For: www.wireville.com
"Heard On The Street" Column
Issue: August 2006
By: Frank Bisbee
Connections…
Everything seems to be
connected in some fashion. One event
affects another and a huge chain reaction of CHANGE begins to take place. Today we see so many rapid changes in
technology that we seem numbed by the speed of the process. Every once in a while it may be appropriate
to look back in time to appreciate the changes that are ahead.
What’s new since 1906?
The year is 1906
The year is 1906.
One hundred years ago.
What a difference a century makes!
Here are some of the
************************************
The average life expectancy in the U.S. was 47 years.
Only 14 percent of the homes in the U.S. had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
A three-minute call from Denver to New York City cost eleven dollars.
There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S. and only 144 miles of paved roads.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa and Tennessee were each more heavily populated than California.
With a mere 1.4 million people, California was only the 21st most populous state in the Union.
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!
The average wage in the U.S. was 22 cents per hour.
The average U.S. worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, a dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian
between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
More than 95 percent of all births in the U.S. took place at HOME.
Ninety percent of all U.S. doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION! Instead, they attended so-called medical schools,
many of which were condemned in the press AND the government as "substandard".
Sugar cost four cents a pound.
Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.
Five leading causes of death in the U.S. were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke
The American flag had 45 stars.
Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska hadn't been admitted to the Union yet.
The population of Las Vegas, Nevada was only 30!!!!
Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea hadn't been invented yet.
here was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
Two out of every 10 U.S. adults couldn't read or write.
Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
Eighteen percent of households in the U.S. had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.
There were about 230 reported murders in the entire U.S.A.
… Try to imagine what it may
be like in another 100 years.
It boggles the mind to try to
identify the “CHANGES” that have transpired in the past 100 years. Send us your
top ten “CHANGES” during the past 33 years. info@wireville.com
See you at BICSI in
But that’s just my opinion.
"Heard On The
Street" Monthly Column
www.wireville.com
4949 Sunbeam Rd, Suite 16
Jacksonville, FL 32257
(904) 645-9077 offfice
(904) 645-9058 fax
frank@wireville.com
Preformed Line Products Announces Financial Results For The Second Quarter And First Six Months Of 2006
Preformed Line Products
Company (Nasdaq: PLPC -
News) reported financial
results for the second quarter and the first six months of 2006.
Net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 was
$3,545,000, or $.61 per diluted share, compared to $3,696,000, or $.64 per
diluted share, for the comparable period in 2005. Net sales in the second
quarter 2006 were $56,098,000, an increase of 6% from last year's $52,692,000.
Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2006 was
$6,029,000, or $1.04 per diluted share, compared to the prior year's $6,924,000,
or $1.20 per diluted share. Net sales increased 5% to $108,733,000 for the
first six months of 2006, compared to $103,464,000 in 2005.
Rob Ruhlman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said,
"Sales improved for the quarter by 5% and for the first six months by 4%,
excluding the favorable impact of currency. These sales increases were driven
by our foreign operations. Our domestic sales in the first half were lower than
last year due to an exceptionally strong first quarter in 2005. Our costs and expenses
continue at a higher rate due to rising raw material costs, the cost of energy,
higher product testing costs, compliance costs, and our continued investment in
our employees.
Sales were more than 6% higher than the previous quarter
while our costs and expenses remained relatively flat. Our domestic sales
improved 2% over the first quarter due to continued strong sales in the energy
market and improvement in fiber-to-the-premise sales.
We expect to recover a portion of the rising costs through
price increases effective in the third quarter. Our progress on a new
production process and alternative raw materials continues to move forward,
although we do not expect to fully benefit from these improvements until next
year."
Founded in 1947, Preformed Line Products is an international
designer and manufacturer of products and systems employed in the construction
and maintenance of overhead and underground networks for energy, communications
and broadband network companies.
Preformed's world headquarters are in Cleveland, Ohio, and
the Company operates three domestic manufacturing centers located in Rogers,
Arkansas, Albemarle, North Carolina, and Asheville, North Carolina. The Company
serves its worldwide market through international operations in
This news release contains "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of
1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regarding the
Company, including those statements regarding the Company's and management's
beliefs and expectations concerning the Company's future performance or
anticipated financial results, among others. Except for historical information,
the matters discussed in this release are forward-looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause results to differ materially
from those set forth in those statements. Among other things, factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such
forward-looking statements include the strength of the economy and demand for
the Company's products, increases in raw material prices, the Company's ability
to identify, complete and integrate acquisitions for profitable growth, and
other factors described under the heading "Forward-Looking
Statements" in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 15,
2006. The Form 10-K and the Company's other filings with the SEC can be found
on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.
The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking
statements that become untrue because of subsequent events.
Force10 Networks Chief Security Scientist Explores Changing Requirements For Securing
'high-speed networks at the edge'
To effectively protect the
high-speed WAN edge requires a different type of security appliance that can
provide visibility into traffic as well as filter traffic at 10 Gigabit speeds,
Force10 Networks Chief Security Scientist Livio Ricciulli said today at the
ESCC/Internet2 Joint Techs Workshop.
"With the growth in 10 Gigabit Ethernet adoption, security appliances
designed for Gigabit Ethernet, or even slower networks, can no longer keep up,
leaving the network edge open to security breaches," said Ricciulli.
"To ensure security at the frontline of high speed networks, the
flexibility to set and order rules as demanded by the network or traffic
composition is essential to ensuring security without compromising
performance."
Traditional security appliances have been defined by a rigid rule ordering
logic that has prevented network operators from tailoring them to meet their
needs. According to Force 10, at higher speeds, security appliances must
embrace a greater degree of flexibility that lets network operators choose
between policy control, ordered rules or summed outcomes.
"While flexibility is critical to providing security at 10 Gigabit speeds,
the increasing sophistication of attacks is creating a requirement for greater
transparency at the network edge," Ricciulli said. "A security
appliance in a high-speed network must look and operate almost as if invisible
to the network while providing deep packet inspection from Layer 2 through
Layer 7 to eliminate unwanted, harmful traffic."
ADC Wins 2008 Olympic Venue Renovation Project; Olympic Softball Stadium in Beijing Implements Company's TrueNet Structured Cabling Solutions
ADC (www.adc.com), a leading global
infrastructure equipment and services provider, announced that its TrueNet(R)
Structured Cabling Solutions have been installed at China's Olympic Softball
Stadium, as part of the first venue renovation project in preparation for the
2008 Summer Olympic Games. The cabling solutions provide the infrastructure for
efficient data sharing during softball games that will be viewed across the
world.
The Fengtai Softball Field is
the first of 11 Olympic venues in
"When planning the
network infrastructure design for the Fengtai Softball Field, we considered the
benefits of a variety of solutions and found ADC's TrueNet Unshielded Twisted
Pair cabling to be both economical and easy to install," said Jianying
Yan, general manager of Xi'an Si Lian, main contractor of the Fengtai Softball
Field. "With the completion of this project, we anticipate that ADC's
solutions will meet the high-demand performance requirements of the
network."
The Olympic Softball Stadium
selected ADC's international standardized modular jacks (RJ45) installed on
telecommunication outlets, as well as patch panels and patch cords. All ADC
telecommunications outlets are connected by a high-performance structured
cabling system, creating an information freeway with efficient transmission
capabilities. The system allows for information sharing among various computer
networks within the stadium and also seamlessly connects internal systems to
external high-speed broadband technologies. In addition, the flexibility of the
ADC TrueNet solutions ensures room for future growth and system upgrades,
protecting the current hardware and cabling investment.
"ADC's TrueNet Solutions
are designed to exceed the internationally recognized ISO 11801
specifications," said Jaxon Lang, director of product management,
structured cabling, for ADC. "Our end-to-end solution maximizes data
throughput and provides room for future technologies operating beyond one
Gigabit. We are pleased to partner with the Olympic Games and Xi'an Si Lian to
fit Fengtai field and stadium for optimal data transmission and performance.
This is truly a state-of-the-art venue."
The project was installed and
tested by ADC partner Xi'an Si Lian Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.
ADC TrueNet Structured
Cabling System
The TrueNet Structured
Cabling System, a highly reliable, end-to-end system, is designed to meet the
unique network infrastructure needs of enterprises, backed by the industries
only true Zero Bit-Error Warranty that guarantees signal integrity and network
throughput. Featuring proven cable, connectivity, and cable management
solutions for Fiber, 10 Gigabit Ethernet over UTP, and Category 6/5e from the
data center to the desktop, TrueNet is installed in high-performance networks
worldwide. Learn more at www.adc.com/truenet.
About ADC
ADC provides the connections for wireline, wireless, cable, broadcast, and enterprise networks around the
world. ADC's innovative network infrastructure equipment and professional
services enable high-speed Internet, data, video, and voice services to
residential, business and mobile subscribers. ADC (NASDAQ:ADCT) has sales into
more than 140 countries. Learn more about ADC at www.adc.com
The Society of Cable
Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) proudly announces the names of the
dedicated individuals who will serve as the chairs of the standing committees
of the SCTE Board of Directors during the 2006-’07 term.
SCTE Chairman of the Board
Yvette Gordon-Kanouff, senior vice president and chief strategy officer for
SeaChange International, has appointed the six chairs. The standing committees
and their newly named chairs are:
Engineering Committee—Charlie
Kennamer, Comcast Cable Communications
Finance Committee—Bob
Macioch, Time Warner Cable, SCTE Region 4 Director
Membership Committee—Frank
Eichenlaub, Scientific
Operations Committee—Tom Gorman,
Charter Communications, SCTE Director-At-Large
Planning Committee—Dermot
O’Carroll,
Professional Development
Committee—Gene White, Bright House Networks, SCTE Region 9 Director
The charters of the standing
committees and the complete lists of standing committee members for the coming
year are listed at www.scte.org
in the About Us section.
Hubbell Premise Wiring And Mitel Join Forces To Address Physical Infrastructure For IP Voice
Hubbell Premise Wiring, a
global provider of 10 Gigabit and Power-over-Ethernet structured cabling
solutions, today announced that it has formed a marketing alliance with MitelÒ to address the physical infrastructure requirements
of enterprise IP communications deployments.
By working closely with
Mitel, Hubbell will be able to offer customers and resellers access to cost
effective and easy to manage infrastructure solutions designed to enhance the
flexibility, accessibility, and physical security of Mitel IP voice
applications.
“A
lot of attention gets focused on mating a voice solution to the switching
network. Hubbell is working with Mitel to go one step further by addressing the
need for integration at the physical, power and asset management level. In
fact, a planned approach to the physical environment is a critical element in
any enterprises’ communications strategy”, said John Szupiany, VP Product
Marketing for Hubbell.
In
an effort to provide resellers and customer’s access to high performance
infrastructure components, the Hubbell Premise Wiring PowerTracâ PoE patch panel has been
tested and verified by Mitel as a mid-span panel solution for use with the
Mitel 3300 IP Communications Platform (ICP). To enable customers to see Hubbell
and Mitel products working together in a live environment, Hubbell is
installing its infrastructure solutions at select Mitel demonstration centers,
including Mitel’s
“This
is yet another example of recognized industry leaders working with Mitel to
bring best-of-breed IP communications solutions to the enterprise,” says Mitel
COO Paul Butcher, “By taking advantage of Hubbell’s Intelligent Infrastructure
approach, customers can maximize the advantages of their Mitel IP voice
solution.”
Hubbell is a member of Mitel
MiSolutions Network (MiSN), a comprehensive global third-party developer
program enabling world-class companies to successfully create products and
services that complement the Mitel portfolio. MiSN is designed to ensure that
third-party products and services can be quickly and easily integrated with
Mitel’s product portfolio. Hubbell’s MiSN membership helps ensure Hubbell
customers a more seamless integration with the Mitel 3300 ICP.
"The MiSolutions Network
is an important resource for Mitel consultants, distributors and resellers who
are searching for ways to improve their solution portfolio," added Bob
DeRosa President of Bridging-The-Gap-Through-Communications consulting firm in
Hubbell Premise Wiring’s
PowerTrac and high performance cabling solutions are available through
Hubbell’s domestic reseller channel. On an ongoing basis Hubbell Premise Wiring will provide end-user
customers, VAR’s, certified installation partners and consultants with the
latest information regarding emerging VoIP and structured cabling technologies
and applications.
