5 Top Technology Every Film Production Company Should Be Using

Throughout the history of film, technology and innovation have moved hand-in-hand with the artistic process. The Guardian looks at Stanley Kubrick’s “Barry Lyndon” and explains the use of zoom lenses and camera technology taken from NASA provides a style that was once described as glacial by critics but is now a standard part of cinematography. The movement of technology into the film industry is something that has always been and will continue to push the boundaries of filmmaking in the coming years, according to Sam Haskell, on of the top agents in Hollywood.

1. Autonomous Drones

Drones have become a major part of the work being done by many film and TV producers in the last decade or so. The ability to capture images from high above the action is vital for creating a sense of space with drones becoming smarter as artificial intelligence is introduced. Autonomous drones are set to become one of the most important pieces of equipment for a filmmaker because they will be able to read the situation and automatically adjust focus, shot width, and height depending on the demands of the filmmakers. By becoming able to think for themselves, drones will grow in importance over the next few years.

2. Digital Technology

Way back in 1999, the release of “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” was met with confusion by many moviegoers who were unsure of the use of digital technology pioneered by George Lucas. Sam Haskell points out filmmakers including Robert Rodriguez have embraced this format and used it to speed up the shooting process to lower costs. Digital is here to stay because the majority of studios now believe the cost of traditional film is too high to make it worthwhile.

The expansion of digital technology is an area every production company should be investigating as its use to bring deceased performers back to life will be a major trend in the coming years. Again, the “Star Wars” franchise has been pioneering this technology with varying amounts of success. No matter what the thoughts of the individual are regarding bringing back former stars to appear in movies this trend looks to be continuing and growing in importance.

3. 3-D Printing Technology

The cost of professional filmmaking equipment is huge and has been the demise of many productions over the years. If we look back at the making of classic movies like “Apocolypse Now” the weather washing away sets and equipment played a huge role in the pain caused for production companies. The investment in 3-D printing technology is a good option for every production company to explore because this can mean the printing of fast, affordable equipment. Lowering costs on the basic pieces of equipment means a production company can be ready with spare pieces of equipment to keep their shoot moving forward.

4. Smartphone Filmmaking

For over a decade, the use of Smartphones to shoot entire movie projects has been touted as the future of the medium. Some have attempted and achieved the completion of entire movies shot on cell phones and the improvement in camera lenses will see this become even more important in the future. Investing in Smartphone technology could be one of the major payoffs for production companies in the future.

5. 3-D Will Return Again

The use of 3-D has always been a controversial aspect of the movie industry with most movie viewers already voting against the use of this technology because of the use of goggles or eyewear. Despite the problems that have long been seen with 3-D technology, there will be a move towards providing more 3-D technology as 4K steps into the ring. Some pioneers in this area have already thrown their hat into the ring with Wired explaining the use of multiple cameras for a single shot. 4K has already begun to be used by streaming services and in limited ways at major sporting events with a move into the movie industry the next logical step.

Sam Haskell has been one of the leading agents for TV producers to turn to for the last few years at the William Morris Agency and believes technology will continue to improve the film industry. Haskell looks back to the 1970s when “The Shining” brought Steadicam into the mainstream and believes many of the latest pieces of technology have the same chance of providing long-term success for filmmakers.

Smart Tech That You’ll Actually Want Invading Your Bathroom

A bathroom remodel Houston gives homeowners the opportunity to bring the latest technology into the most used room in the house. Whether you’re investing in a shower remodel or want to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence, your new remodel will completely transform your bathroom. Read on for the best smart tech to use in your remodel.

1. High Tech Toilets

Most modern bathroom remodels take conservation into consideration. With the latest high tech toilets, you can champion eco-friendliness by using cleansing technologies to eliminate the need for toilet paper. Moreover, with energy-efficient toilets, you can cut down on several gallons worth of water with each flush.

In addition to the new environmentally friendly options available with the latest lines of high-tech toilets, keep an eye out for self-cleaning toilets to use in your bathroom remodel. These toilets can be pricey, but they’re the latest trend in high-tech toiletry and make it easier than ever to keep your bathroom fresh and clean.

