Bisbee’s Buzz

THE MEAN SEASON IS BACK 2011

The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season has officially begun with weather experts predicting an "above-average active to extremely active season."

Well everyone, here's the first report and it looks like it's going to be another busy one! I'm sure these numbers may fluctuate a bit between now and then. Interesting to note that the 2011 season is forecast to be only 2 less storms than the 2010. Might we see the first U.S. landfall since 2008 and the first major landfall since Wilma? Who knows. But as we all know, the total number of storms haven't any relation to whether or not we'll see a landfall.

Colorado State University Hurricane Team Calls for Above-Average 2011 Hurricane Season in Early December Forecast

·                     Full 2011 early season forecast

FORT COLLINS - The Tropical Meteorology Project at Colorado State University called for an above-average Atlantic basin hurricane season in an early extended-range forecast for 2011.

The report marks the 28th year for the CSU hurricane forecasting team which is led by Philip Klotzbach and William Gray.

The team anticipates 17 named storms, 9 hurricanes and 5 major hurricanes (Saffir/Simpson category 3-4-5) with sustained winds of 111 mph or greater for the 2011 hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. These forecast numbers for 2011 are close to the active Atlantic basin hurricane season experienced in 2010.

For 2010, the team accurately predicted well above-average hurricane activity for the Atlantic basin. Just as hurricane season began in June, the team called for 18 named storms, 10 hurricanes and five major (Category 3-4-5) hurricanes. Observed were 19 named storms, 12 hurricanes and five major hurricanes.

“The U.S. was extremely lucky in 2010 in that none of the 12 Atlantic basin hurricanes that formed crossed the U.S. coastline,” Klotzbach said. “On average, about 1 in 4 Atlantic basin hurricanes makes U.S. landfall, and therefore, we would expect to see more landfalling hurricanes in 2011.

"There is significant uncertainty with this earliest outlook, issued six months prior to the start of the hurricane season. Given the current upper ocean heat content anomalies in the tropical Pacific, we believe that El Nino conditions are unlikely. This could mean a more active hurricane season,” Klotzbach said.

“This forecast is based on an extended-range early December statistical prediction scheme we’ve developed based on 58 years of data,” Gray said. “At this point, we are uncertain whether La Nina conditions or neutral conditions are more likely for the 2011 hurricane season. Sea surface temperatures in the far North Atlantic remain at record warm levels, which is an indication that we are in an active multi-decadal period for Atlantic hurricane activity.”

The statistical model used by the CSU Hurricane Forecast Team explains a considerable amount of hurricane variability in hindcasts issued from 1950-2007. Over this time period, the three-predictor scheme correctly forecast above- or below-average seasons in 44 out of 58 years.

For the 2011 Atlantic basin hurricane season, the CSU hurricane forecast team predicts:

• A 73 percent chance that at least one major hurricane will make landfall on the U.S. coastline in 2011. The long-term average probability is 52 percent.

• For the U.S. East Coast, including the Florida Peninsula, the probability of a major hurricane making landfall is 49 percent (the long-term average is 31 percent).

• For the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle west to Brownsville, the probability is 48 percent (the long-term average is 30 percent).

• The team predicts the probability of a major hurricane making landfall in the Caribbean as 62 percent (average for the last century is 42 percent).

Along with today's report, the team has updated the Landfall Probability Web site that provides probabilities of tropical storm-force, hurricane-force and major hurricane-force winds making landfall at specific locations along the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts within a variety of time periods. U.S. landfall probabilities are available for 11 regions and 205 individual counties along the U.S. coastline from Brownsville, Texas, to Eastport, Maine. Probabilities are also available for Central America and the Caribbean. With the help of Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts, the website is available to the public at http://www.e-transit.org/hurricane.

The hurricane team's forecasts are based on the premise that global oceanic and atmospheric conditions - such as El Nino and tropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures - that preceded active or inactive hurricane seasons in the past provide meaningful information about similar trends in future seasons.

The team will issue seasonal updates of its 2011 Atlantic basin hurricane activity forecast on April 6, June 1 and Aug. 3.

GRAY RESEARCH TEAM
2011 EXTENDED RANGE ATLANTIC BASIN HURRICANE FORECAST Tropical Cyclone Parameters Extended Range
(1950-2000 Averages in parentheses) Forecast for 2011
Named Storms (9.6) 17
Named Storm Days (49.1) 85
Hurricanes (5.9) 9
Hurricane Days (24.5) 40
Major Hurricanes (2.3) 5
Major Hurricane Days (5.0) 10
Accumulated Cyclone Energy (96.7) 165
Net Tropical Cyclone
Activity (100%) 180

But that’s just my opinion. Remember Safety is too important to ignore.

YES! It can happen to you.

Frank Bisbee
"Heard On The Street" Monthly Column
www.wireville.com
4949 Sunbeam Rd, Suite 16
Jacksonville, FL 32257
(904) 645-9077 office
(904) 645-9058 fax
frank@wireville.com

HURRICANE SEASON HEIGHTENS THE NEED FOR A GOOD BACKUP PLAN.

Wise words from Huff Technologies (a well-respected IT firm in North FL) – A plan for unthinkable is a wise investment in your future.

Within your business plan you probably have included some sort of computer data backup plan. More than likely it includes some sort of process for getting your digital computer files (documents, spread sheets, etc.) saved or backed up. Not only should you backup your files, but also think about how your business will function in the event of a catastrophe.  In other words, most companies think of their backup plan as “my IT person said all of my files are backed up”. So, if a disaster happens, and by chance you have saved the tapes, disks, etc… do you know how to get your data back? Maybe find out what the process would be if your server and all of the information was gone and you needed it back. How long would it take to purchase new equipment and put everything back together? You might want to discuss this with your IT person, but I know it takes a week or two to get a server from Dell, and then a few more days to rebuild and restore data. Also, what if your data backup media is damaged or destroyed in the same disaster? Then what? I have heard horror stories of after the data restore “some of my stuff is missing”… and many times it is gone forever.

So what are the alternatives? Today, you hear about the “Cloud”. Cloud storage is where you use another company’s servers that are connected to the internet to store your data and files. Google, Microsoft, Amazon (and the list goes on) are all well known Cloud providers. However some other providers specialize in backup and disaster recovery. So instead of backing up your digital information locally to tape or other media, you can backup to “The Cloud”. One of these providers is called Carbonite (www.carbonite.com). You can backup the files on your personal computer for as little as $59.00 per year. This is a great option especially if you travel and use a laptop. However for business PCs, laptops, or if you want to backup your business server the price is higher. In addition, these providers are able to not only backup the files but also backup the entire server including operating system, email, databases, accounting information and files. One company that does this is called Doyenz (www.doyenz.com). Included as part of their service, with each backup they also test the data to make sure it was transferred from your server to their cloud servers correctly, and that it can be restored correctly. And last, as a part of the service if you do have a disaster they can restore your server and make it available in the cloud over the internet. So, as part of a Business Continuity Plan, you and your co-workers could continue to access your server and continue your operations by accessing your information in the cloud. Think of it this way, you and your employees have access to your server, data, etc. and you are able to work from a remote location until normal operations can be restored.

End result is that there is a better alternative to the old tape backup system and hoping your data is safe. You are now able to backup over the internet to the cloud, and in the case of a major disaster, keep your business functioning from a remote location. A year or two ago, this type of service was incredibly expensive. However, now like any other technology, cloud backup is becoming more common place, and… it’s now affordable for most everyone. Call us to discuss your plan.

Craig Bell – Sales Engineer

Huff Technologies

9310 Old Kings Road  Suite 1301

Jacksonville, Florida  32257

904-396-4170

cbell@hufftech.com

Huff Technologies has been serving the greater Jacksonville Florida area for more than a decade. We are committed to our local economy and community, helping small to medium businesses grow and prosper. We understand that all companies are not created equal and strive to provide individually tailored technology solutions. Partnering with our clients, we understand that their success leads to our combined success. www.hufftech.com

FIBER OPTIC CABLING CHALLENGES include connectors – Megladon Mfg has answers

Megladon HLC®SCRATCHGUARD™ Fiber Optic Patch Cords Withstand 1000 Matings

Megladon’s signature HLC SCRATCHGUARD fiber optic patch cables were utilized in durability testing simulating an in-field 1000 mating requirement. Multiple mating scenarios are experienced by network installers and maintenance personnel when certifying or troubleshooting fiber optic networks.               

