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Australia's Banhammer At It Again RimWorld was made unavailable for purchase by Australian customers on Steam today. This was announced by a news post on the RimWorld Steam page. According to the post, users who already purchased RimWorld are still able to play the game and receive updates. Access to the community forums and workshop are also still available. Australian users are still able to purchase expansions for RimWorld if they already own the game. They will also be able to play these expansions with no issue. The post goes on to say that the reasoning behind banning RimWorld comes from a classification of the console version of the game as "Refused Classification (RC)." In other words, the game is banned from being sold in Australia. Furthermore, the post explains how a Refused Classification doesn't normally affect the availability of Steam games. "We did not expect this to affect the Steam version," said the post. "in previous similar cases, as with Disco Elysium for example, an RC rating on a console version did not affect the availability of the PC version on Steam." In a previous article, we discussed the RimWorld console leak, and explained how PC games don't typically require classification in Australia. When PC games do get classified, though, the classification doesn't typically impact the availability of the PC version. This time, it appears that the rating board took the extra step. At the end of their post, the developers promise to resolve the situation as soon as possible.h Why was RimWorld banned? The Classification Board is notorious for banning games containing themes of drug use. The Bug Butcher, a 2D side-scrolling shoot'em up, received the notorious "Refused Classification" because of a drug power-up being in the game. Fallout 3 was forcibly revised to meet Australia's classification standards by changing the name of "morphine" to "Med-X," (even though the mechanics remained the same), and they decided to make the change universal rather than just a regional one. A more recent example of this drug-related refusal of classification comes from Disco Elysium, which has a strong thematic focus on substance abuse and addiction, although that one did not affect PC availability. RimWorld's heavy simulation aspects that dip into addiction are the most likely culprits for the game's refused classification. It's also possible that any sexual themes within the game are to blame for the refused classification, especially considering the fact that colonists can maintain relationships. MeiQ: Labyrinth of Death was refused classification in Australia for what developers describe as "an interactive touch system on the character menu." Developers of Genital Jousting, an unsurprisingly erotic game centered around combat with cartoonish genitalia, didn't bother getting the game classified for potential sale as they assumed the game would receive a refused classification anyway. There are other countless examples of games being banned in Australia, including Valkyrie Drive Bhikkuni, Outlast 2, The Medium, and Mary Skelter 2. Interestingly enough, We Happy Few was able to appeal its ban, effectively reversing the process and allowing the game to be sold to those over the age of 18. Were the developers of RimWorld able to do the same, logic dictates the game would once again be purchasable via Steam if they could make a successful argument after investing the cost. RimWorld is available on PC right now via Steam (unless you're in Australia). A recent update to RimWorld reduces micromanagement by improving the biosculpting mechanic. The update also includes changes to the caravan and archonexus systems. For more information on RimWorld, stay tuned to TechRaptor. https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/rimworld-banned-steam-australia

If you're a hardcore Autoblogger, you've probably noticed our daily deals posts. We search every morning for the most po[CENSORED]r automotive products the internet has to offer. Today during our search, we noticed something peculiar. The top-selling "Automotive" product on Amazon was in fact this respirator mask. Now, we check these "bestseller" lists every day, and we've never seen a respirator mask anywhere close to the top. What caused the massive spike in mask sales? Unless you've been living under a rock, you probably already know the answer. Just yesterday, NBC News reported, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), issued a statement about the coronavirus that originated in China, stating, "It's not so much a question of if this will happen [in the United States] anymore but rather more a question of exactly when this will happen and how many people in this country will have severe illness." Naturally, the coronavirus is weighing on the minds of people around the world, and it seems those fears are being reflected in the purchase of any respirator mask that people can get their hands on, including masks intended to protect against spray paint fumes and pesticides. The official guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how to improve your chances of staying healthy doesn't start with respirator masks at all. If you're concerned about your health, the CDC recommends "everyday preventive actions to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, such as avoiding people who are sick, avoiding touching your eyes or nose, and covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue. People who are sick should stay home and not go into crowded public places or visit people in hospitals. Workers who are sick should follow CDC guidelines and stay home when they are sick." If you feel you must use a respirator, though, the CDC guidelines recommend an N95 FFR (filtering facepiece respirator) mask. To the untrained eye, these masks may just look like everyday surgical masks, but they are different, and the differences are important. Click here for a handy infographic from the CDC where you can learn more. So why is this Darth Vader-looking mask on Amazon the No. 1 selling automotive product today? Because it's a P95 respirator. The "95" means that it's rated to filter out at least 95% of tiny airborne particulates, just like the N95 masks recommended by the CDC. The P simply means that it's resistant to oil, which the N95 masks are not. Now, we're not doctors here, and we aren't going to pretend to know anything about the efficacy of certain masks against certain viruses other than what we read online, same as you. But the interest in this mask, which is otherwise a pretty obscure industrial product, is an interesting example of how concerned some people are and how the virus is having effects you might not have expected. Rather than seeing you all walking around wearing paint-booth respirators, we'd rather connect you with the latest information on the virus and the practical ways you can protect yourself. Check out the CDC's coronavirus homepage for all the facts. https://www.engadget.com/bestselling-automotive-product-amazon-today-162700131.html

Zacks Investment Research upgraded shares of American Software (NASDAQ:AMSWA – Get Rating) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report report published on Wednesday morning, Zacks.com reports. They currently have $24.00 target price on the software maker’s stock. According to Zacks, “American Software Inc., through its subsidiaries, develops, markets and supports a portfolio of application software solutions that enable businesses to respond to today’s dynamic global marketplace. The company’s software and services solutions are designed to automate many planning and operational functions principally in the areas of: (i) Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), (ii) Flow Manufacturing, (iii) E-Commerce Solutions and (iv) Logility Value Chain Solutions(TM). The company’s products are designed to provide rapid return on investment. “ Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Maxim Group upped their price target on shares of American Software from $34.00 to $38.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, November 19th. Sidoti upped their price target on shares of American Software from $26.00 to $36.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, December 20th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of American Software from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, February 19th. Finally, B. Riley cut their price target on shares of American Software from $24.50 to $23.00 in a report on Thursday, February 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, American Software currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $30.25 3 Stocks Set to DoubleAmerican Software stock opened at $21.28 on Wednesday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $22.95 and its 200-day moving average price is $24.81. American Software has a twelve month low of $18.41 and a twelve month high of $33.26. The company has a market cap of $708.37 million, a PE ratio of 57.51 and a beta of 0.75. American Software (NASDAQ:AMSWA – Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 22nd. The software maker reported $0.11 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.07 by $0.04. American Software had a net margin of 10.09% and a return on equity of 9.86%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.07 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that American Software will post 0.28 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 6th will be given a $0.11 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 5th. This represents a $0.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.07%. American Software’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 118.92%. In other American Software news, CFO Vincent C. Klinges sold 6,527 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.50, for a total value of $159,911.50. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 9.70% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. FMR LLC lifted its position in shares of American Software by 107.5% in the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 2,075 shares of the software maker’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 1,075 shares during the period. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Software in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $38,000. Strs Ohio purchased a new stake in shares of American Software in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $66,000. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. lifted its position in shares of American Software by 387.2% in the 3rd quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 3,118 shares of the software maker’s stock worth $74,000 after purchasing an additional 2,478 shares during the period. Finally, Macquarie Group Ltd. lifted its position in shares of American Software by 308.4% in the 3rd quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 3,753 shares of the software maker’s stock worth $89,000 after purchasing an additional 2,834 shares during the period. 84.36% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About American Software (Get Rating) American Software, Inc engages in the development and marketing of supply chain management and enterprise software solutions. It operates through the following segments: Supply Chain Management (SCM), Information Technology (IT) Consulting, and Other. The SCM segment offers supply chain optimization and retail planning solutions. https://www.etfdailynews.com/2022/03/06/american-software-nasdaqamswa-raised-to-buy-at-zacks-investment-research/