About Hubbell Premise Wiring
Hubbell Premise Wiring, a division of Hubbell, Inc. (Delaware),
is a leading manufacturer of structured cabling systems, enclosures and
accessories, providing a comprehensive solution of seamless infrastructure for
the total enterprise. Hubbell’s broad offering includes high-performance jacks,
patch panels, patch cords, racks and cabinets, raceway and delivery, cable,
cable management accessories, and fiber optic products for commercial,
industrial, and residential environments. The division is located in
About Mitel
Mitel is a leading provider of integrated communications solutions and services
for business customers. Mitel’s voice-centric IP-based communications solutions
consist of a combination of telephony hardware and software that integrate
voice, video and data communications with business applications and processes.
These solutions enable our customers to realize significant cost benefits and
to conduct their business more efficiently and effectively by enabling enhanced
communications, information sharing and collaboration within a business and with
customers, partners and suppliers. Mitel is headquartered in
NEMA Names Whitman As Vice President Of Medical Products
The National Electrical
Manufacturers Association (NEMA) announced that it has named Andrew Whitman as
vice president of medical products at NEMA. Whitman will replace Robert
Britain, who is retiring after 21 years of service. Whitman comes to NEMA from
Carmen Group, Inc., a government relations firm in
“Andrew brings an in-depth
knowledge of the healthcare industry and federal regulatory issues that can
affect the electroindustry,” says NEMA President Evan Gaddis. “I am confident
that he will do an outstanding job leading the medical products department and
that his experience will be an asset to NEMA and its members.”
Prior to working at the
Carmen Group, Inc., Whitman served as deputy director, regulatory affairs, and
special counsel for the American Psychiatric Association, where he directed and
managed the federal regulatory and healthcare policy agenda. His work included
contact with high ranking government officials in Congress, the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Food and Drug Administration. He also
previously worked as senior counsel for the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services in the Office of Counsel to the Inspector General, and served as
senior corporate counsel for Integrated Health Services, Inc. He has practiced
healthcare law at several law firms, including Reed Smith, LLP and Grove, and
Jaskiewicz and Cobert. Whitman holds a Juris Doctor from
NEMA is the trade association
of choice for the electrical manufacturing industry. Founded in 1926 and
headquartered near
Area Communications Sets It sights On Fastest Growing Business Partner Award For Avaya
Avaya recently selected 26 of
its 1300+ business partners nationally for it’s prestigious “Partners for
Growth” program. Area Communications is excited to be the only dealer in
“Our focus on Training and
Business Development has put quite a bit of wind in our sails” says Area CEO
Brian Chancey. “Last year, we deployed a Learning Management System and
authored a series of web based training courses that allow our customers to
certify their employees on the use of the Avaya IP Office. Both basic
telephony and advanced communications training programs are available.
Now our clients can certify employees on the use of the communications
technology even before it is deployed.”
This year Area is rolling out
a new program called Savvy Business Development Systems™. It is a
program that uses modern communications technologies (IP Telephony, Recording,
In order to manage this sales
growth, Area has appointed a new Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
Rocky Nightingale assumed this position early in May of this year.
“I have managed as many as 300 Avaya Sales Associates in my years in this
business, but never have I had had such a powerful offering, or opportunity for
that matter. We plan to expand the sales force state wide, recruiting
only top Avaya sales talent,” say Nightingale.
Stand by for liftoff...
TIA/EIA Emerging Standards – Let’s Review
By Lee Badman
BIG things are
afoot in the world of standards. There are various working groups shaping cool
and powerful notions into documented standards, at differing stages of
completion. Other groups are recently finished, and basking in the glow of jobs
well done as the industry gets its arms around the latest standards. Sure, this
snapshot of sorts is nothing new – like the sun coming up and the
seasons turning, the steady and reliable progression of technologies and ways
to leverage them is something long-timers in the data world know well. But
every once in a while the planets align just right, and the “what’s in the
pipe” factor gets pretty darn exciting from the perspective of emerging
standards. Fortunately for network environments of all sizes, we all stand
together at just such a juncture. Recently released and soon-to-be ratified
standards form a powerful tapestry of documents that enable, and will enable
further, powerful changes in the networking arena. Here’s another CBM update.
Yesterday’s Pipe Dream
Topping the discussion, who’d
have thought ten years ago that we’d be looking at putting 10 Gb/s
over copper wiring? It’s easy to appreciate the power of optical fiber, but 10
Gig over copper? It is an impressive goal, and is the bread and butter of the
IEEE 802.3 working group, also referred to as the 10GBASE-T
group. And as impressive as 10 Gig seems
as a shear quantity of bandwidth, it makes sense that fiber and now copper
options will be available to support aggregation and backbone connectivity for
enterprises that take Gigabit connectivity for granted. But pushing copper to
these extremes presents challenges, as the working group finishes up a 10GBASE-T
PHY spec and makes it’s case for using nothing less than Category 6 cable.
“While the use of 10 Gig is currently
anticipated in the data center or campus backbones, one of the rules of
networking is that the demand for bandwidth is not going to decline and the
widespread deployment of high-throughput technologies like 10GBASE-T is coming,”
comments Hugo Draye, Fluke
Networks’ marketing manager for certification tools, in
regards to the pending 802.3an standards. “The use of
copper cabling offers a significant cost advantage when the distance or link
length allows it. Copper cabling does not require expensive optoelectronics the
way fiber does. And there are many more
installers who are familiar and comfortable with
installing UTP.” One of the obvious questions is how Fluke Networks is getting
ready for the tentative summer of ’06 release of 802.3an, and it’s biggest
challenge – Alien Crosstalk. According to Draye, “Alien
Crosstalk can be very difficult to test.
It’s a phenomenon where every cable in a bundle can affect every other
cable. This leads to many measurements,
a very large number of calculations and huge data files. Fortunately, Fluke
Networks’ DTX 10 Gig solution offers a simple, standards-compliant test setup,
with the DTX AxTalk Analyzer™ software handling all
the complex calculations.”
But as with all high-speed
data technologies, the onus is still very much on the installer to produce a
quality product as the cabling system is installed. Draye reminds us, “The
workmanship of the installation is going to play a very significant role in
assuring that the cabling installation will support this super fast new network
technology flawlessly. And field
certification of both the in-channel performance and of Alien Crosstalk will be
the only way to assure that the cabling system will support 10 Gig Ethernet.”
Look for more on 802.3an later in the summer. And keep an ear pealed towards
the end of this year for more on Category 6A, or Augmented Cat 6 (terminology
depends on who’s marketing you’re reading), also being formally worked towards
raising the performance bar for the likes of 10GBASE-T. This is truly big
stuff.
And in the home?
Today’s homes are smarter
than ever, with a powerful collection of technologies in the walls and on shelves
enabling multimedia entertainment systems, control, security, networking,
telephony, and all sorts of overlap between these. The TIA-570B Residential
Telecommunications Infrastructure Standard has been with us for two years,
and is doing wonders for elevating system quality in individual residences and
multi-tenant buildings by specifying specific cable types, system design
parameters, and more – resulting in a holistic approach to
home technology. Installers and residents, alike,
are also reaping the benefits of a recent breed of test equipment geared
towards supporting TIA-570B. From Fluke Networks, the CableIQ leads the
small-but-growing pack of “qualification testers” that perform a battery of
performance measurements to “qualify” a given cable, versus “certifying” the
same cable with the more beefy (and costly) full-blown Level
III and IV testers. As more builders and buyers get wise to the importance of
“doing it right the first time,” we’ll continue to see TIA-570-B
make an impact, with further refinements almost guaranteed.
Ah, Wireless…
You simply can’t discuss
emergent standards without getting into wireless. Wireless is popping up
everywhere, it’s evolving, and discussion of standards in development could
fill an entire issue of CBM. Let’s look
at the tip of the wireless standards iceberg… The topic of mesh wireless
networking is becoming a media darling.
And what do you know of
TIA/EIA’s TSB-162, which is an add-on to the TIA/EIA-569-B standard? I’m
embarrassed to say that I knew nothing of it until I spoke with Bob Jenson, standards
development and technology manager at Fluke Networks.
Bob clued me in to the Telecommunications Cabling Guidelines for Wireless
Access Points, and as a wireless “pro,” I was
surprised at how this one got by me, After reading over TSB-162, I can
appreciate that the document is trying to help standardize designing wireless
cells from the cabling perspective, but am not sure if it goes too far in
implying that all radio cells are created equal (or close to it). But,
from a planning and budget perspective, TSB-162 is a good addition to today’s
cabling standards, and further reflects the impact that wireless networking is
having on the data world.
But wait – there’s more…
Actually, there’s a lot more.
In the next year or two, look for refinements and modifications to the reigning
Big Daddy of the cabling standards, TIA/EIA-568-B. Watch
for more developments on ISO Class F (marketed in the
Printed with full permission of Cabling Business
Magazine www.cablingbusiness.com
June Issue 2006
Rexel Set To Nearly Double U.S. Sales With GE Supply Acquisition
Rexel announced that it is in the process of
buying GE Supply for $725 million. It’s not the first acquisition by the
French-based distributor this summer, but it certainly is the largest. In
2005, Rexel reported sales of $2.5 billion; GE Supply’s 2005 sales were given
as $2.2 billion—or combined, the merged entity would have had 2005 sales of
$4.7 billion.
The transaction is set to be complete in August,
at which time Rexel could potentially become the largest seller of electrical
products in the
After the acquisition, Rexel said it plans to
operate in the
In its press release, Rexel estimated the
According to a report on Bloomberg.com, "GE
decided to sell its electrical-parts distribution unit in November last year,
people briefed on the plans said at the time. The
For the record, GE Supply facts were given as
follows: $2.2 billion in annual sales; 2,500 employees; 150 locations; HQ
in
October 22-25, 2006
Marriott Downtown Waterfront
The best in professional networking, practical educational sessions, and
one-on-one interaction with vendors in exhibit hall.
Track 1. New and Evolving Technologies
Learn how technology is bringing innovation to campus: VoIP, Unified Messaging,
Wireless thin/hybrid AP
VoWiFi and WiMAX, IM and storage networks.
Track 2. Chargeback and Cost Models
Hear how university information and communications technology units are funding
their services: Fee structures, contract negotiations, tax assessments, debt
financing, billing systems, and cost analysis.
To get more details or to register, visit the website at http://www.acuta.org .
TriNet Named Sales Channel For Hitachi GPON Fiber To The Premises Product Family
Hitachi Telecom
(USA), Inc. announced that TriNet Communications, Inc. of
According to Rick
Schiavinato, director of technical sales and marketing at Hitachi Telecom,
"TriNet Communications is an award-winning supplier to RBOCs, independent
telcos and MSOs. We are pleased to have their extensive experience and breadth
of market coverage on our side."
"
About Hitachi's AMN1220 Product Family
The AMN1220 FTTP platform is a family of high-performance GPON products that provide ultra high
bandwidth communication services to residential, business and institutional
subscribers using a single optical fiber direct to the subscriber's premises.
Compliant with ITU-T G.984 standards, the AMN1220 provides data rates of
2.488Gbit/s downstream and 1.244Gbit/s upstream. Standards compliance provides
assurance that service providers will have maximum flexibility in implementing
FTTP solutions as applications and services are added in the future. Legacy TDM
services such as T1 are seamlessly handled in their native formats using GPON
Encapsulation Mode (GEM) framing.
The AMN1220
consists of a centrally located Optical Line Terminal (OLT) connected via
single-mode fiber optic cable to Optical Network Terminals (ONT) at the
subscribers' premises. The OLT is equipped with a hybrid Layer 2/3 + TDM switch
fabric for flexible traffic management and consolidation. ONTs include the GST,
a single family / small business unit, and the GMT, a configurable
multi-dwelling/multi-business ONT. All ONTs can provide a Gigabit Ethernet line
rate interface to the subscriber, enabling a wide range of business
applications today and providing future proofing for both residential and
business networks.