The durability test was initiated using SM SCHLC processed connectors from several manufacturers to ensure the final product was not manufacturer sensitive. The mated pair was tested for insertion loss after each mating and visually inspected after each set of 100 matings. The mating surface was only cleaned when a substantial insertion loss increase was noticed (see data graph below).

Megladon’s HLC fiber optic terminations are known for their mating surface durability and coupling efficiency. This provides network installation personnel with an ease of use during network deployment and provides maintenance personnel a reliable network utilizing the highest optical performance patch cords in the industry.

“We are very excited to demonstrate our fiber optic technology in this way”, said Daniel Hogberg, Megladon Product Group Manager. “It is an extreme test that a standard product could not endure. When you look at the data, it raises the question why these products are not deployed in all networks”.

Megladon® LGX Fiber Distribution Panels

Megladon also offers standard LGX Fiber Distribution Panels to compliment its HLC® SCRATCHGUARD™ patch cords and trunk cables.  Also in the product line is a full suite of cable management products including fanning panels, storage and combination shelves.

By incorporating HLC SCRATCHGUARD patch cords and trunk cables into the distribution product line, Megladon is able to deliver the most robust turnkey solutions of any company in the marketplace.  These solutions can be shipped pre-tested and pre-populated for installation time-savings and increased network performance.  Megladon has experience in making complex fiber networks simple, and the versatile LGX Fiber Distribution System products create value within our customer’s networks.

“The addition of fiber distribution products is exciting and allows Megladon to diversify our product portfolio.  Being able to offer turnkey solutions with our HLC cables assemblies increases our value to the marketplace”, stated Daniel Hogberg, Product Group Manager at Megladon. He continued, “A mated pair of matched HLC connectors at the distribution panel provides the highest level of performance in a fiber optic network.”

Why is the ScratchGuard™ technology a big value in this new product? This patented new technology really delivers Durability and Dependability. For example we found out that the ScratchGuard technology has already made a big impact on portable fiber optic testing performance. Incredible but true: Test results showed that over 1000 insertions of the Megladon Scratch Guard™ Fiber Optic test cables used on the Fluke Networks amazing DTX CableAnalyzer™ showed virtually no degradation or scratching. www.megladonmfg.com   www.flukenetworks.com

Kevin Moy, Special Projects Supervisor for Communication Planning Corporation (a communications contractor based in Jacksonville, FL), told us that this new product has added a significant boost to the value of CPC’s solutions package. “We really save time and deliver a better installation with the Megladon LGX Fiber Distribution System products. Any reconfiguration is easier for field technicians.”  The Megladon product line supports the technician with terminations, connections, splices and convenient access within fiber optic networks.  www.communicationplanning.com   

Incorporation of Bend Insensitive fiber is next logical step for CATV Drop Cables

Megladon Manufacturing Group answered the request of the CATV industry today by providing bend insensitive fiber for node tail applications. Maximizing the number of customers served by each node has reduced the available space inside the node for fiber management. The result is attenuation and potential intermittent failures which are seen by customers as outages.

Managing the fiber inside the node is a big problem. There are typically six fiber strands that must be properly routed to specific ports. Service loops are added to ease repair and maintenance in the event issues arise after installation. The result is several meters of fiber that must be enclosed in the node without bending or pinching when the lid is closed. This entire process is completed from a bucket truck thirty or more feet off the ground.

Utilizing bend insensitive fiber is the answer the industry has been seeking for two primary reasons. First, the installation time is reduced which has an associated cost savings. The time savings is due to a more straight forward process and ease of certification. Second, the prevention of intermittent failures due to bend loss reduces the number of technician trips to the site and plays a key role in customer satisfaction and retention.

“We have watched the CATV industry struggle with loss issues at the node for many years”, stated John M Culbert, President of Megladon. “The addition of hardware inside the node to support more wavelengths has improved density while putting a strain on the reliability of the final solution. The addition of our HLC SCRATCHGUARD technology earlier this year removed many of the loss barriers and now the migration to bend insensitive fiber is the next logical step.”

Megladon’s Bend Insensitive node cables with HLC SCRATCHGUARD technology are the most reliable in the industry and utilize Draka’s Bend Insensitive fiber in both the 10X and 100X versions. The cables may be configured in various fiber counts, lengths and are supported with all standard fiber optic connectors including the SCAPC HLC. They are competitively priced and ready for immediate deployment.

Megladon Manufacturing Group Ltd., a subsidiary of TyRex Group Ltd.®, is recognized as a leader in the fiber optic marketplace. Founded in 1997, Megladon made it their mission to provide customers with fiber optic products that far exceed industry standards. As technology innovators, Megladon created the HLC (Hardened Lens Contact) termination, which has changed the market and taken it to the next level. For additional information on Megladon and their patented processes please visit the company’s website at www.megladonmfg.com or respond by email to scratchguard@megladonmfg.com.

Jon Taylor Joins Hitachi Cable Manchester

Manchester, NH, June 17, 2011

Hitachi Cable Manchester (HCM) with its manufacturing facility located in Manchester, NH, USA, is pleased to announce the hiring of Jon Taylor.

Jon, formerly the National Account Manager with Berk-Tek, A Nexans Company, joins HCM as their Mid-West Regional Sales Manager.  “Jon has over 15 years of experience in the communication industry.  His experience and his insight will be invaluable,” said John Joyce, Director of Premise and Fiber sales.  Jon’s focus will be managing all the sales representatives in his territory as well as enhancing relationships with key distributors, engineers and end users.

About Hitachi Cable Manchester

HCM is a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., Japan.  Located in Manchester, New Hampshire, HCM manufactures a complete line of high-performance copper and fiber optic cables for the communication industry.  Over 4,000 different cable products are manufactured at this facility. Products include Category 6 and 6A copper communication cables, indoor, indoor/outdoor and outside plant fiber optic cables, as well as round and flat electronic cables.  To learn more about HCM, please visit the HCM website at www.hcm.hitachi.com. 

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi, Ltd., (NYSE: HIT / TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 360,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2010 (ended March 31, 2011) consolidated revenues totaled $112.2 billion. Hitachi will focus more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes information and telecommunication systems, power systems, environmental, industrial and transportation systems, and social and urban systems, as well as the sophisticated materials and key devices that support them. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.

Optical Transport Market Grew 10 Percent Year-over-Year to $3 Billion 1^st Qtr 2011

2011 Market Revenues Forecast to Exceed $13 Billion

Optical Transport Market Grew 10 Percent Year-over-Year to $3 Billion 1^st Qtr 2011

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – May 25, 2011 – According to a newly published report by Dell’Oro Group, the trusted source for market information about the networking and telecommunications industries, worldwide optical transport equipment market revenues grew 10 percent year-over-year to $3 billion in the first quarter of 2011. Dell’Oro Group predicts that the market will grow 9 percent to over $13 billion by year-end.

“As expected, the optical market declined sequentially in the first quarter due to seasonality, but grew a healthy 10 percent year-over-year in 1Q11,” said Jimmy Yu, Sr. Director of Optical Transport research at Dell’Oro Group. “This was the third consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth for the Optical Transport market following the market slump that began in 4Q08 which extended through the middle of 2010.

There was strong demand for optical equipment in North America and Latin America, where revenues were 17 percent and 34 percent higher, respectively, over the same period last year. The only region that showed a weak start to the year was China, where we estimate that optical sales declined 16 percent year-over-year,” added Mr. Yu.

The report also indicates that Huawei’s market share in 1Q11 declined by seven percentage points compared to the year-ago quarter to 18 percent, and that Alcatel-Lucent’s market share increased by two percentage points to 17 percent. The manufacturers with the third and fourth highest market shares were Ciena and ZTE.

Welcome to the newest ECmag.com And the NECA family of websites

Over the past couple of years, we’ve studied the changes in our industry and the market in order to focus on the readers’ needs for information. We have studied the content that should be included on updating our sites, what we need to grow and how to make it more reader-friendly and visually pleasing. You can now expect increased functionality, a unique home page for general industry information and a landing page for the current issues of ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR and SECURITY + LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS magazines.