2. Touchless Sink Technology

Motion sensor sinks are another option to consider during your bathroom remodel. This touchless technology helps to reduce tap flow, allowing homeowners to conserve water and money. This touchless technology uses integrated tech to determine when hands are no longer under the faucet. In addition to eliminating the potential for leaks, this tech is the perfect option for anyone that may otherwise leave their faucets running.

3. Walk-In Bathtubs

Homeowners that have their eyes on improving their ROI with a bathroom remodel Houston should consider upgrading to walk-in showers. As walk in bathtubs Houston are an upgrade that many homebuyers search for, you would do well to invest in updating your bathtub. By installing walk in bathtubs Houston, you’ll be able to replace your outdated model with a new bath that completely transforms the way you take baths. This new look will liven up your bathroom by upgrading your old tub to a spa-like walk-in tub.

As you consider installing a walk-in tub, think about setting the mood around your tub with mood-enhancing lighting. This lighting is a game-changing addition that will enhance the ambiance in your room.

4. Refrigerated Cabinets

Cooled cabinetry is another high-tech trend taking over homes across the country. With many homeowners opting to store their medicines in their bathrooms, these built-in refrigerated bathroom cabinets will keep all your medicines cool. This will help to protect temperature-sensitive medicine from becoming degraded by improper storage.

In addition to safely storing your medication in the bathroom, this upgraded cabinetry will make it easier than ever to get started with your day. This cabinetry saves you from having to trek to the fridge for your favorite morning drinks. Thanks to your cooling cabinets, you’ll be able to enjoy a cold bottle of water or cold brew while performing your morning routine.

5. Warming Drawers

Homeowners that love the idea of having refrigerated beverages in their kitchen should consider adding towel warmers to their new bath remodel. Few things are better than wrapping up with a hot towel after a long day of work. If you’re a fan of having towels hot from the dryer, add this high tech option to your bathroom remodel. Whether they’re built into your cabinetry or you install heated towel racks, you’re sure to love this new addition.

6. Scales with Fitbit Integration

If you can’t get enough of your Fitbit, consider adding a Fitbit integrated scale to your bathroom. While this new scale will is a minor addition to include in your remodel, it can completely transform your approach to fitness. This type of smart scale uses advanced technology to track your lean mass, weight, percentage of body fat, and more.

7. Waterproof Televisions

With so much of our lives spent in the bathroom, what better way to pass the time than with a waterproof television? This futuristic installation is sure to have a high ROI as many homebuyers consider this addition to be family-friendly and forward-thinking. This waterproof TV is the final way to complete your smart home transformation. Whether you want to watch your favorite shows during a relaxing shower or play your favorite music during a bath, you’ll love having a television so close.

Consider using your upcoming shower remodel to transform your bathroom into a smart one. Keep these seven ideas in mind as you prepare for your bathroom remodel Houston

How To Keep Your Online Privacy Intact

Online privacy is something that everybody should pay attention to, especially if they need to use the internet a lot. However, this isn’t something that many people may look after. Some of this can be driven by the fact that few people know how to do so.

Tech Live Connect doesn’t think that this should be the case. Instead, we believe that online privacy should be as easy as possible to take advantage of. While it may seem like this is an overwhelmingly complicated process, it doesn’t have to be.

In contrast, making sure that your private information stays private online can be much easier than you might think. While there are a variety of ways that you can do this, there are a few that have proven to be much more useful than others.

Use A VPN

Virtual private networks (VPNs) have become increasingly popular over the past few years. The majority of this has been driven by how much protection it can offer the majority of users. Typically, this will provide a significant amount of privacy when you’re browsing the web, which is driven by a few notable traits.

Essentially, a VPN will act as a buffer between your computer and the websites that you visit. As a result, the sites should be able to collect any of your personal information, which is quite a large benefit. There should also be a certain amount of SSL encryption to enhance this.

Encrypt Your Email

Email encryption is an area that has predominantly been used by businesses over the past few years. However, an increasing number of individuals have begun using it, as it can offer quite a large number of privacy benefits. When this is taken advantage of, it should mean that only the sender and recipient can view and read the email.

This should then mean that, even if a hacker can access the data, they shouldn’t be able to read anything. As a result, your emails should be much better protected.

