Predictions For The Offshore Industry In 2018, The Latest Blog From Dynama

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London, UK, January 05, 2018 - The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer gave the North Sea oil and gas sector a much needed boast in his budget at the end of 2017. New oilfield owners can now offset decommissioning costs of old infrastructure against taxes that were paid while fields were in production. This change should attract new investment into the area, extend the life of mature fields and unlock remaining oil and gas reserves.

On the other hand a slump in oil prices claimed 350,000 jobs and 71 bankruptcies in 2016 alone[i], leading to large-scale decommissioning with plans to remove more than 100 platforms in the UK and Norway's share of the North Sea over the next decade. However, the future looks optimistic because of the Chancellor's budget and as the result of US$6billion of mergers and acquisitions which took place in the UK in the first half of 2017.

New dynamics affect the industry

Worldwide factors such as these are affecting the offshore industry as a whole. It is a volatile and cyclical industry and to further complicate matters the renewable energy production sector is on the rise, as traditional resources such as oil and gas decline. This new sector is largely unchartered territory and raises important questions about the type of people and equipment required to ensure the success of the industry.

There are several reasons the offshore industry has always needed to keep one step ahead including:

Client projects are often large, complex and global with fast-changing schedules
The workforce is geographically dispersed and frequent travellers
Staff operate under different employment laws or union agreements; their skill sets are in high demand but in short supply and they all need to be paid promptly
The vessels crew work on are very varied, from ships, oilrigs, fabrication yards to ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) and deep water diving tanks.

Use technology to turn challenges into opportunity
With so many challenges, during 2018 it will become important to work even harder on improving efficiencies and squeezing the most out of technology. Fortunately, the latest automated Workforce Management (WFM) solutions are designed to help organisations create a flexible workforce and adaptable resource optimisation framework whatever external or internal opportunities or challenges knock on the door.

When upgrading or purchasing a new WFM system, it pays to focus on the following five capabilities:

Flexibility using the latest WFM solutions, it's easy to introduce a culture that thrives on change and plans for the future. Highly configurable, the technology can be quickly customised and adapted when there is a new organisational structure, contracts to update or reports to generate.

Cost control automation and centrally stored information removes duplicated effort and reduces administration to realise time and costs savings that increase margins and overall profitability.

Faster, smarter working - modern integrated WFM systems bring together all the information you need instantly. For example, travel administration when built into a workforce and resource optimisation platform, provides a transparent, birds-eye view of travel planning across different departments. This minimises confusion and wasted expense of duplicate flight or hotel bookings!

Optimal resource planning - ensures the right crew are always in the right place at the right time by alleviating the administrative burden associated with staff and equipment assignment and deployment; staff licenses and competencies; travel plans and documentation and regulatory compliance. It can also be used to generate a skills matrix for personnel.

Time-to-invoicing/payroll all crew want to be paid on time and organisations need to bill their clients quickly to boost cash flow. The latest WFM solutions are accessible by secondary users such as payroll and cost controllers meaning staff timesheets, tax sectors and overtime hours can be reconciled swiftly and correctly to enable quicker invoicing and payroll processing.

The time has come to embrace change and the challenges that come with it. Adopting the latest WFM technology will maximize opportunities to improve efficiency, restore competitiveness, stimulate activity and attract investment to benefit and foster a sustainable future for the offshore industry. It's going to be an exciting 2018.

[i] https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/spe-offshore-europe-five-trends-for-the-future-of-the-oil-and-gas-industry

Press Contact:
Mary Phillips
PR Artistry
Lower Woodend Barns Fawley Henley-on-Thames OXON
44 (0) 1491 845553
mary@pra-ltd.co.uk
https://www.dynama.global/

Problems Teenagers Have with Technology

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Technology is a wonderful thing. It has increased societal efficiency, saved lives, made communication easier, and has provided greater access to information than ever before. However, not everyone views technology as being entirely beneficial. Teenagers are a group that particularly feel a lot of negative effects from it. Sure, they are used to technology more than any previous generation. However, that doesnt make them experts. Here are some of the problems that teenagers face today.