For those loyal readers out there, we have expanded our content and will be featuring more than our previous site allowed. New readers will benefit as well, with Web exclusives that will be updated regularly. Need to find a specific article or product? Use our better-than-ever search function. And you can weigh in on a variety of industry topics with our new quick poll.

Expanded product content, current industry news, live streaming video and information, and more to come! Enjoy your time exploring www.ECmag.com .

Best wishes,                                                                                       

John Maisel, Publisher

Andrea Klee, Editor

P.S. We welcome your feedback on our new site at http://www.necanet.org/helpdesk/. Bear in mind that we are still working out some of the technical kinks -- we appreciate your patience!

Wireville special note:

The Electrical Contractor magazine is the top rated industry publication for the electrical contractors in 2010 and the first half of 2011. ECMAG addresses all of the traditional electrical industry issues PLUS Automation-Control-Communication-Environmental-Security-Safety OPPRTUNITIES. This is not your daddy’s world. The EC is now involved in a vastly expanding role in the industry. Technology is changing our world and the Electrical Contractor magazine is introducing the readers to a dazzling new world of business expansion in spite of a dreary economy.

Corning "Sold Out," Blames Verizon

Corning has sold out its optical fiber cable capacity, blaming, among other factors, a 20% increase in orders from Verizon. "We're actually sold out in fiber right now," CFO Jim Flaws told the Reuters Technology, Media and Telecommunications Summit on Tuesday. Corning, which supplies glass for everything from televisions to network cable, will add new manufacturing capacity over the next year in order to cope with booming demand, according to Flaws. He cited an increase in fiber optic business in Australia and Canada, and in Japan, where networks are being rebuilt after the earthquake, as well as unexpected U.S. growth from Verizon.

Most other optical fiber cable manufacturers are reporting heavy sales demand on single mode FO cable. Intervals are now getting longer. The US government program to introduce broadband services on a widespread basis has created much of the current US demand and that program will extend over 18 months. The funds have already been allocated.

4YRS AGO -  June 2007  Last Iwo Jima Flag Raiser and IBEW Member Charles Lindberg Dies

Charles Lindberg, the last surviving member of the patrol that raised the first American flag at Iwo Jima in WWII and an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) electrician for 40 years, died Sunday, June 24, 2007. He was 86.

His death came shortly after the IBEW renamed one of its training centers in his honor. A report of the event will appear in the July 2007 issue of ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR.

Lindberg received the Silver Star for bravery in his efforts at Iwo Jima. He also received the Purple Heart. The flag he and five other men raised was the first at Iwo Jima, but it was the second flag that appeared in the famous photograph by Joe Rosenthal. Lindberg explained this many times over the years.

"Two of our men found this big, long pipe there," Lindberg said in an interview with the Associated Press in 2003. "We tied the flag to it, took it to the highest spot we could find and we raised it. Down below, the troops started to cheer. The ships' whistles went off. It was just something that you would never forget. It didn't last too long because the enemy started coming out of the caves."

As the famous second flag raising took place, approximately four hours later, Lindberg was in combat.

After the war, Lindberg returned home to become an electrician. He is an alumni of the Minneapolis, Minn. JATC 292 Electrical Training Center, which has been renamed for him. He worked on several Twin Cities landmarks, such as the former Northwestern National Bank and the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Campus.

In 1954, Lindberg was invited to the dedication of the Marine memorial in Washington, D.C., which carries the names of the second flag raisers. However, the Minnesota Legislature honored Lindberg in 1995 when it dedicated a large mural of the battle for Iwo Jima that contains his face in Long Prairie, Minn. There is also a bronze sculpture of his likeness at Soldier Field in Rochester, Minn.

A visitation will be held Thursday, June 28, 2007, and his funeral will take place on Friday, June 29, 2007, both in Richfield, Minn. He will be buried at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

We will not forget those who gave so much for our country.

NAED’s smart grid website is here!

The buzz related to the smart grid continues to gain momentum, but what does it mean for you? Learn more about the smart grid and related market opportunities by visiting NAED’s smart grid website. Sponsored by the Channel Advantage Partnership, the website features resources to help you and your company navigate smart grid products, technologies, and sales prospects:

• Quick Start Guide: An overview of the smart grid and its components and key players
• State Toolkits: comprehensive smart grid sources for all 50 states:
• Web resources including state incentive programs, clean energy associations, relevant state websites
• Contacts for state-run energy programs
• Smart grid project summaries
• Media coverage of smart grid and related developments
• Utilities operating in the state
• Registered energy companies doing business in the state
• FOCUS pieces: an in-depth look at the markets that impact the smart grid and provide potential selling opportunities for NAED members:
• Renewable Energy
• Coming in June: Building Energy Management, Electric Vehicles, and Transmission & Distribution 
• Glossary: All the terms you need to know to about the smart grid and its related components
• Webinar Information:
• Beyond the Buzz: Smart Grid and the Electrical Distribution Industry

Smart Grid Strategies: The Product Portfolio That Best Fits Your Company (forthcoming)

Optical Cable Corporation Reports Fiscal Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results

OCC Achieves Increases in Net Sales and Gross Profit

ROANOKE, Va., June 14, 2011 Optical Cable Corporation (Nasdaq GM: OCC) ("OCC®" or the "Company") today announced financial results for its fiscal second quarter ended April 30, 2011.  The Company achieved increases in net sales and gross profit for both the quarter and year-to-date periods compared to the same periods in fiscal 2010.

Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results

Consolidated net sales for the second quarter of fiscal year 2011 increased 12.6% to $17.2 million compared to consolidated net sales of $15.3 million for the comparable period last year.  

Net sales to customers located in the United States increased 14.6% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2011 compared to the same period last year, and net sales to customers located outside of the United States increased 6.2%.

Gross profit increased 38.7% to $5.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2011, compared to $4.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2010.  Gross profit margin, or gross profit as a percentage of net sales, increased to 34.6% in the second quarter of fiscal 2011 from 28.1% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2010.

OCC recorded a net loss attributable to the Company of $90,000 or $0.02 per basic and diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal year 2011, compared to a net loss of $7.5 million, or $1.27 per basic and diluted share, for the same period last year.  

Fiscal Year-to-Date 2011 Financial Results

Consolidated net sales for the first half of fiscal year 2011 increased 15.3% to $34.9 million compared to net sales of $30.3 million for the same period last year.  Net sales growth during the first half of fiscal year 2011 was achieved over a broad customer base and product mix, with notable increases in both commercial and specialty markets.

OCC achieved consolidated net sales growth both in international markets and within the United States during the first half of fiscal year 2011.  Net sales to customers located in the United States increased 17.9% in the first half of fiscal 2011 compared to the same period last year, and net sales to customers located outside of the United States increased 8.3% compared to the same period last year.

Gross profit increased 26.4% to $12.4 million for the first half of fiscal year 2011, compared to $9.8 million for the same period in fiscal 2010.  Gross profit margin for the first half of fiscal year 2011 increased to 35.4% compared to 32.3% for the first half of fiscal year 2010.  

OCC achieved increased net sales and gross profit while also reducing selling, general and administrative expenses by 1.5% during the first half of fiscal 2011, compared to the same period last year.

For the first half of fiscal year 2011, OCC recorded net income attributable to the Company of $312,000, or $0.05 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss attributable to the Company of $7.8 million, or $1.32 per basic and diluted share, for the first half of fiscal year 2010.  

The Company generated positive cash flow from operating activities -- with net cash provided by operating activities of $1.0 million in the first half of fiscal year 2011.  OCC also refinanced its $8.3 million in long-term debt during the second quarter of fiscal year 2011 -- reducing its fixed interest rate and extending the maturity date to April 2018.

Management's Comments

Neil Wilkin, President and Chief Executive Officer of OCC, said, "During the first half of fiscal 2011, we significantly improved our performance over the first half of 2010 as demand for our comprehensive suite of products drove sales growth in the U.S. and internationally.  At the same time we grew net sales 15.3%, we also controlled our costs during the first half of 2011 -- with SG&A expenses dropping 1.5%.  As we move forward into the second half of the year, we intend to build on our positive momentum to further grow sales, and use our demonstrated operating leverage to improve bottom line results."

