Abstract
Electrical contractors are facing an inevitable transition in the near future. There has been a slow increase in the construction industry. As a result, the electrical contractors have a constricted market in which to compete. At the same time, new technology, such as Internet of Things (IoT) and Power over Ethernet (PoE), challenge the way electrical contractors execute their business operations. IoT refers to how multiple equipment is interconnected via computer network systems. PoE enables electrical power to be transmitted over a computer network cable, effectively replacing a general purpose electrical cable in certain applications. This new technology creates a new dawn of Smart Buildings and, thus, reduces the scope of the uninitiated electrical contractor even further. To remain competitive in the changing environment, increased training and skills development are demanded from electrical contractors.
The aim of the research is to determine the impact of futuristic technology on the operations of the electrical contractors by asking whether electrical contractors are sufficiently skilled to install and maintain smart building products. The research was conducted through litterature review and a questionaaire which was distributed to 20 targeted indivials. Out of the 20 targeted individuals, 17 were able to complete the questionnaire. A resultant return rate of 85% was achieved. The main finding was that additional skills were required for traditional electrical contractors to enter smart building market. These additional skills were found to emanate from ICT industry.
M.Phil. (Engineering Management)