s Reuters reports, Microsoft, Google, YouTube, and Facebook are taking action against Russian news channels, with Google blocking their apps and ads on their websites. Governments around the world are applying sanctions against Russia due to its war with Ukraine. But they’re not the only ones using business and economic means to punish Russia. A number of private companies—including many US tech giants—have found their own ways to hit back against the invasion. Though this list is not complete, these are some of the biggest corporations that are sanctioning Russia right now: – Apple – Airbus – Alphabet (Google and YouTube) – Boeing – Disney – Exxon Mobil – Facebook – Ford – Harley-Davidson – Mastercard – Microsoft – Netflix – Reddit – Snap – Twitter – Visa So how are these companies sanctioning Russia? Each is doing its own thing, and few have an outright ban on all of their products or services provided to Russia. For example, Apple has stopped all sales of the company’s hardware from its online Russia store; however, its app stores are still alive in the country. But the company has removed RT News and Sputnik News for download outside of Russia, reports MacRumors. Other tech companies are also targeting RT News and Sputnik News. As Reuters reports, Microsoft, Google, YouTube, and Facebook are taking action against Russian news channels, with Google blocking their apps and ads on their websites. YouTube and Facebook are also taking similar ad measures. As AdWeek reports, Snap has stopped running all ads in Russia and Belarus, as well. And over on Reddit, the world’s most po[CENSORED]r message forum has added the r/Russia and r/RussiaPolitics to the quarantine list. Some of the biggest economic sanctions from private companies come from Mastercard and Visa. As The Hill reports, both have said they will block Russian banks from their networks. The entertainment industry is getting in on sanctions as well. WarnerMedia has announced that The Batman will not hit Russian theatres as planned this weekend, while Disney announced all of its films will be halted in Russia. Netflix has said it will not be adding Russian media channels to their service, as recent Russian law requires. In South Africa, Naspers owned media entity, Multichoice, became the first African company to disconnect a Russian news channel Russia Today on its platform DSTV. https://www.iol.co.za/technology/these-big-tech-companies-in-the-us-and-big-businesses-are-sanctioning-russia-d0e9b5d8-60b1-4141-9604-f001d536b3cc

Keir Starmer appeared to row back from his demands for Boris Johnson to resign over Partygate today as he called for UK political 'unity' over the invasion of Ukraine. The Labour leader demanded the PM stand down in January amid the fallout from the probe into parties in Downing Street and whether they broke Covid laws. Sir Keir accused Mr Johnson of having 'lost the moral authority' to lead the country, saying it is in the 'national interest' for him to quit. But asked about that call today, Sir Keir would not repeat it, saying instead it is very important 'we demonstrate unity' against Russian aggression in Ukraine. He told the BBC's Sunday Morning programme: 'I do think there's a basic question of trust. And it does seem a long time ago now, we were talking about all of the allegations that Prime Minister faces. Of course, he is still being investigated by the Metropolitan Police. I do think there's an issue of trust. 'I'm very clear as the leader of the opposition, leader of the Labour Party, that when it comes to standing up to Russian aggression, and standing in support of Ukraine, it's very important in the United Kingdom and in our politics that we show the world that we're united. 'Therefore, whatever the challenges and frustrations and criticism I have of the Prime Minister, and I've got many on this issue, there is unity, and it's very important that we demonstrate that unity.' When asked if he would therefore withdraw his call for Boris Johnson to resign immediately, he said: 'Look, at the moment the Prime Minister is obviously concentrating on the job in hand and we stand united as the United Kingdom on that issue.' A party source said: 'Our position has not changed'. In a speech at the Fabian Society, a left-wing socialist think tank, based in London, the Labour leader accused the embattled PM of going into hiding amid the ongoing Partygate scandal, telling MPs to 'do what they need to do' to oust him. It came after the PM was forced to apologise to Parliament this week when a bombshell email revealed how his principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds, had invited more than 100 staff to No10's lavish gardens on May 20 to 'make the most of the lovely weather' - telling guests to bring their own booze. At the time two thirds (66 per cent) of voters said the PM should step down. But he has used the war in Ukraine to regain his grip on No10, taking a high profile role in standing up to Vladimir Putin. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/starmer-wants-political-unity-after-demanding-pm-quit-over-partygate/ar-AAUGmXc?ocid=BingNewsSearch

Dogs and Cats of the Dominican Republic is a nonprofit organization dedicated to animal welfare on the north coast. We have spayed, and neutered thousands of animals provided outreach care and emergency medical treatment. We have rescued thousands of cats and dogs and rehomed them to the United States, Canada and some have found new homes here in the Dominican Republic. We have a mobile clinic that enables us to deliver our services to other locations, provided we receive funds or donations for that type of campaign. We often work with volunteers from World Vets and other organizations. Even though various prestigious businesses support our work, we still need a steady source of income to continue our efforts. Our Sanctuary, specifically designed to hold cats and dogs, has been established in Luperon, housing approximately 100 dogs. We also have sanctuaries in Las Terrenas and also Punta Cana. Also, our members foster many more in their own houses. Our outreach program aids animals within poor communities, providing vitamins, deworming, and other needs. In some cases, we find animals with tumors or mutilations, and we take them to the local veterinary clinic and pay for the procedures. Ethical Education on the Treatment of Animals Program was designed to bring appropriate education to public school children ages 8 to 14; it was started in 2018 and will continue with the support and help from donors and volunteers. Anyone visiting the area of Cabarete, Sosua, and Sabaneta will be witness to the results of our work and other north coast animal groups. We are looking for more companies and individuals to sponsor our educational program and mobile clinic to reach the national territory with our spay and neuter program. We have established fundraising events that are becoming tourist destinations on their own such as our annual Tom Whitehead, Bent Putter Classic Golf Tournament, held in Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata; more information can be found on our webpage, dogsandcatsdr.com Overpo[CENSORED]tion of stray animals is a huge social problem that, if it is not treated or dealt with, affects the environment, public health, and the tourist industry. Therefore we are appealing to businesses and individuals to help us with this situation. We believe that spaying and neutering with education are the answers to resolve the overpo[CENSORED]tion problem and the resulting animal cruelty permanently. We are looking forward to extending our work all over our country, especially in the parts where our work is little known. With your help, we can achieve this goal. The next clinic will be next Sunday, March 13th, at The Singing Horse Foundation (near Sosua) and March 27th at The DREAM Project School in Cabarete. The clinic is for stray and locally owned animals. If someone is in need, they need to e-mail help@dcdr.org to be added to a waiting list for a clinic spot. For all animals, please designate dog or cat and male or female if possible. Sincerely, Marcos Polanco and Mark Diekmann, president/founder https://dominicantoday.com/dr/north-coast/2022/03/05/north-coast-animal-guardian-angels-continue-their-labor-of-love/

