Month: March 2023

COPART & IAAI Auto Auctions – What are the Benefits?

Are you looking for the best deals on cars or trucks? Do you want to buy a used car at an affordable price? Have you considered attending an auto auction? Auto auctions are one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to purchase a used vehicle. Not only are vehicles often sold for much lower prices than through private or dealer sales; it is also possible to find vehicles that have been penned off or severely damaged. Knowing how the process works is important for securing the best deal.

Two of the most popular auto auction platforms are COPART and IAAI (Insurance Auto Auctions). In this article, we provide an overview of the STAT 1 VIN platform including how COPART & IAAI can be accessed, what types of vehicles are available, how online bidding works and more. With this knowledge in hand, you’re guaranteed to find your dream car at a rock-bottom price!

Benefits of Buying from an Auto Auction

If you’re in the market for a car, then buying from an auto auction might be something to consider. At an auto auction, you can bid on cars that are sold at significantly lower prices than normal dealerships. Here are some of the benefits of buying from an auto auction:

Save Money

The primary benefit of buying a car from an auto auction is money savings. Cars purchased at auctions typically have lower price tags than retail sales. In fact, many bargain hunters purchase their cars almost exclusively this way because of the potential savings that can be had. With these savings, buyers can often put extra money toward needed repairs or upgrades.

Access to Rare Cars

Another great benefit of auto auctions is access to vehicles not normally available through retail methods. You may find classic or even antique cars available at auctions that would cost significantly more at a traditional dealership or even find rare custom builds with original parts and modifications. The variety makes it easy to find just the right vehicle for your lifestyle needs without giving up budget considerations or having to wait long periods of time to get it as with other methods like special orders.

Great Deals on Parts and Accessories

In addition to finding great deals on fully functioning cars, buyers who purchase their vehicles at auctions have access to all sorts of purchasing opportunities when it comes to parts and accessories for their vehicles as well. Again with low starting bids, savvy shoppers can acquire truck bed covers, wiper blades, tires, mufflers and many other items they need without spending a small fortune on them elsewhere.

Browse From Home

One of the major reasons why people use online auctions is simply the convenience factor; it’s so much easier than making your way over to an auction site just in order to scope out what’s available any given week! Shopping for cars online with https://stat.vin/vehicle-search ensures you don’t miss any opportunities and gives buyers plenty of time to research each item before bidding accordingly when bidding starts after a few hours from now.

Overall Buying Experience

Finally, no matter what type of car you are looking for-used or new-buying from an auto auction provides buyers with peace of mind rather than risking their time and money dealing with unscrupulous individuals selling used car lots. It’s also important during covid times because buyers stay safe within comfort zone research done before placing bids so no one feels unsafe while buying from a remote location too.

Martin Heydon launches €7m Sustainable Digital and Data Research Programmes

The Innovation Value Institute (IVI) at Maynooth University has been selected to lead the €7 million Digi+ and ENTRUST programmes that are focussed on sustainable digital transformation and data. The programmes are funded by the EC under the Marie Sklowdowska-Curie programme and Digi+ is also co-funded by Lero and Adapt; both world leading Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Centres.

Data Driven technology is viewed by many as the next frontier for agriculture and a crucial component required to achieve a sustainable ecosystem, yet there remains a global challenge with a lack of skills and expertise in this space. ENTRUST tackles this challenge head on through the formation of a doctoral network that brings together 16 leading European research institutions. This will attract top tier doctoral candidates who will emerge as leading experts in addressing current challenges around data governance in agriculture and farming.

They will provide evidence based information in relation to the adoption of Data Technologies in order to allow farmers to unlock data potential while safeguarding their data. The ENTRUST programme will build towards a fair and trustworthy agri-data space that is aligned with the European Data Strategy and Green deal. This places Ireland at the forefront of agri-data driven technology on an international stage.