About Hitachi Telecom (USA), Inc.
Hitachi Telecom (USA), Inc., a subsidiary of Hitachi America, Ltd., develops, manufactures and
markets telecommunications equipment for the North American market. The company
offers ITU-compliant 'triple play' systems for Fiber-to-the-Premises
applications, and ultra high-speed optical networking equipment such as DWDM
and SONET systems. For more information on Hitachi Telecom (USA), Inc., visit http://www.hitachitelecom.com.
Hitachi America,
Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., markets and manufactures a broad range of
electronics and semiconductors, and provides industrial equipment and services
throughout
Hitachi, Ltd.,
(NYSE: HIT / TSE: 6501), headquartered in
Don Hall
Corning Cable Systems
don.hall@corning.com
Introduction
National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) codes and standards are consensus documents issued by a
private organization and not regulatory tools; therefore, they may be adopted
in part or in their entirety by local authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ).
Where NFPA codes and standards or the information in this paper conflict with
local regulations, the local regulations take precedence. This paper discusses
the treatment of limited combustible cable by the relevant codes and standards
of the NFPA.
About the NFPA
The NFPA is a nonprofit
organization, which develops and publishes codes and standards intended to
minimize the possibility and effects of fire. NFPA codes and standards are
developed through an open, consensus-based process that allows for thorough
public review and comment. NFPA codes and standards are developed by technical
committees (called code-making panels in the case of the National Electrical
Code®) whose volunteer members come from a broad cross-section of companies and
industry organizations. The activities of these committees and panels are
overseen by the NFPA Board of Directors through the appointment of a 13-person
Standards Council which is ultimately responsible for the issuance of all such
documents. The NFPA defines the terms as follows:
Code. A standard that is an
extensive compilation of provisions covering broad subject matter or that is
suitable for adoption into law independently of other codes and standards.
Standard. A document, the main
text of which contains only mandatory provisions using the word “shall” to
indicate requirements and which is in a form generally suitable for mandatory
reference by another standard or code or for adoption into law. Nonmandatory
provisions shall be located in an appendix, footnote or fine print note and are
not to be considered a part of the requirements of a standard.
In practice, this means that
codes are documents that a local or state jurisdiction can adopt and make into
regulation. Standards, which give greater detail but have less of a broad view,
are referenced in the codes.
Corning Cable Systems
Whitepaper
Limited Combustible Cable
In 2002, Underwriters
Laboratories (UL) developed testing criteria for the listing of a new cable
type known as “Limited Combustible.” UL Subject 2424, Outline of Investigation
for Cable Marked “Limited Combustible,” requires that these cables meet the
following criteria with respect to their flame and smoke characteristics:
Cables shall have a maximum
potential heat value of 3500 BTU/lb when tested in accordance with the Standard
Test Method for Potential Heat of Building Materials, NFPA 259 (2003)
Cables shall have a maximum
smoke developed index of 50 and a maximum flame spread index of 25 when tested
in accordance with the Standard Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of
Building Materials, UL 723 (NFPA 255)
The surface burning test must
be conducted on slit and unslit cable samples, and the worse performing of the
two sample types must then be burned following prescribed environmental
exposure conditions. Cables listed to this fire hazard classification are
marked as “Limited Combustible FHC 25/50.” The cables must also meet the fire
test requirements for standard plenum cables as defined in NFPA 262.
Relevant NFPA Codes and
Standards
There are three NFPA
documents frequently cited when arguing for of the use of limited combustible
cable. These documents are:
NFPA 70: The National
Electrical Code
NFPA 90A: Standard for the
Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating System
NFPA 13: Standard for the
Installation of Sprinkler Systems
Only NFPA 90A uses the term
“Limited Combustible” as a cable designation, and none of the documents mandate
the use of limited-combustible cables or cables listed to the requirements of
UL 2424.
The following discussion
provides a review of each of these documents, with a focus on the portions
frequently relied upon for promotion of limited combustible cables.
NFPA 90A: Standard for the
Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating System
NFPA 90A was last revised in
2002. This document is responsible, as prescribed by the NFPA Standards
Council, for developing requirements for materials contained in ducts and
plenums associated with the air conditioning and ventilating system. NFPA 90A
only contains explicit requirements for cables installed within ceiling cavity
plenums and raised floor plenums, with these spaces described in section
4.3.10. The requirements for cables installed in ceiling cavity plenums are as
follows:
4.3.10.2.6.1 Electrical wires
and cables and optical fiber cables shall be listed as noncombustible or
limited combustible and have a maximum smoke developed index of 50 or shall be
listed as having a maximum peak optical density of 0.5 or less, an average optical
density of 0.15 or less and a maximum flame spread density of 1.5 m (5 ft) when
tested in accordance with NFPA 262, Standard Method of Test for Flame Travel
and Smoke of Wires and Cables for Use in Air-Handling Spaces.
The requirements for cables installed
in raised floor plenums are identical and are indicated in 4.3.10.6.5.1.
It is important to note that
the language above allows for either of two types of cable, namely traditional
plenum cables, tested to NFPA 262 and “listed noncombustible or limited
combustible cables.” Thus, traditional plenum cables are still permitted, just
as they were in prior editions of NFPA 90A. The 2002 edition of NFPA 90A added
limited combustible cable as a permitted cable type.
As NFPA 90A completed its
2002 revision cycle and entered the 2005 revision cycle, the NFPA Standards
Council issued an important directive to the Technical Committee for Air
Conditioning (TCAC) responsible for NFPA 90A. This directive instructed the
committee to make revisions to address what it perceived to be two alternative
minimum requirements for the same plenum application spaces. This subject
proved to be very controversial, with some arguing that limited combustible
cable should be the new single minimum requirement while others pointed to a
lack of technical substantiation for such a sweeping change. At the 2005
national meeting of the NFPA membership, the TCAC presented its revision of
NFPA 90A with limited combustible cable as the new single minimum; however, a
majority of NFPA members present found the new document unsatisfactory and by
majority vote recommended that the document be returned to committee. The
Standards Council, ultimately responsible for issuing the new document, acted
upon the recommendation of the NFPA membership and declined to issue the new
document. Consequently, the 2002 edition remained in effect and the NFPA 90A
was placed on a new 2008 revision cycle.
During the 2005 revision
cycle, a great deal of promotional publicity was generated based upon
anticipation of a new NFPA 90A requirement establishing limited combustible
cable as the single minimum performance requirement for cables in plenum
spaces. With the failure of the TCAC to produce such a document, much of the
literature which has been circulated on this subject is incorrect or
misleading.
NFPA 70: The National
Electrical Code (NEC)
The National Electrical Code
(NEC) is a code familiar to those in the building industry and widely adopted
by almost all AHJs as a basis for inclusion into their fire and building codes.
The NEC reflects the requirements of other NFPA Standards, which may be
considered to have primacy within specific areas of application. For example,
NFPA 90A provides requirements for cables installed within spaces used for the
handling of environmental air, such as the area above a drop ceiling. If the
NFPA 90A requirements change, the NEC will be expected to appropriately revise
requirements reflecting the NFPA 90A changes in its next revision cycle.
The NEC provides requirements
for the installation of various cable types. Chapters 7 and 8 contain
requirements for several low-voltage or non-current-carrying cable
applications, which are subject to fewer requirements than power distribution
cables.
Among these applications, the
ones related to plenum cables are:
Article 725: Applies to Class
1, Class 2 and Class 3 remote-control, signaling and power-limited circuits
Article 760: Applies to fire
alarm cables
Article 770: Applies to
optical fiber cables
Article 800: Applies to
communications circuits, e.g. telephone circuits
Article 820: Pertains to
coaxial cable employed for CATV service
Article 830: Pertains to
network-powered broadband cables
To date, the various articles
above state that cables installed within plenum spaces (which are actually
called “other space used for environmental air” in section 300.22 of the NEC)
must meet the traditional plenum cable requirements of NFPA 262. No mention is
made of limited combustible cable. During the 2005 NEC revision cycle, which
was completed in 2004, numerous proposals were submitted to the various
code-making panels of the NEC related to limited combustible cable (also called
by various other names such as duct cable, air duct cable and 25/50 cable).
Because the revision cycle of NFPA 90A slightly lags that of the NEC and
because the NFPA 90A is supposed to lead the NEC with respect to cables in
plenum spaces, the Standards Council issued a directive to the NEC code making
panels that it should refrain from considering proposals related to cables in
plenum spaces until NFPA 90A had resolved such matters. Presumably, any new
requirements related to cables in plenum spaces issuing from the 2005 NFPA 90A
would not have appeared in the NEC until 2008, unless the Standards Council
were to allow a mid-cycle “Tentative Interim Amendment” to the NEC. In view of
the failure of the TCAC to produce an acceptable version of the 2005 NFPA 90A,
the directive of the Standards Council appears to have been wise.
Though not apparently obvious
in its relation to the use of cables within plenum spaces, the following fine
print note (FPN) was introduced into the portions of Articles 770, 800 and 820
related to cables in plenums in the 2005 NEC:
FPN: See 8.14.1 of NFPA
13-2002, Installation of Sprinkler Systems, for requirements for sprinklers in
concealed spaces containing exposed combustibles
Fine print notes are
contained throughout the NEC as informational, non-mandatory text, which cannot
be enforced. In the present case, the FPN is strongly suggestive of the possibility
that cables installed in concealed spaces require sprinkler protection, a
suggestion that is actually misleading.
As the NEC entered its 2008
revision cycle, which will be completed in 2007, the issue of two alternative
minimums for cables within plenums is still unresolved. Therefore, the
Standards Council has restated its directive that all proposals for the NEC
2008 related to cables within duct spaces and plenum spaces must be rejected,
i.e. dismissed, without consideration. Proposals for limited combustible cables
have been introduced again, and another new designation was proposed: concealed
space cables. In January 2006, the relevant code-making panels rejected all the
proposals dealing with these cables.
NFPA 13: Standard for the
Installation of Sprinkler Systems
As the title suggests, NFPA
13 is a standard pertaining to the installation of sprinkler systems and has no
relation to electrical circuits or cables. However, proponents of limited
combustible cable have pointed out a portion of text, which seems to provide a
promotional opportunity for limited combustible cable. Section 8.14.1 addresses
sprinkler installation in concealed spaces. This section indicates that
concealed spaces concealed wholly or partly by exposed combustible construction
shall be protected by sprinklers except in concealed spaces where sprinklers
are not required to be installed by 8.14.1.2.1 through 8.14.1.2.15. The
following clauses are relevant to the issue.
8.14.1.2 Concealed Spaces Not
Requiring Sprinkler Protection
8.14.1.2.1 Non-combustible
and limited combustible concealed spaces with no combustible loading having no
access shall not require sprinkler protection. The space shall be considered a
concealed space even with small openings such as those used as return air for a
plenum.
8.14.1.2.2 Noncombustible and
limited combustible concealed spaces with limited access and not permitting
occupancy or storage of combustibles shall not require sprinkler protection.
The space shall be considered a concealed space even with small openings such
as those used as return air for a plenum.
8.14.1.5 Localized protection
of exposed combustible construction or exposed combustibles. In concealed
spaces having exposed combustible construction, or containing exposed
combustibles, in localized areas, the combustibles shall be protected as
follows:
If the exposed combustibles
are in the vertical partitions or walls around all or a portion of the
enclosure, a single row of sprinklers space not over 3.7 m (12 ft) apart nor
more than 1.8 m (6 ft) from the inside of the partition shall be permitted to
protect the surface. The first and last sprinklers in such a row shall not be
over 5 ft from the ends of the partitions.
If the exposed combustibles
are in the horizontal plane, the area of the combustibles shall be protected
with sprinklers on a light hazard spacing. Additionally, sprinklers shall be
installed no more than 1.8 m (6 ft) outside the outline of the area and not
more than 3.7 m (12 ft) on center along the outline. When the outline returns
to a wall or other obstruction, the last sprinkler shall not be more than 1.8 m
(6 ft) from the wall or obstruction.
According to the argument
made by the proponents of limited combustible cable, it follows from these
sections that cables that are not noncombustible or limited combustible
contribute to the combustible loading or fire load when installed within a
concealed space, and therefore the cables must be protected by sprinklers.