Look For Privacy Indicators On Websites

Many people may not be aware that a large number of websites will have a variety of privacy indicators that they should be on the look out for. As such, you should keep an eye out for a few notable things if you need to input any sensitive information into a site.

One of the more notable of these is that the URL starts with https://, which should also be coupled with a padlock symbol. When you click on the padlock, you should be given a message that states the name of the company and how much encryption the website has. This should help to ensure your privacy.

While each of the above might take a certain amount of time to implement, they should be much more straightforward than you might think. Alongside this, they should make sure that your personal information is kept private when you’re browsing the internet.

It’s often worth making sure that you use each of the above together. While using one will have a variety of benefits, Tech Live Connect recommends that you include use all of them to stay as private as possible

Cyrus Baseghi Was Featured On Rookstool Interviews

In a recent interview on Rookstool Interviews, Cyrus Baseghi was asked about his personal achievement(s). He answered in the following way:

Getting to lead my employees through authority based on respect, not fear. As someone who is in a position of power, it was never my goal to scare people into listening to me. Instead, I wanted to build a bond based on trust and mutual respect. That way, we can communicate more transparently without fearing of what either party truly think. Also, being straightforward with everyone has led to an increase in productivity because my workers do not need to stress about all the projects that are going on. They know that as long as they put in an appropriate amount of effort, missing a few deadlines is not going to make a big difference.
Cyrus Baseghi, Rookstool Interviews

You can read the full interview by visiting: https://www.rookstoolinterviews.com/cyrus-baseghi/

Michael Luisi on Social Media and Film: Two Industries Influencing Each Other

The digital age has brought about a scope of influence like never before. We can all recall just a few decades ago when the internet didn’t exist for the masses, and social media was unheard of. Now, it has become one of the main platforms for people to express themselves, and for businesses to promote their content.

The rise of social media also has profound influence in many industries. For instance, social media has had an impact on the entertainment industry. Since various social media platforms engage with consumers not only through text and pictures but through video, this says a lot about how the motion picture industry works to produce and market content.

According to Michael Luisi, an entertainment executive and producer based in California, there are many ways that social media has brought about change in the motion picture industry and vice versa. In this post, he will be dig into these issues.

Social media as a means to promote new films

We often hear of upcoming films on the big screen through movie trailers on TV, or posters we find in the cinema. However, there is an added platform to look for new trailers, which is through videos on social media.

Most movies have their own accounts or pages run by their digital marketing team. Before a movie’s official release, the marketing team can build anticipation on various social media platforms by making short teasers, promotions, and other forms of content to help build engagement.

According to Michael Luisi, this helps new films gain traction with maximum return on investment. Digital marketing through social media is also a great way for new filmmakers to introduce themselves, as well as promote independent films.

Battling film piracy on social media

We have to approach social media’s influence in the motion picture industry in an objective light. There is an ongoing problem with film piracy when individuals post full length movies on their social media accounts. Although there are measures to help prevent this such as copyright strikes, the problem is not entirely solved.

To help solve this problem, some outlets such as YouTube have subscription services wherein they offer films to watch for a monthly price. There are also various offers where users can watch older films in YouTube for a low price, ranging from $ 0.99 and above.

Film makers can earn more royalties through social media

Previously mentioned is the problem of film piracy in social media. However, this issue is a two-sided coin as there is also an opportunity for film makers to earn more royalties through social media. Users who don’t want to see a film on the big screen can opt to purchase and watch movies on various media platforms, which is revenue for both industries.

This is what some creators call a royalty price. Intellectual property in digital form such as music, text, or in the case of the film industry–videos, can still earn a portion of the income even when people only wish to access it through social media. Previously, royalties can only be earned through CDs, DVDs, and TV subscriptions. Now, film makers can earn more royalties through video sales on social media platforms.

Increased quality of films due to free video platforms

There are many publishers who create free content for their audience. They are ramping up the quality of their work without charging a cent. Overall, this benefits the development of industries as well as the audiences they serve.

