GET, LLC's Blog: January 2014

How Terex Works for You-A Sneak Peak at ConExpo 2014

Construction Equipment Guide is reporting on the efforts of many of the largest manufacturers in the construction biz preparing to roll out their wares at ConExpo 2014 set for March in Nevada. The Fort Washington, Pennsylvania-based on-line publication noted that Terex will showcase a comprehensive range of products and services at outdoor Gold Lot, booth number 1047.

According to a company release, the Terex exhibit is designed to introduce the company's latest products and reinforce its commitment to delivering customer-driven equipment and service solutions for the construction, infrastructure, quarrying, mining, shipping, transportation, refining, energy, utility and manufacturing industries.

The Terex aerial work platforms, construction, cranes, and materials processing business segments will showcase new equipment, innovative safety features and unique service solutions. All of these offerings are designed to keep both Terex and GET, LLC's customers equipment up and running efficiently while lowering the cost of ownership to enhance their bottom line. In December, GET, LLC was appointed as the authorized distributor for Terex and Genie aerial work platforms, cranes, construction and materials processing equipment and parts in Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia.

On display? Many new innovations including the new Genie GS-4069 bi-energy hybrid scissor lift. As part of the new Genie BE69 hybrid scissor lift series, it features two selectable operating modes to meet the needs of both outdoor job sites with no onsite power, and indoor job sites with noise and emission sensitive environments. Also on display will be three rough terrain Genie telehandlers, among other products.

Also, the Terex stand will showcase machines from across the construction range including a Biomass whole tree chipper, TBC 430. The TEE Biomass 400 series has three different models and supports customers from biomass plans, logging operations, sawmills, forestry services, site clearing and land development.

These Terex and Genie products and others will all be at CONEXPO 2014.

If you have any aerial lift needs and would like to discuss potential solutions, please drop GET, LLC a line via our website at www.get-guam.com or give us a call at 671-797-0789-your authorized Terex/Genie Representative for Guam and Micronesia.

Are You Receiving the Furniture You Desire?-A Tip from Savoy Contract Furniture

The lesson stems from your days in the classroom and almost certainly rears its head when making an important business decision-write it like you mean it. Our friends at Savoy Contract Furniture shared this bit of advice related to ordering that important piece of furniture for a customer or your respective business.

"Have you ever anticipated the arrival of your new furniture, only to be a bit surprised by what you receive? When maintenance issues start escalating and complaints become more urgent, it may be time to do some pre-planning for the next go-round. The nice thing is, you don't have to become a mechanical engineer to figure it all out; nor do you have to copy and paste from an existing spec to try and get what you want - you can work with one of our consultants to develop yours.

Writing the kind of detailed specification it takes to build a solid, stylish, and lasting piece of furniture is not easy. Ask any engineer and they will tell you. The details of your construction are the exact factors that will ensure you get exactly what you expect.

9 Ply Birch-Drawers

1. A drawer box, for example, should read: 12mm, 9 layer veneer core plywood for top performance.

2. Now add English Dovetail, 5-sided, wet construction, and you are well on your way to a strong drawer.

3. The final touch to your spec should include 5 sides to your drawer box. This allows for a detachable, easily reparable drawer front.

Write your spec like you mean it. The fact is, it matters. Contract furniture manufacturers are specialized for this very reason."

For more on how the HUBZone Certified GET, LLC, through our friends at Savoy Contract Furniture and teaming partner American Hotel Register, can assist you with your furniture needs-including writing your spec today-give us a call at 671-797-0789 or check out our website for details at www.get-guam.com. Have we said that Savoy has been engineering and manufacturing durable, stylish institutional furniture for over 6 decades? They are a great team.

GET,LLC-HUBZone Certified by U.S.SBA

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has advised GET, LLC that it is now Certified in the Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program. The news comes after GET, LLC completed the extensive certification process that began back in August of 2013.

"GET, LLC is excited to be a part of the HUBZone Program," said GET, LLC Managing Partner Tricia J.S. Gumataotao. "We join 181 companies in Guam who are participating in this program and proud of the fact that we are the 75th Women Owned Business in Guam to take this important step in growing our business."

The Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) program was enacted into law as part of the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 1997. The program falls under the auspices of the U.S. Small Business Administration. The program encourages economic development in historically underutilized business zones - "HUBZones" - through the establishment of preferences. SBA's HUBZone program is in line with the efforts of both the Administration and Congress to promote economic development and employment growth in distressed areas by providing access to more federal contracting opportunities.

"The program’s benefits for HUBZone-certified companies like GET, LLC include competitive and sole source contracting, a 10% price evaluation preference in full and open contract competitions, and subcontracting opportunities," said Gumataotao.

GET, LLC serves both federal and local government agencies and commercial businesses of Guam and the Western Pacific in business-to-business consulting services and construction materials and equipment sales.

Secure Web Gateways-A Fit for Your Business?