With inflation and high gas prices making it more difficult to make ends meet, here's a way to quickly make some big bucks. Sell your car. While conventional wisdom says vehicles — especially if bought new — rapidly depreciate in value, the current economy is turning that belief upside down with the average used car selling for 30% more than a year ago and dealers having low inventory. Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning. With that high demand and low supply, your car, like mine, is similar to a share of stock with an all-time value. Five years ago, when I was commuting into downtown Phoenix to The Arizona Republic, I bought a new 2017 Honda Fit LX for $16,900 (pre-sales tax). I was thrilled to get an economical vehicle with 36 miles to the gallon, and it was bright yellow — one of the colors of my alma mater, the University of Oregon. I even tricked it out with Oregon Duck stickers, floor mats, car seat head coverings and tire air caps. I drove my prior Honda for a decade, and I thought I'd be driving the "Duckmobile" for at least 10 years. How much is your car worth? Yet, after some unexpected expenses and with my car essentially being unused as I now work from home for USA TODAY, I was curious as to how much I could get for my vehicle. It also helped that my wife has her own (paid off) car to commute to work, and we are empty nesters. So, I did a "how much is my car worth" on Google, and began inputting data on sites ranging from Carvana, to Edmunds, to Autonation, to local dealerships in San Diego. How to sell your car online The process for each website was relatively the same. And easy. You type in your license plate or vehicle identification number, which can be found on your car registration or typically in the upper left corner on your dashboard. Then you add details such as the mileage and any enhanced features on the car, as well as if the car has been in an accident and whether repair work was done. CAN RENTING A CAR LAND YOU IN JAIL?: After Hertz car rentals lead to some arrests, know what to do when you rent a car A USED CAR WILL LIKELY COST YOU: You knew used car prices were high. Here's how outrageous it has become You then will get a preliminary offer. If you decide to make the deal, you need to download a picture of your driver's license, registration, car title or payoff information from your lender. Within a few days, a representative from the company will come to inspect the vehicle. If everything is copacetic, the car is taken away, you get the money in either a check or direct deposit to your bank, and you no longer have to pay car insurance or rising gas prices. You also could try Google Marketplace, but the prices for similar vehicles to mine was only a bit higher than what I was offered online. The costs of selling your car While getting thousands of dollars for your used car may sound tempting, my editor reminded me this may not work if you have kids who need to be ferried to soccer practice or piano lessons or to a friend's home. If you live in an area that has Uber or Lyft, you may be able to still sell your vehicle and use those services to get the kids around town. However, if there are at least four trips to kids' events a week and it's $20 a round trip, that comes to $80. Multiply that by four weeks, and you are spending $320 a month. In my situation, that would be $40 more than my monthly car payment. So, it likely would not have been worth the cost to rely on a stranger to transport my kids. (In fact, we had three cars when my kids were teenagers because my wife and I commuted to work, and the kids couldn't always get rides.) Is there a catch? As a journalist for 31 years, I've learned there always seems to be a catch. If you own your car free and clear, there should be no problem in selling it online. And even if you have a monthly payment, there should be few issues in getting the car title transferred from your bank to the prospective buyer. Unless you happen to move from another state to California. MADE IN AMERICA?: Biden says making more goods in the US, like cars and chips, will lower inflation. Can his plan work? THIS YEAR'S NEW CAR CLASS: Car shopping 2022: Here are new cars, trucks and SUVs from Ford, Honda, Toyota and more In California, its Department of Motor Vehicles places a "Goldenrod" notification on your car registration until the title is officially transferred from another state. This prohibits companies like Caravan, and even local dealers, from buying your car until that designation is lifted. To get a car title transferred in California, you need to contact your lender who will then contact the other state's DMV. The title must then be printed and mailed to your lender who then must mail it to a DMV branch where you registered your car. California's DMV will not accept an electronic title transfer. (I tried three different times to no avail with lengthy waits each time). This process can take up to six weeks The waiting game And, here's the rub. Though I love living 20 minutes from the beach, the San Diego Zoo, and SeaWorld, the more miles I tack on, the less valuable my car becomes as I wait for my paperwork to get done. Further, there's always a risk of getting in an accident, which will significantly devalue an offer. So, if you are ready to sell, make sure all of your paperwork is in order. Or hold off registering your car if you are moving to California. Have a tip on business or investigative stories? Reach the reporter at craig.harris@usatoday.com or 602-509-3613 or on Twitter @CraigHarrisUSAT or linkedin.com/in/craig-harris-70024030/ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gas prices and inflation have you down? Here's how to sell your car to Carvana, Autonation https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/gas-prices-and-inflation-have-you-down-heres-how-to-sell-your-car-to-carvana-autonation/ar-AAUGyvJ?ocid=BingNewsSearch

"Saturday Night Live" knocked Fox News hosts Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham for their comments on the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the sketch comedy show's latest episode. The show opened with a "Fox News Ukrainian Invasion Celebration Spectacular," which was hosted from Mar-a-Lago. Carlson, played by Alex Moffat, and Ingraham, played by Kate McKinnon, hosted the fictitious event. "Good evening, everyone. I'm Tucker Carlson - I'm like if a pair of boat shoes came to life," Moffat's Carlson said. "And I'm Laura Ingraham, and when I watch Harry Potter I root for Voldemort," McKinnon's Ingraham said. Moffat's Carlson said the two network figures "got into a little bit of trouble for all the nice things we said about Russia and the mean things we said about Ukraine." "We did sound pretty awful in hindsight. And foresight," McKinnon's Ingraham agreed Moffat's Carlson said he "kept asking why do we hate Putin? Aren't liberals in America even worse?" "And I called the president of Ukraine pathetic. He stayed and fought with his people in the war, and I called him pathetic from a news desk in Washington," McKinnon's Ingraham said. "I kept saying we should be more worried about our own border getting invaded by Mexico. But, in my defense, I am racist, so I thought that was true," Moffat's Carlson added. Carlson told his viewers that Putin hasn't promoted "racial discrimination" in schools, made fentanyl or attempted "to snuff out Christianity," and Ingraham in the past said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was giving a "pathetic display." Zelensky has become a global hero amid the invasion, being lauded by many for remaining in Ukraine during the conflict. McKinnon's Ingraham said on "SNL" that the pair was going to "make it up to you" that night by "raising money for the real victims of this invasion: the oligarchs." "So please open your wallets. And because this is Fox News, you can either send money or take out a reverse mortgage," Moffat's Carlson said. "So far we have raised over 8.3 billion rubles, which comes out to almost $12." The pair then brought on a number of guests, including actor Steven Seagal, who has ties to Putin, played by Bowen Yang, and Kimberly Guilfoyle and Donald Trump Jr., played by Cecily Strong and Mikey Day, respectively. Former President Trump, played by James Austin Johnson, also appeared, answering phone calls. In one of his appearances, Johnson's Trump discussed his love of bread before tearing into President Biden. "My favorite food is probably bread, you know? And more specifically bun. I like bun," Johnson's Trump told a caller on the phone. "Bun is great, especially with respect to burger. And you know what? Now they want to go beyond burger, can you believe that? I want to stay right at burger. Beyond is not good. Joe Biden has gone beyond burger, and it has not gone so well." The sketch ended with Johnson's Trump singing "My Funny Valentine" to Putin."I've got something I'd like to say to Putin as well. Vladimir, I want you to hear this from me: you is smart, you is kind, you is important," Johnson's Trump said. "I love you, Vlad," he added after the singing number. The Hill reached out to Fox News for comment. https://news.yahoo.com/saturday-night-live-targets-fox-132252411.html

Happy Birhday!