People’s preference with convenient media

Along with a preference for free content, some audiences would also prefer staying indoors rather than going to cinemas to be entertained. They may also prefer short types of videos instead of full feature films. This could be considered a disadvantage for the film industry. However, there are solutions to help cater to audiences that prefer convenient media. Netflix, the video subscription giant, took advantage of this growing preference. People can now subscribe to services that feature a library of films and TV series that they can watch at the comfort of their own homes.

Technology also helps recreate the cinematic experience–there are now Smart TVs with highly sophisticated audio and video systems to help people enjoy movies while staying at home.

Lower barrier of entry for film makers

Just a few decades ago, conceptualizing a film and following through the whole plan was costly and time-consuming. You had to pitch your storyline and big idea to major film companies just to get noticed. However, this has changed somewhat with the rise of social media. Filmmakers can now independently publish their own content. They can post media on social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube. This is an interesting shift in the film industry, lowering the barrier to entry for independent film makers. It is now easier to find talent and provide opportunities for those who show exceptional skills.

Social media themes in films

Another interesting change for both industries is the rise of themes relating to social media. There are now movies that revolve entirely around the use of video and messaging apps, which also mirrors the modern way of life.

Film makers are free to explore themes relating to social media such as online dating, cyber bullying, and internet privacy. They can also inject scenes where social media can be used as a means of communication.

These changes are just a hint of what is to come as film and social media continue to intertwine. Michael Luisi sees more promising developments as technology continues to accelerate with the development of these industries.

How Technology is Shaking Up the Roofing Industry

The roofing industry is booming. Currently valued at $49 billion for the year 2019, the trends have been driven by increasing demand but also the increasing usage of innovative technologies.

A range of roofing services in Tampa, for example, are becoming more efficient and effective through investing in brand new technologies to change the way experienced professionals carry out their work.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways in which technology is shaking up the roofing industry.

Bringing Drones into the Mix

Drone technology has become prevalent in a range of industries. Many Tampa roofing contractors are now using drones in order to measure, visualize, and problem-solve. Not only is this faster but it also reduces the personal risk contractors face every day.

The use of drones within roofing services in Tampa is also offering additional angles so contractors can improve accuracy and boost the overall quality of their work.

With drones creating a $100 billion market opportunity, costs are coming down and the technology is improving, thus making it more accessible to the roofing industry.

The Use of Big Data in Roofing

Big data has been revolutionizing different industries for a few years now. Now it’s time for big data to change the way Tampa roofing companies run their businesses.

One of the primary areas in which big data is having an impact is in helping them improve their supply chain plans.

Granted, this is more relevant to bigger companies, but even independent contractors are able to use big data on a limited scale to ensure their supply chains remain healthy.

Artificial Intelligence for Customized Weather Mapping

Artificial intelligence is perhaps the most exciting new technology of all now available to Tampa roofing contractors.

Florida is the type of state that experiences extreme weather patterns, so roofing contractors must take this into account when installing and repairing roofs.

Artificial intelligence has the potential to create customized weather mapping, so roofing contractors can make better decisions and better advise their clients on the right options for them.

Solar Shingles

Previously, solar roofs were either massively expensive or impractical. But new solar shingles are an alternative to the clunky, ugly solar panels in use today.

They look like ordinary shingles yet come with all the benefits of solar panels, thus enabling families in Florida to take advantage of the year-round sunshine to generate energy.

Going green is becoming an increasing priority for all industries, and this major breakthrough will finally put smart, elegant solar roofs in the hands of average Americans throughout the state.

Expect roofing services in Tampa to increasingly offer these types of roofs in the coming years.

Last Word – Roofing is Getting Better and Better

It’s clear that new technology is enabling the roofing industry to get better and better. By improving the quality of work, making the lives of contractors easier, and giving families more choices, the roofing industry is only expected to grow year-on-year.

What do you think is the most exciting new technology shaking up the roofing industry?

Everything You Need to Know About BusPatrol’s Smart Buses

At BusPatrol, they’re always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to get your children to school in a safe and timely fashion. They’re creating exciting innovations in transportation nearly every day.

Their marquee solution is the Smart Bus. These vehicles are a safe and high-tech method for ensuring that your children get to their destination safely each time they leave for school.