An interesting paper was released by Gartner Inc. recently. The world's leading information technology research and advisory company shared with GET, LLC and other Cisco Business Partners a report that stated that Malware detection and cloud services are two areas of continuing disparity among Secure Web Gateway vendors and analyzed the key differences in the capabilities and other key functions of this growing industry

The Stamford, Connecticut-based tech advisors contend that Secure Web gateways (SWGs) utilize URL filtering, malware detection and application control technology to protect organizations and enforce Internet policy compliance. SWGs are delivered as on-premises appliances (hardware and virtual) or cloud-based services.

They estimate that the combined SWG revenue of the Cloud companies in 2012 was $1.18 billion (which includes on-premises and cloud-based offerings). Revenue from solutions that lack full SWG functionality has been excluded (for example, URL filtering only or proxies sold without anti-malware protection). Gartner says the market grew approximately 15% over 2011- anticipating that the market will grow 13% to 15% in 2013.

Eight of the 13 vendors in their analysis now offer a multitenant cloud service. However, the market is still dominated by on-premises solutions (86% share, based on revenue), with SWG as a service representing the remainder of the market (14%). Gartner's market share and growth rate estimate of the broader market for SWG proxy and URL filtering software can be found in "Market Share: Security Software, Worldwide, 2012." The market is segmented between large enterprises and small or midsize businesses (SMBs). SMB solutions are designed for ease of use, cost-effectiveness and basic security protection. Large enterprise solutions protect against more-advanced threats, including the capability to detect targeted attacks.

Vendors are increasingly integrating content-aware data loss prevention (DLP) to monitor sensitive data. Cloud services are being driven by the need to protect mobile devices and secure remote-office connections.

Barracuda Networks, Blue Coat Systems, ContentKeeper Technologies, McAfee, Phantom Technologies-iboss Security, Sangfor, Sophos, Symantec, Trend Micro, Trustware, Websense, Zscaler, and our friends at Cisco Systems make up the field in this growing market.

There are many pluses and minuses that each may offer-but one thing is for certain is that each provide a level of Malware protection and Cloud Services that must fit your respective business needs.

Gartner says that the market for SWG functionality will remain broad through at least 2016 and that "barriers to entry are low since vendors can readily license a URL database and an antivirus engine, package them with basic reporting and some application control, and market the solution as an SWG. These solutions will continue to put pricing pressure on the SMB market, but larger enterprises should avoid the temptation to go with a low-cost provider. Vendors that can demonstrate a strong track record of malware research and success in malware prevention will be the ones that succeed in the large enterprise market."

Our advice? Ensure that you can measure these respective companies ability to execute and completeness of vision in executing a SWG that fits your needs.

GET, LLC is a proud Cisco Registered Partner providing the latest Cisco products and services direct to businesses and organizations. For more on the benefits that our Partnership can bring to you and your respective business contact us at 671-483-0789 or at www.get-guam.com.

Do You Want to Be Liked?-A MANA/Saleswise Tip

More sage words of advice to pass along from Sales Coach for the Manufacturers Association Manufactures Agents National Association (MANA) Nicki Weiss. GET, LLC and other members of MANA gathered more insight as she warned why trying to be liked can kill happiness and success:

"...When the need to be liked trumps your best efforts as a leader, you're not doing anyone any favors.

Here are two common fears that hold leaders back:

1. Fear of addressing poor performers

I see bad behavior and rotten performance everywhere in organizations. I truly believe others’ poor performance sits squarely on their manager’s shoulders. If the manager won’t address the problems, who will?

I recently worked with a group of leaders and early on in our first meeting one confessed she has avoided a conversation with a problem employee for months. She lets her get away with whining, complaining, interfering with others’ work, and low sales numbers. She said, "I am afraid of what might happen during the conversation. This employee is also a friend of mine outside of work, so I don’t want her to dislike me.”

The results? The rest of the team was demoralized, their work starting to slide, and they grew increasingly annoyed at their boss for not calling out this difficult employee.

To her credit, the manager rehearsed what she could say and had the conversation. Not only did the poor performer become aware of her negative impact, but she actually appreciated the conversation and started to change her behavior.

What if the opposite happened, and the employee reacted badly to the conversation? Oh, well. It is not your job to stifle your good leadership instincts because you fear an employee won’t like you.

Reality check: When you let a slacker slide or allow negativity to reign, whether it is in a corporation, a volunteer organization or even a family, the people who are earnestly doing their best to meet the standards resent you for it.

2. Fear of people talking about you

I confess: I want to be liked too. But I've come to recognize that I can't make everyone happy.

The turning point came when I took on the responsibilities of Co-Chair for my Beekeepers Co-op.

I made a few changes that bothered some members. My worst fears surfaced when I discovered they were discussing my awfulness at a social gathering. The anxiety about being unpopular feIt like high school all over again.