Mr. Wilkin added, "We also strengthened OCC's financial position during the second quarter by refinancing our long-term debt -- extending the maturity date to April 2018 and reducing the fixed interest rate.  OCC continues to return capital to shareholders through a quarterly dividend, and we look forward to creating further value for shareholders as we execute our growth strategy, and OCC and our customers benefit from the expansion of our product offerings."

Company Information

Optical Cable Corporation ("OCC") is a leading manufacturer of a broad range of fiber optic and copper data communications cabling and connectivity solutions primarily for the enterprise market, offering an integrated suite of high quality, warranted products which operate as a system solution or seamlessly integrate with other providers' offerings.  OCC's product offerings include designs for uses ranging from commercial, enterprise network, datacenter, residential and campus installations to customized products for specialty applications and harsh environments, including military, industrial, mining and broadcast applications.  OCC products include fiber optic and copper cabling, fiber optic and copper connectors, specialty fiber optic and copper connectors, fiber optic and copper patch cords, pre-terminated fiber optic and copper cable assemblies, racks, cabinets, datacom enclosures, patch panels, face plates, multi-media boxes and other cable and connectivity management accessories, and are designed to meet the most demanding needs of end-users, delivering a high degree of reliability and outstanding performance characteristics. 

OCC® is internationally recognized for pioneering the design and production of fiber optic cables for the most demanding military field applications, as well as of fiber optic cables suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, and creating a broad product offering built on the evolution of these fundamental technologies.  OCC also is internationally recognized for its role in establishing copper connectivity data communications standards, through its innovative and patented technologies.

Founded in 1983, OCC is headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia with offices, manufacturing and warehouse facilities located in each of Roanoke, Virginia, near Asheville, North Carolina and near Dallas, Texas.  OCC primarily manufactures its fiber optic cables at its Roanoke facility which is ISO 9001:2008 registered and MIL-STD-790F certified, its enterprise connectivity products at its Asheville facility which is ISO 9001:2008 registered, and its military and harsh environment connectivity products and systems at its Dallas facility which is ISO 9001:2008 registered and MIL-STD-790F certified.

Optical Cable Corporation, OCC®, Superior Modular Products, SMP Data Communications, Applied Optical Systems, and associated logos are trademarks of Optical Cable Corporation. www.occfiber.com.

ShoreTel Accelerates Savings in the Automotive Industry

ShoreTel integration with leading automotive applications and its powerful unified communications features help improve customer service and increase sales

Wednesday June 1, 2011, SUNNYVALE, Calif.- ShoreTel® (NASDAQ:SHOR - News), the leading provider of brilliantly simple IP phone systems with fully integrated unified communications (UC), today announced that an increasing number of organizations in the automobile industry are turning to ShoreTel for transformative IP-based communications solutions. ShoreTel’s flexibility and ease of integration with leading automotive business processes are key drivers behind the increase in adoption.

Designed and built for the IP age, the ShoreTel UC solution is easy to deploy, use and administer, making it an ideal choice for companies, like the 2,000 U.S. businesses in the automotive industry with more than 50 employees, who need a simple way to connect with customers and to reduce the IT resources solely dedicated to managing a complex system. Additionally, since the ShoreTel solution is based on an open architecture, automotive dealers can implement third-party solutions providing greater capabilities for system administrators and users that ultimately deliver extended value to their constituencies.

Using the ShoreTel open APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), ShoreTel Innovation Network validated member bridgeSpeak offers tools that enable auto dealers to connect their telecommunications tools with their databases for the DMS (Data Management Systems), CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and BDC (Business Development Center). This unlocks many new possibilities for how dealers can conduct their business more profitably and eliminates complexity caused by disparate, disconnected information systems.

"Customer service is a key differentiator in the automotive industry, and companies rely on the latest communications technology to optimize the customer experience,” said Mark Murawski, manager of implementation and support at bridgeSpeak. “ShoreTel's ease of deployment and use, along with its ability to easily integrate with our software solutions, lets automotive companies add the capabilities they need while reducing costs and closing more deals."

Customer Quotes

“ShoreTel was the only system out of five different manufacturers that worked perfectly during the initial demo, and we even visited labs of the other manufacturers. Seven months and two installations later I can’t say enough good things about the ShoreTel system and its integration with bridgeSpeak for screen pops and OAISYS for call recording. I love how easy it is to use, the mobility when I travel to our other location and its countless features, such as chat that lets our sales team interact with finance while talking to a customer and helps keep the transaction moving. ShoreTel is helping us close more deals than ever before, and we are still discovering helpful new features.”

- Judy Serra, Controller, Headquarter Toyota, Miami, Florida

"ShoreTel gives us the scalability and growth opportunities that other systems simply do not offer. With ShoreTel we were immediately able to save thousands of dollars a month by eliminating PBX programming costs and handling adds/moves/changes on our own. We are very happy with ShoreTel especially with the cost savings, the ease of programming and the ability for our employees to work from any location. In the automotive industry there are always many changes going on including staffing, locations, and office arrangements and ShoreTel makes it easier for us to take care of these changes quickly and with minimal impact to our users.”

- Greg Bennett, IT Director, Downtown L.A. Motors

“ShoreTel has proven to be a very reliable phone system for us. The sound quality is outstanding and we no longer have to use a PBX specialist for simple moves, adds, and changes. Integrating all of our dealerships with one ShoreTel system has been seamless, and has significantly reduced our monthly communication expenses and personnel costs. Salespeople can forward their calls to their mobile phones and we are connecting with our customers more quickly and efficiently. The integration of the bridgeSpeak application allows us to maximize our database to provide screen pop ups with the calling customer's information, and helps us proactively reach out to customers based on campaign criteria and other triggers.”

- Mark DeGroot, IT Manager, Betten Chevrolet Cadillac GMC, Muskegon, Michigan

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About ShoreTel

ShoreTel, Inc. (NASDAQ:SHOR - News) is the provider of brilliantly simple Unified Communication (UC) solutions based on its award-winning IP business phone system. We offer organizations of all sizes integrated, voice, video, data, and mobile communications on an open, distributed IP architecture that helps significantly reduce the complexity and costs typically associated with other solutions. The feature-rich ShoreTel UC system offers the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO) and the highest customer satisfaction in the industry, in part because it is easy to deploy, manage, scale and use. Increasingly, companies around the world are finding a competitive edge by replacing business-as-usual with new thinking, and choosing ShoreTel to handle their integrated business communication. ShoreTel is based in Sunnyvale, California, and has regional offices in Austin, Texas, United Kingdom and Sydney, Australia. For more information, visit www.shoretel.com.

Do you feel lucky? BICSI News Editor’s Desk May/June 2011

Despite recent reports that state the economy is rebounding, the statistics are still rather gloomy. The unemployment rate is at 9.2 percent, but when I consider all those who are no longer eligible to receive unemployment benefits, those who are working part time but need to be working full time, those who are self-employed, and recent graduates who are trying to enter the work force, I believe that at least one in four people are unemployed or under-employed. That puts the actual rate closer to 25 percent. To top it all off, January saw 57,812 home foreclosures sold, but another 225,101 new foreclosures were added to the market just one month later. With a property value that has dropped to where I don’t qualify for a refinance, and with the insecure feeling of being a single mom living paycheck to paycheck, I am no stranger to the problems plaguing our economy. But yet, I feel lucky. Why? Because I work in the ITS industry.

I honestly believe that this is the place to be. The global IT market was one of few that saw growth in 2010, and forecasts predict it to expand again in 2011. I have spoken with many ITS companies that say they saw significant growth last year. This magazine is another sign that our industry continues to thrive. For the past five issues, BICSI News Magazine has consistently maintained a 30 to 40 percent increase in the number of pages than what we published in 2009 and early 2010. While including five or six articles per issue was once the norm, for this issue, it took nine to balance out the amount of advertising. So please keep those articles coming!