There is a lot to keep in mind, however. They’re improving their technology every day, so there are always new features and safety measures being added to these smart vehicles

Keep reading for an in-depth breakdown of all the must-know information regarding BusPatrol’s Smart Buses and how they can impact the way your children receive their education.

What is a smart bus?

A smart bus is a bus outfitted with a suite of technology dedicated to making sure your child gets to school safely. This technology interfaces with a complex web of other technologies, like GPS signals, security cameras, and cellular modems.

All of these different pieces of tech work together to cultivate the safest environment possible for your child. They also optimize the traveling experience, which means your child will be able to get where they need to go faster.

BusPatrol’s Smart Buses connect with a complex interface in real-time, which allows their experts to monitor its location. Cameras located on the bus’ exterior also allows BusPatrol to capture bad actors. This technology lets them capture the license plates of those who speed, illegally pass the bus, and ignore stop signs. This information is then sent in to the authorities, making the road safer for both you and your child.

Best of all, this information can be processed instantaneously using cutting-edge, Cloud-based technology to instantly deliver information like license plate numbers to the authorities. Likewise, should an accident occur, GPS monitoring capabilities allow buses to send help to the scene instantly.

This technology is instrumental in making substantial improvements to the way we protect our children in the future. The system is a highly complex network of interactions between BusPatrol systems, GPS networks, and the local authorities.

Smart Bus technology allows these buses to ensure your child is as protected as possible during their morning commute.

How do they monitor driving behavior?

Smart Buses are monitored in a variety of methods. Each is carefully designed to ensure access to all the necessary information to make improvements to the systems and to take appropriate action in worst-case scenarios.

To start, the cameras on BusPatrol Smart Buses are always active. That’s right: always. As soon as the bus is put into motion, the cameras located both inside and outside of the bus are activated. As you may have guessed, this gives access to a comprehensive view of any potential dangers that may present themselves.

The footage recorded by these cameras is instantaneously transmitted via a cellular LTE network. A team of driven, passionate individuals monitor the information sent by these buses whenever a child is secured inside one of our vehicles.

The stop-arm located on the side of the bus is a huge part of the process. Once the arm extends, the Smart Bus systems send every bit of relevant data to a processing center. Systems will automatically store all recorded events for a minimum of seven days, which means there will always be access to crucial information concerning your child’s safety.

Cameras serve another crucial function: they encourage bus drivers to be on their best behavior. Any inappropriate actions, like ignoring traffic signals and taking illegal turns, will be instantly noted by the support team. Should this kind of behavior become a pattern, BusPatrol will ensure that a new driver is provided as soon as possible. Violations are sent both to the school employing the driver and to the local authorities.

Are Smart Buses the future of school-age transportation?

Absolutely. As technology becomes more and more advanced, we owe it to our community to ensure that it is used effectively and responsibly.

Smart Buses have already been adopted by several school districts, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. BusPatrol hopes to service your community, and more importantly, your children, as soon as possible.

Saleh Stevens Discusses Why They Will Be Trouble if Facebook’s Currency Succeeds

Facebook is a company that doesn’t exactly have the public’s trust right now. Mark Zuckerberg recently went to trial over the fact that Congress believed Facebook to be auctioning off our private data to companies. Facebook is a web-based app that is integrated into all of our lives. We log into it daily to talk to our friends and family. There have been other elements of Facebook that have been developed to keep us hooked on the platform. However, finance expert Saleh Stevens believes that nothing is as dangerous as Facebook creating its own currency.

Understanding Facebook’s Desire to Expand

Cryptocurrency is a type of currency that can be used online. It is not hindered by region and can be used by most major retailers online. However, Facebook has decided that it wants to enter the cryptocurrency game. It has been reported that Facebook is beginning to develop its own Libra cryptocurrency. This new currency would be used by over a billion people around the world. While the intentions may be good, there may be other problems that will arise if we end up accepting this new form of currency.

The Issues With Facebook’s Cryptocurrency

The main problem that comes to mind whenever we think about this issue is control. Big tech companies have been working diligently to free us away from government control. However, the problem lies in the fine print. Saleh Stevens believes that these large tech companies can then subjugate the individuals who use their cryptocurrency to do as they please. Though government intervention is a hard pill to swallow, nothing is as bad as a bunch of tech companies doing what they want without regulation.