Problems in School

The main problem teenagers have today in the classroom is keeping off their phone. The Pew Research Center even states that as many as 71% of teenagers text during class time. This number has expanded greatly these last few years as kids are getting their phones at a younger age (about 10 on average). Before phones were invented, teens used to distract each other in the classroom. The tide has vastly changed now. Another interesting stat comes from CNN, saying that teenagers spend an average of 9 hours a day on their devices. Much of that is on their phone, and a lot of phone time is spent in the classroom. It doesnt stop with phones distracting teens, as laptop usage is also prevalent as a distraction. A USA Today study showed that students that used laptops in class scored 11% worse than students without laptops. Some teens may think technology is very helpful in the classroom, but statistics can say otherwise.

Problems Out of School

Problems out of school are similar to those in school. Phones are very critical to a teenagers life, and teens do not want to miss anything socially on them. Unfortunately, this mindset comes is a negative to many teenagers. Up to 87% of them dont get the recommended amount of sleep, and it is because of gaming, watching tv, scrolling on the iPad, using phones, and social media. This lack of sleep can directly affect their test scores, and students who are sleep deprived are consistently outperformed by those with adequate sleep. This sleep cycle puts teenagers in a compromised position that can also ironically affect the social lives they were trying to build. Teenagers are also expected to know much about technology because they are younger. Since their parents and grandparents expect them to have a great knowledge of it, many of them ask teens how to use it, which can really irritate teenagers if done repeatedly.

Problems on Social Media

It seems that teenagers are always on their social media accounts. 71% of them have multiple accounts; and Facebook, Snapchat, and Twitter are the most popular platforms. Unfortunately, these sites have provided a considerable amount of emotional damage to teenagers. 88% of them have admitted to being mean or cruel to others on social media, which has led to 41% of teenagers revealing that they have had a negative experience on such websites. This number may even be a little low because some of them are embarrassed about their experiences. However, this does not take away from the very real problem that is cyberbullying.

Technology is very distracting and tempting, and it is up to teenagers to decide how they use it. Over half of teens (CNN says 59%) are addicted to their phones. For others, it may not be a problem. Overall, technology is a great tool for teenagers, but it can just as easily be a detriment to them.

Product Information On Kindle Portable Reader

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In the past, reading was demonstrated by someone who is holding an actual printed book that is usually hardbound. Now, doing it that way is not the only thing that you can do because you can now enjoy the convenience that is brought along by an Electronic Book Reader. As the name implies, an eBook is said to be an electronic version of a traditional print book that a person can use to read. What's good about having this device is that it does not take away from you the chance to be able to read all of your favorite books and periodicals. In fact, it adds more features.

The same things that you've done before can still be done in this said device such as inserting bookmarks on the pages, making some notes, highlighting passages, and saving some texts. In addition, a built-in dictionary is present in this gadget for you to use whenever you need to check on the meaning of some words that you encounter from your reading. Apart from that, it supports your capability to change the size and style of the font according to what your eyes desire, and even when you're reading in a not-so-lighted place, its back-lit screen will still enable you to read well enough.

Amazon was the first to introduce the perfect way in which people don't have to go out towards those bookstores anymore and to read books even without holding an actual book. Yes, Amazon did that through their best-designed Kindle Portable Reader. However, staying with this Kindle is not enough because this device's followers and admirers will see even more with the existence of the second edition, the Kindle 2. Although it originated from the first Kindle, it is way too far ahead when it comes to the betterment of one's reading experience.

There are a lot of reasons why everyone has learned to love this gadget. To start with, its screen display is better than the former because it uses electronic ink display technology. It is also perfect for travelling because it is light and thin. It only weighs 10.2 ounces and it can even put it inside your purse, or bag, or just carry it with your hands anywhere you go. Good news for those who are not so technical or savvy on these kinds of gadgets because Amazon's Kindle is a plain plug and play device. No installations required. No set-up cd's to run. This so-called library of yours will work automatically by itself and will show you those tons of books that it carries.