Moreover, the rest of the argument states that limited combustible cables do
not contribute to the combustible loading.
This raises the following
questions:
What is a concealed space?
What do the terms
“combustible” and “limited combustible” mean according to NFPA 13?
What does “exposed” mean?
Does NFPA 13 actually require
sprinklers in plenums containing plenum cables?
The following discussion
addresses each of these questions.
What is a Concealed Space?
NFPA 13 refers extensively to
“concealed spaces,” especially in 8.14.1, but it does not define the term, leading
one to rely upon common usage of the word and context of the standard to define
the term. The context of this document leads one to conclude that concealed
spaces include, at a minimum, riser shafts, spaces between wall studs, spaces
between ceiling joists, and at least some attic spaces. The standard also
refers to such spaces as “having no access” or “having limited access.”
“Concealed space” is defined
in neither NFPA 90A nor the NEC, although Article 100 of the NEC provides a
definition for “concealed” as follows:
Concealed. Rendered
inaccessible by the structure or finish of the building. Wires in concealed
raceways are considered concealed, even though they may become accessible by
withdrawing them.
The 2005 NEC Handbook,
published by the NFPA, explains in its commentary to this definition that
cables in accessible underfloor areas or attics, or behind, above, or below
panels designed to allow access and that may be removed without damage to the
building structure or finish, are not considered concealed.
What Does the Term
“Combustible” Mean?
NFPA 13 does not define the
term “combustible” or “combustible material.” It does, however, define the
terms “noncombustible material” and “limited combustible material” as follows:
3.3.16 Noncombustible
Material. A material that, in the form in which it is used and under conditions
anticipated, will not ignite, burn, support combustion, or release flammable
vapors when subjected to fire or heat. Materials that are reported as passing
ASTM E 136, Standard Test Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical Tube
Furnace at 750°C, shall be considered noncombustible materials.
3.3.14 Limited Combustible
Material. A building construction material that does not comply with the
definition of noncombustible material that, in the form in which it is used,
has a potential heat value not exceeding 3500 BTU/lb (8141 kJ/kg) (see NFPA
359, Standard Test Method for Potential Heat of Building Materials) and that
complies with either of the following, (a) or (b). Materials subject to
increase in combustibility or flame spread rating beyond the limits herein
established through the effects of age, moisture, or other atmospheric
condition shall be considered combustible. (a) Materials having a structural
base of noncombustible material, with a surfacing not exceeding a thickness of
3.2 mm (1/8 in) that has a flame spread rating of not greater than 50. (b)
Materials, in the form and thickness used, other than as described in (a),
having neither a flame spread rating greater than 25 nor evidence of continued
progressive combustion and of such composition that surfaces that would be
exposed by cutting through the material on any plane would have neither a flame
spread rating greater than 25 nor evidence of continued progressive combustion.
The term “limited combustible
material” is explicitly defined as a building construction material. The NFPA
Standards Council has recently upheld the determination that cables are not
materials of construction and that future references to the fire performance of
cables within NFPA documents shall be expressed in terms of their combustion
characteristics such as flame and smoke propagation, not by terms such as
limited combustible. This does not prohibit commercial use of the term to
describe cables and it does not prohibit listing agencies from authorizing use
of the term in the cable print statement.
Since limited combustible
cables fail to meet either of the NFPA 13 definitions above, they must be
considered combustible. They cannot be a limited combustible material because
they are not a “building construction material” and they are not a noncombustible material because they fail the
ASTM E 136 test. In fact, it is clear that limited combustible cables contribute
up to 3500 BTU/lb toward the combustible loading of any space, including a
concealed space.
What Does “Exposed” Mean?
NFPA 13 does not define the
terms “exposed” or “exposed combustible,” which leads one to the common usages
of the terms. It is reasonable to assume that cables which are enclosed in a
manner that prevents them from coming into contact with water from an
appropriately positioned sprinkler during a fire would certainly not be
considered exposed. It is pointed out by proponents of limited combustible
cable that combustible cables installed in metal conduit are not considered to
be exposed; however, cables placed in any of the less expensive metallic
raceways indicated in 300.22 of the NEC would also prevent the cables from
being exposed.
Does NFPA 13 Actually Require
Sprinklers in Plenums Containing Plenum Cables?
This is perhaps the most
important question. Until recently, there was no discussion of providing
sprinkler protection to cables which were installed in accordance with NEC
requirements and were listed as being “low smoke producing” and “fire
resistant” by a Nationally Recognized Test Laboratory such as UL or ETL. As of
the 2002 Edition, NFPA 13 does not make any specific mention of cables within
concealed spaces. At the time of this writing, a new edition of NFPA 13 was
nearing publication. Based upon the Sprinkler Installation Committee’s Report
on Comments, the new edition will provide the following information within the
Annex portion of the document regarding treatment of minor amounts of
combustible materials within concealed spaces:
A.8.14.1.2.1 Minor quantities
of combustible materials such as but not limited to: cabling, nonmetallic
plumbing piping, non-structural wood, etc. can be present in concealed spaces
constructed of limited or noncombustible materials but should not typically be
viewed as requiring sprinklers (see 8.14.1.1). For example, it is not the
intent of this section to require sprinklers, which would not otherwise be
required, in the interstitial space of a typical office building solely due to
the presence of the usual amount of cabling within the space. The threshold
value at which sprinklers become necessary in the concealed space is not
defined. Annex language, while part of the NFPA 13 document, is also considered
to be informational and non-mandatory but may give some insight into the
intended application of the document.
Conclusion
At the date of this writing,
there are no NFPA documents which mandate the use of limited combustible cable
in any application space, concealed or unconcealed. NFPA 13 calls for the
localized protection of combustible materials within concealed spaces, but does
not identify a minimum threshold for combustible loading. Cables commercially
offered as “limited combustible” do not meet the NFPA 13 definition of “limited
combustible materials” because they are not building materials and may
contribute up to 3500 BTU/lb to the combustible loading of the concealed space.
It has been the traditional view of most practitioners and building inspectors
that a minor amount of combustibles in concealed spaces, such as communications
wiring and nonmetallic plumbing, do not require sprinkler protection. The fact
that communications wiring installed within plenums are required to be
installed in accordance with NEC requirements and must be listed as being “low
smoke producing” and “fire resistant” by a nationally recognized test
laboratory has traditionally satisfied most building inspectors.
Belden® Introduces A New Corporate Identity And A Significantly Expanded Master Catalog
Belden (NYSE: BDC - News) announces the launch of an
initiative that unifies its corporate identity with its flagship brand: Belden.
To reflect the company's expanded product position as a supplier of signal
transmission solutions, Belden also introduces a new brandline: Belden --
Sending All the Right Signals(TM).
The company is
also issuing the 2006 edition of the Belden Master Catalog (in print and at http://www.belden.com ), the industry's most
valued resource for wire and cable information worldwide. Besides offering
broad and diverse lines of copper and optical fiber electronic cables, the 2006
Master Catalog incorporates new product/system solutions, including data
network connectivity, structured cabling systems and services, enclosures and
racks, surface raceway systems, cable management accessories, and Power over
Ethernet (PoE) systems.
John Stroup,
President and CEO of Belden, said, "Extensive market research confirms
that the Belden brand is one of our most powerful assets. 'Belden' is
synonymous with customer care, application expertise and high quality, reliable
products for every market we serve -- from broadcast and entertainment to data
networking, industrial networks, security applications and home automation. Our
goal is to build on this foundation by bringing a whole new array of signal
transmission solutions and services to our global customers."
Peter Sheehan,
President of Belden -- Americas, commenting on Belden's ongoing evolution from
a wire and cable company to a single-source provider of signal transmission
solutions, said, "Belden has a rich, century-long history of customer
care, which has spurred the development of innovative products that meet our
customers' evolving cabling/connectivity needs. Our new Master Catalog reflects
this strong service position, while also revealing that we have significantly
expanded our product and service offerings and are now poised to provide
solutions to a whole new level of signal transmission needs."
To obtain
additional information, please contact Dee Johnson, Belden Investor Relations,
at 314.854.8045, or Frank Stone, Marketing Communication Manager, at 765.983.5354.
Or visit our web site at http://www.belden.com
.
Indicators Of Current And Expected North American Business Conditions Slide In July
NEMA’s Electroindustry
Business Confidence Index for current North American conditions declined for
the third month in a row in July, but nonetheless remained above the 50-point
growth threshold for a 40th consecutive month. The current conditions index fell
to 51.8 in July from the previous month’s reading of 53.6. Meanwhile, the index
for future North American conditions slumped to 23.2, the lowest mark in its
five-year history, from a value of 27.8 in June.
Current conditions indices
for Latin America,
For a complete summary of the
July 2006 index, including charts and a list of participating companies, visit http://www.nema.org/econ/ebci/upload/07_2006_EBCI.pdf.
The Electroindustry Business
Confidence Index gauges the business confidence of the electroindustry in Asia,
Europe, North America, and
NEMA is the trade association
of choice for the electrical manufacturing industry. Founded in 1926 and headquartered near
FiberOptic Infrastructure Spurring City Economic Development
Carlini’s
Comments, MidwestBusiness.com’s
oldest column, runs every Wednesday. Its mission is to offer the common man’s
view on business and technology issues while questioning the leadership and
visions of “pseudo” experts.
While some municipalities are
fighting AT&T about Project Lightspeed and others are looking at Wi-Fi
applications, others are looking at major fiber-optic investments. While these
fiber investments have paid off in
Only 5 percent of buildings
and homes worldwide have a broadband connection to the outside. Some
forecasters believe the opportunities that fixed broadband metropolitan-area
networks (MAN) present will reach all of us [at some point] in the future.
Regardless of that reality, for some of us the payback can be much sooner with
returns potentially far exceeding the faddish rush to Wi-Fi.
There are even some
significant studies out there that support upgrading a municipality’s network
infrastructure to fiber and broadband. One study, which was funded by Verizon,
contends it would add $400 billion to the
In
JAXMAN: A Comprehensive
Approach to Infrastructure
Jacksonville has realized the
potential of providing a state-of-the-art network infrastructure that provides
multiple carriers as well as access to the National LambdaRail (NLR), which is
a very high-capacity fiber network. JAXMAN is the city’s MAN and has become a
vehicle for helping deliver economic growth. This translates into jobs.
This was part of a 2002
resolution to position the city as a progressive city that modernized its
infrastructure to remain competitive into the future.
In a related area of network
development, the development of the Florida LambdaRail (FLR) – a 1,540-mile
compliment to the NLR – makes all of
If you look at one of
Get Going or Get Lost
If you’re a municipality and
haven’t really implemented anything at this point, you should be looking at
40-gigabit speeds for your network infrastructure backbone. As the industry is
already talking about 40 gigabit as the new standard for backbones, only
delivering 1.5 Mbps to the user seems very antiquated especially on networks
that remain to be built.
While 1 gigabit to the doorstep
sounds quite fast, it’s just a starting point when you think of the
applications. What about all the gamers out there? Though you might be too old
to appreciate this, there are many people who play games on the Internet and
the demand for bandwidth is growing with this segment.
This is not a small or
specialized segment of consumers when you figure that games cost as much if not
more to produce than a major motion picture. The gaming industry has actually
surpassed the major motion picture industry in terms of as revenues. In 1999,
the gaming industry had as much sales as the motion picture industry (or $7.4
billion).
I would think the network
planners at the major carriers would understand this demand for bandwidth.
Instead, they are looking at delivering megabit speeds into the next several
years when more people are looking at
They definitely don’t
understand the market. In fact, they are probably putting this country in
jeopardy from a global competitiveness standpoint. Put the bandwidth out there
and people will use it.
Economic development and the
ability to attract and maintain first-class companies will be the key
ingredient to a municipality’s ability to thrive and even survive in this 21st
century global economy. Obsolete network infrastructures will help companies
make a quick decision to pass over your community and you will get lost in the
shuffle.
As I said in Business 2.0
back in Dec. 2004, the old real estate adage of “location, location, location”
has to be updated to “location, location, connectivity”. If you don’t believe
that, just check out
Carlinism: Location, location, location has become location,
location, connectivity.