Cryptocurrency Isn’t Regulated

Bitcoin is currently not regulated by any government system. While this is something that many cryptocurrency enthusiasts enjoy, it can become a major problem if it goes mainstream. A cryptocurrency that is not being regulated can cause major fluctuations in the online market. This can hurt individuals that end up putting all of their investments into a brand new cryptocurrency. However, this isn’t even the worst part of it all.

Tech Companies and The Search for Power

As mentioned previously, tech companies can reshape the environment around them as they see fit if this cryptocurrency goes live. Big tech companies can get away with crimes since they aren’t being regulated. They will not face accountability for their actions either. Libra, the cryptocurrency being developed by Facebook, is being handled by a currency organization known as Calibra. This is a subsidiary group that Facebook is creating to help regulate its own currency. However, this can present major problems on its own. How can we trust Facebook to regulate something when it only has its own interests in mind?

A Hard Sell

While we may fear a financial apocalypse, many people are still skeptical of cryptocurrency. Bitcoin is only used by 7.1 million people around the world. This is a considerably small number when compared to the general population. We can only trust the skepticism of the general population to reject Libra and not use the cryptocurrency being provided by Facebook. However, currencies do take time to develop. We hope that people can see the dangers of an unregulated currency and how it can only benefit big tech companies.

5 Technologies That Changed The 21st Century

There have been plenty of technological innovations in the last 21st century such as hoverboards, self-driving cars, and smartphones. Modern technologies have relied on the use of smartphones and other smart devices. The way that people enjoy music, television shows, and movies have changed. The five examples show some of the most significant technological advancements in the 21st century by leader Danny Errico.

Bluetooth Technology

Bluetooth technology was introduced in 1999, and people’s lives were changed forever. The technology has been rolled out to desktop computers, laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Many devices have incorporated the use of Bluetooth technology. This technology is no longer associated with Bluetooth headsets. Bluetooth technology has been used for everything such as audio transmission, file transfer, home security, multiplayer games, and to listen to text messages aloud. It’s most notable achievement is the Internet of Things (IoT), which has emerged from this technology.

Fiber Optics

Fiber optics technology has changed the infrastructure of devices such as the internet, telephones, and televisions. These are the types of technologies that people think of when they hear about fiber optics. This technology has also changed other healthcare technologies such as medical engineering inspection and medical imaging. Fiber optics require the use of glass that’s as thin as human hair and can transmit data over long distances.

3-D Printing

3-D printing has been used in a wide variety of industries, such as the food industry and healthcare. With the use of 3-D printers, healthcare providers can deliver products to their patients on-demand. This technology could disrupt disruption and manufacturing channels. Specialists also use this technology for dental work, hearing aids, organ transplants, prescription medications, and prosthetic limbs.

This technology is also changing the food industry. Most of its breakthroughs have been seen in this industry with establishments printing 3-D food. This concept has revolutionized the food industry thanks to creativity, customization, and sustainability. That means customers may enjoy brownies, burgers, pasta, pizza, or quiche from a 3-D printer.

Self-Driving Vehicles

The latest development is self-driving vehicles. In order for this technology to work, ride-sharing and public transportation must also support this innovation. Self-driving vehicles can reduce traffic and the number of accidents on the road. This technology is more than just about vehicles, it’s about improving the streets that are consistent with economic, environmental, and social goals.

Social Media

Social media has become one of the biggest inventions of the 21st century. It has made a significant impact on the world and on society. Social media has changed the way people get their news. While there is plenty of good with social media, there is also plenty of bad. It has contributed to the rise of online bullying, fake news, and inappropriate content. This type of activity has caused organizations across several industries to train their employees on social media management.

These are just some of the latest advancements from the 21st century. This list isn’t an exhaustive list of course. But there are the most innovative advancements because of the way they changed people’s lives forever. At the beginning of the 21st century, Blackberry phones were the cellphones that everyone wanted. Touchscreen smartphones have started out large, then went smaller, and are now larger than ever.

Also in the early part of the 21st century, 3-D printing was just a concept that was thought up by scientists. Thanks to their fruition and experiments, 3-D hardware and software became possible. Technology has improved this innovation. 3-D printing has allowed engineers and researchers to create some of the above-mentioned inventions at the speed of light.