London, Mar 4 (PTI) Britain’s first “smart” prison designed with smart technology and with no bars on windows opened on Friday, as a project expected to drive down crime and more offenders into jobs. The cells at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) Five Wells at Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, central England, will be called "rooms" and inmates "residents" by prison staff as part of the rehabilitation process. The 1,700-capacity prison will also feature a gym, snooker table, table tennis table and a computer tablet to help prisoners gain new qualifications. The UK’s Department of Justice (DoJ) said it is the first jail in the country to have been designed with education, training and jobs for prisoners on release as its main purposes – factors it says are proven to cut crime and reduce reoffending. “HMP Five Wells is a flagship example of this government’s plan to create secure and modern prisons that cut crime and protect the public,” said Dominic Raab, UK Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary. “From drug-recovery centres that employ abstinence-based treatment to world-class prisoner training courses, this smart prison is designed to tackle the key obstacles to cutting reoffending and making our streets safer,” he said. The new prison has been under construction since May 2019, with the first inmates or “residents” arriving there last month. The prison’s smart design involves offenders being housed in X-shaped blocks, with wider, shorter corridors and fewer prisoners on each wing so prison staff can see all cells and offenders quickly at any one time. Cells will have ultra-secure, bar-less windows to put an end to drones bringing illegal drugs, phones and weapons into jails, the DoJ said. "Prisoners will have in-cell tablets to access education and learning from inside their cell, kitted out with stringent and robust security to ensure they are not abused, and cutting-edge body scanners will prevent contraband from wreaking havoc on the wings," the DoJ said. The government said that it is working in direct partnership with local employers to offer 500 on-the-job training places through release on temporary license, leading to ready-made jobs for ex-offenders once back in the community. Over 25 ex-offenders and prisoners on temporary release were also employed in the construction of the jail, learning skills such as bricklaying, carpentry, plastering and roofing. With 24 workshops and a large number of classrooms, prisoners will take part in formal learning, courses, qualifications and on-the-job training in areas including coding, car maintenance, fork-lift-truck maintenance, plumbing and engineering. The prison will also be smart in how it supports prisoners with drug addictions into clean living, with two special drug recovery wings with a focus on abstinence-based methods. Up to 200 offenders with substance misuse issues will take part in a 16-week programme to help them get off drugs and into permanent recovery. The new jail, on the site of the old HMP Wellingborough, is the first of six new prisons to be completed, with construction at Glen Parva in Leicestershire now underway. As part of the GBP 4 billion investment, the DoJ said it hopes to create thousands of jobs for local communities and see millions invested in local roads and infrastructure, while rehabilitating thousands of offenders and keeping the public safe. PTI AK IND AKJ IND IND (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/uk-news/britain-gets-first-smart-prison-with-no-window-bars-gadgets.html

Texas has become the top state for technology jobs outside of California, according to a recent report from professional social network Blind. Of the 80 best-paying cities for software engineering jobs in the nation, five were in the Lone Star State. The report analyzed annual base salaries and total compensation packages for more than 5 million professionals, including stock-based compensation and bonuses offered by employers. Houston ranked No. 2 in Texas, with average total compensation of $137,987 for software engineer positions. The average base salary for such jobs in Houston is $111,625, according to the report. It should come as no surprise that Austin is the top-paying market for software jobs in Texas. Austin's prowess in the technology field has attracted new investment from some of the world's most valuable companies, including Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL), Tesla Inc. (Nasdaq: TSLA), Meta Platforms Inc. (Nasdaq: FB), Google parent company Alphabet Inc. (Nasdaq: GOOGL) and more. Other large tech firms like Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE: DELL) and chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (Nasdaq: AMD) have had operations in the Austin area for decades. Software engineer jobs in Austin receive average total compensation of $171,981, which includes an average base salary of $128,524. Austin is the 35th best-paying market for tech jobs in the U.S., according to data from Blind. Dallas ranked No. 3 in Texas, with average total compensation of $132,788 and an average base salary of $113,517 for software jobs. Plano in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex came in at No. 4, with $121,127 in average total compensation and $107,251 for average base salary. San Antonio ranked fifth on Blind's report, with average total compensation of $105,254 and an average salary of $94,626 for software engineering positions. California, and the San Francisco Bay Area in particular, remains one of the hottest markets for software engineering jobs in the U.S. Software engineers in Menlo Park, California, earn an average total compensation of more than $328,000 and average base salary of over $167,000, per the report. Of the 10 highest-paying markets for technology jobs in the country, nine were in California. The top city for software engineers in the U.S. analyzed by Blind's report was Los Gatos, California, near San Jose, with average total compensation of $500,449 and an average base salary of $470,015. https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/inno/stories/news/2022/03/04/houston-software-engineer-pay-compare-austin-tech.html

Editor's Note: The war in Ukraine is an ongoing, painful and emotive topic. IGN urges community members to be respectful when engaging in conversation around this subject and does not endorse harassment of any kind. Microsoft has announced that it will suspended sales of all its products and services in Russia, following the invasion of Ukraine. In a post by president Brad Smith, the company announced, "we are stopping many aspects of our business in Russia in compliance with governmental sanctions decisions. "We believe we are most effective in aiding Ukraine when we take concrete steps in coordination with the decisions being made by these governments and we will take additional steps as this situation continues to evolve." Smith also pointed out that Microsoft has already acted against cyberattacks and "Russian positioning, destructive or disruptive measures against more than 20 Ukrainian government, IT and financial sector organizations." In the outspoken post, Smith began, "Like the rest of the world, we are horrified, angered and saddened by the images and news coming from the war in Ukraine and condemn this unjustified, unprovoked and unlawful invasion by Russia." The company will also provide technology and financial support for humanitarian organisations in the region, and is offering support to Ukraine-based Microsoft employees. The move follows a public call from Ukraine for game companies, including Xbox, to temporarily stop support for Russia and Belarus. Since that call, CD Projekt Red and Bloober have pulled their games from sale in the countries, and PlayStation also appears to have quietly pulled the release of Gran Turismo 7. Since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, many parts of the games industry have thrown their support behind Ukraine, including a number of fundraising efforts for humanitarian organizations. A number of humanitarian aid organizations are currently accepting donations and support for their efforts to help Ukrainians impacted by the war. They include: Save the Children: On the ground right now providing humanitarian aid to children. UNICEF: Providing emergency supplies and safe water to communities, as well as care for children on the ground and who have been separated from families. Project HOPE: Sending medical supplies and providing health care for refugees. Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. https://www.ign.com/articles/microsoft-russia-sales-xbox

