Responding to the instinct to protect themselves, our ancestors always sought ways to secure their belongings. Archaeologists believe it was Ancient Egyptians who graduated to the first lock from making simple knots using rope or other materials about 4,000 years ago. This was a pin tumbler lock made entirely of wood.
The world has just over a decade to prevent climate change from escalating beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius. If not, any further rise in temperatures might have catastrophic effects on droughts, floods, and famine for millions of people.
The umbrella term of "small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)" might evoke a sense of humility. However, the importance and impact of SMEs around the world are the opposite of small or humble: SMEs account for up to 70 percent of the jobs in most OECD countries, facilitating growth, prosperity, and innovation globally.
In the last decades, the world of work went through dramatic changes. Remote working, digital communication, and flexible hours make for an unprecedented modern workplace. At first blush, these developments might seem like they're making office buildings irrelevant.
Today's buildings aren't just smart—they're alive. Smart lighting systems turn lights on and off at optimal times while intelligent heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems micro-adjust throughout the day to maximize energy efficiency.
Access control is what allows premises to choose who is authorized to enter when they are permitted entry, and even which zones they are allowed to visit. Dependent on the number of authorized persons, and the number of zones, there are a wide variety of options available to suit any set of security requirements.
The specification created for any construction project details the exact requirements of the building as designed, as well as the products and materials that meet those needs. As such, a robust specification is a key part of ensuring the long-term success of a project.
In today's age of Industry 4.0 and progressive digitization, gone are the days of producing standardized products. Customers now demand solutions tailored to their specific needs, and companies who offer personalized products satisfy not only their customers but also gain a competitive edge
According to research by Gartner, 20 percent of organizations will use smartphones in place of traditional physical access cards by 2020. Moreover, IHS Markit estimates that around 20 percent of currently installed access control readers will be mobile-capable by 2022.
Tech-powered Tokyo is already the world's most innovative city. However, as the city is diving even deeper into upgrading its tech game in preparation for the Tokyo 2020, the Japanese capital may soon be even more futuristic.
Contrary to popular belief, ATMs are not going the way of the dinosaurs–at least, not anytime soon. They remain extremely popular: Over $400,000 in cash withdrawals are made every second from 3.2 million ATMs around the world—that's 17 percent of global GDP.
Dozens of buildings crumpled when a deadly earthquake hit Mexico City in 2017, but its gleaming Torre Reforma survived with just a few cracks. It's often said 'Earthquakes don't kill people, buildings do'.