Then there are the articles themselves. In this issue, one covers government contracting opportunities and another patient monitoring systems in health care—two vertical markets that are doing quite well in our industry. Three of the articles discuss management strategies, which are really only needed if there are projects to manage. Yet another article looks at the difference between reducing energy consumption and ensuring sustainability in the data center—something that businesses are striving for as they look to achieve ROI on IT implementations that continue to take place. The articles on protecting WLANs and bend-insensitive multimode optical fiber also demonstrate that technology is continuing to advance.

While my heart goes out to those struggling in less successful markets like real estate and retail, I believe we are truly lucky to be in a dynamic, ever-advancing industry that continues to offer opportunity. I hope you all feel lucky too.

In the next issue… Look for yet another article on government projects and one on incentives and challenges for health care installations. For those interested in electronic safety and security systems, learn about megapixel technology for cameras.

Betsy Conroy – Editor

Reprinted with permission from BICSI News www.bicsi.org

CERRO WIRE INTRODUCES IMPROVED SLiPWire™ THHN CABLE JACKETED WITH SELF-LUBRICATING POLYMER

THHN cable reduces labor and installation costs

Cerro Wire LLC, a leading manufacturer of copper electrical building wire and cable, now offers SLiPWire™, a thermoplastic high heat-resistant nylon-coated (THHN) cable jacketed with a self-lubricating polymer that provides an improved, lower co-efficient of friction. SLiPWire™ reduces the time, labor and cost for installation, eliminates the materials and labor needed for lubricating the wire, and avoids messy clean-up activities. Independent testing confirms that SLiPWire is equivalent to, or better than, competing products in the copper building wire industry.

Intertek Testing Services, an independent testing laboratory, observed a test pull conducted at Cerro Wire’s Ogden, Utah manufacturing facility, comparing SLiPWire with competing pre-lubricated THHN products.  Intertek verified that the methodology and setup for the test was very well designed to replicate a typical installation and that SLiPWire™ is every bit the equal if not better than other contenders in the industry.

SLiPWire™ also uses Cerro Wire’s True Sequential Footage™ technology, the only sequentially printed cable reel that provides accurate wire length with each cut. True Sequential Footage prevents the need to carry excess cable inventory, providing precision length, accurate footage, and cost control. It also uses Cerro Wire’s Max Print® identification system to quickly identify the size of the cable, which aids in selection, inspection and prevents costly errors.

About Cerro Wire LLC

Cerro Wire LLC, a leading manufacturer of copper electrical building wire and cable, supplies its products to wholesale electrical distributors and retail home improvement centers across North America. Cerrowire’s Electrical Distribution Division offers building wire for residential, commercial and industrial use. Our operating philosophy focuses on customer service, low cost operations, simplification and innovation. Our employees operate manufacturing and distribution facilities around the United States. Cerro Wire is a Marmon Wire & Cable/Berkshire Hathaway company. 

Please visit our website at www.cerrowire.com for a complete description of our products and services.

AFL Opens New R&D Facility in Lowell, MA

LOWELL, MA – May 16, 2011 AFL is opening a new research and development facility in Lowell, Massachusetts, to support the company's rapid growth and to expand its product offerings for its FO TEST Div.The new 14,500 square foot R&D facility, located at 59 Lowes Way in Lowell, features optics and electronics laboratory development spaces, as well as convenient customer meeting and training facilities for up to 65 engineers and professionals involved in cutting-edge development of Fiber Optic Test and Inspection Equipment.

AFL has plans to expand its Test and Inspection Division professional R&D staff by more than 50% in 2011 and has chosen Lowell, Massachusetts as the optimum location to attract the talent needed to develop and innovate next generation Fiber Optic Test Equipment. AFL will continue to maintain the division's existing 30,000 foot facility and operations located in Belmont, NH.

"Locating our new R&D facility in Massachusetts accelerates our expansion plans and enables AFL to quickly recruit key professional talent. The Lowell facility is also near multiple colleges and universities allowing us to attract new college graduates and partner on development efforts," said George Rose, General Manager of AFL's Test and Inspection Division. "Expanding our operations in Lowell opens up the candidate pool of bachelor and advanced degrees to a population of over two million in the Middlesex, Essex, and Worcester counties. The location is also convenient to and attracts candidates from Southern New Hampshire counties of Hillsborough, Rockingham, and Merrimack."

AFL announced it is presently hiring new employees for the facility and has already brought on eight new employees since announcing the new facility location in 2011 and has relocated multiple other employees to this location.
AFL provides industry-leading products and services to the electric utility, broadband, communications, OEM, enterprise, wireless and transit rail markets as well as the emerging markets of oil and gas, mining, nuclear, avionics, medical, renewable and intelligent grid. The company's diverse product portfolio includes fiber optic cable, transmission and substation accessories, outside plant equipment, connectors, fusion splicers, test equipment and training. AFL's service portfolio includes market-leading positions with the foremost telecommunications companies supporting both the central office and outside plant areas.

Founded in 1984, AFL is proud to offer engineering expertise, exceptional products and reliable service that help our customers improve their critical and electrical infrastructure. AFL has operations in the U.S., Mexico, Europe and Asia. The company is headquartered in Spartanburg, SC, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fujikura Ltd. of Japan. www.AFLglobal.com

BOMA International and OSCRE Sign Memorandum of Understanding

(WASHINGTON—May 17, 2011) The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International and the Open Standards Consortium for Real Estate (OSCRE) recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the common goal of advancing the interoperability among information systems that exchange real estate related information.

BOMA and OSCRE have a common interest in several issues that will benefit the commercial real estate industry. Both parties have agreed to exchange information, participate in the other’s events, seek each other’s views in the development of new products, collaborate on data standards development in order to take advantage of work already accomplished, and develop special agreements for the promotion and distribution of each other’s products and services, among other goals.

“OSCRE has led the charge when it comes to developing standards for technological systems in our industry and we look forward to strengthening our relationship,” commented BOMA International Chair Ray H. Mackey, Jr., RPA, CPM, CCIM, partner and chief operating officer, Stream Realty Partners, L.P. “Our collaboration will allow us to work together on a variety of initiatives that will enhance the productivity of commercial real estate professionals.”

“BOMA has long been a leader in providing property professionals with the information and resources they need to perform better,” remarked Catherine Williams, OSCRE Chief Executive. “Our partnership will help make real estate information systems interoperable, making members of our industry even more effective.”

About BOMA International
The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International is an international federation of more than 100 local associations and affiliated organizations. Founded in 1907, its 16,500-plus members own or manage more than nine billion square feet of commercial properties. BOMA International’s mission is to enhance the human, intellectual and physical assets of the commercial real estate industry through advocacy, education, research, standards and information. On the Web at www.boma.org.

About OSCRE (the Open Standards Consortium for Real Estate)

OSCRE is a not for profit market led initiative that facilitates increased business productivity

through the development and delivery of standards across the real property sector. OSCRE’s mission is to drive the standards development process among key real estate stakeholders, including owners, tenants/occupants, investors, operators, developers, service providers, regulatory agencies, consulting firms, vendors and suppliers - to benefit all stakeholders and enable the real estate industry to function more efficiently in the digital economy. OSCRE is the only global e-commerce standards body for the real property sector. The organization is funded by its members, whose valued financial and professional contribution enables the continuation of the work of OSCRE.

For more information please visit our website at http://www.oscre.org.

BOMA’s Medical Office Building Conference Examines Healthcare Reform Legislation’s Effect on Real Estate

Capital Constraints, Regulatory Challenges and Physician Employment Trends also Featured

(WASHINGTON—June 16, 2011) Healthcare reform and the real estate implications of the implementation of the 2010 Affordable Care Act were the focus of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA)’s 2011 Medical Office Buildings and Healthcare Facilities Conference, held May 4-6, 2011 in Dallas.  Both healthcare and real estate industry experts agreed that healthcare reform is here to stay in one form or another and will generate demand for outpatient facilities like medical office buildings and ambulatory care centers, though precisely how much new space would be required remains unseen.

