehicles are undergoing a profound transformation from simple modes of transportation into sophisticated mobile data hubs. Integrated into digital ecosystems, these connected cars are poised to play a pivotal role in traffic management, urban services, and the development of smart cities. The future of the automotive industry is increasingly being shaped by IoT, which is revolutionizing how vehicles operate, communicate, and interact with their environments. As connectivity becomes a standard feature in modern vehicles, the integration of IoT technologies enhances safety, efficiency, and user experience. With advancements in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, real-time data analytics, and smart infrastructure, the automotive landscape is transitioning toward a more interconnected ecosystem. This shift not only improves operational efficiency but also paves the way for innovations such as autonomous driving and smart traffic management. IoT will drive the automotive industry into the future – Just Auto

Improving Building Operations with Cloud-Based Applications by Rahul Chillar

William Attardi on April 28, 2025

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the integration of internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and further smart building technologies is transforming the operational management of real estate. With an increasing need for data-driven decision making, the implementation of building operation systems gains momentum. Since 75% of commercial buildings are not managed as efficiently as they could be, there is huge potential to build on. Cloud-based building operation applications can be viewed as indispensable for future-proof facilities management. As the number of connected devices is expected to exceed 75 billion by 2025, data collection in commercial buildings is becoming more relevant than ever. Now buildings can be operated remotely and conveniently from anywhere. This transformation was possible as technology, such as sensors, have been integrated into building equipment, providing essential data. Strategically deployed throughout the property, sensors are monitoring critical areas such as Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), lighting, water management, fire safety, or security. Once the sensors have collected the data, they can display it in a cloud-based building operations application. Improving Operations: Cloud-Based Building Operation Systems

Wireless, Digital, and IoT Lighting Systems for Modern Buildings by Colm Nee

William Attardi on December 31, 2024

The choice between wired and wireless lighting control systems often presents a pivotal decision point for contractors and customers alike. Each option carries its own set of advantages and challenges, impacting factors such as cost, ease of installation, maintenance requirements, scalability, security, and flexibility. Staying at the forefront of the transforming landscape of lighting technology presents a significant challenge. Yet, it’s hard to ignore the range of tangible benefits that a modern, wireless lighting system can provide to the contractors installing the systems and the building owners and occupants. This article explores the benefits of the key modern lighting technologies – wireless, digital, and Internet of Things (IoT)-based lighting systems. A Bright Idea: Wireless, Digital and IoT Lighting Systems for Modern Buildings | EC&M

It’s Back to School – How Some of Our Most Acknowledged Universities Got Their Name – Who were the true visionaries who would donate half of their estate to sculpting the minds of the future. These stories are monuments to history and culture. Let’s take a stroll through academia’s memory lane and uncover the origins of these storied university names!

  1. Ah, Harvard! The Ivy League giant was once a small college in the Massachusetts Bay Colony settlement called New Towne. But where did “Harvard” come from? Enter John Harvard, a clergyman who, in 1638, decided to bequeath half his estate and his library (a whopping 400 books!) to the fledgling college. Grateful for this generous gift, they promptly named the institution after him.
  2. A gem of New Haven, Connecticut, Yale is another Ivy League powerhouse known for its prestigious law and drama schools. It owes its name to Elihu Yale, a wealthy merchant who, in 1718, donated a modest shipment of goods (including portraits, books, and textiles) to a struggling collegiate school. Those goods were auctioned off, raising a much-needed £562 –a small fortune at the time.
  3. Dartmouth is renowned for its beautiful rural setting, nestled in the picturesque town of Hanover, New Hampshire. It was named after the Earl of Dartmouth, William Legge, a British nobleman who supported the college’s founding –despite never actually setting foot in America!
  4. Brown, this Rhode Island Ivy University, known for its open curriculum and emphasis on student choice, was founded with a mouthful of a name – the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. It was renamed in 1704 for Nicholas Brown, Jr., a prominent merchant whose family donated generously to the school.
  5. Perched atop a hill overlooking Ithaca, New York, Cornell is celebrated for its diverse academic programs and its stunning natural surroundings. Founded by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White, this university was unique for its commitment to practical education, allowing students the freedom to choose their own course of study. It was a revolutionary notion at the time, which would guide a curricular reform across the country.
  6. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Stanford is renowned for its entrepreneurial spirit and its close ties to the tech industry. But this California powerhouse has a touching origin story. Leland Stanford, Jr., the founder’s son, tragically died young from typhoid fever. His father Leland Sr., railroad magnate and former state governor, and his mother Jane, founded the university in his memory, ensuring his legacy lived on through the pursuit of knowledge.
  7. This North Carolina research giant, known for its strong medical and law schools, underwent a bit of a name change in its history. Originally called Trinity College, it was renamed Duke University in 1924 after James Buchanan Duke, a tobacco and electric power industrialist who founded the American Tobacco Company. He established The Duke Endowment, to which he donated throughout his life and left half his estate after his death.
  8. Nestled in Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt is a renowned research university with a vibrant campus life. It owes its name to “The Commodore,” Cornelius Vanderbilt, a shipping and railroad magnate, who provided the initial gift to establish the university.
  9. Texas businessman William Marsh Rice provided the initial funding for this Houston university, but did not live to see its opening. He was murdered by his valet as he slept, in a plot to forge the man’s will. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Rice University flourished through the years, becoming an institution known for its strong engineering and science programs.
  10. Who was Harvard named after? Origin of university names