"They don't like me," I lamented to a much wiser friend. She said, "If all the people who dislike someone are whiners, that tells me the person they are gossiping about is probably a go-getter who doesn't coddle others."

Then the situation became clear: Why should I care if they liked me since I wasn’t very keen on them either?"

Nicki adds that being liked is nice. Being happy and successful is better. Thanks Nicki.

For more about the goods and services that GET, LLC can bring to your organization, please give us a call at 671-483-0789 or check out our website at www.get-guam.com.

The Future of Metal Construction Through the Eyes of Fabral

GET, LLC has had a great opportunity to meet and work closely with Fabral President Kit Emert. It was in the Fall of 2012 that we had the pleasure of getting to know the head of the 47 year old premier supplier of metal roofing and wall systems for architectural, industrial, commercial, agricultural, post frame and residential applications. Kit and our friends at MCR Guam Inc. are responsible for nearly a quarter of a million square feet of roofing at U.S. Naval Base Guam and Andersen Air Force Base since 2011.

Earlier this week, Kit shared his thoughts on what lies ahead for the metal building business this year and into the near future: "In the U.S., as well as globally, there is a huge inventory of buildings sitting idle awaiting new office occupancy, industrial expansion or institutional upgrades. In many cases, these structures are simply in need of exterior updating while in other cases these buildings are in need of substantial interior and HVAC improvements. Regardless of the individual owner or building need, it is often the more sensible and sustainable option to retrofit a structure to meet current and expected future needs than to build new.

Metal exterior, and interior, cladding systems are ideally suited to meet the demands of retrofit construction. Metal products are typically lighter in weight than other building materials and that means there may be less structural work necessary to accommodate a new metal cladding system and to meet building code requirements. Metal can also be easily fabricated to meet the design element demands of retrofit construction and to address tolerance requirements that may be prevalent on an aged building structure. Additionally, metal cladding systems integrate easily with other building materials and elements that may be maintained from the original construction design. And, finally, metal can be fabricated to match historically significant metal construction design elements, such as, cornices, spires, finials, reveals, trims and panel systems.

Metal does provide an ideal architectural and functional fit for retrofit construction applications. An idle building, or a building that is an eyesore, can become functional and architecturally significant with a beautiful metal enclosure system or design element makeover."

Thanks Kit for the vision and great advice.

To find out more about how GET, LLC, through our metal building partner and Fabral representative for Guam and the Pacific Rim MCR Guam Inc., can help with your next steel building or aluminum roofing project, give us a call at 671-483-0789 or our website at www.get-guam.com for more information.

Federal Workforce Numbers Poses Challenges for Contractors-Job Loss = Federal Fund Decline?

President of Allen Federal Business Partners Larry Allen wrote recently that the U.S. Government's Civil Service workforce shrunk by nearly 80,000 positions in 2013- continuing what he called, "a trend in which more people leave the government than come on board." The Virginia-based Allen, also an consultant to Cisco Distribution Giant-Comstor, wrote in his Blog with Cisco Partners like GET, LLC, that the total federal workforce, including active duty military personnel, now stands at 4.3 million people and that the size of the workforce is expected to continue its contraction, including in the military, as activities in Afghanistan wind down.

Does this mean that the pace of job loss is expected to slow? Allen wrote:

"...This phenomena poses many challenges for companies selling to the federal government.

First, there are fewer people to sell to. Does your firm sell hardware or services priced by the seat? Your business may have to look harder and diversify in order to succeed. We have already seen agencies, for example, write provisions into contracts for software that require contractors to reduce their fees in the event that fewer licenses are purchased or if some are cancelled due to workforce reductions. This makes up-front discussions with customers all the more important so that you firm understands how to make smart pricing decisions.

Service sellers may have an easier time as the missions of government certainly aren’t going away. Despite political rhetoric, the fact remains that citizens expect government services. If the feds themselves aren’t providing it, contractors will have to.

No matter what you’re selling, however, budget constraints will still be a reality."

GET, LLC stands with Allen in that we all should take proactive steps to ensure our federal customers are making the best buying decisions and provide as much assistance as possible to help facilitate such. The more we all understand and share the historical knowledge and program experience with our federal customer's contracting teams, both will succeed. Thanks Larry for the words of advice.

Keeping Those Private Dreams Alive-A MANA/Saleswise Tip

Sales Coach for the Manufacturers Association Manufactures Agents National Association (MANA) Nicki Weiss has been giving great advice as of late. GET, LLC and other members of MANA are happy to have her and her powerful insight into sales. This week she sent this to manufacturers' representatives like us at GET, LLC related to staying focused on our goals and dreams:

"When my children were little and I had a hectic work life, I secretly fantasized that I would get into the car and just drive away. Of course, I never did. But I found it comforting to retreat every now and again into this harm less daydream in which I drove to a quiet, beautiful place where everything was slow and peaceful and I could just be alone.