Speaking on the announcement of the awards, Martin Heydon, Minister of State for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Research and Development, Farm Safety and New Market Development said: “I am delighted to announce Maynooth University has successfully been selected to lead the 7m €Digi+ and ENTRUST programmes in these two European  research initiatives. I commend the Irish researchers involved for their success in these highly competitive research calls.  The research will contribute to Digital innovation which is fundamental to achieving sustainability in all its forms. Ireland’s agri-food sector has been making good progress in embracing technology and innovation in recent years. These awards highlight Ireland has an innovative, competitive, and resilient agri-food sector, driven by technology and talent.”

The Digi+ programme complements the goals of ENTRUST through its multi-sector focus addressing the global challenges of sustainable digital and data ecosystems. Embedded within Ireland’s leading SFI-funded research centres, Lero and Adapt, and led by Maynooth University, it brings together a group of world-leading experts that will develop a new generation of creative, entrepreneurial and innovative research leaders, able to face current and future challenges aligned with EU’s Digital and Green Agenda.

Ireland will benefit significantly from this cohort of 20 highly skilled Postdoctoral Researchers that the programme will fund. They will work towards advancing digital transformation practices, addressing vital areas such as new and innovative business models, accelerating digital and data skills, developing forward looking data governance and business models while ensuring alignment to the EU sustainable development goals. Ireland is well positioned to be a leader in the digital and data economy and this €7m investment will contribute strongly to Ireland’s continued sustainability and progression towards world leading status both in the private and public sector.

Professor Markus Helfert, Director of the Innovation Value Institute and the Science Foundation Ireland EMPOWER Data Governance Programme explains: “The cross-disciplinary focus on sustainable digital transformation and data will deliver significant positive impact on multiple sectors including agriculture, health, climate, fintech, construction and manufacturing.

 “This investment will drive the co-creation of new ways of doing business, creating value and moving from ‘potential’ to ‘real’ benefits for companies and public sector organisations. At IVI, we are looking forward to working with our partners and prospective new partners to achieve these goals and advancing the digital and data research fields.”

Professor Eeva Leinonen, President of Maynooth University said: “At Maynooth University, we are delighted to play a world leading role towards achieving sustainable digital and data ecosystems. With a growing focus on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors, Digi+ and ENTRUST are timely initiatives that will address the challenges across the ESG spectrum through a highly collaborative engagement model that benefits from the Digital and Data expertise in IVI.”

START FROM SCRATCH – Pioneer DJ workshops set to celebrate International Women’s Day

Pioneer DJ announces an upcoming series of workshops to celebrate International Women’s Day, which took place on Tuesday March 8, 2023. Throughout the month of April, female identifiers participating in the in-person UK workshops will have the chance to learn new skills and gain insight into effective ways to pursue a career in music.

With 20 places available for each workshop, topics include: An Introduction to DJing, An Introduction to Scratching, and An Introduction to Music Production – which focuses on career progression in the music industry (DJing or otherwise). Participants will learn to use Pioneer DJ equipment under the guidance of international artists, DJ schools, and Pioneer DJ product experts.

The intention behind the Start From Scratch programme is to support minoritised and underrepresented communities. The goal is to create a safe and productive space to nurture talent. Pioneer DJ has a commitment to making sure that there is increased diversity within this industry. Research shows that targeted events like these help close the gap.

Check out the dates, times, and locations for the workshops in the table below and sign up here. More information about International Women’s Day can be found here.

Special thanks go to the incredible partners for supporting this celebratory moment and facilitating workshops and training: On the Rise DJ School, Plastic DJ Academy, Vibra Music School, Cantieri Culturali, Auberge Napoleon, reason Studios, Fluidae Collective, Connect’Her and BoxPark Wembley. 

What is the ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) process?

Have you ever wondered how data is transferred from one system to another? Or how large amounts of data are processed quickly and efficiently? The answer lies in an essential process called ETL. ETL, or Extract, Transform, Load, is a powerful data integration technique used in modern businesses. In simpler terms, it’s the process of extracting relevant information from a source system, transforming it into a usable format, and then loading it into a target system. ETL has become increasingly popular as companies have more complex data needs.

