Your Guide to Choosing an Engineering Services Provider to Work With

Selecting an engineering services company to hire requires due diligence. Identifying early in the process which engineering services you’re looking to outsource will help you narrow down your list.

Engineering companies in Singapore vary in specialty and it helps if you're going to a one-stop solution. This is especially hopeful should a need for a particular service and your existing supplier can also step in to help you out.

As you look around for a Singapore engineering company, make sure to focus on the capabilities of the team. The company should have sufficient resources or equipment for them to execute jobs you’re looking to complete.

Also, you need a team that is able to forge long-term relationships with their clients as this reflects their work ethic. Quality customer service is a must in ensuring that partnerships last.

Here are a few more more steps you can use as a guide in choosing an engineering firm to work with.

Verify if they’re a registered business. You’d want to weed out of your list those who are claiming to offer you engineering services only to find out they’re only serving as middleman. You will only get the best value from your investment if you’re working directly with the service provider. In this regard, see to it that you’re dealing with a registered business. This will also give you a guarantee that you will enjoy consistent outstanding quality for every job they’ve completed. You also will not have to communicate with suppliers on your own as the engineering company in Singapore can already provide the equipment required of the engineering job.

Look into the package they offer. Find a service provider that will be able to take care of the job from start to finish so you no longer have to coordinate  with various suppliers and more service providers. Inquire about the cost of their services and do discuss as well the budget range you’re looking at. An engineering services industry expert would see solutions fit so the work can be finished in an outstanding quality, but without you going way beyond your budget.

Last up, check customer feedback. There are engineering services providers in Singapore that have been in the industry for over a decade. Make it a point to as look into these companies. While this doesn’t mean that newcomers wouldn’t be able to do a great job, you’ll feel more confident with those who have been around longer as they have already established a reputation among their clients. Don't forget to check out customer feedback and gather recommendations. You can find client testimonials available in the company website or you can also request it from the team.

One of the advantages in outsourcing engineering services your operations require is that you also gain access to their large pool of talent, all of whom with individual specialties. It is not uncommon to hear companies going for the cheapest option available. Don’t go this route. This could only cost you higher in the long run. Always look into the bigger picture when it comes to the quality of services that the engineering services firm can provide. 

How CCTV Technologies Keep Us Safe from Crime

CCTVs have been around since the 1940s. Back then it was bulky and very limited in terms of manoeuvrability and used for the military. Today, CCTVs have gone above and beyond in terms of convenience. It has also gotten a lot cheaper and requires a lot less equipment. Because of this, CCTVs have been in use for a variety of commercial and individual uses. Used mainly for surveillance it has saved us a lot of time preventing and solving crime.

CCTV cameras in Singapore are so easy to find and we are listing down some scenarios in which it can help prevent and solve crime.

1.       Prevention of Crime

The very presence of a CCTV system is able to deter criminals from doing any crime in the area. With today’s CCTV technology, capturing a clear image of a perpetrator is possible.

Live coverage of the area is also important factor in why they prevent crimes. Within seconds of spotting the crime, you can report the crime to the right authorities. It has helped a lot of people prevent stealing and vandalism in their place of work.

Pro tip: You can also detect weak areas in your surveillance technology when monitoring your area. Blind spots where crime can occur should be immediately covered. If not, make sure your staff is well aware of these weak spots so that all your bases are covered for your increased security.

2.       Evidence

A CCTV system in Singapore is an excellent source of evidence used to solve crime. Law enforcement officers can use this as the proper evidence to catch criminals. With time stamps, it is one of the most reliable sources of evidence you can use in court. A judge can watch footage and make his own conclusion in terms of who did the crime. It doesn’t even have to take footage of the crime. The appearance of a suspect in a location he said he wasn’t in or isn’t supposed to be in would be enough for the prosecution to question the suspect’s motives. E

Pro tip: In order for your CCTV footage to be considered in court, make sure that it is not something that can be tampered with. As frustrating as it is, unsecure footage will not be considered for evidence. Time stamps also have to be updated to current date and time so that it can be considered a reliable source of evidence.

3.       Monitor your home

If you are often far away from home or you just want to keep tabs on your home, a CCTV surveillance system installed in your home will ease your worries. CCTVs are also a great way to monitor young children and the elderly. With a live web feed, you can keep tabs on your home even if you are far away. Plus, if you notice anything amiss, you can tell someone close by to check on them. It will also be really handy when want to monitor your newly hired house help you don’t quite trust them yet.

Pro tip: Keep surveillance equipment well hidden in areas such as your living room and bedroom.

Do you have a CCTV in your home? Let us know in the comments below. 