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Brian Grodsky, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (THE CONVERSATION) The West has responded to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by imposing harsh economic sanctions. Most consequentially, key Russian banks have been cut out of the SWIFT payments messaging system, making financial transactions much more difficult. The United States, European Union and others also moved to freeze Russian Central Bank reserves. And U.S. President Joe Biden is weighing a total ban on Russian oil imports. These sanctions are aimed at generating opposition from both Russian President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle and everyday Russians. As a scholar who studies regime change, I believe the risk is that they will actually drive the Kremlin’s weak opposition further into obscurity. A ‘punishment logic’ Economic sanctions follow a “punishment logic”: Those feeling economic pain are expected to rise up against their political leaders and demand a change in policies. Everyday Russians have already felt the pain from the newest sanctions. The ruble plummeted in value, and Russia’s stock market dipped. The effects of Western sanctions were seen in the long lines at ATMs as Russians tried to pull out their cash before it was lost. But the odds of an uprising are not great. Empirical research suggests that sanctions rarely generate the sorts of damage that compel their targets to back down. Their greatest chance of success is when they are used against democratic states, where opposition elites can mobilize the public against them. In authoritarian regimes like Putin’s, where average citizens are the most likely to suffer, sanctions usually do more to hurt the opposition than help it. How Putin has quelled dissent Putin has used a variety of tools to try to quell domestic opposition over the past two decades. Some of these were subtle, such as tweaking the electoral system in ways that benefit his party. Others were less so, including instituting constitutional changes that allow him to serve as president for years to come. But Putin has not stopped at legislative measures. He has long been accused of murdering rivals, both at home and abroad. Most recently, Putin has criminalized organizations tied to the opposition and has imprisoned their leader, Alexei Navalny, who was the target of two assassination attempts. Despite a clampdown on activism, Russians have repeatedly proved willing to take to the streets to make their voices heard. Thousands demonstrated in the summer and fall of 2020 to support a governor in the Far East who had beaten Putin’s pick for the position only to be arrested, ostensibly for a murder a decade and a half earlier. Thousands more came out last spring to protest against Navalny’s detention. Putin has even begun facing challenges from traditionally subservient political parties, such as the Communist Party and the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party. Flickers of opposition Importantly, Putin has occasionally shown a willingness to back down and change his policies under pressure. In other words, as much as Putin has limited democracy in Russia, opposition has continued to bubble up. The result is a president who feels compelled to win over at least a portion of his domestic audience. This was clear in the impassioned address Putin made to the nation setting the stage for war. The fiery hourlong speech falsely accused Ukrainians of genocide against ethnic Russians in eastern Ukraine. “How long can this tragedy continue? How much longer can we put up with this?” Putin asked his nation. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Russians have continued to show their willingness to stand up to Putin. Thousands have gathered to protest the war in Ukraine, despite risking large fines and jail time. They have been aided by a network of “hacktivists” outside Russia using a variety of tactics to overcome the Kremlin’s mighty propaganda machine. These groups have blocked Russian government agencies and state news outlets from spreading false narratives. Controlling the narrative Despite these public showings, the liberal opposition to Putin is undoubtedly weak. In part, this is because Putin controls state television, which nearly two-thirds of Russians watch for their daily news. Going into this war, half of Russians blamed the U.S. and NATO for the increase in tensions, with only 4% holding Russia responsible. This narrative could be challenged by the large number of Russians – 40% – who get their information from social media. But the Kremlin has a long track record of operating in this space, intimidating tech companies and spreading false stories that back the government line. Just on Friday state authorities said they would block access to Facebook, which around 9% of Russians use. Putin has already shown he can use his information machine to convert past Western sanctions into advantage. After the West sanctioned Russia for its 2014 takeover of Crimea, Putin deflected blame for Russians’ economic pain from himself to foreign powers. The result may have fallen short of the classic “rally around the flag” phenomenon, but on balance Putin gained politically from his first grab on Ukraine. More forceful economic sanctions this time around may unleash a broader wave of nationalism. More importantly, sanctions have a long track record of weakening political freedoms in the target state. As the situation in Russia continues to deteriorate, Putin will likely crack down further to stamp out any signs of dissent. And former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev reacted to the country’s expulsion from the Council of Europe by suggesting Russia might go back on its human rights promises. In the first week of the war, Russian authorities arrested more than 7,000 protesters. They ramped up censorship and closed down a longtime icon of liberal media, the Ekho Moskvy radio station. The editor of Russia’s last independent TV station, TV Dozhd, also announced he was fleeing the country. Russia already ranked near the bottom – 150 out of 180 – in the latest Reporters Without Borders assessment of media freedom. And a new law, passed on March 4, 2022, punishes the spread of “false information” about Russia’s armed forces with up to 15 years in jail. Ironically, then, the very sanctions that encourage Russians to attack the regime also narrow their available opportunities to do so. Ultimately, the opposition seen on the streets in Russia today and perhaps in the coming weeks may be the greatest show of strength that can be expected in the near future. The West may have better luck using targeted sanctions against those in Putin’s inner circle, including Russia’s infamous oligarchs. But with their assets hidden in various pots around the world, severely hurting these actors may prove difficult. Even in the best of circumstances, economic sanctions can take years to have their desired effect. For Ukrainians, fighting a brutal and one-sided war, the sanctions are unlikely to help beyond bolstering morale. The danger is that these sanctions may also make average Russians another casualty in Putin’s war. [The Conversation’s Politics + Society editors pick need-to-know stories. Sign up for Politics Weekly.] This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/economic-sanctions-may-deal-fatal-blow-to-russias-already-weak-domestic-opposition-178274. https://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Economic-sanctions-may-deal-fatal-blow-to-16978393.php

During the month of March we give a little extra attention to the amazing accomplishments of strong, determined women. Since 1987, when the National Women’s History Alliance (https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/) petitioned Congress, the United States has formally recognized March as National Women’s History Month. This year’s Women’s History theme, “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope,” is both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers, and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history. As a retired nurse, human caregivers and frontline workers will always garner my utmost respect and hold a very extra special place in my heart. But as always, this is a column dedicated to other species and, not to slight anyone, there are a myriad of women around the world that have provided healing and promoted hope for those that cannot speak for themselves. Some of them are exceedingly famous, such as the “Trimates,” The Founding Mothers of Primatology – Dr. Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Dr. Birute Galdikas (https://thehumanevolutionblog.com/2015/07/14/the-trimates-the-founding-mothers-of-primatology/). Others, like Lek Saengduean Chailert of Thailand’s Elephant Nature Park (https://www.elephantnaturepark.org/) and Jill Robinson, founder of Animals Asia (https://www.animalsasia.org/us/about-us/), represent some of the current generation of women fighting for the survival of our planet’s most endangered wildlife. What all of them have in common are the drive and determination to change our world for the better. On a national level, Caroline Earle White is deemed to be one of the first prominent women advocates for animals. She started the first US animal shelter in 1869, along with a group of 30 female animal activists. The Women’s Branch of the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (https://womensanimalcenter.org/) was founded in Philadelphia for stray dogs and cats to help them locate their owners or new homes. The women also believed that educating people was the “best weapon against animal abuse.” Caroline White also founded the American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS) in 1883. One woman who has been an invaluable resource of information for me, personally, is Hannah Shaw, aka “The Kitten Lady” (http://www.kittenlady.org/). A rescuer and humane educator, she provides free online educational media and resources to help individuals and animal rescue groups learn how to save the lives of the tiniest and most vulnerable kittens. Then there is Dr. Janet Donlin, DVM who, in 2016, became the first female CEO of the American Veterinary Medical Association (https://www.avma.org/) and continues today to lead the AVMA’s efforts to protect, promote and advance the veterinary profession through political advocacy, educational programs for vets, and public information campaigns. If you have adopted a healthy animal from a shelter, you probably have Dr. Lila Miller, DVM, to thank. By developing the first vet-written guidelines for shelter animal care, now utilized across the country, she transformed the lives of countless homeless pets. She wrote the ASPCA’s first Animal Care Supervisor’s Manual, which laid out protocols for animal care staff, and co-founded the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (https://www.sheltervet.org/) and co-authored ASV’s “2010 Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters” (https://oacu.oir.nih.gov/system/files/media/file/2021-02/shelterguide.pdf), the first document by veterinarians that addresses the care and welfare of shelter animals. The list of women who “provide healing and promote hope” for those that cannot speak for themselves is both enormous and amazing. But we do not need to look around the world to find those women. We only need to look within our own backyard. Our family’s veterinarians are, in my opinion, vitally important to this family’s welfare, and each one of them is a woman. They have ensured our animals’ health, saved our pets’ lives on more than one occasion, and held our hands and grieved with us when it was time to let one of them go. They have definitely provided healing and hope to us and others. A number of our animal control officers and police officers are women, who are the first line of protection, not only to our citizens, but also to the animals whose health and welfare they work steadfastly to safeguard. Their required duties are wide-ranging, frequently hazardous and often underappreciated, yet they ceaselessly continue to be the first line of defense for the helpless. An animal’s guardian angel will protect, heal, love, and transform the life of the animal it is watching over. Such are the numerous animal rescue organizations around our county, each one predominantly run by women, whose devoted efforts have played a significant role in improving or saving the lives of many pets. Last, but definitely not least, are the team of women who work and volunteer at the Tehama County Animal Care Center. Their leader is a dedicated female manager who deals daily with a minimal budget, limited space, and inadequate resources. Despite the hurdles faced, all of them have united to create a place of improved chances, a place of recovery and redemption, and a place of compassion. If they do not deserve a tribute this month for providing healing and promoting hope, then I do not know who does. https://www.redbluffdailynews.com/2022/03/04/honoring-women-who-advocate-for-animals/