If you’re interested in the world of big data, it’s crucial to understand the basics of ETL. In this article, we will cover the fundamentals of How to Build an ETL Process, why it’s important and how it works. You will also learn about some key tools commonly used in the ETL process. So let’s dive in and begin our journey into the world of ETL.

Designing Your ETL Process: Considerations to make before building your process, including scope and scalability

Designing your ETL process, which stands for Extract, Transform, and Load, is a critical step in ensuring that your data is accurate and reliable. Before building your process, it’s important to consider several key factors to ensure scalability and success.

  • Clarify the Scope of Your Process

Before you start designing your ETL process, it’s crucial to understand the scope of the data that you’ll be working with. What data sources will you be pulling from? What types of transformations will need to happen before loading the data into its final destination? Understanding the answers to these questions early on can help prevent delays and errors down the line.

  • Consider Scalability

As your organization grows and your data needs evolve, your ETL process must adapt accordingly. When designing your process, make sure to consider the potential growth of your data volume and complexity. It’s also essential to take into account how frequently you will need to update or refresh this data.

Choose a Suitable ETL ToolChoosing an appropriate ETL tool depends on various factors such as budget available, skillset within team members or availability of 3rd-party libraries. Tools like bigquery ETL offer robust capabilities for efficiently processing and managing large datasets

  • Consider Data Security

When working with sensitive information, such as personal or financial records, it’s essential to prioritize security in your ETL process design. You should carefully consider what measures are necessary to keep information secure during extraction from source systems as well as during processing/transformation phases.

  • Plan for Testing and Maintenance

Even with careful planning upfront, issues can arise during implementation that may require modifications or updates over time. You need a testing plan in place- which includes functional tests as well as stress tests- at each stage so that bugs or defects are identified before they become problems.

In conclusion, designing an effective ETL process requires careful consideration about the scope of work involved along with scalability concerns amongst others mentioned above such as available tools etc. Once implemented correctly thereby placing emphasis on expected quality requirements including securing any sensitive information present throughout the entire pipeline/processes then proper testing plus maintenance plan ensures operations remain smooth in future.

 Building Your ETL Process: Tips for creating an efficient and effective process

ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) is a process of extracting data from various sources, transforming it into a desired format, and loading it to a destination database. Efficient and effective ETL processes are essential to ensure accurate and timely data processing for an organization. In this article, we will discuss some tips for building an efficient and effective ETL process by Aimprosoft:

  • Understand Your Data Sources

Before starting an ETL process, it is important to have a clear understanding of the data sources that you will be working with. The nature of the data such as its structure (relational or non-relational), volume, velocity and variety should be well understood to develop the appropriate approach.

  • Choose the Right ETL Tool

Choosing an appropriate ETL tool for your organization is critical for efficient and seamless automation of your process. There are several commercial and open source tools available that offer different functionalities depending on your data sources, transformation requirements and destination systems

Tech Review – Benks iPhone 14 Pro case line up

Need some new cases for your iPhone 14 series well Benks has you covered and there is more to come from the company soon so stay tuned for that, this time around we have the iPhone 14 Pro cases line up to show you and one stand out for me in particular which is one made with Kevlar and it certainly looks like I will be sporting this on my iPhone 14 Pro next. Benks products lines include Digital Peripherals, Charging Accessories, and Innovative Accessories. Today we check out three cases so lets have a look and check out the full hands on video review for more.

MagClap Hybrid Case built with Kevlar

Made with DuPont Kevlar fiber, Benks Hybrid Case offers robust protection and minimalistic style for your iPhone. Not only this it will also give you additional grip and its looks the part too with steel buttons giving a refreshing keypress and tactile at the same time.

  • MagSafe Compatible
  • Ultra-Slim, Minimalist Design
  • Easily Detachable
  • Durable and robust
  • Minimalist Style

BUY 

MagClap Lucid Armor Phone Case

Lucid Armor phone case, provides invisible protection with breathable material that will never turn yellow it again is a cool looking case that can ad some extra grip and looking good you can still charge your phone too without the need to remove the case and again metal buttons present to give a different experience over typical plastic buttons.