On Sept. 18, 2006, the
ninth-annual Global Technology Invitational will be held
at South Hills Golf Course in Racine County, Wis. Details can be found here.
Please call James Carlini for information and registration at 773-370-1888.
Check out the blog of
James Carlini at http://www.carliniscomments.com.
James Carlini is an
adjunct professor at Northwestern
University. He is also president of Carlini & Associates. Carlini can be reached at james.carlini@sbcglobal.net or
773-370-1888.
Click here for
Carlini’s full biography.
Copyright 2006 Jim Carlini
AMD To Keynote AFCOM’s Fall 2006 Data Center World™, Discuss Power-Consumption Issues Driving “The Green Grid”
Industry’s
Premiere Educational Conference and Expo Comes to
WHAT: AFCOM, the leading association for data
center professionals, brings its Fall 2006 Data Center World Conference and
Expo to
WHY: In a special keynote, Kevin Knox, Vice President,
Worldwide Commercial Business, AMD, will present “Tackling Power Consumption in
the
Furthermore,
Data Center World’s
educational agenda, Expo, and high concentration of data center professionals
present an unparalleled opportunity to gather intelligence on the people,
trends and technologies revolutionizing the data center industry.
Expo Highlights:
§
Power
Distribution Inc. to Introduce Improvements to Static Switch, Branch Circuit
Monitoring System, and Power Distribution Units [Booth #312]
§
Innovative
Research to Release New Version of TileFlow Software for Computer Modeling of Airflow
and Temperature Distribution [Booth
#412]
§
Lee Technologies
to Announce Tiered Infrastructure Maintenance Standards for Data Centers
(TIMS) [Booth #509]
§
AFCO Systems to
Unveil New AIR Cooled Extreme High Density Enclosure [Booth #322]
§
Berk-Tek & Ortronics/Legrand to Introduce an Interactive Tool for
Designing 10 Gbps Fiber Optic Systems [Booth #422]
WHEN: September 10-13, 2006
WHERE: Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
–
HOW: Registration is free for media. To register or secure additional information,
please visit www.datacenterworld.com
or contact Layne Maly at lmaly@afcom.com.
About AFCOM:
AFCOM (www.afcom.com) is a leading association for
data center professionals, offering services to help support the management of
data centers around the world. Established in 1980, AFCOM currently boasts more than 3,000 members and
20 chapters worldwide, and provides data center professionals with unique
networking opportunities and educational forums and resources through its
annual Data Center World™ Conferences, published magazines, regional chapters,
research and hotline services, and industry alliances.
About AMD:
Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD) is a leading global provider of innovative microprocessor solutions
for computing, communications and consumer electronics markets. Founded in
1969, AMD is dedicated to delivering superior computing solutions based on
customer needs that empower users worldwide. For more information visit www.amd.com.
About The Green Grid:
The Green Grid (www.thegreengrid.org)
is a global consortium dedicated to developing and promoting energy efficiency
for data centers and information service delivery. Founding members include
AMD, APC, Cadence Design Systems, Dell, Egenera, HP, IBM, Rackable Systems,
SprayCool, Sun Microsystems, and VMware.
TiVo and BellSouth to Co-Market TiVo DVR and DSL Internet
TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq: TIVO - News), a creator of and leader
in television services for digital video recorders (DVRs), and BellSouth
Corporation (NYSE: BLS -
News), announced a
co-marketing agreement to promote the stand-alone TiVo® Series2(TM) box and
service in conjunction with BellSouth® FastAccess® DSL.
Beginning this week, BellSouth and TiVo will launch the
first of a variety of co-marketing initiatives that leverage product synergies
between BellSouth FastAccess DSL and TiVo in order to drive additional
distribution of the respective services. Through the agreement with TiVo,
select FastAccess DSL subscribers will receive special pricing on the TiVo box
and service. These customers can further enhance their already reliable,
high-speed Internet service with TiVo's broadband applications, including
online scheduling, TiVoToGo transfers, TiVo Guru Guide recommendations,
streaming radio, movie browsing, and TiVo's easy-to-use Home Media features.
TiVo's home media features allows subscribers to receive broadband delivered
video and view personal music and photos on the TV set not just the PC.
Subscribers will also receive the newly released TiVo KidZone as well as the
traditional features for finding, recording and watching their favorite TV
shows, such as Season Pass(TM) recordings and WishList® searches.
"TiVo is pleased to work with BellSouth on this
powerful marketing initiative," said Naveen Chopra, vice president of
business development at TiVo. "With its strong southeastern presence and
renowned customer satisfaction, BellSouth is uniquely positioned to market the
benefits of a broadband-connected TiVo Box. Together, we can turn a DSL
Internet connection into a pipeline for video content delivered directly to the
television."
Although specific marketing tactics were not disclosed, TiVo
and BellSouth will leverage each other's marketing efforts in key Southeastern
markets. They will also offer special incentives to customers who subscribe to
both services.
"BellSouth is excited to offer TiVo's unique broadband
applications to our FastAccess DSL customers," said Joey Schultz, vice
president of marketing for BellSouth Retail Markets. "TiVo's leading DVR
service and powerful consumer brand helps us differentiate our DSL Internet
offering by providing our subscribers exciting and entertaining ways to enhance
their television and online experience." http://www.bellsouth.com.
NetClear Copper Cabling Solutions Compliant To Recently Ratified IEEE 802.3an For 10 Gigabit Ethernet Systems
Ortronics/Legrand and
Berk-Tek, a Nexans Company, have confirmed that both of their 10 Gigabit copper
channel solutions, NetClear GTX and NetClear GTS comply with the recently
ratified Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE) 802.3an
10GBASE-T standard supporting a full-duplex transmission rate of 10 Gb/s.
As IEEE members,
Ortronics/Legrand and Berk-Tek provided early input to the IEEE P802.3an task
group to define the original performance requirements for 10 Gigabit Ethernet
over twisted pair cable media. A major
contribution to this task group was made by the Nexans Data Communications
Competence Center (DCCC), located at Berk-Tek’s New Holland, PA
headquarters. The DCCC defined the
6-around-1 test method now used by the industry to characterize near end
(PSANEXT) and far end (PSAELFEXT or PSAACRF) alien crosstalk in the
channel. “The test represents a
worst-case scenario, so we were able to provide IEEE and TIA with valid, real-life
installation and channel performance data that contributed to the ratification
of the 802.3 an standard,” states David Hess, technical manager,
standardization and technology for Berk-Tek, who was actively involved in the
IEEE Task Group.
As cabling industry leaders,
Berk-Tek and Ortronics/Legrand were the first to guarantee two complete copper
channel solutions for compliance to the 10GBASE-T channel specifications
identified by the IEEE. The NetClear 10G
copper solutions include the NetClear GTS (FTP), introduced in January 2005,
and NetClear GTX (UTP), introduced in May 2005.
Both systems have guaranteed 10GBASE-T support since their launch.
The shielding in the NetClear
GTS system virtually eliminates external noise in the channel and provides
alien crosstalk performance unparalleled by any UTP 10G system. The system includes Berk-Tek’s LANmark-6 FTP
cable with Ortronics’ Clarity 6 FTP Category 6 patch panels with TracJacks,
patch cords and modular jacks and outlets. NetClear GTX includes Berk-Tek’s
LANmark 10G Augmented Category 6 UTP cable together with Ortronics Clarity 10G
UTP patch panels with patch cords, modular jacks and outlets and provides a
full 625 MHz of usable bandwidth.
“One of the unique features
of both NetClear 10 Gb/s systems is that the Ortronics Clarity patch cords are
stranded and available in any standard length. This eliminates the restriction
imposed by some manufacturers requiring the use of long length patch cords to
achieve the desired channel performance, providing for easier cable management
and better flex life,” states Gregg Lafontaine, senior copper products manager
for Ortronics/Legrand.
“Both of the NetClear 10G
copper cabling solutions have been selected and installed to meet the current
and future needs of some of the most demanding customer applications in the
world,” stated Todd Harpel, Director of Marketing for Berk-Tek. “We believe that the NetClear solutions
provide our customers with the highest performance and greatest flexibility
when it comes to preparing for the 10-Gigabit world.”
About NetClear Solutions
NetClear solutions are the result of a Technology Alliance between Berk-Tek, a
Nexans Company, and Ortronics/Legrand to further advance their enhanced copper
and fiber cabling solutions by co-engineering innovative, high capacity,
error-free data transmission systems.
They consist of enhanced Category 5e, Category 6 and optical fiber
channels - all backed by a 25-year warranty.
The complete family of NetClear solutions include the NetClear GT,
NetClear GT2, and NetClear GT3 high performance copper solutions, as well as
the XG LAN solutions for 10 Gigabit Networks, which include NetClear GTX,
NetClear GTS and NetClear MM1, NetClear MM10, and NetClear SM fiber optic
solutions. NetClear solutions encompass
all horizontal and backbone systems including high-performance interface cords,
workstation outlets, cross-connect panels and enhanced performance horizontal
and backbone cabling. NetClear solutions assure maximum dynamic performance for
real world networks.
About Berk-Tek, A Nexans Company
For more than 45 years, Berk-Tek has been a leading manufacturer of more than 100 different network
copper and fiber optic cable products. The company has led in the development
of high-performance and enhanced fiber optic and UTP cables designed to
transport high-speed data and voice transmissions. Berk-Tek has major
manufacturing facilities at New Holland, PA, Fuquay-Varina, NC and Elm City, NC. For more
information, visit www.berktek.com.
Berk-Tek is a division of
Nexans, a worldwide leader in the cabling industry including copper and fiber
cables used in telecommunications and energy networks, aeronautics, automobile,
railways, building, petrochemical and medical applications. With an industrial
presence in 29 countries and commercial activities worldwide, Nexans employs
20,000 people and had sales in 2005 of $6.5 billion. For more information,
visit www.nexans.com.
About Ortronics//Legrand
Ortronics/Legrand, headquartered in New London, Connecticut USA, is a global leader in commercial Category 5e,
Category 6 and 10 Gig copper, fiber optic, wireless and residential/MDU high
performance, high capacity structured cabling systems, including patch panels,
patch cords, workstation outlets, physical support solutions, 110 cross-connect
systems and more. Ortronics/Legrand also offers engineering and technical
support, systems planning, training programs and a 25-year extended products
warranty and applications assurance warranty program.
Ortronics/Legrand is a
subsidiary of Legrand (www.legrandelectric.com),
the world specialist in products and systems for electrical installations and
information networks, offering solutions for use in residential, commercial and
industrial buildings. Operating in over 60 countries with sales of $3.8
billion, it employs about 31,000 people and its catalogs list more than 130,000
products. At Legrand, innovation drives growth: with nearly 5% of sales
invested in R&D every year, the group brings out a steady stream of new,
high added-value products.
City Of Phoenix Selects NetClear GT3 Cabling System For Their New Convention Center
The City of
The cabling system includes
both copper and fiber channels, with the ability to provide up to 10 Gb/s to
the desk, depending on the media. “The Phoenix Convention Center caters to all
industries, including high tech, and we wanted to assure that we could enable a
customized environment to suit all types of exhibitors and applications,
including VoIP phones, high-speed Internet and intranet and video, without
having to change the infrastructure,” states Roy Hughes, Deputy CIO for the
City of Phoenix. Phase One, which
includes the new West building, is nearing completion while Phase Two will
expand the current North and South buildings, and is expected to be ready by
2009.