Harrowing footage shows the moment Sky News journalists came under fire from Russian forces in Ukraine earlier this week. Veteran Sky News foreign correspondent Stuart Ramsay and his team of four others were attacked Monday while driving in a vehicle near the capital of Kyiv. Video shows the moment the team’s car was fired upon. The attackers were Russian saboteurs targeting fleeing civilians, Ramsay reported. “It’s a professional ambush,” Ramsay says in narration over the video. “The bullets just don’t miss.” As the car takes fire, the journalists make a run for it down an embankment. Camera operator Richie Mockler, who continued to film even as bullets pierced the vehicle he was in, took two rounds to his body armor. All five journalists were able to make their escape and are back in the U.K. Russia has failed to capture Kyiv 10 days into its invasion of Ukraine, and unprecedented sanctions against Russia have continued to wreck the nation’s economy. Even so, thousands of Ukrainian civilians have reportedly been killed as Russian forces continue their push forward. “We were lucky,” Ramsay says in the video. “Thousands of Ukrainians are not. And every day, this war gets worse here.” https://news.yahoo.com/sky-news-journalists-share-video-225102724.html

Happy Birthday @CronosXF I wish you the best in life and have a great time with your family and friends

March is jam-packed with big games, but the indie scene is even busier This time last month we were being overwhelmed by a deluge of shiny new triple-A games. The downpour has petered out to a drizzle, just in time for us to dash outside for a peep at March’s indie offerings. We felt younger back at the start of February, we couldn’t see beyond the mighty, looming shadow of Elden Ring (check out the review here), and we certainly weren’t expecting it to be one of the best PC games of all time. Its release has left us in a bit of a daze, and what better way to recover from that comedown than with more games? So, we’ve assembled a list of some of the best indie games coming out this month to make sure you’ve got smaller experiences to supplement your 100-hour playthrough of Elden Ring and the forthcoming Tiny Tina’s Wonderland. It’s going to be a challenge to squeeze it all in, but we believe in you. Tell yourself it’s really good for your productivity or something. That may or may not be what we do. This month’s indie supercut consists of co-op dungeon crawlers, tactical RPG games, non-Euclidean puzzlers, games like Pokémon, and many more. There’s something here to suit any palate, we reckon. If you do like the looks of any of these games, make sure you wishlist them on Steam to keep up to date with when they’re coming out. Plus, it helps the developers out a ton, and the world could certainly use a little more goodwill. CORE KEEPER – 8 MARCH Before we talk about the game, we think it’s important that you know the developer of Core Keeper is called Pugstorm. Now that’s been covered, Core Keeper is hitting Steam Early Access this month, mixing a Terraria-like sandbox and ARPG gameplay with a spelunking setting and a top-down perspective. It allows up to eight players to roam around strange mines in search of ancient relics and features over 140 items to craft and mess around with. Plus, there’s base building, smithing, and cooking. Check out Core Keeper here. YOUNG SOULS – 10 MARCH Young Souls is a beautiful looking side-scrolling beat ’em up about a pair of twins trying to save their foster father, who has disappeared under mysterious circumstances. To rescue him you’ll need to mete out a lot of punishment to his goblin captors, unlocking new skills and gear along the way. There’s a refreshing twist in that while the action phase of Young Souls takes place in fantasy-inspired dungeons, the twins gear up and upgrade their stats in a contemporary city. Like Core Keeper, this can also be played co-op, which is always nice. Check out Young Souls here. HYPERBOLICA – 14 MARCH Moving into puzzle games, here’s a mind-bender called Hyperbolica. This abstract-looking game utilises non-Euclidean to create an adventure where the world is as much a puzzle as any of the activities you’ll need to complete there. It makes the most of non-Euclidean spaces, which means you’ll be wrapping around the geometry, exploring exponentially growing landscapes, and always looking at curves – so many curves. It also means you’re going to make your brain feel all wiggly trying to figure out each area of the world. Check out Hyperbolica here. TUNIC – 16 MARCH The puzzles continue in Tunic, which looks to be heavily inspired by old-school Zelda games. You take control of an adorable little fox as you journey around a stunningly minimalist world, solving dungeon puzzles and battling any bosses that block your path. Tunic has been hotly anticipated for years now, so the excitement is palpable. Check out Tunic here. KING ARTHUR: KNIGHT’S TALE – 29 MARCH King Arthur: Knight’s Tale hit Steam Early Access early last year, and it’s finally about to escape that chrysalis and come into the world as a fully formed game. This is a tactical RPG set in a grim version of classic Arthurian mythology, roundtable and all. You take control, not of Arthur, but of his nemesis Mordred, and it’s your mission to figure out why you can’t die. Its initial outing was a solid strategy RPG, but the full release should help round it out, providing fans of games like XCOM with a distinct new setting to explore. Check out King Arthur: Knights Tale here. WEIRD WEST – 31 MARCH Alright, this is technically an indie game, but it’s also being made by the co-creators of Dishonored and Prey, so it definitely has some triple-A chops. Weird West is an immersive sim set in a creepy, dark fantasy version of the wild west. You control a variety of unusual heroes, each with their own mystery or dilemma to solve, not to mention a unique means of approaching it. As you’d expect from an immersive sim, nobody’s playthrough will be the same as there are always different actions and choices you can make. Oh, and there’s a terrifically overpowered kick à la Dark Messiah. Check out Weird West here. https://www.pcgamesn.com/march-games-2022

Apple AirPods Pro charging case, Pencil 2nd Generation, and the Microsoft Surface Pen were found to interfere with life-saving heart devices and prevent them from working. Researchers from the University of Basel in Switzerland claimed that AirPods, 'pencils' and iPhones have powerful magnetic fields that could potentially stop implanted cardiac devices (ICD) working, Daily Mail reported. ‘Any electrical device containing a magnet could theoretically pose a 'danger' to patients who rely on ICDs to jolt their heart back into rhythm.’ "The public need to be aware of the potential risks of portable electronic devices," Dr Sven Knecht, from the varsity was quoted as saying. "These devices can cause a problem when carried in your shirt or jacket pocket in front of the chest, as well as when you are lying on the couch and resting the electronic device on your chest," he added. The study, published in the journal of the American Heart Association, showed the Apple products could not be placed closer than 0.78inches, or 2 cm, without interfering with ICDs. But the Microsoft product, which costs 70 pounds, could not be within 1.1 inch (2.9 cm), the report said. The team advised patients fitted with the pacemaker-like gadgets to not keep electronics in pockets near their chest. According to American Heart Association guidelines, all mobiles should be kept at least 15 cm away from pacemakers to minimise the risks. Microsoft, in a statement, recommended customers to "follow previously published guidance which recommends the device is kept at least 6inch (15cm) from pacemakers and ICDs". In a separate study, researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, found that most Apple Watch users won't get health benefits of getting an alert about atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heart rhythm, the Verge reported. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, showed only 0.25 per cent of people wearing an Apple Watch would qualify for anticoagulants if they had atrial fibrillation flagged by the device. "Most of the people who are connecting their devices wouldn't have anticoagulants recommended anyway, even if they were found to have atrial fibrillation, so it wasn't going to change any prescribing," Josh Pevnick, co-director in the division of informatics at Cedars-Sinai was quoted as saying. "It can cause anxiety for people who it identifies, and if there's no treatment, then you're maybe not bringing much benefit," he added. https://www.medindia.net/news/electronic-gadgets-may-stop-heart-devices-205921-1.htm