Keeping Your Office Safe: Choosing Door Access Systems

It is important for businesses to keep their offices secure from theft. This is why more and more companies are investing in state-of-the-art door security equipment. There are so many door access systems to choose from in order to keep your files and office equipment safe. What are they and how do they function? We list down some popular kit choices and the advantages you can get from each one.

1.       Keypad Access Control System

The keypad access control system is one of the cheaper choices when it comes to security door equipment. Fortunately, it is still very safe and high tech. Equipped with access control software you can determine who comes in and out. Like most access systems, it also includes a time stamp so it can take attendance as well. Access for people with the code wouldn’t have to worry about leaving access cards.

2.       Smart Card Reader Access System

The smart card reader is an access system that offers better security than a keypad access control system. This is because people with the smart cards are the only ones who can get access to the office. This added level of security will ensure that only authorised personnel can enter your office. The great thing about card readers is that it is proximity based. All the users have to do is hold the card in front of the smart card reader. They don’t even have to take it out of their wallets.

3.       Biometric Access Control System

The most high tech of all the access systems is the biometric access control system. This makes it more convenient for your employees but also another security measure for you. You can be assured that only the employee himself can gain access and no one else. Each employee or authorised personnel is scanned for their biometrics – fingerprints. In the system, you can also include basic information such as name, photo, designation, and attendance logins. They wouldn’t have to memorise a code or carry around a smart card that they could easily forget or loose.

Additional Security Measures

CCTV

In Singapore, CCTV systems are getting more affordable. This makes it more accessible for business owners to install CCTVs in and around their offices. Depending on the type of access system you have, you can have your CCTV work with your access system that makes tracking much easier.

Intercom

If you want to be able to let visitors enter much faster, installing an intercom will definitely make things much easier for your visitors. It eliminates your visitor waiting time as well as your time physically opening the door. Through your intercom system alongside a CCTV and door access system, you can grant access to messengers and visitors alike.

A majority of these access systems are IP based. There are some systems that also allow for web based software. This allows you to access it even if you are away from your office. Access systems are a great way to keep offices safe from theft. Do you have a preferred access system?

Life Boat Inspection: Simple Ways To Check Your Life Boats

In recent years the Maritime Industry has suffered an excessively high number of accidents with lifeboats in which crew were injured, sometimes fatally died, whilst participating in lifeboat inspections. Despite updated training and new designs of boats, hooks, and davits. Part of the problem is the number of designs of hooks and lifeboats in service, estimated at more than 70, and it is essential that the crew are familiar with and skills of operating the equipment fitted on the ship.

The majority of lifeboat accidents can be prevented, and a reminder of the basic principles of maintenance and operation will serve to highlight the key issues. The problem is not the competence of the crew or the design of the lifesaving equipment, but often a lack of knowledge about the equipment, a failure to follow procedures, or a lack of proper maintenance. The shipping community recognizes that there is a problem, and new regulations have been enacted in an attempt to address this. Port state control, flag state and classification society inspectors, among others, will regularly verify the condition and operations of lifeboats, but ultimately, the responsibility for the safe operation of any lifesaving equipment lies with you, the user. Lifeboats are designed to save your life.

Learn how to safely use the lifesaving equipment on your ship and do not become another statistic.

It has been noted that most accidents fall under the following categories: Failure of on-load release mechanism, Design faults other than on-load release mechanisms, Inadequate maintenance of lifeboats, davits and launching equipment, Lack of familiarity with lifeboats, davits, equipment and associated controls, Communication failures, Unsafe practices during lifeboat drills and inspections, and Inadvertent operation of on-load release mechanism.

Here are some measures to prevent accidents with life boats:

·         establish a uniform, safe and documented performance of periodic servicing and maintenance of lifeboats, launching appliances and on-load release gear.

·         Condition of lifeboat structure including fixed and loose equipment;

·         Engine and propulsion system;

·         Sprinkler system, where fitted;

·         Air supply system, where fitted;

·         Maneuvering system;

·          Power supply system; and

·         Bailing system.

The setting and maintenance of release gear are critical operations with regard to maintaining the safe operation of the lifeboat and the safety of personnel in the lifeboat. All inspection and maintenance operations on this equipment should therefore be carried out with the utmost care.

No maintenance or adjustment of the release gear should be undertaken while the hooks are under load.

Hanging-off pennants may be used for this purpose but should not remain connected at other times, such as when the lifeboat is normally stowed and during training exercises. The crew needs to be assured that the structure is safe when loaded by hanging off pennants.

The release gear is to be examined prior to its operational test. The release gear is to be re-examined after its operational test and the dynamic winch brake test.Special consideration should be given to ensure that no damage has occurred during the winch brake test, especially to the hook closure and its fastening.