Many people harbor a little private dream of what they would do if they just couldn’t take it anymore and dropped out. Maybe their Plan B is spending six months working and six months bumming around the world, or it could be moving to the country and opening a bed and breakfast.

Here’s an unwelcome dash of cold water on those blissful images of escape. We seem to be retreating to them less often in this stressful, always-too-much-to-do business environment. The hectic pace of our daily work is creating a fallout you probably have not noticed.

A psychologist friend recently told me that she is seeing a significant jump in anxiety and feelings of overwhelm among her patients. She attributes this increase to a sense of mourning for the death of their Plan B. Without these dreams of escape, we feel we have no options or control. And a sense of at least some degree of control over our lives is essential to our well-being.

The demise of Plan B comes courtesy of reduced circumstances. A September 2013 Reuters poll found that, four years after the most recent recession officially ended, many North American adults are still struggling to recover financially. A Pew Research Center poll, conducted about the same time, indicates 54 percent of North Americans feel their household in comes have “hardly recovered at all” from the downturn. So instead of daydreaming about one day saying, “Take this job and shove it,” many of us have no choice but to put up and shut up.

This new reality is making itself felt in every age group, even among those not yet launched in the work force. We’re all concentrating on landing, or holding on to, a secure position that pays cold cash. No room for fantasies.

In these trying times, is it possible to bring back some feelings of optimism and possibilities? Yes, but you need to apply some discipline to the process. Here’s how:

Make a conscious effort to put aside your “to-do” list for at least five minutes a day and take that time to nurture your Plan B dreams. You might even come up with a way to make them come true. Where and when can you daydream? Try Albert Einstein’s method. He said that his best ideas came to him in the shower.

To keep your creative juices flowing and manage your stress level, go play once a week for an hour or two. Pick something you find relaxing and fun, but do it alone.

In our work lives, we often can’t find the solitude necessary for the free-flow of ideas. Our creativity is blocked by ringing phones, emails and meetings. By giving yourself some relaxation time, you let your ideas percolate in the back of your mind, away from conscious concentration. Kierkegaard swore by a long walk; Steven Spielberg claims that his ideas flow while he’s driving; and a friend extols the benefits of an hour puttering in the garden.

So begin your solo activity, whatever it is, and stick to it. Just because the economy is still suffering a bit, you don’t have to be. A new year is here."

Nicki says perhaps finding your alone time can be first on your resolution list. Thanks Nicki.

For more about the goods and services that GET, LLC can bring to your organization, please give us a call at 671-483-0789 or check out our website at www.get-guam.com.

CONEXPO 2014 and Terex-"If It's New, It's Here"

In March, Nevada is playing host to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers CONEXPO 2014. Las Vegas will showcase all the newest equipment, technology and product breakthroughs in construction. 2,400 exhibitors, including our friends at Terex will be showcasing new products and technologies for every major construction industry including asphalt, aggregates, concrete, earth moving, lifting, mining, utilities and more. GET, LLC is encouraging you all to consider joining the over 125,000 attendees at this five day event, set to begin on March 4, 2014.

Why?

Terex will showcase a comprehensive range of products and services at the outdoor Gold Lot, booth number 1047. The Terex exhibit will introduce the company's latest products and reinforce its commitment to delivering customer-driven equipment and service solutions for the construction, infrastructure, quarrying, mining, shipping, transportation, refining, energy, utility and manufacturing industries.

The Terex Aerial Work Platforms (AWP), Construction, Cranes, and Materials Processing business segments will showcase new equipment, innovative safety features and unique service solutions. All of these offerings are designed to keep our collective customers' equipment up and running efficiently while lowering the cost of ownership to enhance their bottom line.

GET, LLC is excited about the roll-out of the Genie® branded products, manufactured by Terex AWP. The coolest of the equipment displays include the innovative Genie SX-180 telescopic boom, the Genie GS™-4069 bi-energy hybrid scissor lift, the Genie GTH™-1544 telehandler and more. This blogger previously noted that the Genie SX-180 boom is a marvel of engineering. With a platform height of 180 feet, it can be driven at full height. The stowed length shrinks it down to a mere 47 feet and the retracted width to 98 inches making it transportable without special over-width permits. The lift capacity is an impressive 750 lbs. The boom is suited for applications in the oil and gas industries, commercial construction, industrial construction and maintenance, wind farm applications, power stations and utilities that require work at height.

This Genie product and the others just mentioned are new, and they will all be at CONEXPO 2014.

Guam-A Different Perspective

The election cycle on Guam is well underway. Decision 2014 is already shaping into a process that may be new in some cases, but decades old in others. Just two weeks into the new year and politicians are already making their case for why should be re-elected. I can say that look at elections on Guam so differently now than when I first participated in the process 20 years ago. There is always some level of hope is that the results would equal better government and governance-but that is never the case in our Island's most popular contact sport.