Healthcare reform will also change the way that procedures are paid for; namely, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements will shift from a pay-for-volume to a pay-for-quality system, which will ultimately affect how physicians use space and what they can pay in rents, experts told the crowd of more than 650 healthcare executives and owners, developers and managers of healthcare real estate.   The conference featured industry experts from such firms as The Cleveland Clinic, Carolinas Healthcare, Methodist Health, Parkland Community Hospital, Trinity Health, HCA, Lifepoint Hospitals, MedStar Health, Inc., Ventas, HCP, Inc., Grubb & Ellis Healthcare REIT II, Healthcare Realty Trust, Standard & Poor’s, Morgan Keegan, Savills, LLC, and Cain Brothers, among many others.

Regulatory compliance and hospital monetization were also widely discussed. Regulations commonly referred to as “Stark laws” and anti-kickback statutes regulate physician self-referral under Medicare and Medicaid and underscore the need for highly-professional property management staff who can ensure compliance, many speakers said. The regulatory environment emerging in the wake of the Affordable Care Act—and the steep fines that accompany non-compliance—makes the use of third-party developers even more attractive for hospitals. As hospitals look to monetize their real estate assets to focus on their core mission of providing care, regulatory compliance concerns can also be addressed.

Experts touched on the movement toward hospital employment among physicians, which healthcare reform is also expected to accelerate, as well as the anticipated physician shortage that continues to grow. Attendees also toured the Baylor University Medical Center’s Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center, where they got a first-hand look at how healthcare developer  Duke Realty worked with Baylor through complex strategic, financial, operational and regulatory issues to create a state-of-the-art cancer treatment center that is designed to be a center of excellence.

“BOMA’s MOB Conference provides a forum for industry leaders to exchange critical information about what the future holds for healthcare and healthcare facilities,” commented Gordon A. Soderlund, Senior Vice President, Business Development at Lend Lease DASCO and 2011 Co-Chair of the Medical Office Buildings and Healthcare Facilities Committee. “Our industry is confronting a tremendous amount of change, from healthcare reform and new regulations to shifting demographics. This conference brought together the major industry thought leaders and equipped attendees with information to help both healthcare systems and real estate companies refine their real estate strategies.”

***

About BOMA International
The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International is an international federation of more than 100 local associations and affiliated organizations. Founded in 1907, its 16,500-plus members own or manage more than nine billion square feet of commercial properties. BOMA International’s mission is to enhance the human, intellectual and physical assets of the commercial real estate industry through advocacy, education, research, standards and information. On the Web at www.boma.org.

Cablesys now offers 10G/40G/100G HD Fiber Solutions

Data centers across the globe are fast reaching their space limits and rising costs are forcing businesses to rethink their data center strategy. So how should you continue IT deployment and drive growth?  Simple.  Implement high-density (HD) fiber optic connectivity. Cablesys HD fiber products offer the highest performance and most cost-effective solutions within the industry; patch panels, adapter panels and MPO cassettes.

High-density (HD) fiber patch panels are the solution in premise backbone cabling, consolidation points, and data centers applications where port density, less pathways congestion and spaces are crucial for high bandwidth mission critical infrastructures. Whether end-users are installing fiber to the home (FTTH), business (FTTB) or curb (FTTC) Cablesys HD fiber patch panels and complementing solutions are ideal to simplify your design process, saving time and money.

They are designed to mount onto standard 19” racks and offer the highest fiber connectivity within one rack mount space allowing maximum space usage.  Get up to 288 fibers on one MPO patch panel and up to 96 fibers on one LC patch panel.  Fiber patch panels are constructed of 16 gauge steel and incorporate numeric silk screening for easy port identification.

For a flexible solution Cablesys’ HD fiber adapter panels are designed just for that.  There are push pins allowing them to be easily installed and removed from blank panels for quick moves, adds and changes. Get up to 216 fibers on one MPO adapter panel and up to 72 fibers on three LC adapter panel in one rack mount space.

For HD Plug and Play infrastructures use MPO cassettes. Cablesys has designed 24 LC fiber connectors on the front with an internal cable assembly converting to two female 12-fiber MPO connectors on the rear for a simple solution.  This enables you to utilize MPO trunk cables within the backbone infrastructure for faster deployment.  Cassettes are designed with push pins allowing them to be easily interchanged and come pre-tested, ready for immediate use.

For all your fiber needs Cablesys offers all that and more. Cablesys, headquartered in La Mirada, California, is a leading manufacturer of HD fiber connectivity and bundled fiber jumpers for 10G/40G/100G applications. Go on-line www.cablesys.com for more information.  For over 20 years, Cablesys has been working closely with its customers to provide friendly service and superior products at great prices.

Emerging Voice Infrastructure Sales Grew 30 Percent

Acme Packet and Broadsoft Benefit From Voice Market Trends

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – May 25, 2011 – Dell’Oro Group, the trusted source for market information about the networking and telecommunications industries, announced today that revenues in emerging voice infrastructure markets, which include Session Border Controller (SBC) and Voice Application Server (VAS), grew 30% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2011.  The two largest market share participants in SBCs are Acme Packet and privately-held Huawei, while the largest VAS market participants are Broadsoft and privately-held GENBAND.

“There are some exciting trends underway in the voice infrastructure market today,” said Tam Dell’Oro, President at Dell’Oro Group.  “While we had expected older softswitch and media gateway equipment sales to decline from last year, the Session Border Controller and Voice Application Server markets continued to experience exceptional growth.”

Overall, Carrier IP Telephony revenues of $1.8 billion fell three percent versus year-ago results.  Significant operator activity in the past two quarters has resulted in IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) deployment, which is estimated to have experienced 26% year-over-year license growth.  IMS is an Internet Protocol (IP) - based network over which both wireless and wireline networks can deliver advanced features such as video and high-quality voice calls.

“With Voice over Long Term Evolution technical demonstrations such as those at Verizon in the first quarter now behind us, we expect the IMS market may experience more strong growth in the future, with IMS core growth approaching $1 billion in the next five years,” Dell’Oro finished.

Ericsson acquisition of Telcordia to boost OSS/BSS strength

June 15, 2011

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) has reached an agreement with Providence Equity Partners, LLC and Warburg Pincus to acquire 100 percent of the shares of Telcordia, the former Bell Communications Research, that specializes in mobile, broadband and enterprise communications software and services. Ericsson will pay $1.15 billion in the deal, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year.

The acquisition of Telcordia will significantly strengthen Ericsson’s status in the growing operations support systems/business support systems (OSS/BSS) market, the company believes. According to figures Ericsson provided, the market for software and systems integration in 2010 reached $35 billion and is expected to show a compound annual growth rate between 6-8 percent between 2010 and 2013. The need for operators to efficiently handle the growth in mobile and fixed broadband traffic, as well as new types of connected devices, services and applications, while meeting customers’ expectations is expected to drive this growth.

In addition, what Ericsson termed “an attractive market for outsourced and hosted managed services,” should grow at a similar rate.

Telcordia, headquartered in Piscataway, NJ, generated revenues of $739 million during the last fiscal year ended January 31, 2011 and employs more than 2,600 people. The company was founded as Bell Communications Research in 1982 as part of the breakup of AT&T. The standards it generated for the Regional Bell Operating Companies remain in use, particularly among carriers in North America.

"The importance of operations and business support systems will continue to grow as more and more devices are connected, services become mobile and new business models for mobile broadband are introduced,” according to Hans Vestberg, president and CEO, Ericsson. “In this context, Telcordia brings very skilled people and knowledge, a large business in North America and other markets, as well as a good multivendor product portfolio."

Five Reasons Why You Can't Afford to Miss BOMA 2011

(WASHINGTON—June 6, 2011) The 2011 BOMA International Conference & The Every Building Show®, held in Washington, D.C., June 26-28, is commercial real estate’s most important gathering, offering insight from the industry’s foremost experts, the best education programming and cutting-edge solutions in building operations. Property professionals from across the U.S. and around the world come together to discuss current trends, best practices and learn firsthand what industry leaders are doing to stay ahead.

“Our industry is coming out of one of the worst recessions in decades. The BOMA Conference is focused on providing the strategies and tools that will prepare property professionals for success as the market recovers,” commented BOMA International Chair Ray H. Mackey, Jr., RPA, CPM, CCIM, partner and chief operating officer, Stream Realty Partners, L.P. “This year’s program is one of our strongest to date, featuring timely, relevant information and respected thought leaders with solutions that will help us lead the future.”

