Playworld Systems introduces its PlayPod mobile application, programmed to provide access to individualized instructions, maintenance data and customer service links, featuring Microsoft Tag for 24/7. The app also provides users access to weekly play tips, including the option to check in on playgrounds via Facebook.
Nancy Hamilton, S.E., P.E., has joined HOK as the new director of engineering services. Based in Chicago, Hamilton leads the company’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing, and structural engineering group. She brings to HOK 24 years of experience, including leadership roles with Arup.
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Unified School District has unveiled a new system intended to keep the nation’s second-largest school district up to date on maintenance issues throughout its 800 campuses.
The district is the first to create a maintenance smart phone application for students, faculty and staff. The user sends in a photo of the maintenance issue to IBM Maximo software, which manages the district’s physical assets and work orders. From there, the district’s facilities crews assess the situation and come up with a response.
Urban school facilities can be very challenging because they have undergone extensive change during the last 60 years. It began in the 1950s when urban school districts and first-ring suburbs experienced major growth. This was followed by the impact of desegregation in the 1960s and a rapid decline in enrollment in the 1970s related to lower birthrates and migration to the suburbs.
