Don't get left in the cold, prepare your house now!

12/19/2023 (Permalink)

The days are short, and the temps are dropping. Are you prepared for what's to come? Check out these winter-proofing tips to ensure your house makes it safely through the snow! 

1. Protect your pipes! Pipe bursts are never fun. They are costly to repair, and you risk even more associated costs with the potential of your household belongings being ruined. It's a simple process to install pipe insulation yourself. Make sure to insulate any exposed copper, or PVC water pipes. Use it under sinks, in attics, crawl spaces, and any exposed pipes along exterior walls. Pay close attention to any pipes in uninsulated rooms, and basements. 
2. Make sure your attics and crawl spaces are insulated. Having proper insulation will ensure that heat stays where it belongs,and keeps cold weather out. 
3. Furnace and chimney service! Fireplaces, chimneys, and heating equipment are leading causes of home fires. Annual service and inspections are important to stay on top of. 
4. Storm windows! Remove all your screens and install glass storm windows. This will create a insulating layer of air between your windows and the cold air. 
5. Repair loose roofing shingles. If you know you have loose, damaged, or missing shingles, have a licensed roofing contractor do an inspection and make any repairs prior to the first snow. Snow can weigh a lot, that pressure can cause more damage allowing water or moisture to leak into your home. 
6. Gutters! Clogged gutters can cause water to back up and freeze once temps drop. Keep gutters clear and properly connected to ensure melting snow runs off your roof. 
7. Trim your trees! A dead branch covered in snow can easily snap, putting people and property in jeopardy, causing thousands of dollars worth of damage. Call a reputable tree service, landscaper, or arborist to remove any dead or ailing limbs. 
8. Secure outdoor water sources. Drain and store your hoses or sprinklers to eliminate the chance of freezing and bursting. Shut off the water supply to outdoor spigots and cover with a spigot cover. 

Take care of yourself and your home this winter season. If you find yourself in need of our services, we are available to you 24/7, 365.

WHAT IS THE INTERNET OF THINGS?

11/8/2017 (Permalink)

What Is the Internet of Things?

The internet of things (IoT) is the technology that allows objects -- like home appliances and fixtures, cars, or devices -- to send and receive data via the internet.

For me, it helps to visualize it. When I think of the word "internet," for example, I think of a giant center of content, resources, and cute dog photos -- and the people who can share and obtain this information, all while communicating with each other, via a massive network that keeps us connected.

When it comes to the IoT, then, imagine adding inanimate objects to the situation, exchanging information and communicating with each other (and their end users) via the internet. It allows these objects to execute different commands and actions, making them "smart" or "connected."

For that reason, IoT typically has to be comprised of devices with power -- things that can be turned on or off, like lights or a refrigerator. But that's not always the case, which we'll get into later.

And that's just on the household level. On a much larger scale, IoT is used to connect and power entire transportation or manufacturing systems. It's referred to many as an "ecosystem," in that it's essentially an interconnected community of interacting people and objects, and the environments in which they operate.

So, Why Should You Care?

Consumers everywhere -- many of whom could very well be your customers or within your target audience -- are becoming more and more connected. As of January, about 4.917 billion of us are connected via mobile alone (up 5% from the previous year).

And as we, as humans, become more connected -- so do our surrounding lives and routines. How easy would it be for you to get through an average workday without your mobile device, for example? Personally, it almost seems impossible. It's all I use to make calls, get directions, and hail a car through a ride-sharing app when I need to get somewhere quickly. Plus, it's how I keep an eye on my pet, by way of a handy dog cam app. 

Chances are, I'm not alone in my dependence on connectivity. Many of your customers probably are, too. So, where does your brand fit in?

You might not think you have a product or service that, say, can be connected to the internet or to users via a digital network in the ways we described above. But when you consider that 30.7 billion devices are expected to be connected by 2020 (there were 15.4 billion in 2015), you may not be thinking ambitiously enough.

f you're not sure where to begin, here are three steps to get started.

1) Pay attention to the technology available to you.

Recently, at its annual Developer Conference, Samsung introduced Project Ambience: a small dongle that can be plugged into home objects and devices -- like an everyday speaker, for example -- and turn them into "smart," connected devices.

Now, bear in mind that this technology is equipped only to work with Bixby, Samsung's voice assistant. But it's a start. In my humble opinion, Project Ambiance is one small step at the start of a long, productive road toward smart technology's full capabilities. Other manufacturers are working on similar initiatives (such as Baidu DuerOS and Amazon Alexa, which have created tools for developers to build these AI assistants into applications and products) -- eventually, and hopefully, we'll reach a point where technology is developed that can work with any number of voice assistants. 

For that reason, it's a good idea for marketers to keep their fingers on the pulse of resources like these and how they're evolving, so that when they become available for use within your field, you can be one of the first to utilize them.

2) Anticipate the problems you'll run into.

When you kick off any new campaign or initiative, there's always chance that you'll run into a challenge. Sometimes, they're unanticipated -- but whenever you can plan for contingencies, do it.

That's one reason why I love the data in the image below. Although it's from 2015, because IoT is still an evolving piece of technology for many marketers and brands, it's good to keep in mind as you embark on incorporating it into your own strategies. Have a look, and think about the ways you can preemptively solve these challenges.

3) Start brainstorming, and look for inspiration in history.

One of the most important elements of staying ahead of the curve in marketing is -- if you'll excuse the cliche -- maintaining an open mind. Let's revisit the words I opened with: "Those of us who ignored [new technology] quickly fell behind the curve."

So, don't ignore it. Embrace it. Start thinking about the ways it can apply to what your business offers.

And if you're seeking inspiration, the Diageo example I used above is just one instance of how marketers have successfully used IoT. There's the ceiling fan company that use IoT to help customize its users' experiences with products. Or, have a look at the manufacturing automation company that uses connected, smart devices to reduce inventory cycles in plants.

In other words: There's still time to figure out where your brand fits in. But don't let it go to waste.

This information came from HubSpot.com, a great source of information about Technology.

New Truck seen in Youngsville,NC

10/28/2016 (Permalink)

EYE CATCHING! It has been spotted in Youngsville, Creedmoor/Stem, and Oxford. Keep a look out!

SERVPRO of Franklin, Vance and Granville Counties has a new eye catching marketing vehicle! When see it in the communities of Youngsville, Bunn, Creedmoor, Pocomoke, Oxford, Stem, Louisburg or Henderson you will know that we are working hard within our community! Wave at us or beep your horn to let us know what you think about the graphic concept. We love being a part of our community and getting feedback from our community.Call us today at 252-433-0005 or 919-339-4848 for all your fire, water, smoke, mold or air duct cleaning today needs today! If you know of someone that has gone through one of these damages and they are looking for help. Tell them that SERVPRO of Franklin, Vance and Granville counties is here to help them!

NEW BUILDING

9/4/2014 (Permalink)

SERVPRO OF FRANKLIN,VANCE AND GRANVILLE COUNTIES NEW LOCATION AT 260 INDUSTRY DR .,HENDERSON,NC

SERVPRO of Franklin, Vance and Granville Counties has a new home. After several years of searching throughout our service area, we finally found a building that services all of our needs. We have a 10,000 sf bay that we utilize for our vehicles, all of our water mitigation equipment along with our duct cleaning equipment and everything that we need in order to take care of any water or fire damage you might have. We also have a cleaning room where we can clean your smoke damaged contents and clean your upholstery and rugs efficiently and quickly. We have several offices and a conference room. We are pleased to have a facility that we now can call home. Come by and visit us at 260 Industry Drive or give us a call today at 252-433-0005 or 919-339-4848 if we can help you with any of your cleaning needs.