I am constantly amazed at the variety of ways people can obtain information in this technology-driven age. Lately, mobile tags are everywhere, and gaining in popularity, from cartons of eggs to T-shirts to trade show booths. This month’s cover of PCI features a mobile tag from Charles Ross & Son Co.

I am constantly amazed at the variety of ways people can obtain information in this technology-driven age. Lately, mobile tags are everywhere, and gaining in popularity, from cartons of eggs to T-shirts to trade show booths. This month’s cover of PCI features a mobile tag from Charles Ross & Son Co. When the Microsoft Tag Reader application is installed on a mobile device (smart phone), the Tag Reader can be used to scan the tag using the device’s camera. This particular tag will link you directly to information on nanomaterial mixing technology from Charles Ross. You can download the Tag Reader at http://gettag.mobi.

A few of our advertisers have started using mobile tags in their ads. Check out Sartomer’s ad on page 16 as an example. You will notice that PCI will be using this new tool throughout our magazine in the future, in both ads and editorial features. Be sure to scan these tags with your smart phones to see what information pops up. Most smart phone browsers allow you to add bookmarks, so you can save the urls from mobile tags for future reference.

Another great tool that I wanted to mention is PCI’s LinkedIn group. This site has become a valuable networking resource. Almost daily, people post coatings formulation and application questions for their peers, which opens up a great dialog among those in the group.

As an example, someone recently posted the question, “Does the substitution of micron-sized zinc particles with nano-sized ones yield significant improvements in anti-corrosive paints, and is a broad industry adoption of such nano-sized zinc expected?” The responses are very interesting. Another member has questions on storing and using NH3ag at his facility. Several people responded with helpful suggestions. Other people are looking for information about coatings for a specific purpose, products to replace ones they are currently using in their formulations, or software to better run their process. New business has been acquired as a result of these discussions. Jobs are also posted, from powder coating field sales reps to senior coatings chemists. I have also obtained a few technical papers for PCI as a result of information posted on our group site. Be sure to visit www.linkedin.com and join the group for Paint & Coatings Industry, so that you don’t miss out.

Also sign up to follow PCI on Twitter and Facebook. Breaking industry news is posted on these sites, as well as information on upcoming trade shows and conferences.

Whether you are at work, at home, on the road or in the sky, you have access to all the information you need to keep abreast of the latest developments in the coatings industry. It may take some of us a while to catch on to the latest and greatest resources available to us, but be sure to do it. You will be amazed!