There are already promises of more technology. There is a hint of improved efficiency. The word on the street is that it will be a better Primary and General Election than those held over the past 43 years. It is a bold commitment to administer modern elections, but our culture and isolation from our U.S. counterparts makes this task daunting. This blogger is not making an excuse in advance of what will be a very carefully watched electoral process. People here don't do well with change and we all will have to accept the final outcome of our exercises in democracy-no matter the outcome.

The pocket meetings are in full swing. Organizations are lining up the next 11 months of activity which is highlighted by the campaign for Governor of Guam. Well placed and somewhat coy campaign signs already line our roads-masking their true intentions. Emails and Facebook posts are already spewing the messaging associated with hard work and a commitment to the health, public safety and education of our island community. Water cooler and back kitchen discussions are already in full swing on who and who not to vote for this Fall. The pulse of this election is being felt almost everywhere we go on Guam.

What will be the ISSUE for this election cycle? Can I recommend one for readers and Guam politicians alike-though some may not classify it as such? How about the improvement of Guam's economy-simply called a "Pocket Book" issue. Other questions still remain. With flat population growth, how is this election going to create new jobs among those who live here? Tourism is on the rise, but what will those seeking public office do to help diversify our visitors industry? Will the next Governor and Senators find meaningful solutions to what is eating at the moral fiber of what is the Hub of Micronesia? Will we all vote for status quo or for change?

Listen. Decide. Act. Voters here will hear the same rhetoric. The electorate will witness familiar tactics to garner a vote. Groups will pick up where they left off two and four years ago-ready to work and expecting something in return. This is a reality that this U.S. Territory will certainly not be able to change overnight. With short of half a century exercising our rights to select our representative government, the hallmark of our unique relationship with the United States of America, we all must come together and protect this important process and continue to work to take greater steps in shaping our collective destiny as a people of this important Pacific archipelago.

New Orders on the Rise in U.S. Furniture Factories

The High Point, North Carolina-based Smith Leonard reported that American furniture factory orders in October were 6% higher than in October 2012 as the industry continued to show gradual improvement. The manufacturing and distribution consultants reported in their monthly industry survey of the furniture industry that October shipments at U.S. residential furniture factories were 9% higher than in the same month a year earlier, while order backlogs were up 11%.

Smith Leonard Managing Partner Ken Smith wrote in his Furniture Insights newsletter that most of the economic news in the industry continues to be positive.

"If we can keep this momentum going," said Smith. "Then whenever consumer confidence shakes loose, we should see even more positive results."

For the first 10 months of 2013, Smith Leonard reports that new orders were 6% ahead of the same period in 2012, while 10-month shipment figures were 5% ahead.

They added that October increases in new orders and shipments marked the seventh consecutive month that those figures were higher than the comparable month in 2012.

Smith says that the largest single monthly increase was in July, when orders were up 13% from a year earlier adding that existing home sales slowed a bit in November, but the revised GDP showed a 4.1% increase in the third quarter.

For more on how GET,LLC through our friends at Savoy Contract Furniture and teaming partner American Hotel Register can assist you with your specific furniture needs- please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or give us a call at 671-483-0789 to discuss the best solution for your facility. All the solutions are Made in America!

Delamping with LED Lighting-A Strategy to Save Energy Costs

Building owners are always looking for an efficient way to reduce costs in their facilities come budget time. The following strategy is a great way to get the cost savings they are looking for while also modernizing the lighting system in their respective building.

De-lamping, or the replacement of two fluorescent tubes with one LED tube, is gaining popularity among business owners because it greatly diminishes the operating cost for owners and, in many cases, reduces the payback period for an LED retrofit to as little as one year.

My friends at Independence LED Lighting offer up an example of de-lamping-converting a 2’x4’ office troffer containing four, 32 watt 4’, T8 fluorescent tubes to an LED Retrofit Kit consisting of two, 4’, 22 watt tubes powered by one external driver. This reduces the total fixture wattage from 128 watts to 44 watts, resulting in a 66% lighting savings. LED retrofit products that are DLC listed and qualify for rebates with major energy providers, can also reduce the payback period and increase ROI.

GET, LLC, through our friends at Independence LED has installed "American-Made" retrofit kits in the commercial and industrial, warehousing, educational, parking garages, hospitality and multi-family residential markets. Independence LED CEO Charles Szoradi says that the key an LED De-Lamping strategy is based on our ability to use one high output tube to replace two existing fluorescent tubes or a pair of imported tubes.

"Since our tube systems are modular, coming in a selection of wattages and lengths, we can de-lamp just about any fixture configuration," said Szoradi. "Our deep fin aluminium heart sinks and external driver technology enables one of our LED tubes to do the work of two alternative options.”