To deliver multimedia
services to each location, Berk-Tek provided a spiral-wrapped cable bundle,
which included multiple LANmark-2000, enhanced Category 6 cables. In some
locations, up to four strands each of laser optimized multimode and single-mode
fiber cable were deployed. In Phase One,
the LANmark-2000 cable was terminated onto Ortronics Clarity 6 patch panels in
the 14 telecom closets. At the workstation, Ortronics developed a unique
Fib-or-Cop faceplate, which can accommodate up to 12 TracJack outlets including
six copper cables and a combination of 12 fibers (single-mode and multimode)
with LC connectors. “The bundled cable that was installed saved us $300,000 in
labor alone, which was a 30% savings in the entire Phase One. The innovative
solutions from Berk-Tek and Ortronics validated our reasoning to keep NetClear
as the City’s standard,” states Jason Crandell – Manager of ENTI (
About NetClear
NetClear offers end-to-end co-engineered solutions for enhanced Category 5e,
Category 6, Augmented Category 6 – 10 Gigabit and optical fiber channels - all
backed by a 25-year warranty. NetClear
solutions include the NetClear GT, NetClear GT2 and NetClear GT3 high performance
copper solutions, as well as a complete range of solutions for 10 Gigabit
Networks, which include NetClear GTX and NetClear GTS copper channel solutions
and NetClear MM1, NetClear MM10, and NetClear SM fiber optic solutions. NetClear solutions encompass all horizontal
and backbone systems including high-performance interface cords, workstation
outlets, cross-connect panels and enhanced performance horizontal and backbone
cabling.
About the NetClear
NetClear is a Technology Alliance between Berk-Tek, a Nexans Company, and
Ortronics/Legrand to further advance their enhanced copper and fiber cabling
solutions through NetClear, an innovative, high capacity, clear data
transmission system. NetClear assures
maximum dynamic performance for real world networks.
About Berk-Tek, A Nexans Company
For more than 45 years, Berk-Tek has been a leading manufacturer of more than 100 different network
copper and fiber optic cable products. The company has led in the development
of high-performance and enhanced fiber optic and UTP cables designed to
transport high-speed voice, data and video transmissions. Berk-Tek has major
manufacturing facilities at New Holland, PA,
Berk-Tek is a subsidiary of
Nexans, a worldwide leader in the cabling industry including copper and fiber
cables used in telecommunications and energy networks, to aeronautics,
automobile, railways, building, petrochemical and medical applications. With an
industrial presence in 29 countries and commercial activities worldwide, Nexans
employs 20,000 people and had sales in 2005 of $6.5 billion. Nexans is listed
on the
About Ortronics//Legrand
Ortronics/Legrand, headquartered in New London, Connecticut USA, is a global leader in commercial
Category 5e, Category 6 and 10 Gig copper, fiber optic, wireless and
residential/MDU high performance, high capacity structured cabling systems,
including patch panels, patch cords, workstation outlets, physical support
solutions, 110 cross-connect systems and more. Ortronics/Legrand also offers
engineering and technical support, systems planning, training programs and a
25-year extended products warranty and applications assurance warranty program.
Ortronics/Legrand is a
subsidiary of Legrand (www.legrandelectric.com),
the world specialist in products and systems for electrical installations and
information networks, offering solutions for use in residential, commercial and
industrial buildings. Operating in over 60 countries with sales of $3.8
billion, it employs about 31,000 people and its catalogs list more than 130,000
products. At Legrand, innovation drives growth: with nearly 5% of sales
invested in R&D every year, the group brings out a steady stream of new,
high added-value products.
Para Systems, Inc. Announces line of Minuteman® UPS Power Distribution Units
Building on its experience
and expertise of developing and manufacturing power protection products under
the Minuteman(r) UPS label, Para Systems, Inc. is releasing its new line of
power distribution unit (PDU) products. Four products of the entire new PDU
family are now available for sale and distribution. Deliveries are already in progress. The
products now shipping include:
· MMPD815 - 8 outlets, 15 amp power
distribution unit, available with all hardware included multi-form factor mounting (vertical and horizontal)
· MMPD1415 - 14 outlets, 15 amp power
distribution unit, available >with all hardware included for multi-form factor mounting (vertical and horizontal)
· MMPD1020 - 10 outlets, 20 amp power
distribution unit, available with all hardware included multi-form factor mounting (vertical and horizontal)
· MMPD1420 - 14 outlets, 20 amp power
distribution unit, available with all hardware included multi-form factor mounting (vertical and horizontal)
The full line includes
additional Minuteman(r) PDU products to be announced within sixty days will
include a PDU with 30-amp/15- amp output to accommodate new 30-amp server
requirements while allowing 15 amp equipment to be connected to the same PDU.
Unique to the UPS industry, these units have features previously available only
through significantly more expensive and/or custom-built products. These
features include:
· Longer power cords (15-feet) and
increased number of outlets at a lower or same price as
competitive units
· Mounting versatility - 1U products ship
with a standoff-mounting bracket, at no additional cost, that allows for 0U installation on most racks and enclosures.
· Improved user access by having outlets
available on both sides of most units.
· Compliant with the new higher UL-60950-1
standards.
· Designed with higher reliability, its
switchless design provides greater MTBF.
Lower costs, with the
features above, makes Minuteman(r) PDUs the most cost-effective, feature-rich
PDUs in the industry. The Minuteman(r) PDU has been priced with a MSRPs between
$35 and $65. The initial Minuteman(r) PDUs are in stock and ready for immediate
delivery.
[Photos of the new PDU
products available from our website at: www.minutemanups.com
AI Now Shipping 15A Relay Switch s Part Of Its HAI Lighting Control (HLC) Product
Line - Only UPB Relay Switch On Market
Home Automation, Inc.
(HAI), leading manufacturer of integrated security and home control products
since 1985, is now shipping a 15A Relay Switch, Part number 40A00-1 as part of
it's award-wining HLC line. HLC "smart"
switches let homeowners easily set elegant lighting scenes for individual
rooms, without the use of complicated software programs.
All HAI Lighting Control
Products are UL-Listed and use a digital communications standard for lighting
and home control called Universal Powerline Bus (UPB) that ensures superior
reliability. HAI's 15A Relay switch is
currently the only UPB relay switch on the market and is intended primarily for
control of fans and florescent lighting, including compact fluorescents. They are shipped in white with color change
kits (Part number 35A14) available in almond, ivory, black, brown, and
grey. The 15A Relay switch is compatible
with HAI's Auxiliary Switch (Part number 37A00-1) for 3 - or 4 - way applications.
HAI's HLC line is a fully two-way
communicating lighting control system. It has big-system features while being
cost effective and installable on a modular basis. Homeowners can have sophisticated lighting
control in a home theater or living room and add rooms as needs grow. Additionally
HLC switches can be tied into an HAI home control system or any UPB compatible
automation controller for full fledged integrated lighting control coordinated
with other events, such as time, motion, security modes, etc.
HLC products are extremely easy
to install - no modifications to the home are required. These plug and play
products are an easy way to add a touch of class to any home.www.homeauto.com
Retail Certified Technician – For Low Voltage
Where are we going to get the
people who will install and service the needs of Retail industry’s Low voltage
requirements? The retail industry is
going mad. Often a company puts up a
store, and then almost overnight, a competitor will put one up “next
door”.
Where are the trained people
to handle this specialized work? We are
talking about a technician who knows a fiber connector from a coax
connector. Have you noticed that when you
walk into a Grocery Chain, Merchandise Marts, Sport Center Stores, Hardware
Centers, Do-It Yourself Centers, and Drug Stores etc? There are several systems that keep a retail
business going, such as CCTV and CCTP, Structured to LAN Network Cabling, Fiber
Optic, Voice Communications, Paging and Intercommunications, Electrical
Convergence of POS Hardware and Cabling Configurations.
Cabling America has put together a powerful training program: Retail and Commercial Hardware and Cabling Program. This is a self-study program and when
completed students can earn a Retail Certified Technicians
certificate from the Association of
Cabling and Hardware Professionals.
This training program is a proven program and has a very reasonable
price tag. For more information go to
Cabling Americas website www.cablingamerica.com
and see what its all about.
Providence College’s Carmine Piscopo Is New ACUTA President For 2006-2007
Carmine Piscopo,
telecommunications manager at
Piscopo takes
office at the close of the 35th annual ACUTA Conference here this week; where
representatives of hundreds of
ACUTA is the only
national association dedicated to serving the needs of higher education
communications technology professionals, representing some 2,000 individuals at
825 institutions.
Leading ACUTA for
2006-2007, Piscopo is joined by two other newly elected officers: Dr. Walt
Magnussen of
Other current
officers are Riny Ledgerwood of San Diego State University,
secretary-treasurer; Patricia Todus of Northwestern University, immediate past
president; and Corinne Hoch of Columbia University and Randal Hayes of the
University of Northern Iowa, directors-at-large.
Piscopo, an RCDD
(Registered Communications Distribution Designer), is in charge of the
communications network at
“ACUTA as
an organization is more important than ever in supporting its members in
contributing to their institutions’ strategic missions,” Piscopo said. “By
continuing to address today’s and tomorrow’s technologies and emphasizing the
many networking and information sharing opportunities we offer, I want to make
sure ACUTA remains the number one resource for our members.”
About ACUTA
ACUTA, the Association for Communications Technology Professionals
in Higher Education, is an international non-profit educational association
serving colleges and universities. Its core purpose is to support higher
education communications technology professionals in contributing to the
achievement of the strategic mission of their institutions. ACUTA represents
nearly 2000 individuals at 825 institutions of higher education, with members
ranging from small schools and community colleges to the 50 largest
Independent Support Clip (IDS) Series From ERICO® Expanded To Accommodate Taller T-GRIDS
The CADDY® IDS
series of Independent Supports Clips from ERICO® has been expanded
to accommodate 1½” and 1¾” tall ceiling substructures (T-grids). Independent
Supports Clips are required by NEC® Article 410.16-C as a way to
provide a separate means of support for fixtures. Article 410 states that
framing members of suspended ceilings used to support lighting fixtures
(luminaires) need to be securely attached to the building structure at
appropriate intervals. CADDY IDS clips, with a static load limit of 65 lbs, are
an ideal way to comply with this standard.
No installation tools are
required to install CADDY IDS. The clips are packaged with mounting hardware
included. Optional barrel nuts are available for low-profile track lighting.
ERICO expanded the CADDY IDS
series to meet changes made by certain manufacturers of T-grids, who are now
manufacturing taller grids. The extension of the series will enable the CADDY
IDS clips to fit all commercially available T-Grids in a code-compliant manner.
This will alleviate the need for end users to clip the bulb off of the T-grids
and thus compromise its integrity to allow for installation of a support
clip.
DuPont's 2nd-Quarter Profit Declines
Chemical maker DuPont Co.
said Tuesday its second-quarter profit declined 4 percent on higher energy
costs and lower revenue.
Net income dropped to $975
million, or $1.04 per share, compared with $1.02 billion, or $1.01 per share,
during the same period last year. Excluding significant items, earnings were
$1.01 per share in the most-recent quarter compared with 90 cents per share in
the prior year.
On average, analysts polled
by Thomson Financial expected earnings of 93 cents per share.
This year's results were hurt
by higher energy and ingredient costs, the company said. Better local pricing
and increased volumes offset a significant portion of increased raw material
costs.
"Essentially, we
executed our growth strategy across all business segments," said Chief
Financial Officer Jeffrey Keefer.
Company officials noted that
a 3-year program to reduce fixed costs by $1 billion remains on track, as does
a multi-billion-dollar share repurchase program.
Keefer noted that the
company's fixed costs declined by $80 million compared with the second quarter
of last year, down 0.7 percentage point to 39.8 percent of sales.
"Our second-quarter
results and how we got there are very much aligned with our growth strategies and
performance improvement initiative," said Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer Charles Holliday Jr. ".... As I said in April, I'm pleased with
our performance and results, but not satisfied."
Revenue dipped 3 percent to
$7.84 billion from $8.12 billion in the year-ago period. Analysts expected
revenue of $7.85 billion in the latest quarter.
Consolidated net sales
dropped from $7.5 billion to $7.4 billion, led by year-over-year declines in
the agriculture and nutrition and performance materials segments.
DuPont said energy and
ingredient costs increased by about $200 million in the quarter. Raw material
costs are expected to remain higher in the second half of the year compared
with 2005, but at a smaller increment than seen in the first quarter, the
company said.
"On the challenges side,
we expect raw material costs to remain high," Holliday said.
Wilmington-based DuPont
maintained its full-year earnings outlook of about $2.85 per share, excluding
significant items of 2 cents per share. Analysts expect earnings of $2.86 per
share.