How Lumber Companies are Modernizing

The lumber industry is one of the oldest industries in American history. Production and distribution of wood products increased over time due to increased growth of city buildings. Since most forests in the cities were depleted over time, lumbermen started cultivating for more stock from rural areas. Most houses in historic America were made of wood products with a masonry coating to look like stone, but stones were rarely used. To ensure durability, old trees were used for harvesting of timber and challenges such as rotting, or insect harm was overcome using preservatives. The lumber industry has experienced dramatic changes and different challenges over the years due to increased demand for wood products as cities continued to grow. Some of these changes were evident in terms of marketing, transportation or distribution, technology, and building modernizations.

1. Marketing Standardization

While most industries that produce building materials embarked on promoting and advertising their products, the lumber industry did not adopt advertising until the mid-1900s. Most lumber companies started by advertising specific types of woods and marketing was very slow for these companies. Again, different trade organizations could not agree on different issues, and this made it hard for wood manufacturers to work cooperatively. Today, most wood product manufacturers have embraced community service, use of digital marketing strategies and media channels to market their products. Most lumber companies have embraced modern marketing strategies and are targeting cabinet makers, refacing companies, commercial millwork shops, and construction companies because they all need their products to complete their projects. For instance, waterfront companies will need dock material made of timber for their decking projects because it is one of the developments that add value to waterfront properties.

2. Distribution and Transportation Of Lumber Products

Distribution channels for the lumber industry have always been complex, and the networks involved poorly integrated. There were numerous middlemen, and the variation between the regional and local standards made the industry more complicated. This led to increased costs for delivering goods from manufacturer to wholesalers, from retailers to railroad and wholesalers to railroad and between everyone else and the consumer. Transportation was a big challenge as well, and most lumberyards had to be located near rail lines or harbors to allow easy delivery of wood products. Today, lumber companies are found anywhere because transportation means are available everywhere. Supply channels in the industry have been revolutionized by technology advancement and globalization whereby communication has been made more effective, and travel or transportation of goods has been made easier.

3. Use of Technology in The Lumber Industry

Technology is changing all industries in one way or another, and the lumber industry is not left behind. Due to the challenges faced earlier in marketing, production, and distribution, a need to embrace technology in different operations has considerably increased. Here are some of the areas where technology has shaped production in the lumber industry.

• Sawmilling

Previously, lumber companies were using personal judgment to decide on yields expected from certain material. However, with modern techniques, people are using qualitative and quantitative data to produce cutting patterns of materials automatically. Products depend on the needs of the client after analysis of the data input is complete. Such techniques are expected to improve quality, reduce wastages of materials and improve business competitiveness.

• Drying

Drying of wood products has been modernized through vacuum drying and high-frequency heating, which are techniques that allow fast drying of both hardwoods and softwoods. The good thing about these technologies is the fact that they can be adjusted to the need and urgency of the products being produced. People were using the kiln dryer previously, and it has proven to be slow and less effective especially with the increased demand for wood products. This is one of the reasons why several solvents and emulsion systems have been developed for non-water-soluble constituents.

• Wood Treatment and Preservation

Most of the products that have been used for wood preservation were considered environmental unfriendly, and therefore a need for more efficient and sustainable strategies arose. More research is being carried out to come up with alternative solutions to improve margins of preservation. Most companies dealing with decking projects would consider properly treated dock material because of the heightened exposure to water.

• Development of Reconstituted Wood

Production of different types of boards has led to increased demand for composites and reconstituted wood products. For instance, plywood is a special wood product that needs high-quality wood to be complete while fiberboard or particle board only requires fragmented wood to produce. This means that after producing some quality timber products, one can use the byproducts produced in the process to produce other important products. Both the main product and the byproducts are made more durable through chemical treatments that help in sticking different parts and particles together. For example, sawdust can be mixed with plastic to produce plastic wood composites that are more resistant and partially biodegradable.

Change is inevitable, and every company needs to adapt to the changes that come in the industry, and this will help them to remain relevant. The lumber industry is one that has experienced dramatic changes over the years for improved efficiency.