When performing an LED retrofit, it is important to evaluate the fixture retrofit cost, and not just the tube cost. Four $35 imported Chinese tubes to replace four 32 watt fluorescent tubes may seem to be a less expensive solution than $68 US Made LED tubes. However, buyers have to take the cost per unit off the table and look at the fixture retrofit cost. 4 x $35 = $140 while 2 x $68 = $136. The value is in the FIXTURE retrofit cost and not the tube cost. Plus the US made tubes, including those by Independence LED, consume less electricity and have a 10 year warranty versus the imported tubes that often cap out at five years.

De-lamping’s ability to reduce the overall fixture retrofit cost, lower lighting electricity costs, and achieve greater performance has made it increasingly popular among business owners in the private and public sector.

To learn more about the lighting products that GET, LLC provides, including the LED lines of our partners, Independence LED Lighting and Deco Lighting Inc., please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or call us to discuss solutions for your important energy efficient lighting needs-All Made in America!!!

Carrier Wi-Fi Sales to Eclipse $8.5 Billion Over Next Five Years

The Campbell, California-based Infonetics Research recently released a Carrier Wi-Fi Equipment report. The annual report tracks Wi-Fi equipment deployed by operators in public spaces for wireless internet access. When you are trusted by the largest communications equipment companies, service providers, chip makers and Wall Street, almost anything you say be certain that people listen-including GET, LLC.

Infonetics Research says that over the five years from 2013 to 2017, operators will spend a cumulative $8.5 billion on Carrier Wi-Fi equipment, led by mobile operators using Carrier Wi-Fi for data offload.

“This strong growth will gain additional impetus from the proliferation of small cells with integrated Wi-Fi over the coming years," said Directing Analyst for Microwave and Carrier Wi-Fi at Infonetics Research Richard Webb.

According to the research, globally, revenue for Carrier Wi-Fi equipment, including wireless access points and Wi-Fi hotspot controllers, totaled $338 million in the first half of 2013. Carrier Wi-Fi revenue has already surpassed 2/3 of total revenue for the prior year, says Infonetics. The majority of carrier Wi-Fi access points are also Wi-Fi hotspots, notes the report.

The Infonetics report noted that North America has consistently dominated Carrier Wi-Fi revenue share since 2007. They expect that by 2017, a regional share shift to Asia Pacific and EMEA is expected in this marketplace. As the Carrier Wi-Fi market evolves and more operators launch Carrier Wi-Fi services, Infonetics says fluctuations in vendors' market share, with the top 5 positions -- currently held by Cisco, Ericsson, Huawei, Ruckus, and Alcatel-Lucent -- potentially shuffled.

Infonetics’ Carrier Wi-Fi report provides worldwide and regional market size, market share, forecasts through 2017, analysis, and trends for Wi-Fi hotspot controllers and Wi-Fi-only and dual-mode cellular/Wi-Fi access points. The report includes carrier Wi-Fi vendor announcements and customer wins. Vendors tracked include Airspan, Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, Aruba Networks, Edgewater Wireless, Ericsson (BelAir Networks), Huawei, Motorola Solutions, NSN, Ruckus Wireless, and others.

For all of your structured cabling needs in the Western Pacific, please contact GET, LLC for information on the solutions that can be of assistance to you and your respective businesses including access to the Panduit and Cisco line of products-of which we are proud Business Partners of both. Give us a call at 671-483-0789 or find out our more at our website at www.get-guam.com.

Guam Buildup and Won Pat Airport Expansion Top Discussion at First GCA Meeting of 2014

The Calvo Administration is headlining the first meeting of 2014 of the Guam Contractors Association (GCA). The January Meeting at the Westin Resort Guam will feature Guam Military Buildup Director Mark Calvo and Guam International Airport Authority Executive Manager Chuck Ada. Calvo will focus on military construction projects earmarked for 2014 as outlined in the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act while Ada will use his time to talk about 22 Capital Improvement Projects that Guam's only civilian airport is rolling out over the next few weeks.

This speaking event comes at a time when the realization of limited funds in the coming years is kicking in and promises of construction growth are not materializing. For Calvo and Ada, I am confident that they will articulate the progress on the mass amounts of public works projects set to hit the largest island in the Marianas Archipelago over the next 12 months. But I am not convinced that many in the room will have the similar confidence that they will all be let by December. It is an election year in Guam and the political rhetoric is in high gear. Discussion of construction is an election year tactic of showing progress and economic activity-only the incumbent can enjoy the benefit of this with potential voters and the vast number of donors that will be in the room.

The GCA is always a target rich environment and will be a strong voice in this year's election.

Also, we are all seeing lean times and project competition is heating up. With the Base Operations Support Contract in its final option year and a new BOS contract being bid and couple that with NAVFAC Marianas expected to rebid all the Multiple Award Construction Contracts this summer and you have a recipe for many movements and teaming agreements to grab the limited federal dollar. Gov Guam will attract those wanting to do business with Gov Guam-the autonomous agencies the only real money on the streets that will certainly pay on time.