Amazon's Book Reader Electronic is indeed everyone's saving grace. Just imagine the convenience that you will experience if you don't have to look for a hotspot to connect to a wireless network anymore because it is already offered by the device itself. You have access to that wireless connectivity for free. Yes, with no more monthly bills to take care of because Amazon already did that for you. The device will also save a lot of your time, effort, and money. Since you already have access to the internet through this portable reader, downloading of your favorite reading materials can be done in just few minutes only and they are obtainable in a very affordable cost.

Both the environment and the people gain such mutual benefits if you would choose to purchase this wireless reading device rather than stick with the traditional type of book. Those papers that are used to make books came from the trees. Thus, creating more books out of papers means cutting down a lot of trees. On the other hand, if you used its alternative, you eliminate such act, the trees are preserved, and the people will be saved from any natural disasters.

Sources:
For more real reviews and product information on this e-book reader, visit Kindle Portable Reader. We have gathered the facts about ebook reader product comparisons to prove it.

Property Management Requirements in New York

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If a property manager in N.Y. is going to collect rent, rent a property, or list a property for sale, they will have to obtain a broker's license. However, not everyone needs a license. A salesman or secretary can work under the property manager and do all the things listed above without having to obtain a brokers' license. So only the owner really needs the license and everyone else in the office can just piggyback off of him or her.

Another instance where a license is not necessary is when the property manager only does the maintenance and repairs of the property. So in most cases being that rent is usually collected by the property management company, a license would be necessary.
This is only applicable to regular rental properties. A community association does not have the same requirements and no license is needed the manage them.

To get a brokers license is a two step program. First you have to get a salespersons license. In order to obtain a salesperson's license in New York, you have to pass the Department of State (D.O.S.) exam. You would first sign up for a forty hour course from a real estate school. You would then find a broker to sponsor you. After having a year's time of experience as a real estate salesperson, you then have to take a real estate brokers course. You would still have to pass another exam.

Most professional property management companies in Manhattan have licenses. There are still plenty of those who don't, and chances are they probably won't ever get caught. But if you ever want to be part of the big game, you would be much better off taking the effort to get one. Any property owner who owns a decent size apartment building will not just pass of the responsibility to a company that doesn't have a license. They want to see what other buildings you have managed, and they will certainly look at your credentials. It's not only prestige, its common sense.

Truthfully, it's worth taking the courses so that you can service your clients in the best way. A lot of information you will pick up on the way of getting your license will help you out as a property manager. This includes legal aspects of the real estate industry in New York.

Eventually, they might make a license specifically for property managers in NY, but that is still under debate. Even if they do, having a broker's license will still be a major asset to your company.

Pros And Cons Of A Home Recording Studio

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There are so many benefits to having a home recording studio. You may have come across the idea but were passive about it due to the misconceived costs of building one. It is not that hard. Most music you hear today was recorded and mastered in a home studio, probably in one of the band members home. If music and creativity fit your flow, a home studio could work for you.

The convenience of a recording studio in your own home says it all. Booking a gig at a professional studio usually has to be done weeks or months in advance. Some even require a pricey down payment. Seriously, they want you to pay to wait and waste time, time you could be spending doing it yourself. Doing it at home eliminates packing up all your equipment and getting over to a rented studio and only be able to get an hour of play time. The at home aspect is a good perk.

If money is your issue don't worry. Building a recording studio is so inexpensive with today's technological advances. If you know what you want and how much you want to spend, you can shop the right way. You are actually saving money by cutting out the cost of renting a studio. If you were to get sick or an uncontrollable circumstance prevented you from being there at that time, it is very likely you will not get your money back. At home is a wallet friendly way to get recorded.

The one area where there seems to be a problem is getting it set up. All you really need is a computer with software that has the abilities you need, and maybe some proper accessories. If you're not technologically friendly, you may have a harder time. But with the resources available to you now it will probably be easier. If the comprehensive instruction manual does not help, there are millions of resources that can. Technology today is not what it used to be. Everything is made fairly simple.

This is a smart investment for someone who is into the music industry. Not only can you determine your own achievements but you can make an extra income. Music devotees will pay major bucks if they think they are getting a good deal on studio time. Like you and everyone else they think they are going to make it big. A recording studio at home is an advantage. It could also prove to be useful in the future with technology and thousands of other things that are becoming available.