Obsolete Mobile Crane Parts And Their New Modern Counterparts

A crane is a type of machine, generally equipped with a hoist rope, wire ropes or chains, and sheaves, that can be used both to lift and lower materials and to move them horizontally. It is mainly used for lifting heavy things and transporting them to other places. It uses one or more simple machines to create mechanical advantage and thus move loads beyond the normal capability of a human. Cranes are commonly employed in the transport industry for the loading and unloading of freight, in the construction industry for the movement of materials and in the manufacturing industry for the assembling of heavy equipment.

A crane mounted on a truck carrier provides the mobility for this type of crane. This crane has two parts: the carrier, often referred to as the Lower, and the lifting component which includes the boom, referred to as the Upper. Increased production requirements may demand more capacity, faster operating speeds, better controls, or automation. Reliability may have deteriorated resulting in unscheduled shutdowns and increased production costs. Mobile cranes parts may be obsolete, resulting in high mobile crane spare parts costs and long lead times. Inspection may show excessive wear or non-compliance with current safety standards or practices.

Generally, these cranes are able to travel on highways, eliminating the need for special equipment to transport the crane unless weight or other size constrictions are in place such as local laws. If this is the case, larger cranes are equipped with either special trailers to help spread the load over more axles or are able to disassemble to meet requirements

·         Sidelifter crane is a road-going truck or semi-trailer, able to hoist and transport ISO standard containers. Container lift is done with parallel crane-like hoists, which can lift a container from the ground or from a railway vehicle.

·         Rough terrain crane. A crane mounted on an undercarriage with four rubber tires that is designed for pick-and-carry operations and for off-road and "rough terrain" applications. Outriggers are used to level and stabilize the crane for hoisting.

·         All terrain crane. Mobile crane parts of these types of crane are made for land contact and with the necessary equipment to travel at speed on public roads, and on rough terrain at the job site using all-wheel and crab steering.

·         Pick and Carry Crane is similar to a mobile crane in that is designed to travel on public roads, however pick and Carry cranes have no stabilizer legs or outriggers and are designed to lift the load and carry it to its destination, within a small radius, then be able to drive to the next job. Pick and Carry cranes are popular in Australia where large distances are encountered between job sites.

·         Carry deck crane is a small 4 wheel crane with a 360 degree rotating boom placed right in the center and an operators cab located at one end under this boom. The rear section houses the engine and the area above the wheels is a flat deck. Very much an American invention the Carry deck can hoist a load in a confined space and then load it on the deck space around the cab or engine and subsequently move to another site. The Carry Deck principle is the American version of the pick and carry crane and both allow the load to be moved by the crane over short distances.

·         Telescopic Handlers are like forklift trucks that have a telescoping extendable boom like a crane. Early telescopic handlers only lifted in one direction and did not rotate, however, several of the manufacturers have designed telescopic handlers that rotate 360 degrees through a turntable and these machines look almost identical to the Rough Terrain Crane. These new 360 degree telescopic handler/crane models have outriggers or stabilizer legs that must be lowered before lifting, however their design has been simplified so that they can be more quickly deployed

·         Crawler is a crane mounted on an undercarriage with a set of tracks (also called crawlers) that provide stability and mobility. Crawler cranes range in lifting capacity from about 40 to 3,500 short tons.Crawler cranes have both advantages and disadvantages depending on their use. Their main advantage is that they can move around on site and perform each lift with little set-up, since the crane is stable on its tracks with no outriggers. Caterpillar tracks are also far better at traversing soft ground without sinking in, as they spread the weight out over a great area. Thus a crawler crane can move about an unprepared job site with less risk of getting stuck in soft ground. In addition, a crawler crane is capable of traveling with a load. The main disadvantage is that they are very heavy, and cannot easily be moved from one job site to another without significant expense. Typically a large crawler must be disassembled and moved by trucks, rail cars or ships to its next location.

·         Railroad crane has flanged wheels for use on railroads. The simplest form is a crane mounted on a flatcar. More capable devices are purpose-built. Different types of crane are used for maintenance work, recovery operations and freight loading in goods yards and scrap handling facilities.

Fastest Internet Providers in Asia

Wherever you may be situated in this planet earth, you may perceive your internet connection to be at normal speed—fast enough to load the pages you want to see and slow enough to tempt you to do something else. Internet speed greatly varies from one country after another and progressive countries are the top notchers within this aspect. 

If you’re curious about who’s who, better stick around because we’re about to unfold the fastest internet providers in Asia thus far. So in case internet is a big part of your life and you demand unlimited mobile broadband with 70 Mbps onwards, you may want to live where these internet providers are permanently situated or just witness their glory. Either way, it’s good to know where to live next.