The January 15, 2014 meeting is set for 11:30am local time and according to GCA President James Martinez, "we wanted to start the new year on a positive note". Though it may not seem that GET, LLC is excited about this particular monthly meeting of the GCA, we are cautiously optimistic and look forward to listening in.

Phasechange-A View Into Reducing HVAC Equipment Capacities and Maintenance Costs

The use of phase change materials is picking up interest across America as a strategy to reduce energy costs that is in line with a lighting retrofit and utilization of a building automation controls system. With its nearest competitors about three years away from the gains enjoyed today by the North Carolina-based Phase Change Energy Solutions, this team is poised for a banner year in 2014. As we rely more and more on our Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems to maintain building comfort, using Phase Change's BioPCM product is a logical step to reduce HVAC utilization and maintenance of those mechanical systems.

Depending on the internal loads, orientation and controls strategy, BioPCM can significantly reduce cooling. For example, a zone with BioPCM properly designed into it might have a 35% reduction in peak cooling load and a 26% reduction of peak heating load. An engineer could actually downsize equipment accordingly and still meet American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) guidelines. By "right sizing" HVAC design based on the calculated loads with BioPCM, not only will a building owner save on energy operating costs, but also on the initial HVAC capital costs.

According to the ASHRAE owning and operating costs database, the average building HVAC maintenance cost is $0.50 per square foot. Considering that the average building spends $0.46 on HVAC energy per square foot annually, the cost of HVAC maintenance is on par with the cost of HVAC energy usage itself. BioPCM reduces HVAC run-time. This reduced HVAC system run time will not eliminate HVAC maintenance costs, but can reduce them significantly. As an initial estimate, it can be assumed that the reduction in HVAC maintenance costs will be directly proportional to the reduction of HVAC system run-time. For example, if a 68,000 square foot office building has an annual HVAC maintenance cost of $34,000 ($0.50/Square foot/Year) and BioPCM reduced HVAC run-time by an average of 23%, then the use of BioPCM would reduce annual HVAC maintenance costs by an estimated $7,800.

It is pretty clear that BioPCM reduces both peak cooling and heating design loads as well as reduces HVAC system run time. The reduction of peak design loads provides opportunity for designers to reduce capacities or in some cases entirely remove cooling and or heating systems. Reduced HVAC system run time reduces maintenance and extends system lifetime.

Want to try this in your building? To find out more about how GET, LLC through, our metal building partner MCR Guam Inc.-and licensed Phase Change Energy Solutions partner, can help you get this thermal mass product give us a call at 671-483-0789 or our website at www.get-guam.com for more information. By the way-get up to 19 LEED Points with Phase Change BioPCM in your next project.

Hawaiian Power Outage Caused by Genie Lift Touching Power Lines-Aerial Lift Safety Reminder

Normally this blog keys on a major issue related to the business of GET, LLC.

Something completely different here.

The Maui News is reporting that earlier today, two power lines in Kahului burned and fell to the ground after coming in contact with a Genie Lift. According to the Maui Electric Company, the downed lines on Hobron Avenue cut power to about 60 customers and traffic signals in the area at 2:41 p.m. local time.

The Maui Police Department said the power outage affected a number of traffic lights on Hana Highway from Hobron Avenue to Haleakala Highway. Police officers were stationed at Hana Highway intersections with Kamehameha and Hobron avenues and traffic was light and with limited traffic delays.

There were no injuries or accidents as a result of the power outage. Power was restored to the area about two hours later.

From one island to another, now is a good time to remind you all of how to protect yourself when using an aerial lift. Ever see the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Quick Card?

Things that could have prevented the accident in Maui and can help you when using an aerial lift on a jobsite where ever in the world you are:

Make sure that workers who operate aerial lifts are properly trained in the safe use of the equipment.
Maintain and operate elevating work platforms according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Never override hydraulic, mechanical, or electrical safety devices.
Never move the equipment with workers in an elevated platform unless this is permitted by the manufacturer.
Do not allow workers to position themselves between overhead hazards, such as joists and beams, and the rails of the basket.
Maintain a minimum clearance of at least 10 feet, or 3 meters, away from the nearest energized overhead lines.
Always treat power lines, wires and other conductors as energized, even if they are down or appear to be insulated.
Use a body harness or restraining belt with a lanyard attached to the boom or basket to prevent the worker(s) from being ejected or pulled from the basket.
Set the brakes and use wheel chocks when on an incline.
Use outriggers, if provided.
Do not exceed the load limits of the equipment-Allow for the combined weight of the worker, tools and materials.

GET, LLC is committed to providing responsible information to avoid and or prevent accidents like the one that happened in Maui today. We all should do our part to be safe on the jobsite. If you have any aerial lift needs and would like to discuss potential solutions, please drop GET, LLC a line via our website at www.get-guam.com or give us a call at 671-797-0789.

