A recent survey of over 8000 field service customers has uncovered how industry technology trends impact on the decision to hire plumbers, exterminators, cleaning contractors and other residential service providers. Results show that the residential services market is ripe for businesses that adopt integrated software and why those that don't will get left behind. [ + ]

The Security Exhibition & Conference will be held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from 15-17 July. [ + ]

A substantial fire recently broke out at an underground coal mine near the breaker shaft and machine system hydraulics on a feeder breaker, according to a Mines Safety Alert issued by the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines. [ + ]

As far back as early cavemen, we have seen the fundamentals of quality management come into play - it just wasn't called ISO9001. Back then, the principles of quality management ensured that weapons were improved, hunting efforts evolved and eating habits were efficient. In this scenario, the family was the client and improvements in quality led to more food, warmer beds and avoiding death at the same time. [ + ]

The widespread proliferation of counterfeit and non-compliant cable in the information and communications technologies (ICT) industry is illustrated in the CCCA's latest case study detailing a New York City contractor's encounter. [ + ]

GPS systems can be incredibly useful in allowing companies to ensure their fleets are working to maximum efficiency. In the professional sense, they are more than just navigation equipment.

The capacity for employees, contractors, consigners, insurers, to name a few, to monitor the safe movement of their vehicles and goods has been achieved through telematics, also known as in-vehicle monitoring systems (IVMS). Alongside the increased usage of telematics has been the emergence of 'jamming tools', which actively block the signal to/from the device. Anecdotally, this appears to be a growing issue in the United Kingdom where businesses with fleets have begun to be alerted to their use through discussions with their peers. [ + ]

Almost a year since the Home Insulation Scheme Royal Commission, questions are being asked about how long it will take for our collective governments to take action to mandate the installation of safety switches. [ + ]

Many business owners and managers are so busy working on what their customers and clients need that they forget to take time on their own business. But being efficient is the first step in business success, so it is worthwhile investing the time.

Acer has successfully rolled out the largest deployment of Windows 8 tablets in Australia to Tasmania Police, replacing a fleet of 1100 desktop computers - including 600 Windows XPs that were at end of life - and 200 in-car mobile data terminals.

Germany's largest market research institute, GfK, has released results on a survey of 5800 consumers across Brazil, Germany, Russia, the UK, the US and China. The survey asked participants to rate the appeal of different types of 'connected car' concepts.

It's still early in the year, so still seems appropriate to make predictions for 2015. Luckily, I have a community of service leaders who offer insights into their field service plans for the year. Here are their top five focus areas for 2015. [ + ]

EnergySafety has issued additional safety precautions for the type of high-voltage (HV) switches involved in the explosion at the Morley Galleria Shopping Centre in Perth. [ + ]

Deakin University researchers have found a cheaper, safer and more reliable way to operate emergency lighting and exit signs. [ + ]

New technology containing magnetic field sensors is being developed by a team of experimental physicists in Germany to be used for surveillance in fenced-in places such as airports, nuclear power stations, industrial sites or even private plots of land. [ + ]