Here are five reasons why BOMA 2011 is commercial real estate’s premier education and networking event:

1.  The Industry's Best Programming—Bar None

Where else will you find political guru David Gergen, President and CEO of Vornado Realty Trust Michael Fascitelli and real estate strategist extraordinaire Dr. Peter Linneman under one roof?  Add to that the industry's best education program and attendees will have a full plate of great ideas and strategies to position them for success.

2.  The Networking Path to Success

The best way to come out on top after a recession is to be in the company of the best and the brightest. That's who will be at BOMA 2011, where attendees can network and share ideas with the best minds in commercial real estate.

3.  Innovative Solutions at The Every Building Show®

All the leading suppliers and state-of-the-art products and services for every type of building will be at the tradeshow—all under one roof. From solutions to increase operational efficiencies and enhance property values to reducing costs and boosting NOI, The Every Building Show suppliers have the solutions property professionals need.

4.  Location, Location, Location

BOMA 2011 will be at the world-class Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center at National Harbor in Washington, D.C., a spectacular new mixed-use community featuring more than seven million square feet of waterfront development.

5.  Flexible Registration Options

Affordable registration options are available for full conference, one-day, team admission and more. Property managers can also bring their building engineers for free. The only risk is not attending.

For more information, visit www.bomaconvention.org.

***

About BOMA International
The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International is an international federation of more than 100 local associations and affiliated organizations. Founded in 1907, its 16,500-plus members own or manage more than nine billion square feet of commercial properties. BOMA International’s mission is to enhance the human, intellectual and physical assets of the commercial real estate industry through advocacy, education, research, standards and information. On the Web at www.boma.org

McCormick Systems Software Offered For Fast, Proven Plumbing & Mechanical Estimating

McCormick Systems, which has provided estimating software to electrical contractors since 1979, has taken a step in a new direction – offering its mature, sophisticated-but-simple system to plumbing & mechanical contractors.

The major difference: This system comes with a discrete database customized for plumbing & mechanical estimating, developed and fabricated in consultation with plumbing and mechanical contractors who have worked with McCormick over the years.

Contractors (and their estimators) who regularly bid on or negotiate for plumbing & mechanical projects can now select from a variety of options. McCormick offers software tailored for smaller companies up to sophisticated, networked systems.

Additionally, the company offers add-on such as CAD Estimating, a unique interface with OnScreen Take-Off software, a time-and-material billing system, and more.

“When we promote our products to the electrical field, we talk about the need for speed in estimating, especially these days,” President Todd McCormick said. “Our company was founded by my dad, who was an electrical contractor. So the focus, from Day One, has been on improving estimating productivity. “

“Our customers also tell us that our system is adaptable to their needs. They also say that our customer support is the best they’ve ever seen. “

“We intend to maintain these attributes, and enhance our reputation, in our continued work with plumbing & mechanical contractors and estimators.” 

About McCormick Systems

Privately owned McCormick Systems (Chandler, AZ) is the nation’s leader in software used for electrical and ABS estimating and project management. The company’s products enable contractors to quickly produce consistent, profitable estimates for electrical and voice-data-video work, and more.

More information: www.mccormicksys.com or 800-444-4890.

Diebold Joins CABA Board of Directors

June 10, 2011

Laurie Coleman Figy of Whirlpool Corporation Appointed to CABA Board

June 10, 2011

The Continental Automated Buildings Association is pleased to announce that Laurie Coleman Figy of Whirlpool Corporation has been appointed to the CABA Board of Directors.

"CABA is very excited to announce the appointment of Laurie Coleman Figy to the Board," said Ronald J. Zimmer, President & CEO of CABA. "Her experience in consumer market research and emerging technologies will be a great asset to our organization."

Figy is a Senior Manager of Consumer Insights at Whirlpool. She is responsible for delivering objective, consumer-relevant insights to satisfy the ultimate mission of building desirable products that will captivate loyal customers.

Figy has been with Whirlpool Corporation for 10 years and has held positions in e-business, sales promotions, global information systems and most recently, consumer and marketplace insights.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising and Public Relations from Grand Valley State University and a Master of Science in Management from Cornerstone University.

"CABA is known for its excellence in executing collaborative industry research and I am honored to be associated with such a prestigious group," said Figy. "I look forward to contributing ideas and insight on the CABA Board."

GE Energy Joins CABA Board of Directors

June 10, 2011

The Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA) is pleased to announce the addition of GE Energy to its Board of Directors.

GE Energy is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies. The company's energy business unit's work together to provide integrated products, services, and solutions in all areas of energy management and distribution including oil and gas, renewables such as wind, solar, biogas; nuclear energy, and smart grid technologies. In the past five years, under GE's Ecomagination strategy, GE has invested $5 billion in clean tech research to solve global challenges in critical areas including energy supply, management and distribution, water management and reuse, more efficient transportation, and energy efficient lighting. Earlier this year, GE announced the new Grid IQ™ Innovation Centre - Canada, the first Centre of its kind for GE in Canada to develop and manufacture grid modernization technologies. The Centre will encompass a global testing and simulation laboratory.

David Neely, GE Energy's Canadian Smart Grid Implementation Director, will represent the company on the CABA Board. In his role at GE, Neely works directly with utilities, city and policy groups regarding the integration of smart city and smart grid concepts. Prior to joining GE, Neely held positions within the defense industry advising and supporting government defense departments on the delivery of integrated command and control systems.

"This is an exciting time for energy management and distribution in Canada. Businesses and governments are seeking ways to reduce their operating costs and environmental footprint while managing energy demands. I look forward to working with CABA to advance energy optimization technologies for the grid and within buildings across our cities."

RealView, LLC to Join CABA Board of Directors

June 6, 2011

The Continental Automated Buildings Association is pleased to announce the addition of RealView, LLC to its Board of Directors.

CABA is an international trade association dedicated to advancing technology and integrated systems in homes and buildings, creating opportunities for its members' business activities and serving as a preferred global source of information, technology and networking for key stakeholders.

RealView, LLC is a Chicago-based software development company that offers mobile inspection and centralized fire and emergency pre-plan software solutions. Stephen J. Nardi, RealView, LLC President & CEO, will represent the company on the CABA Board.

"I am very pleased that Stephen Nardi has joined our Board," said Ronald J. Zimmer, CABA President & CEO. "His contribution to our work will continue to ensure strong representation from an innovative and entrepreneurial provider of high-quality life safety applications for commercial buildings."

Nardi has 40 years of previous experience as a national corporate real estate developer and as a Chairman and CEO of a NYSE-listed real estate investment trust that owned and developed millions of square feet of office and industrial property throughout the United States.

He is a member of the National Fire Protection Association, the Center for Campus Fire Safety, the Chicago Real Estate Board, the National Association of Realtors, the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors, the National Association of Industrial and Office Realtors, the Urban Land Institute, and the Chicago Development Council. He also serves on the Council of Regents of Loyola University Chicago.

BTR NETCOM, Inc. Joins CABA Board of Directors

May 13, 2011

The Continental Automated Buildings Association is pleased to announce the addition of BTR NETCOM, Inc. to its Board of Directors.

BTR NETCOM is a METZ CONNECT company, which specializes in products for the building cabling and automation market segments. Thomas Williams, director of BTR NETCOM's Datacomm divison, will represent the company on the CABA Board.

Williams also serves as Director for New Business Development at METZ CONNECT and has responsibility for development of distribution channels, sales and marketing of BTR NETCOM products and services, including new business development within OEM and enterprise cabling markets and participation in industry standards setting organizations.

"I am happy to welcome BTR NETCOM, Inc. and Thomas Williams to the CABA family," stated Ronald J. Zimmer, CABA President & CEO. "Thomas brings a wealth of experience to the table and can capably support our objective of advancing the building automation industry through his unique perspective."

Williams has over 20 years experience within the communications industry working with structured cabling system design manufacturers, installers, and distributors. Has been actively involved with many industry and standards setting organizations, such as BICSI, TIA, and ODVA. He has also written articles on structured cabling technology for industry magazines.