Guam-A Different Perspective

June 26, 1998. It was a day that I remember very well. He asked me the week previous to grab coffee at a neighborhood eatery during one of his many visits to the island for a respite from the fast paced life he was living in Fairfax, Virginia. The visits were therapy for a man who had traveled the world many times over and at this particular time, his visits to Guam were to see his grandchildren far removed-five time zones to be exact-and to be with his siblings and other close relatives and friends. This was an invitation that I was not used to. But it was the start of what would be over the next 15 years a series of fascinating reunions and talks that would remind me of my heritage and our collective love of our island paradise of Guam.

We started this particular talk with the usual, "Hafa Adai". This time the talk followed with no explanation of the possible origin of the expression. If I wasn't listening to the previous lectures on the traditional Chamorro greeting by the then 69-year old survivor of World War II occupied Guam, I may have been witness to yet another installment of the history of our island from his perspective. Not this time.

The two of us grabbed our coffee and sat in the corner of this particular Harmon establishment. He told me that he wanted to give me something. From a paper lined bag, he brandished a gold covered book. The cover prominently featured his portrait, the flags representative of our identities as Americans and Native Chamorro and two island landmarks- Two Lovers Point and "Pleasure Island".

"Thank you", he remarked. His voice, reminiscent of the famed actor Sean Connery, was upbeat. I remember how puzzled I was with the statement at the time. He asked me to open the book to page 131. The storyteller revealed to me that it was our relationship that inspired him to write this particular portion of the book and that it was his way of expressing how very proud he was of me and my accomplishments to that date.

It reads:

"...in historical times, there has always been an element of diversity on Guam. During the Spanish Era, Spaniards and Filipinos settled here. But there was also a contingent of Carolinians, and the name, Tamuning, is a vestige of their presence. In 1940, the population included 39 Japanese, two Chinese, 13 Spaniards, two Germans, 32 Filipinos, and 73 non-military American residents. Among them, they had more than 600 children who were part Chamorro, judged along genetic lines. For the Chamorro people, however, those children were fully Chamorro. This blending with and acceptance of other people is reflected in names that are common today on Guam: Antonio Yamashita, Brian Gumataotao, Jose O'Brian, Manuel Chang, Gordon Garrido, and George Scharf, among many others."

"You are the Brian Gumataotao," the author remarked. "If I would have placed your name, people would have asked why you and not others whom I had known for the nearly seven decades of my life."

I was honored for the reference and his explanation. We talked further about my wife and children. He asked me how life at home was and our kindred spirits spent what seemed like days talking about the similarities between my kids and his grandchildren whom he adored. Just before we parted ways, he grabbed the book back and made an inscription. He then shook my hand, gave me a hug and with a smile said, "...good-bye." We would repeat this many times over the next decade and a half.

I write this as I got word just hours before this blog post that this great island leader and decorated war veteran passed away. Initially, I was saddened. But, the news reminded me of his stories and his writings-that gold covered book sitting to the right of my computer.

A T.S. Elliott quote, used in the introduction to one of his books, sums up my memory of Ben Blaz:

"We shall not cease from exploration

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time."

Thanks General for your friendship and may the angels lead you into that special place in the sun.

$53 Billion Energy Efficient Lighting Market in 2015

Dallas, Texas-based Markets and Markets issued a report this week that the global solid state and other energy efficient lighting systems market is expected to grow from $28,248.7 million in 2010 to $53,469.5 million in 2015-reflecting an estimated Compound Annual Growth Rate of 9.7% in the five year period. The market research company and consulting firm noted in their report titled "Solid State and Other Energy Efficient Lighting Systems, Application and Market Trends (2010-2015)" that the increasing demand for energy-saving and environment-friendly lighting technology is driving the growth of the global solid state and other energy efficient lighting systems market.

Of note, compact fluorescent lamps command the largest share in terms of revenues in the respective market segment, while light emitting diodes (LED) is the second largest market due to what Markets and Markets attributes to the globally increasing demand for energy efficient lighting. LED lighting has also gained much more attention due to a shift of the focus of governments’ worldwide towards protection of the planet from global warming. While LED lighting contributed about 31.2% to the global solid state and other energy efficient lighting systems market revenues in 2010, the organic light emitting diode market is expected to grow to 44% by 2015.

GET, LLC was encouraged by the news that the U.S offers the most lucrative of markets for solid state and energy efficient lighting manufacturers as it is to grow 10.7% by next year. The Asia Pacific region-where this blogger is currently sitting-is the largest market in the world and has 44.7% share of the global market revenues. Europe comes second in revenues.

Markets and Markets says that industry participants with the most significant product developments include Philips, Osram, General Electric, Nichia, Cree and Samsung and that major players also differ from one technology to other. The report says that Philips, Osram, and General Electric are the largest players in CFL market. However, in light emitting diode market, Nichia, Osram, Lumileds, Cree, and Samsung are the largest players. There are other lighting manufacturers whose products are on the rise in use in buildings across the globe-let's keep a close eye on them to as they will certainly bring value to the marketplaces where they are in.