  • Supports Wireless Charging
  • MagSafe Compatible
  • No-Fingerprint
  • Never turn yellow
  • Full Body Protection
  • Sleek Design
  • Clicky Metal Button

BUY 

MagClap Crystal Phone Case

Protect your iPhone with Benks Crystal Magnetic Phone Case. Extremely protective and impact-absorbing without compromising the beauty of your phone.Again offering all the other cases offer this one does allow you to see the true colour of your phone which lots do and comes with anti- yellowing which is a sight for sore eyes but not here this case also offers additional grip and protects all corners and areas of your phone with a lip around the front and lens like the past cases so you are in safe hands.

  • Supports Wireless Charging
  • MagSafe Compatible
  • UV Light Resistance
  • Full Body Protection
  • Sleek Design
  • Clicky Metal Button

BUY 

Video Review

Pioneer DJ launches all-in-one DJ unit, the OPUS-QUAD

Pioneer DJ, a world-class manufacturer of DJ equipment, announces the release of the OPUS-QUAD. This new professional all-in-one DJ system puts you in control of the music, like the conductor of an orchestra. Introducing a completely fresh approach to DJ equipment that harmonises design and playability, the OPUS-QUAD raises the level of elegance in musical direction and the space the music fills in any venue or environment, helping to create a special experience for your audience.

The role of the DJ is becoming increasingly diverse, with DJs often performing at a myriad of types of venues and events, from clubs and hotel lounges to fashion parties, sports events, product launches, and on live streams. As the musical direction needed from DJs is more diverse than ever, they need to be ready to adapt to different situations. By redefining the ideal all-in-one DJ system for the constantly evolving DJ scene, the OPUS-QUAD has risen to the challenge of harmonising playability and design.

The fresh design of the OPUS-QUAD doesn’t just look stunning – it enhances the unit’s playability too. The distinctively shaped top plate is sloped and has a rounded edge at the front, making it more elegant and comfortable to rest your hands on. With a matte black finish across its body and earth-coloured slits on the front and sides of the unit, the OPUS-QUAD complements the aesthetics of any venue or space. And certain elements that are key to a musical performance are accentuated to make them easily identifiable: for example, the control knobs with copper-coloured markings.

To create a perfect grip for mixing and direct control of the music, the jog wheels have streamlined dimples and a textured finish on the outer and top parts respectively, harmonising playability and design. Hidden LEDs on the jogs emit a gentle glow that matches the colour you’ve pre-assigned to each deck, indicating its playing status while also transmitting a feeling of sophistication to the audience when you DJ.

This new unit, with its game-changing design and evolved features, gives you more flexibility and greater control of the music so you can raise the level of your performances and create a better experience for your audience. The OPUS-QUAD is now available to buy for £2,899. Perfect for those wanting to add a touch of style to their playing environment, this DJ system offers a striking aesthetic to complement any living space or venue. For more information, go to pioneerdj.com. 

EV Platform Monta Partners with Nevo to Provide Smart Charging Solutions for Apartment Residents

(EV) charging platform Monta, today announced a new partnership with Nevo, Ireland’s dedicated EV marketplace. The partnership will provide smart charging solutions at different residential and commercial sites, with the first installs happening at two separate residential apartment blocks in Dublin. Nevo will use Monta’s platform to manage the charge points allowing end users to benefit from pricing flexibility, accessibility, billing and utilisation features such as queueing, reservations and scheduling.  

Monta’s announcement today comes as Nevo plans to manage and install hundreds more charging points across Ireland in 2023 in response to experiencing a surge in demand for smart charging solutions from apartment complexes, workplaces and fleets across the country.  

Commenting on the announcement, Ricky Hill, Country Manager for Monta in Ireland said: “Monta looks forward to working with Nevo in building a seamless user experience for EV drivers and stakeholders across the country. This partnership marks an important step in providing equal access to prospective EV drivers no matter where they reside or live in the country. Being a European market player, we understand the need to service different residential locations such as apartment blocks. By joining forces with Nevo, Monta will be the one stop shop for EV drivers and charge point owners.”  