●        Singapore

When it comes to broadband internet, Singapore reigned supreme in the 3rd quarter of 2015. With over 135 Mbps at its peak, it has toppled the average Mbps during the same period. You can download within minutes, load pages in milliseconds, and access files as swiftly as you go. Whether the locals have invested in prepaid mobile broadband or otherwise, it offers relative internet speed which is extremely practical for private individuals and business organisations who have availed the services from any of the carriers available.

●        Hong Kong

Second place goes to Hong Kong for being able to provide speeds of up to 100 Mbps in the same period as Singapore. Even if HK came in second, we should never underestimate the fact that it’s second in Asia where there’s tons of countries competing for the top spot.

On average, it has provide about 15 Mbps which still ranks as second alongside South Korea and Japan. And if we were to compare the average internet in Singapore at the time, HK has approximately a 3-Mbps advantage. These countries are, economically speaking, competing in the international market and they’re undoubtedly part of the elite countries in Asia.

●        South Korea

Coming from East Asia, South Korea earned the third spot reaching precisely 86.6 worth of Mbps during its peak. Singapore’s broadband on mobile may have a 48.4 Mbps advantage but that didn’t stop South Korea from providing 20 Mbps of average internet speed. Thus far, it’s highest amongst the bunch followed by Hong Kong and Japan with 15.8 and 15.0 Mbps respectively. South Korea is one of the most industrious countries you’ll ever be able to witness in Asia and they’re surely reaping all the hard work.

●        Japan

Followed by South Korea, Japan remained strong with 78.4 Mbps. We’ve known Japan for competing against China in the international market scene, however the latter has fallen below eight places where Japan is currently standing. With regard to internet, you can definitely rely on Japan for some hefty internet consumption.

●        Taiwan

Proving that a secret weapon is somewhat better than size, Taiwan secured the fifth spot in the global rankings with 77.9 Mbps worth of internet last year. Coincidentally, it also ranked fifth for average internet speed with 10 Mbps.

Who would’ve thought that these countries would be the fastest internet providers in Asia? Then again, it’s not impossible with how the respective countries are evolving as a nation and how they continue pursuing to be the best in the world.

Tourists' Guide to Buying a Prepaid SIM Card in Singapore

Tourists shouldn’t have to worry about buying a SIM card in Singapore as its widely available to everybody. However, you have to know the basics before you set out to buy your first new SIM card so that there will be less hassle, in fact none at all, once you’ve landed in the country. By doing this first, you’ll get to continue chatting with friends, family, colleagues, and potential employers—if you’re in the city to find a job. Wouldn’t that be nice? Here, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know about purchasing a SIM card in this global city.

●        Meet the big three.

There are three carriers in Singapore, namely Singtel, Starhub, and M1. They provide all kinds of mobile plans to locals, expats, and tourists alike. It really doesn’t matter if you’re a tourist or someone who’s been living in the city for quite some time. So long as you need a means of communication, they’ll be the one to give it to you.

Some people who stay a bit longer than a few months usually opt for an iPhone instalment plan in Singapore, whereas those who just happen to be staying for a few days or in a period of a month opt for prepaid plans. What’s more practical would depend on the duration of your stay, as well as your mobile needs and preferences.

●        Enquire about your current phone and SIM card.

For sure, your carrier could provide you with international roaming services although we’re also quite sure it’s expensive. Moreover, your phone wouldn’t also work if it’s not compatible with the GSM 900 to 1800 frequency bands in Singapore. Before travelling to this city, make sure to enquire about your phone’s specifications and whether or not it’ll work with the frequency bands we mentioned.

In case it’s agreeable to other frequency bands, it’s recommendable to just go straight to any of the three Singapore carriers and get the mobile plan that suits your needs. What’s more, your phone or SIM card wouldn’t also work if it uses CDMA technology and the carriers that do use this are Sprint, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon. There’s a difference between CDMA and GSM and only the latter’s consistent with Singapore mobile tech.

●        Purchasing a SIM card is extremely convenient.

You only have to choose amongst three Singapore carriers. So long as you keep your needs and preferences in mind, you wouldn’t have any troubles choosing right away. It’s highly advisable to do this the moment you come out of the airport because the carrier of your choice would register your passport with the mobile number you’ll be using.

The people who are most likely to stay for more than a month mostly avail of an iPhone instalment plan in Singapore or a prepaid would do for those who are only visiting for a few days. All carriers provide mobile data, as well as calls and texts services.

In case you’ll really be getting a prepaid SIM card whilst you’re in the city, it’s best to anticipate call durations so you can provide enough credit for it or else you’ll have to top-up to continue using mobile services. To prepare you even further, check out the different carriers online and see what they have to offer.