With the time flexibility, you have the opportunity to work whenever. The atmosphere is bound to be intensely relaxing and no one is in a big rush. There is no pressure. You can take the time you want to get it right. The quality of the music you produce will wind up being better than that of a professional studio because all of the band members are at ease and confidant. You should be aware that sometimes this can cause you to lose focus and it may take even more time to accomplish what you set out to. A professional studio has a lot of pressure but you are more likely to get the work done.

With this sort of investment you make the rules. You are pretty much the boss. Whenever you feel a creative urge going through you, you can engage it. Aside from working on your booming career this studio can be a lot of fun. You spend your days jamming out with your closest friends and doing what you love and enjoy, but it also provides bonding experiences with your family:) Have a little fun with them and record them. Tons of fun can be made with this type of investment.

Innovation is a huge factor because at some point you will get used to using the equipment not only for yourself but all of the aspiring musicians you help out. This is the future and there will possibly be an opportunity for advancement in the music production career. If you're a musician and are interested in some sort of investment that would be beneficial, you should definitely think about a home recording studio. It seems that the advantages out-weigh the cons.

Protect Your Ears While You Still Can 4 Ways to Save Your Hearing

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Protect Your Ears While You Still Can: 4 Ways to Save Your Hearing

Sure, we all love going to concerts or loud sporting events. But the truth is this can really damage our hearing. Read on to learn how to protect your ears.

Are you a musician or concert-goer who is constantly exposed to very loud music? Are you a sports buff that loves the thrill of watching the game with thousands of other fans?

Theres nothing wrong with either of these awesome hobbies. However, not taking care of your ears before engaging in either of them could be dangerous to your health.

We put together a guide to protecting your ears the right way so you can enjoy all the loud music and fun sporting events you want. Check out these top four ways to protect your ears!

Four Ways To Properly Protect Your Hearing

You dont have to give up on your favorite loud activities to save your hearing. These methods are so easy, youll wonder why you didnt think of them first.

4. Use earplugs.

Earplugs may seem uncomfortable and unnecessary, but they are far from either. And when nearly a quarter of people in the United States suffer from noise-induced hearing problems, there really isnt a reason for a person to not invest in earplugs.

Earplugs are typically made from a soft foam that blocks out sound while protecting your hearing from being damaged.

Specialty earplugs for musicians or concert fans are typically built with filters and special materials that allows a person to hear words and conversations while reducing the harsh sound or music playing.

A pack of earplugs is usually less than a couple bucks, so what do you have to lose?

3. Give yourself recovery time.

If you are a musician, give your ears a break every once in a while. Loud music exposure for an excessive amount of time can significantly contribute to hearing loss.

Were not saying you need to give up on band practice or concerts. What a musician or concert enthusiest should do is step outside or into a quiet space for five minutes every couple hours or so to give their ears some recovery time.

If youve had a particularly loud night the previous night, try staying in a quiet place for most of the next day. The ratio of ear recovery time to loud exposure time is around 2:1, meaning that one long loud night will need a good sixteen hours of recovery time.

2. Cut down on q-tips.

Sure, they feel heavenly and get out some gunk, but try to refrain from sticking cotton swabs into your ear canal.

This will only push debris and wax further into your ear, which can damage your ear drum.

Be mindful and only use q-tips to clear out the outside of your ear.

1. Invest in quality hearing care services.

If you think your hearing has been significantly damaged or you want to see a licensed specialist about preventative care, you should definitely consider visiting a hearing care provider.

While all of these tips can be effective, seeing an ear doctor for a thorough evaluation, as well as access to hearing care devices and instruments if needed, is the best route to take.

Start Saving Your Ears!

Was this guide to preventing hearing damage and hearing loss helpful? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below!

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Protect Your Home with FEMA Compliant Flood Vents

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It May Be A Lot Easier Than You Think

Would you like to understand the FEMA flood vent regulations that apply to your home? And reduce your flood insurance premiums by a sizable amount?

