The Service Council hosted the 4th edition of our Smarter Services Symposium in San Diego in March, featuring presentations led by organisations such as Zappos, HP, Safelite Autoglass, KONE Elevator, Ingersoll-Rand, Xerox, Vivint and more. [ + ]

Shift workers of the world, rejoice! Experts say there is mounting evidence to suggest that a nap during night shift can improve production and safety at work. According to research released by RMIT, not only could alertness and performance be improved, but we could see fewer major disasters if fatigue is addressed. [ + ]

When people think of industries being revolutionised by cloud computing they might consider banking and finance, telecommunications or online entertainment, but what about plumbing, landscaping, electrical contracting or air-conditioning repairs? [ + ]

By the end of 2015, another 15 people who could have been saved by the installation of a simple and common safety switch will have lost their lives. [ + ]

Multitenant data centres (MTDCs) are growing in size, number and popularity. In this increasingly crowded market, MTDC providers are discovering they must focus relentlessly on a demanding set of requirements, including affordability, efficiency, sustainability, reliability and agility in their bid to attract and retain customers. [ + ]

The electrical services industry has faced challenging market conditions over the past five years, but improved investment into the housing market and ongoing maintenance activity on commercial and industrial premises is expected to spur industry growth, according to research firm IBISWorld. [ + ]

The rapidly growing security industry offers licensed electricians lucrative cabling opportunities and the move into this industry may be easier than you think. [ + ]

For companies with a rapidly growing customer base, meeting an expanding demand for field service can be daunting. You can't be everywhere at once, and the costs associated with trying to build out your own network of parts depots and service offices, along with hiring and training technicians, are high. [ + ]

Things are happening at the Australasian Fleet Management Association (AfMA). Mace Hartley has taken the reins, stepping in as AfMA executive director. Hartley replaces Marja and Ken Thompson, who have been integral to the association since its humble beginnings. [ + ]

Things are not improving in the Takata airbag disaster. The product recall has become the largest ever in Australia and it now has the potential to turn into a legal stoush, according to reports in Sydney's The Daily Telegraph.

A Government-owned corporation, Ergon Energy supplies electricity to around 700,000 homes and businesses across nearly 97% of Queensland. Its electricity network consists of approximately 150,000 km of power lines across the state's diverse and harsh environments - from the coast to the outback. [ + ]

The field service industry has, in previous years, been a subject of concern for having an ageing workforce and the implications this has as those with such great knowledge and experience reach retirement age. However, as the industry continues to evolve, a major trend has been the emergence of young, tech-savvy and collaborative workers. [ + ]

We all know the dangers of mobile phone use and driving, but not all distractions are equal. Here's how to minimise the risks. [ + ]

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a leading advisor on business strategy, has released a comprehensive report on the future of autonomous vehicles. According to BCG, it's no longer a matter of if, but when, they will hit the road. The ramifications are far-reaching and a number of societal, legal and regulatory issues will be raised as these vehicles come to market. [ + ]

Councils across Australia are implementing large-scale LED street lighting upgrades in order to cut costs and improve efficiency. [ + ]