Monta’s app and charge point management systems will help with Ireland’s EV transition by eliminating the need to connect with multiple providers, thereby improving the overall user experience. As part of the partnership Monta and Nevo plan to offer their integrated EV solutions to benefit companies, fleets, county councils and utilities with the install and management of their charging stations.   

Also commenting on the partnership, Derek Reilly, General Manager at Nevo said: “Monta’s integrated software solutions are a stand-out USP for the EV market here in Ireland that will allow charge point owners the opportunity to better manage their installs giving end users more options and flexibility when plugging in their EVs to charge points across the country. We are excited to roll out our joint EV platform solutions to apartment residents in Dublin and expect to see the partnership grow to service commercial sites, fleets and rentals.”   

Monta and Nevo both launched in the Irish market last year. Nevo lists every available full-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle on sale in Ireland alongside its install service for EV charging points. Monta’s EV platform is designed to enable easy management and monitoring for charge point owners, while on the front end its app for EV drivers will allow anyone to top up via Google Pay and Apple Pay.    

Survey reveals 1 in 10 attendees have dozed off in boredom at an event

AVCOM, the premium event production agency, today announces the results of a survey which has revealed that 1 in 10 (11%) of corporate event attendees in Ireland have dozed off in boredom after becoming disengaged at an event. The findings, which are part of AVCOM’s ‘Experience More: The Future of Events Report 2023’, found that 97% of respondents have become disengaged at an event.

AVCOM’s report uses research, carried out by Censuswide, to delve into the future of corporate events. Carried out among 200 professionals in Ireland who attend corporate events, the research provides powerful insights into the future of corporate events in Ireland, with the role of technology proving to be a major factor for engaging event-goers. When not engaged, event attendees admit to having worked (51%), looked at their phone (48%), eaten or drank something (41%) or fallen asleep (11%). A significant proportion of attendees have even carried out household chores (23%).

The report found that attendees seek to have more experiential elements incorporated into events in order to keep them engaged. Respondents identified networking (56%) as the primary motivation for attending an event, followed by hearing from subject matter experts (50%). On average, the maximum length of time event attendees want a speech or presentation to last is 26 minutes, 18 seconds.

 Although traditional technologies can enhance the experience of event attendees, there is an increasing desire for a more immersive experience. Event attendees are interested in technologies such as a dedicated event app (86%); high production values covering staging, visuals, lighting and set design (81%); Virtual Reality (71%); Augmented Reality (67%); and holograms (65%).

While technology has the potential to engage attendees, it can also have a negative impact when it malfunctions. When asked about the most frustrating technology issues that they have encountered at events, 58% cited bad audio. Following this was poor video quality during presentations (45%); inadequate video quality when joining virtually (41%); difficult-to-see presentations (38%); no or bad Wi-Fi (35%); and poor lighting (20%).

Paul Murphy, Managing Director, AVCOM, said: “The events industry has transformed, and we recognise the need to adapt to meet the changing needs of our customers and their attendees. Our research highlights that the expectations of audiences have evolved, and it is no longer enough to focus on traditional technologies. Audiences now demand more sophisticated technologies to keep them engaged, like virtual and augmented reality. Even holograms aren’t being ruled out by today’s tech-curious event attendees.

“Through the use of life-centred design-led thinking and the latest cutting-edge technology, AVCOM creates dynamic and immersive event experiences that engage attendees on multiple levels and leave a lasting impression. We believe that events are about more than just providing information; they are about bringing people together, fostering connections, and enabling collaboration. Our commitment to our customers is to work closely with them to deliver best-in-class experiences that enable attendees to experience more and achieve their goals, both online and offline.”

The Digital Hub welcomes 29 new and returning companies to Liberties campus

The Digital Hub has welcomed 29 companies and organisations to its Dublin 8 campus since the start of 2022. Of the 26 companies, 19 are new companies, two are longer-term alumni who have decided to return operations to The Digital Hub and five are companies who had left during 2020-21 and have since returned last year.

