Investments, especially big ones, need regular service and maintenance to keep them running smoothly. Cars need regular oil changes, printers need ink refills, phones need software updates and buildings need a whole host of TLC from their service electricians. This issue has a bunch of tips and tricks for providing those updates and working with owners.

Opening up this service/maintenance and integration issue is the question of maintaining efficiency on large projects. One answer is building information modeling (BIM). Does your company have a trained BIM coordinator? In “Better With BIM,” page 26, Susan DeGrane talks to contractors about why this position is so important for their success. 

Our resident service and maintenance experts, Fred Sargent and Andrew McCoy, were busy this month. They start off with their service/maintenance column by having a coffee break with Keith Geisel from Bruce & Merrilees Electric to talk about how customer relationship management may not be enough. Check it out on page 34. 

Fred and Andrew then take us back in time to the construction of the Empire State Building in 1930–1931 in “The Forgotten Story.” These two are experts at weaving history together with lessons electricians can use today. Turn to page 38 and see what the Empire State Building’s extremely quick construction timeline can teach us about project versus product management. 

Then on page 70, Fred and Andrew give five answers to one question: When does the customer experience really begin? What’s your answer? To find out what our experts think, turn to “When You Call on Me.”

Even public spaces need service and maintenance. Susan Bloom writes about Elecnor Belco Electric’s work on the Wilmington Waterfront Promenade in the historic harbor community of Wilmington, Calif. The Port of Los Angeles invested in the Wilmington Waterfront to update the long-underused space and transform it into a more consumer-friendly, mixed-use complex with shops and restaurants. See how the Elecnor Belco Electric team worked through a stacked job site and other challenges on page 50.

While you’re dreaming of the future’s public spaces, don’t forget EV chargers. There are some unknown factors, but one expert urges people not to believe the FUD—fear, uncertainty and disinformation. That’s a good rule for life. But Jeff Gavin talks about how the rise in DC fast chargers is keeping EV demand up, even through potential FUD. “Leading the Charge” is on page 58. 

Jeff Beavers rounds out this issue with “In Data We Trust.” He talks to a roundtable of experts about how emerging technology is transforming electrical maintenance. The internet of things and smart tech are driving this change. Read more on page 78.

We’re always looking to maintain a fresh perspective in this magazine, filling it with helpful information. If there is something you want to see in these pages, email [email protected]. We’re at your service.