"While we expect
challenges, we are determined to deliver significantly higher earnings in the
second half compared to last year," Holliday said. "Our first half
performance provides more positive momentum for our company."
Anixter International Inc. Reports Second Quarter Net Income Of $1.15 Per Diluted Share On Sales Of $1.24 Billion
Anixter International Inc. (NYSE: AXE - News), the world's leading
distributor of communication products, electrical and electronic wire &
cable and a leading distributor of fasteners and other small parts
("C" Class inventory components) to Original Equipment Manufacturers
("OEMs"), reported results for the quarter ended June 30, 2006.
Second Quarter Highlights
-- Record quarterly sales of $1.24 billion,
including a combined
$74.8 million from the acquisitions of
Infast Group plc ("Infast") in
July 2005 and IMS, Inc.
("IMS") in May 2006, rose 32 percent compared
to sales of $936.1 million in the year
ago quarter.
-- Record quarterly operating income of
$91.0 million reflected a
97
percent increase from the $46.2 million reported in the second
quarter of 2005.
-- Net income in the quarter increased 102
percent, to $49.4 million, from
$24.4 million in last year's second
quarter.
-- Diluted earnings per share rose 89
percent to $1.15 per share from 61
cents per share in the prior year
quarter.
-- Second quarter copper prices averaged
$3.39 per pound versus $1.53 per
pound in the year ago quarter. This
increase added an estimated
$48 million to sales, $16 million to
operating profits, $10 million to
net income and 24 cents to earnings per
share as compared to the year
ago quarter.
Financial Highlights
(In millions, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, July 1,
Percent June 30, July 1, Percent
2006 2005
Change 2006 2005
Change
Net Sales $1,239.8 $936.1
32% $2,310.3 $1,812.6
27%
Operating Income $91.0 $46.2
97% $150.6 $85.8
75%
Net Income $49.4 $24.4
102% $80.7 $44.8
80%
Diluted Earnings Per
Share $1.15 $0.61
89% $1.89 $1.12
69%
Diluted Weighted Shares 42.9
40.1 7% 42.6
40.7 5%
Robert Grubbs, President and CEO, said,
"We were very pleased with our results, with sales in the most recent
quarter reflecting a significant acceleration of the trends of the past several
quarters. We experienced very solid, broad-based sales growth in nearly all of
the end markets we serve and we made continued progress on our initiatives to
grow our security business and supply chain service offerings. Second quarter
growth was particularly strong in the electrical and electronic wire &
cable market due to strong end- market customer demand, global expansion of the
markets served and higher copper prices. Our success in these areas during the
second quarter led to record quarterly sales and operating performance for the
company."
Second Quarter Results
For the three-month period ended June 30,
2006, sales of $1.24 billion produced net income of $49.4 million, or $1.15 per
diluted share. Included in the current year's second quarter results were sales
of $74.8 million from the Infast and IMS acquisitions, which were completed in
July 2005 and May 2006, respectively. In the prior year period, sales of $936.1
million generated net income of $24.4 million, or 61 cents per diluted share.
Operating income in the second quarter
increased 97 percent to $91.0 million as compared to $46.2 million in the year
ago quarter. For the latest quarter, operating margins were 7.3 percent as
compared to 4.9 percent in the second quarter of 2005.
First Half 2006 Results
For the six-month period ended June 30,
2006, sales of $2.31 billion produced net income of $80.7 million, or $1.89 per
diluted share. Included in the 2006 six-month results were sales of $144.9 million
related to the acquisitions of Infast and IMS. In the prior year period, sales
of $1.81 billion produced net income of $44.8 million or $1.12 per diluted
share.
Operating income in the first six months
of fiscal 2006 increased 75 percent to $150.6 million as compared to $85.8
million in the year ago period. Operating margins in the first six months of
2006 were 6.5 percent as compared to 4.7 percent in the prior year period.
Second Quarter Sales Trends
Commenting on second quarter sales trends,
Grubbs said, "Sales in the second quarter grew at a 23 percent organic
rate year-over-year after adjusting for the Infast and IMS acquisitions and the
favorable foreign exchange impact of $14.0 million on second quarter sales.
This was one of the highest quarterly organic growth rates in the company's
history, even after allowing for sharply higher copper prices, and clearly
exceeded our target organic growth rate of 8 to 12 percent."
Grubbs continued, "The factors
driving our strong organic growth were consistent with those we have seen the
past few quarters, although at a significantly accelerated pace. In the most
recent quarter, we saw very strong growth in larger project business
particularly as it relates to data center builds in the enterprise cabling market
and with natural resources customers within our electrical and electronic wire
& cable market. At the same time, we have seen continued strong growth in
security product sales. Lastly, rising copper prices again contributed to our
organic growth in the most recent quarter. During the quarter, market-based
copper prices averaged approximately $3.39 per pound, compared to $1.53 per
pound in the year ago second quarter and $2.25 per pound in the first quarter
of 2006. We estimate that the higher copper prices accounted for an estimated
$48 million of our year-on-year increase in sales within the electrical wire
& cable market in the second quarter. Taking the impact of copper prices,
acquisitions and foreign exchange out of the mix, however, we were still able
to grow by nearly 18 percent over the prior year second quarter."
"Specifically, in
"In the emerging markets of
Second Quarter Operating Results
"As a result of very strong sales
growth, second quarter operating margins were a record 7.3 percent as compared
to 4.9 percent in the year ago period," said Grubbs. "In
Grubbs added, "In
"Operating margins in the Emerging
Markets in the second quarter were 5.5 percent as compared to 4.4 percent in
the year ago quarter. Continued sales growth throughout these markets has
allowed us to better leverage infrastructure costs and improve operating
margins," added Grubbs.
Cash Flow and Leverage
"Given the incremental working
capital requirements that accompany strong organic sales growth, as expected we
reported negative cash flow from operations in the second quarter of $52.5
million," said Dennis Letham, Senior Vice President-Finance. "When
the second quarter negative cash flow is combined with the positive cash flow
from operations in the first quarter, our year-to-date cash flow from
operations is a negative $39.6 million. Despite the incremental borrowings to
support the increased sales-volume-driven working capital requirements and to
fund the purchase of IMS, strong net income performance has created a slight
reduction of our debt-to-total capital leverage ratio from 47.0 percent at
year-end to 46.2 percent at the end of the second quarter."
"For the second quarter our weighted
average cost of borrowed capital was 5.3 percent compared to 5.1 percent in the
year ago quarter. At the end of the second quarter, 66 percent of our total
borrowings of $704.4 million were fixed, either by the terms of the borrowing
agreements or through hedging arrangements. We had $230.2 million of available,
unused credit facilities at June 30, 2006. These available, unused credit
facilities provide us with the resources to support continued strong organic
growth and to pursue other strategic alternatives, such as acquisitions, in the
coming quarters."
Business Outlook
Grubbs concluded, "The first half of
2006 has been a record-setting period of revenue growth and operating
profitability for Anixter. This record performance is the result of strong
underlying market fundamentals, solid progress on our strategic initiatives to
build our security business, additions to our supply chain services offering,
expansion of our product offering and the benefits of increased copper prices. As
we enter the second half of the year, our ability to continue to execute our
strategic initiatives, together with further progress on the integration of
recent acquisitions, will be the keys to our success in the coming quarters.
Matching our revenue growth rate from the second quarter is unlikely; however,
assuming a reasonable level of successful execution on our part and barring a
dramatic drop in copper prices or significant overall economic softening, we do
expect to generate solid year-on-year earnings growth resulting from organic
revenue growth that will likely exceed our annual target of 8 to 12 percent
through the balance of the year."
Second Quarter Earnings Report
Anixter will report results for the 2006
second quarter on Tuesday, July 25, 2006, and broadcast a conference call
discussing them at 9:30 am central time. The call will be Webcast by CCBN and
can be accessed at Anixter's Website at http://www.anixter.com
. The Webcast also will be available over CCBN's Investor Distribution Network
to both institutional and individual investors. Individual investors can listen
to the call through CCBN's individual investor center at http://www.companyboardroom.com, or
by visiting any of the investor sites in CCBN's Individual Investor Network
(such as America Online's Personal Finance Channel and Fidelity.com).
Institutional investors can access the call via CCBN's password-protected event
management site, StreetEvents ( http://www.streetevents.com
). The Webcast will be archived on all of these sites for 30 days.
About Anixter
Anixter International is the world's leading distributor of communication products, electrical and electronic wire
& cable and a leading distributor of fasteners and other small parts
("C" Class inventory components) to Original Equipment Manufacturers.
The company adds value to the distribution process by providing its customers
access to 1) innovative inventory management programs, 2) more than 325,000
products and over $800 million in inventory, 3) 204 warehouses with more than 5
million square feet of space, and 4) locations in 227 cities in 46 countries.
Founded in 1957 and headquartered near
The statements in this news release that
use such words as "believe," "expect," "intend,"
"anticipate," "contemplate," "estimate,"
"plan," "project," "should," "may," or
similar expressions are forward-looking statements. They are subject to a
number of factors that could cause the company's actual results to differ
materially from what is indicated here. These factors include general economic
conditions, technology changes, changes in supplier or customer relationships,
commodity price fluctuations, exchange rate fluctuations, new or changed
competitors and risks associated with integration of recently acquired
companies. Please see the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings
for more information.
Additional information about Anixter is
available on the Internet at www.anixter.com.
New Construction Of Adventum™ Indoor/Outdoor Fiber Optic Premises Cables Is Smaller
And Lighter
Copper and fiber optic
cabling technology and solutions leader Berk-Tek, A Nexans Company announces
improvements to its Adventum family of indoor/outdoor fiber optic cables.
Adventum cables now feature a
19 percent reduction in the overall diameter and up to a 38 percent reduction
in weight, due to the removal of unnecessary space holders previously used to
maintain a round design. The new patent-pending Dual-Unilite™ constructions
provide a 50 percent smaller cross-sectional area than comparable cables.
“The improved physical
characteristics of this cable design make it the perfect choice of cable for
data-centers,” stated Beni Blell, RCDD, fiber optic product business manager at
Berk-Tek. “These new Adventum cables are much lighter and more flexible than
anything else on the market and offer 50% or better performance in bend radius
over traditional high-fiber ribbon cable constructions,” Blell added.
In data center applications,
Adventum cables can help prevent cabinet congestion, enhance airflow, and
facilitate more efficient cooling. The smaller design and flexibility of the
cable makes installing, terminating and sub-routing easier, providing
exceptional value in building backbones, campus environments, data centers and
SANs.
The new line of Adventum
cables is now available through distribution with riser and plenum ratings and
in multimode or singlemode fiber constructions up to 216 fibers. The cables
feature GIGAlite™ fiber, the industry’s highest performing laser optimized 50-
micron fiber. Adventum cables incorporate the industry’s original all-dry
water-blocking technology, allowing for significant cost reduction over
traditional indoor/outdoor installations methods. The cables are available in
pre-terminated cable assemblies with multifiber MTP/MPO connectors or
single-fiber type connectors such as SC, ST, or LC.
www.berktek.com www.nexans.com
Berk-Tek Cable Products Comply To RoHS/WEEE Initiative
Copper and fiber
optic cabling technology and solutions leader Berk-Tek, A Nexans Company
announced that all optical fiber and copper cable products manufactured in its
The RoHS Directive aims to
protect human health and the environment through the restricted use of certain
hazardous substances. It sets Maximum
Concentration Values (MCV), which apply to “homogenous material,” defined as a
material that cannot be mechanically separated.
This distinction is critical for manufactures to provide “due diligence”
in their efforts towards RoHS compliance.
Under the RoHS directive, hundreds of thousands of components
currently produced and marketed within the EU could become unmarketable,
forcing electrical and electronics
manufacturers to redesign their products to remove certain toxic materials.
Companies not in compliance will not be able to sell their products into EU
countries. “As a leader in communications
cabling technology, Berk-Tek embraced the challenge of compliance with the RoHS
initiative very early on. All of our
major products have been compliant with this directive for many months.” states
Paul Trunk, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Berk-Tek. “The RoHS standard provides a benchmark by
which our industry can now measure ourselves.”