Collectively, the new companies are leasing over 16,000 sq. ft. of office space. A total of 48 member companies now reside at The Digital Hub, up from 29 at the beginning of 2022 and collectively employing over 400 people.

Among the companies who joined the campus in the last half of 2022 are Usheru, a collaborative company using data intelligence to transform the filmmaking industry, PatientMPower, a developer of remote monitoring health solutions for patients living with chronic diseases, who return to The Digital Hub, and Henny Penny Vintage, an e-commerce vintage clothing outlet focused on sustainable fashion.

The Digital Hub has also welcomed VM Digital, a digital marketing and production agency, Payoma, a Digital Payment Solutions Provider, and Pocket Forests, a collective group bringing integrated nature projects to urban spaces, to their growing group of member companies in the latter half of 2022.

The creative nature of The Digital Hub’s surrounding area is reflected in a growing sub-cluster of artistic companies residing in the campus. This cluster includes London and Dublin based theatre group Dead Centre, who became members of The Digital Hub in the mid-2022. Dead Centre joins existing groups Block T,  field:arts, PhotoIreland and Pallas Projects who also became member companies of The Digital Hub last year.  Thanks to the collaboration with Block T and Pallas Projects there are now over 60 artists and craftspeople using studios in Digital Hub buildings.

In 2022, The Digital Hub’s multipurpose spaces including iD8 Studio, Studio 2, and Bay 1 were in high demand for events, rehearsal space, training days and meetings, with over 330 days of the calendar year used as such, collectively across all three locations. Local educational institutes BIMM Dublin and NCAD utilised multipurpose spaces for a number of classes throughout the year.  The Abbey Theatre was among five theatre companies which occupied space for rehearsals. 50% of the days booked were by organisations external to The Digital Hub, showcasing the increased demand for flexible networking and collaboration options in Dublin city.

Fiach Mac Conghail, CEO of The Digital Hub, said: “Last year, it was encouraging to welcome a diverse range of innovative companies to The Digital Hub. The increased demand for event and meeting space is reflective of a return to regular in-person gatherings following the challenges that were encountered over the past number of years. Our reputation as a location of choice for Irish and international businesses is evident from an increase in new member companies and the return of alumni organisations over the past year and I look forward to welcoming further innovative companies to our campus in 2023.”

Ollie Fegan, CEO of Usheru, said: “Collaboration is at the heart of Usheru’s operations and joining a campus of like-minded, innovative individuals and businesses is a positive move in developing our business. The Digital Hub is an ideal location with a variety of companies from diverse backgrounds collectively together on one campus in a central Dublin location. Developing technology that supports filmmakers to bring stories to life on screen is a focus of our work and we look forward to developing our operations at The Digital Hub over the coming year.”

Áine Hennessy, Founder of Henny Penny Vintage said: “As the sole operator of a business, it was a great opportunity to join a community of innovative and creative businesses developing solutions to everyday societal challenges. Henny Penny Vintage is shifting a focus from fast fashion to sustainable style by providing quality, vintage clothing for all sizes. The Digital Hub’s community and dedication to sustainable initiatives proved that the campus was a perfect fit to move business operations to an environment surrounded by a supportive network. I look forward to continuing to operate Henny Penny Vintage at The Digital Hub campus.”

The companies and organisations that have joined or returned to The Digital Hub campus in 2022 are:

  • ACGT Vector
  • Allgo
  • Alone
  • Arenametrix
  • Block T
  • BIMM Institute Dublin
  • Bitcoin Marketing Team
  • Campsited
  • CB Media
  • Dead Centre
  • Dublin Inquirer
  • Eclipse Pictures
  • field:arts
  • Henny Penny Vintage
  • Hustl + Flo
  • Kavaleer
  • Pallas Projects
  • Payoma
  • PatientMPower
  • PhotoIreland
  • Pocket Forests
  • Robert Emmet Community Development Project
  • Rolling News
  • South Wind Blows
  • Usheru
  • Verdant Productions
  • VM Digital
  • Wattics
  • ZenaDrone

For a full list of companies at The Digital Hub see www.thedigitalhub.com/member-directory