To deliver a strong all-round performance, today’s construction companies and contractors rely on a team of in-house specialists. RedSky Product Manager Brendan Magill explains how, with the right construction ERP (enterprise resource planning) software solution in place, they’ll all have access to a single source of real-time information. And user-friendly tools to help drive up the efficiency and effectiveness of their business role. Benefits of Construction ERP Software by Role If you're in Finance or IT and are looking to select the right ERP system for your company, you may be wondering where to start. There are many construction ERP software solutions available in the marketplace, all promising to transform your business. Choosing the right one can be a tall order. One way to separate the wheat from the chaff is to think about the specialist job roles and functions in your organisation and what they need from a construction ERP solution. We’ve provided some pointers below… CEO, CFO and COO The Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of an organisation all have to make high-level, strategic decisions affecting its direction, profitability and growth. They need to be able to access a concise overview of how the company is doing. For an at-a-glance summary of key performance indicators (KPIs), emerging trends and accurate statistics, choose an ERP system that has real-time dashboards and can automate processes. These user-friendly displays can be tailored to the unique needs of each user role. Typically, the ‘C’ roles will want a high-level view of the following: • Profitability • Variations to budget • Cashflow • Financial strengths and weaknesses • Manpower resources • Asset utilisation • Tender win/loss ratios – with filters such as region, project type and company. Construction is one of the biggest sectors in the UK economy. Most large construction businesses are not a single entity. Instead, they comprise several limited companies, all under the umbrella of a group operating company. Each has to do its own set of management accounts, of course, but it’s important to be able to report at a consolidation level too. CEO and Manager If you need visibility of the entire group, make sure you choose an ERP solution that gives you fast access to a bird's-eye view of performance – company and individual projects. It should incorporate a RAG (red, amber, green) system that flags up the good, the bad and the ugly at an early stage and allows you to drill down to the detail if something doesn’t look quite right. Make sure you can easily view KPIs at group, company, departmental and project level too. This may reveal, for example, that one of your companies is temporarily resource poor, while another isn’t. Features that fully support automated intercompany management will make life easier. Centralisation and de-duplication of entries are two major efficiencies brought by the latest ERP solution. All data can be pulled down from the system and used for business analysis. Accuracy levels rise because there’s no need to keep re-keying data from different spreadsheets and other documents; instead, you have a single source of truth. IT function Your IT function has a leading role to play in selecting your new ERP solution. It needs to be part of the discussion from the outset. By choosing a modern, cloud-based ERP system that’s managed by the supplier (partner), you'll be taking a huge weight off your IT function’s shoulders: • Most of the installation and implementation work will be done by the supplier in the cloud • An ERP solution brings lots of systems together – so everything will be in one place • The system will integrate with other modern business solutions, such as HR and payroll • The system will be highly configurable, to meet the needs of your business • Your team will provide frontline support, but the supplier will be on hand to help users if needed • Licensing and investment will be straightforward • With no server, maintenance will be limited • Hands-off software upgrades and back-ups will be music to an IT manager's ears Effectively your IT service solution should run in the background, just like your gas, electricity and water supply. Ideally, it will be ‘always on’ and available, with very little effort needed. Head of Procurement, Purchasing Manager and Equipment Manager Supply chain management is an important part of running a successful construction and contracting business. And a modern ERP system can be a big help. Think about how you'‘onboard' new supply chain partners for consultancy, materials, plant and subcontracted supply. You’ll no doubt assess them against your pre-qualification criteria. This may involve obtaining details or documents to confirm the experience and expertise of the people who’ll be doing the work; their insurance policies; and their health and safety policies. All this information can be recorded and then maintained on your ERP system. Once a supplier is qualified and has been 'onboarded', your Procurement function can access the KPI data about the supplier on the system (through dashboards and reports) and rate the supplier against set KPI targets. Here are some typical examples. Are the expected materials always delivered on time, in the right quantity, in an acceptable condition? Do they help you meet your sustainability targets? Are they competitively priced? Are the invoices accurate? Is the plant reliable? How effective are your site-based subcontractors, from HR, health and safety, contractual and man-management perspectives? -- Advertisement -- Periodically, your teams will be able to run reports based on the data in the system, to see which suppliers are performing well or not so well. They’ll then use insights from these reports to set targets for the poor performers and incentivise the stars. They may also decide to use the system to analyse the annual spend on a particular material, such as concrete, over a three-year period. Based on this information they can then invite the top-three suppliers to tender for a sole-supplier rebate agreement. This could save the company thousands of pounds a year. The latest ERP system should also incorporate real-time dashboards and alerts if things start going awry or a deadline is approaching. If an item of plant is due to be off-hired by the end of the week, for example, the system will send notifications on a daily basis until the task is complete. This can save thousands of pounds being racked up unnecessarily by a hired plant that’s lying unused and unnoticed in a quiet corner of the site. Estimating and Planning Managers Business intelligence fuels budgeting, estimating and planning roles in construction. The ability to review the costs and timelines of previous jobs is key to all three areas. Choose an ERP solution with an integrated estimating and surveying solution. If you can, go for one that incorporates a detailed build-up facility as well as a take-off facility. With a fully-integrated ERP system, you’ll be able to build up an accurate picture of what’s involved in each task, the average time required and the net costs. With repetitive work, you can analyse the data to help you price realistically and hopefully win more work. And if fitting the windows took a week longer than expected, for example, you’ll be able to analyse the data in the system and find out why. Make sure you 'backfill' tender information on the system. If you don't win a contract, it’s good to find out why, as well as who secured the contract and at what price. Don’t keep that information in your head. Enter it on the system. You’ll eventually be able to run a report on which types of tenders you’re winning and losing, as well as the reasons why. If you discover that with a particular client you’re always ‘pipped to the post’ by the same competitor, stop knocking on a closed door and focus instead on opportunities that you have a realistic chance of winning. Project Manager (PM) and Quantity Surveyor (QS) On a construction project, the PM and QS usually shoulder a greater number of responsibilities than any other role in the organisation. Once the contract has been signed, the PM and QS are key to ensuring that it is delivered on time, to budget and to the right quality. It's vital that the ERP system includes full details of the formal contract award. To manage subcontractors and resources effectively, the PM and QS will need complete visibility on how the job was won and how it’s to be delivered. Make sure the ERP system you choose will facilitate effective subcontractor package management. Having won the contract, your QS will be able to use the data in the system to go out for a 'second bite' with subcontractors. When the details are agreed upon, they’ll issue the orders via the agreed workflows. They’ll then manage the application and valuation cycles, using the ERP system to make sure everything happens in line with the contract itself and your organisation's guiding business and legal principles. Once a job is underway, the PM must have fast access to accurate information on every aspect of the programme, to make sure the company achieves a successful outcome. A modern ERP system will fit the bill. Human Resources (HR) function The UK construction sector employs around 3.1 million people, which equates to more than 9% of the UK workforce. Your HR team is responsible for recruiting and onboarding new staff, as well as maintaining, updating and managing employee records. With the right ERP software for HR in place, you’ll make their life a whole lot easier. Employee information will be held securely within the system, with only the latest version available, so there’s no danger of anyone relying on out-of-date details. Make sure you check out permission levels when you’re reviewing possible ERP systems – you’ll definitely want to restrict access to sensitive information. Of course, a modern ERP solution for HR is far more than a mere electronic repository for static personal data (things like contact details, next of kin, home address, allergy information, bank details and salary). Look for a system that can convert all of your company’s personnel-related data and paper-based HR forms to an electronic format. Your HR team, managers, mentors and employees will complete standardised digital forms on their desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile. And the data will be uploaded automatically onto the system and safely stored. Reports that may previously have taken your HR team hours or even days to complete will be available at the touch of a button. Based on real-time information, the report insights will enable informed decisions on a range of HR issues. Examples include managing absences; identifying and meeting the training and development needs of individuals, teams or departments; and benchmarking salaries, to retain a competitive edge in the recruitment arena. An ERP system can also take the hassle out of timesheets and payroll. Employees complete a weekly electronic timesheet on their PC, laptop, tablet or mobile, detailing the jobs they’ve been working on (each has a unique code) and the time spent on each. Once the timesheet has gone through the electronic workflow approvals in the system, the data is uploaded automatically. Look for an ERP system that integrates HR, job costing and payroll because the information will need to be entered once only (rather than on three separate systems). It’s seamless. And one last recommendation on the HR front: go for a cloud-based system. The pandemic has transformed work habits. With a cloud-based ERP system, your employees will be able to switch effortlessly between working from home and in the office. And your site managers will be able to complete forms on their laptop, tablet or mobile, even if there’s no wifi – the data will automatically upload to the system once an internet connection becomes available. A note of caution about remote working: ask your ERP supplier about data security. You need 100% confidence that the data on your ERP system will be secure and accessible only by authorised users. Legal and HSEQ functions In construction, Legal teams and Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) teams must have a good handle on governance, risk and compliance (GRC). A modern ERP system should incorporate the necessary processes and procedures to help a business maintain good GRC at all times – and help with its environmental and social goals too. Let's take purchase orders (POs) as an example. Choose an ERP solution with a robust 'stage gate' approach based on workflow approvals. For example, you would perhaps set up the system rules so that a £50,000 PO for building materials would require electronic approval firstly by the Head of Procurement, then by the Project Manager and finally by a director, before being forwarded to the supplier. Naturally, you wouldn’t need to apply the same rigour to a £5 order for paper clips. The Building Safety Bill's requirement for a ‘golden thread’ of building information has really shone a bright light on information management processes. A successful ERP system must maintain a comprehensive audit trail. Because if there’s a problem in 10 years' time with a certain material that was used to construct a building, you’ve got to be able to access all the details quickly and easily. How did you procure the material? Who supplied it? Had it been tested? What were the results? Who carried out the tests? Was it the material that was sti[CENSORED]ted in the original bill of quantities? Who signed off the onsite installation? All this information needs to be retained in your ERP system, along with records of all related discussions and meetings. Full auditability is the end goal. With a good ERP system in place, you’ll capture a wealth of manageable, reportable and auditable information. Observations, incident tracking and reporting will all be a piece of cake. And you’ll have the answers to hand if you’re asked to provide evidence about: • Your accident/incident frequency rates • The diversity of your workforce • Your use of sustainable materials • Your engagement with the local community. It all boils down to quality. Phil Crosby famously said: "Quality is free. It's not a gift, but it’s free. The ‘unquality’ things are what cost money". If your company's quality management system sits within the ERP framework, everyone will know what the standards are and where to find them. All your standards, processes, procedures and guidance will be in the system, from how to mobilise your next new project to how to book a holiday. There'll be no excuse for shortcuts and 'winging it'. Choose an ERP Solution that will Futureproof Your Business Look for an ERP solution that will enable key roles in your business to function more efficiently and effectively, as outlined above. Your teams will make decisions based on real-time data, working from a single source of truth. You'll integrate your procurement activity and optimise supply chain management. Don't just focus on what your business needs today. Look five to ten years ahead and make sure you choose a system that’s scalable. Think about your future workforce, too. High-calibre recruits are more likely to consider joining your company if you’re using modern technology. All the features and benefits we've highlighted in this article are incorporated in RedSky’s award-winning, cloud-based ERP software. Our construction management platform is a modular end-to-end solution that will make life easier for a variety of job roles within your organisation. Brendan Magill is a Chartered IT Professional Member of the British Computer Society. He has 30 years of IT experience, from working in the smallest comms rooms with his sleeves rolled up to implementing strategic improvement plans for businesses of all sizes – primarily in the construction sector. His practical IT knowledge and skills are complemented by an MSc in Business Improvement. To find out more about how RedSky can help transform your business read our customer news stories and Insights. If you have any questions, call us on 020 3002 8600 or get in touch via our contact form. https://www.construction.co.uk/construction-news/283297/using-erp-software-for-different-business-roles