About Berk-Tek, A Nexans Company
For more than 45 years, Berk-Tek has been a leading manufacturer of more than 100 different network
copper and fiber optic cable products. The company has led in the development
of high-performance and enhanced fiber optic and UTP cables designed to
transport high-speed data and voice transmissions. Berk-Tek has major
manufacturing facilities at New Holland, PA,
About Nexans
Nexans is the worldwide leader in the cable industry. The Group brings an extensive range of advanced
copper and optical fiber cable solutions to the infrastructure, industry and
building markets. Nexans cables and cabling systems are used in every area of
people's lives, from telecommunications and energy networks, to aeronautics,
automobile, railways, building, petrochemical and medical applications. With an
industrial presence in 29 countries and commercial activities worldwide, Nexans
employs 20,000 people and had sales in 2005 of $6.5 billion. Nexans is listed
on the
Installer Certification – Mississauga Training Consultants
Our next FIBER OPTIC
Installers Certification course in
This five-day installers
certification program takes the student from the point of knowing absolutely
nothing about
optical fiber to the point where they can Install, Connectorize, Fusion
Splice, Test and document a fiber
optic system and to industry standards.
Cost of this course is $989.00 +
59.00 GST = $1,048.00 CAD (about 900.00
Students receive the FOA certification (CFOT) as well
as 35 BICSI CEC's
http://www.fiberoptictraining.com/courses.html
FIBER
TO THE PREMISES / HOME (CFXT) CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
1st. in
Our
1st Canadian FTTX program will be August 14 and 15th.,
2006. We have been developing this program for some time and in
March of this year the Fiber Optic Association officially announced the FTTX
certification program through the media and at the OFC in
The
program is 2 days and is an add-on for the certified installer (CFOT).
That is the prerequisite for this course.
On
conclusion of this course the student will have a thorough understanding of the
various technologies enployed for fiber to the home deployment as well as being
capable of installing, testing and troubleshooting these systems.
Cost for this two day course
is $590.00 + $35.40
GST = 625.00 CAD ( about
570.00
Students receive the MTC as
well as the Fiber Optic Association Certified Fiber To The X Certificate (CFXT)
Voice Data Video
Network Cabling Systems Inspection
Our next VDV Network
Cabling Systems Inspection course
in Mississauga Will be August
1, 2, 3rd., 2006.
This intensive 3 day program covers all the codes and
standards involved with the installation of any Voice,
Data, Video network cabling system. We recommend that
information in this course be initially used in the system
design stage. Not including standards in the original
specifications can cost untold dollars during the
commissioning and future maintenance stages. You can't inspect what
you have not
specified.
Cost for this course is
690.00 + 41.40
= 731.00 CAD (about 630.00 USD).
Students receive the
MTC Network Cabling Systems Inspection
certificate as well as
21 BICSI CEC's .
http://www.fiberoptictraining.com/courses.html
Grounding, Bonding
And Harmonics Techniques
This One Day Course will be conducted in Mississauge on August 4th., 2006 This
one day course
is Intended For Those Persons
Who Install And Maintain Electrical Systems In Commercial, Industrial And
Residential
Installations. It Is Also of
Special Interest To Those People Who Install And Maintain Electrical
Installations
Serving
Data Communications Equipment In
Offices, Plants, Telcos And Cable And Satellite Television Installations. All
are
locations that suffer the effects of electrical
noise and harmonics and must have installations above the
C.E.C. Standards.
Subjects Included In This Course Are:
Electrical Noise, White Noise, Pink Noise, Causes,
Categories,
Harmonics, Causes, Effects and Solutions. Tingle Voltage,
Types Of Grounds,
Shields And Bonds, Method Of
Sizing And Installing, The Ground Loop, Ufer, Plate,
Rod And
Trench Grounds.
Shielded Rooms, Symptoms,
Problems And Solutions, Devices And Remedies,
Effect Of
Using Non-Standard Items, Ferrite Cores, Electrical And
Magnetic Fields.
Cost of this course is:
280.00 + 16.80 GST
= $296.00 (About $265.00 US)
ADDITIONAL COSTS: All costs are
included in course fees. There are no additional costs.
Additional information and registration forms are at:
<http://www.fiberoptictraining.com/courses.html>
Did you know:
* * There are over 1650
installers certified through our Fiber Optic Installers program
in
16,000
worldwide http://www.fiberoptictraining.com/installersx.html
This is THE Accepted Fiber Optic
Certification in
and the
* * Over 300 students
have received our
"Inspector" certification for VDV Network
Cabling Systems.
* We have the first Fiber To The Home/Premise (CFXT)
certification in
* Our industry partners
support this program and recognize our certificate.
* BICSI
awards our fiber Optic graduates 35
CEC's towards some of their programs and 21 CEC's for completing our VDV
program.
** Over 94% of FOA
Certified Canadian installers are graduates of our program
** Our program is over 60% hands-on
** Our passing rate for the FOA examination is 98%
** We also conduct advanced specialist courses in
Connectorizing, Fusion splicing, and Testing.
** We conduct our courses across
** The new and popular one day course in Grounding,
Bonding and Harmonics was started at the request of
industry partners and is sucessfully filling a need.
* We have over 170 satisfied
companies in our data base.
<http://www.fiberoptictraining.com/clients.html>
http://www.fiberoptictraining.com/clients.html
Detailed course outlines and
registration forms are on our
website at http://www.fiberoptictraining.com
<http://www.fiberoptictraining.com/>
Please e-mail or call me
for more information.
Best regards,
William Graham,
Certified fiber Optic Specialist/Testing/Splicing/Connectors,
Certified Fiber Optic
Instructor
Certified Communications
Cabling Specialist -
Scotia
Master Electrician, Licensed
Electrical Contractor # E2224
Hitachi Cable Manchester Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Hitachi Cable Manchester, a
leader in the manufacture of flat and round electronic cable and copper and
fiber optic communication cables, will be celebrating its 20th
anniversary in October.
“In a competitive market,
customer loyalty and retention are very important and have been a major factor
in the success of Hitachi Cable Manchester,” says HCM’s president, Hideo
Kusumi. “Customers only return if they
receive quality products that meet or exceed their expectations. For the past 20 years, HCM has dedicated
itself to being a leader in the wire and cable industry. The caliber of our customers is an indication
of our commitment to quality, superior product performance and the fulfillment
of the overall needs of our customers.”
HCM has also led the way in
manufacturing products that are component compliant. By providing component
compliant products, HCM offers its customers the freedom to use the
connectivity of their choice while ensuring worry-free performance.
And, with new products
constantly being released, such as their new Supra 10GTM, a
UTP 10-gigabit Ethernet cable, HCM will continue to be a leader in the
communication industry.
Supra 10GTM is now
available through HCM approved distributors.
For information on where to obtain the new Supra 10GTM,
contact HCM at 800-772-0116 or visit their website at http://www.hcm.hitachi.com.
Nortel, Microsoft Form New Communications Alliance
Microsoft Corp. and Nortel
Networks Inc. today announced a strategic alliance based on what they described
as a "shared vision for unified communications.
"The alliance will accelerate the availability of unified communications -
an industry concept that uses advanced technologies to break down today's
device- and network-centric silos of communication (such as e-mail, instant
messaging, telephony and multimedia conferencing) and makes it easy and
efficient for workers to reach colleagues, partners and customers with the
devices and applications they use most," the two companies said in a joint
statement.
Nortel and Microsoft say they will transition traditional business phone
systems into software, with a Microsoft unified communications software
platform and Nortel software products to provide further advanced telephony
functionality.
"This is a gutsy play for Nortel -- accelerating the move of our voice technology
into software and working with the world's software leader as part of our
broader business strategy to transform the company into a software and services
leader," said Mike Zafirovski, CEO of Nortel.
"From this transaction, we believe we can capture well beyond $1 billion
in new revenue, ramping up with increased momentum through 2009 via
professional services, voice products and applications, as well as data
pull-through in the enterprise."
Unified communications will drive the next major advance in individual, team
and organizational productivity in today's 24x7, always-connected and
increasingly mobile work environment, said Jeff Raikes, president of the
Business Division at Microsoft.
ACUTA Hosts Philadelphia Seminar On Convergence On Sept. 12, 2006
ACUTA, the Association for
Communications Technology Professionals in Higher Education, will host a
one-day seminar on the convergence of data, video, and voice technologies on
Tuesday, September 12, 2006.
Gary Audin of the consulting
firm
Audin has more than 40 years
of computer and communications network experience, and is a contributor to the
ACUTA Journal.
The workshop will be at the
Loews Philadelphia Hotel. More detailed descriptions of the seminar and online
registration information is available at www. acuta.org/?1505.
About ACUTA
ACUTA, the Association
for Communications Technology Professionals in Higher Education is an
international non-profit educational association serving colleges and
universities. Its core purpose is to support higher education
communications technology professionals in contributing to the achievement of
the strategic mission of their institutions. ACUTA represents nearly 2000
individuals at 825 institutions of higher education, with members ranging from
small schools and community colleges to the 50 largest
Fiber To The Home Certification
Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Date: August 14, 15th
The long awaited Fiber To the
Home program is finally launched in
Trammell Crow Company Joins CABA Board Of Directors
The Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA)
announced today the addition of the Trammell Crow Company to its Board of
Directors. CABA is a trade association that promotes advanced technologies for
integrated systems and the automation of homes and buildings.
Trevor Foster, Global Director of the firm’s
Management Services Group, will represent Trammell Crow Company on CABA’s
Board. He has more than 25 years of experience in property and facility
management, for all types of facilities including commercial property, high
tech manufacturing and industrial plants.
Foster joined Trammell Crow Company from EMCOR Group
Inc., where he most recently served as Vice President of Corporate Development
& Executive Vice President of Facilities Services, playing a key role in
the expansion of EMCOR’s geographic coverage and market penetration. Foster
established the facilities service operations for EMCOR and led the profitable
growth to in excess of $1 billion.
Foster previously worked for Johnson Controls in
senior management and various operational and engineering positions in
Foster holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering
degree from the
Ronald J. Zimmer, CABA President & CEO commented:
“I am delighted to welcome Trevor Foster of Trammell Crow Company to CABA and I
know that his breadth of experience in multinational companies will be
invaluable in achieving the new strategic plan - Vision 2010.”
About CABA
CABA is the only industry association to offer industry
intelligence to stakeholders in all areas of home & building automation.
CABA's resources cover areas such as HVAC, lighting, security, A/V,
communications technologies, energy management and controls. A number of
resources are available through the association including iHomes &
Buildings magazine, CABA's Summits and Conferences, CABA's monthly eBulletin,
Information Series reports, Event Reports and the CABA web site. Please visit www.caba.org for further information.
October 16 - 18, 2006
Sheraton
Agenda Announced
http://www.caba.org/connectedathome/agenda.htm
During times of change and
complexity, business leaders are called upon by their companies to provide a
clear and responsible direction and competent management concerning the
implementation and operation of connected home technologies.
Lead the direction of the
industry by being an active participant in following sessions:
--Builders and Smart
Communities
--User Interfaces: Bridging
the Technology and User
--Retailer vs. Integrator OR
Retailer w/Integrator
--IPTV: Landscape Survey
--Home Automation and
Controls
--Home Networking and Digital
Youth
--In-Home Infrastructure
Options
--Standards-Making it All
Work
--Non-Traditional
Applications
Also, take advantage of the
Internet Home Alliance Research Council Collaborative Research Track. This
track will explore specific areas of interest, from a collaborative research
perspective.
--IPTV Phase II project
--SMB IT Needs Assessment
Project
--Subsidized Media and
Location Based Advertising
--Senior Living Project
--Digital Kitchen Project
Early Bird Deadline (Save
$250.00)
All delegates will receive
the following complimentary reports:
1) State of the Connected
Home 2005 ($2,100 value)
2) Connected Home Roadmap
Executive Summary
3) Connected@Home 2006 Event
Report
Take
advantage of these free reports and EARLY BIRD pricing, by registering today!
http://www.caba.org/connectedathome/registration.htm
EARLY BIRD registration ends August 31.
REMEMBER TO RECYCLE, REDUCE AND REUSE