This document makes the regulations easy to understand, points out the benefits of installing flood vents, and will help you decide what kind of vents to install.

Properly positioned and installed flood vents in your home's foundation walls will not only help you protect your investment, they can help you save money. And, despite what you may have heard, the regulations governing their type and placement are easy to understand.

These regulations were stipulated by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Requirements: the Basics

1 - Openings must be installed in foundation walls so that water can flow, unimpeded, in and out of the crawl space without damaging the walls' integrity. The regulation is easy to remember: one square inch of opening in the foundation wall for every square foot of the area of your house. For example, a 2,000-square-foot crawl space would need 2,000 square inches of opening. The number of flood vents you need to install depends on the size and type of vent you buy. (More on that later.)

2 - Each enclosed area must have a minimum of two openings. If there are multiple enclosed areas within the foundation walls, each area must have at least two openings in its exterior walls.

3 - Flood vents must be below flood level to work. The bottom of each opening must be no more than 1 foot above whichever of these is higher: the interior or exterior grade immediately under the opening.

4 - Any screens, grates, grilles, fixed louvers, or other covers or devices you install must not block or hinder the automatic flow of floodwaters into and out of the enclosed area.

Why Are Flood Vents Required?

The purpose of flood vents (also called "flood gates" or "flood ports") is to reduce structural damage from flooding. These permanent openings accomplish this objective by allowing water to pass into or out of a building's exterior foundation walls.

Why is that so important? In a flood situation, if the water pressure inside and outside your home can't equalize rapidly enough, the windows and doors could blow out. In addition, this pressure can compromise the foundation and make your home unsafe to live in. Studies have shown that houses with proper openings survive a flood; homes without such vents collapse.

Who Needs Flood Vents?

According to its website, the NFIP "requires flood vents for residential basements, crawl spaces, garages, and other enclosed structures that are below the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) in Special Flood Hazard Areas." BFE is the height of the base flood, usually in feet, in relation to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 or other datum as specified.

If your home isn't mortgaged, you aren't required by FEMA/NFIP regulations to have flood insurance or flood vents. However, flood insurance is advisable to protect your investment. And foundation flood vents are still a wise move to ensure that floodwaters do not structurally damage your home. How Cost Savings Add Up

Properly installed and situated flood vents can pay for themselves very quickly. They allow you to save in two ways. The annual reduction on your flood insurance premiums can be considerable. Secondly, should floodwaters rise to your home, flood vents can reduce the risk of structural damage, which can be very costly to repair.

Which Type of Flood Vent Should You Install?

There are two types of flood vents on the market: non-engineered and engineered. Engineered vents have been designed in such a way that they provide a more efficient flood relief system, and thus fewer vents will need to be installed.

The opening size of the non-engineered flood vent is calculated by multiplying the width times the height of the opening. The opening size of the engineered flood vent is calculated using a mathematical formula that takes into account certain coefficients, net area and opening shapes. This formula calculation must be certified by a professional engineer. The main difference between the two types of flood vents is that fewer of the engineered flood vents are required to meet NFIP requirements. For example, a non-engineered 8" x 16" vent is rated at 128 square inches while an engineered 8" x 16" is rated at 200 square inches.

Other design and performance criteria for engineered openings are specified by the American Society of Civil Engineers:

1 - Engineered openings are to perform such that the difference between the exterior and interior water levels shall not exceed 1 foot during base flood conditions.

2 - Engineered openings are to be not less than 3 inches in any direction in the plane of the wall. This requirement applies to the hole in the wall, excluding any screen, grate, grille, louvers, or devices that may be placed in or over the opening. The 3-inch opening requirement applies to the hole in the wall; not the space between the grates, grilles or louvers.

In a Nutshell: Numbers to Remember

FEMA's flood insurance requirements boil down to this:

1 - One square inch of opening in a foundation wall per square foot of house.

2 - Vents must be less than 12 inches above the ground.

3 - Two vents per enclosed area, on different exterior walls.

That's it. Make sure you have the appropriate flood vents installed -- or do it yourself -- then call your flood insurance company to get a reduction in your premiums. You'll also enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that you're not only compliant, you're safer.