As a kid, Professor Sean Hum (ECE) loved taking electronic devices apart to see how they worked. In time, he was able to create his own electronic circuits. Now he’s launched a new course that aims to introduce that hands-on experience to second-year ECE students. “When you walk into our space, it looks almost like a machine shop: prototyping equipment, 3D printers, power tools strewn about,” says Hum, adding that the lab features brand-new test instrumentation, soldering and surface-mount rework stations, a reflow oven, and cabinet after cabinet of electronic components. “For some people, it’s like being let loose in a candy store.” The course, titled ECE 295: Hardware Design and Communication, made its debut in January. Hum originally conceived the idea two years ago to introduce students to milestone-driven hardware design — what he calls the ‘nuts and bolts’ of electrical and computer engineering — early in their learning curve. “Having second-year teams design something from scratch,” Hum says, “where they are involved from the conceptual and computer-aided design right down to the mounting of components on the circuit boards — as well as using a variety of modern test and measurement equipment and debugging their designs — that end-to-end experience isn’t available at other universities, not at the second-year level.” Hum adds that the teams design complementary modules that must work together in the end, which is “a unique aspect of this course that teaches students about system integration.” This pedagogical structure reflects the course’s focus on context to strengthen the electrical engineering fundamentals that students gained in their first four semesters. Acquiring sophisticated physical techniques while working towards a user-centred product quickly solidifies those concepts. It’s also a lot of fun. “As human beings, our minds are wired to get satisfaction doing something physical with our hands,” says Hum. “I believe it’s one of the reasons for the rise of DIY or maker culture in society. People just love building things.” The course is held in the Myhal Fabrication Facility, colloquially known as the ‘Myhal Maker Space.’ This state-of-the-art workshop is open 12 hours a day, five days a week to any student who passes the safety training, enabling them to turn ideas into prototypes when inspiration strikes. The new course, along with the high-end equipment and components to support it, is made possible in part by the Dean’s Strategic Fund. ECE Chair Professor Deepa Kundur is pleased at how ECE 295 amplifies the core curriculum in balance with the existing second-year software design course. “Experiential learning emboldens students to pursue hardware projects in future courses, such as our fourth-year Capstone course,” she says. “Ultimately, the department needs to be responsive to trends in the profession, and we’re hearing from our industry partners that there’s great demand for this skill set.” Hum also sees the course as a complement to software design. He says that while new apps often garner the media attention, the industry needs engineers who are conversant in both the hardware and software, which are virtually inseparable in today’s appliances and products. For example, while cars and washing machines once belonged exclusively to the world of hardware, today they contain an amount of software that would surprise most people. Conversely, many features of today’s mobile apps are only made possible by the hardware packed onto the smartphone’s motherboard, including nearly a dozen types of antennas. “You have voice service and data service, you have positioning service through GNSS, you have WiFi, Bluetooth, near-field communications,” says Hum. “All of those require different radios. That’s why companies such as Apple are hiring so many antenna engineers.” Hum’s own career path in electrical engineering owes much to his early obsession. He started tinkering with electronic devices in elementary school, and by high school he was designing radio circuits — with one eye on the stars. “I was fascinated by space technology, and have special memories of Sojourner, the first Mars Rover mission in 1997,” he says. “It was amazing to me how we could pick up such weak signals from this tiny rover moving around so far away.” These days, his research group develops antenna solutions based on advanced electromagnetic surfaces, in collaboration with aerospace firms. His experimentally focused research mirrors the same hands-on approach he takes with ECE 295, and the graduate students in his group learn about building actual flight hardware in the lab. “We’re in a golden age for makers,” says Hum, “which is good news for electrical engineers. When the naturally curious are given the proper resources and guidance, the sky’s the limit.” https://news.engineering.utoronto.ca/new-ece-hardware-design-course-taps-into-maker-culture/

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