CABA Enters Into Liaison Agreement with UPnP Forum

May 13, 2011

The Continental Automated Buildings Association and UPnP Forum have entered into a liaison agreement.

UPnP Forum is an industry initiative of more than 900 leading companies in computing, printing and networking; consumer electronics; home appliances, automation, control and security; and mobile products.

"CABA is very pleased to have entered into an agreement with UPnP Forum," said Ronald J. Zimmer, CABA President & CEO. "UPnP is a unique and highly innovative organization, and we look forward to working with its membership to strengthen connected home interoperability."

The UPnP Forum's goals are to allow devices to connect seamlessly and to simplify network implementation in the home and LAN environments including remote access. Toward this end, Forum members work together to define and publish UPnP device control protocols built upon open, Internet-based communication standards.

As part of a continuing effort to strengthen areas of mutual interest, CABA and the UPnP Forum have agreed to work with each other to share market research and collaborate on areas of common interest, including: deployment of home networking, support for audio-video between home devices, smart grids, remote access to home networks and power management of connected devices.

"We are very happy to formalize the relationship between UPnP Forum and CABA," stated Dr. Alan Messer, UPnP Chair and President. "Discussion, cooperation and alignment between key industry players is key to enabling seamless home networking. Working together with CABA will foster closer cooperation to strengthen the connected home marketplace."

Southern California Edison Joins CABA Board of Directors

May 11, 2011

The Continental Automated Buildings Association is pleased to announce the addition of Southern California Edison to its Board of Directors.

Southern California Edison, a subsidiary of Edison International, is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, providing 11 million people with electricity. Alok Singh, Manager, Design & Engineering Services, will represent the company on the CABA Board.

Singh has worked in the field of energy efficiency and sustainable building design since 1994. As a Manager with Southern California Edison's Design & Engineering Services group, he leads a group of technical professionals responsible for providing comprehensive engineering and energy solutions, design expertise, and project and program management services. Singh's responsibilities include providing leadership and oversight to the Statewide Emerging Technologies Program, which is focused on accelerating adoption of commercially available or near market-ready technologies in the marketplace. He is currently involved in a leadership role in numerous Zero Net Energy Demonstration Showcase projects at SCE.

"CABA is extremely gratified to welcome Alok Singh and Southern California Edison to its Board," stated Ronald J. Zimmer, CABA President & CEO. "His vast amount of experience and knowledge will ensure strong representation from a utility noted for its strong support for energy efficient technologies and initiatives."

Singh joined SCE in 2006 as a Senior Energy Efficiency Consultant within the New Construction Services group, where he provided technical and design assistance for the company's first LEED Gold-rated Service Center in Wildomar, California. Prior to joining SCE, Singh was the chief operating officer of a start-up energy services firm in Pittsburgh and worked on a variety of performance contracting and guaranteed saving projects.

Singh received his Bachelor of Architecture from the School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi, India and is a LEED Accredited Professional, a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and a Certified Measurement & Verification Professional (CMVP). He also holds an MS degree in Building Performance & Diagnostics from Carnegie Mellon and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh.

"I am looking forward to working with CABA to contribute to the development and application of technology and automation solutions that will improve the comfort, productivity and efficiency of today's homes and buildings," stated Singh. "CABA contributes an important perspective to our industry, bringing a unique mix of companies, individuals and organizations together to advance the adoption of home and building automation solutions."

CABA has assisted SCE by supporting its "Office of the Future" research initiatives, while SCE is planning to participate in CABA's State of the Connected Home and Smart Grid's Impact on Intelligent Buildings research projects.

CABA Enters Education Partner Agreement with CoR Advisors

May 10, 2011

The Continental Automated Buildings Association is pleased to announce that it has entered into an education partner agreement with CoR Advisors to provide valuable technology education to the real estate industry.

"We are extremely excited to have established a partnership with CoR Advisors," stated Ronald J. Zimmer, CABA President & CEO. "As an education partner, CABA will contribute to CoR Advisors' webcasts and seminars in order to share our collective knowledge and resources with the real estate community."

Areas of focus for educational programs include: green building solutions, energy management and reporting, advanced lighting strategies, building automation, alternative energy solutions, energy procurement, demand response programs, LEED certification, financial modeling and ROI analysis, intelligent building solutions, and other educational programs for owners, managers and tenants. For a calendar of upcoming programs, please visit www.coradvisors.net/CoRWebinars.html.

"Our goal is to raise awareness of new technologies and solutions that will make buildings more intelligent and energy efficient, as well as increase the demand for intelligent building solutions in the marketplace," said Darlene Pope, Founder and Principal of CoR Advisors. "Both CABA and CoR Advisors are committed to advancing the knowledge, practice, and skills of professionals in the building technology industry, so it makes sense that we should team up to offer these educational programs."

CoR Advisors provides professional education and consulting services to help commercial real estate owners evaluate and implement "best practices" in intelligent building technologies, energy management, and sustainable business practices. The firm's objective is to leverage state-of-the-art technologies and partner with leading service providers to deliver both short-term and long-term asset value to its clients.

More information about upcoming seminars will be announced in the CABA NewsBrief newsletter. Please subscribe at www.caba.org/newsbrief. For more information about CoR Advisors seminars and webcasts, visit www.coradvisors.net.

Utilimetrics and CABA Sign Partnership Agreement

May 9, 2011

Utilimetrics, the Utility Technology Association and the Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA) announced today that they signed an association partnership agreement that includes CABA's support of Autovation 2011, the Utilimetrics annual conference and exposition.

Autovation 2011 will be held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, DC, September 25 through 28. It is projected to be the largest utility automation conference and exposition in North America.

Autovation attracts electric, gas and water utility professionals from around the world seeking to maximize operations and share best practices. Participants represent cooperatives, investor- owned and municipal utilities whose stages of technology automation range from developing business cases and selecting vendors to installing smart meters to optimizing investments and preparing for the future.

"The Autovation expo is packed with the most innovative suppliers in the industry," stated Joel Hoiland, Utilimetrics CEO. "From meter manufacturers to billing service providers to suppliers of related products and services, the event brings together everyone you need to speak with under one roof. We are proud that CABA has committed to participate and will actively endorse this event."

CABA will attend the event and promote presentations that emphasize energy performance management, interoperability and applications that enable intelligent and green buildings.

"We are pleased to be working closely with Utilimetrics," stated Ronald J. Zimmer, CABA president & CEO. "The organization's commitment to promote innovation in the energy efficiency field closely resembles that of CABA's commitment to promote connected homes and intelligent buildings. We hope this agreement forms the basis of a long, cooperative relationship between us.

CABA Signs Memorandum of Understanding with the Peak Load Management Alliance

May 3, 2011

The Continental Automated Buildings Association has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Peak Load Management Alliance (PLMA).

The purpose of the PLMA, a not-for-profit organization, is to foster a community of expertise focused on demand response and its role in creating efficient electricity markets.

Unlike other commodities, the demand for electricity is inelastic. As a result, in times of short supply, the price for electricity has increased nearly 4,000 percent in some areas of the Unites States. This has resulted in great financial burdens for some electric suppliers who have a contractual obligation to continue supplying electricity to their customers at a fixed price despite the tremendous price increase on the wholesale electricity supply markets.

Through the Alliance, participating companies can bring forward useful information on price responsive loads, market structures and market rules. This includes information on market participants' roles, customer needs and actions and enabling technologies.

"Given the current direction of regulatory reforms, we believe it is important that those who demonstrate a commitment to expertise in this industry formalize their commitment," said Elliot Boardman, Executive Director, Peak Load Management Alliance. "This is why we have entered into an agreement with CABA."

Under the agreement the organizations will establish forums and openly exchange information in order to benefit a wide range of stakeholders including the utility industry; regulatory organizations; energy, building automation, telecommunications, controls and information technology vendors; technology companies; consumer groups; and government and non-governmental organizations.

"This memorandum of understanding provides greater visibility and recognition concerning the integration of smart grid and building automation technologies," stated Ronald J. Zimmer, CABA President & CEO. "We are extremely excited to be working with the Peak Load Management Alliance (PLMA) to strengthen and enhance building technologies that limit price fluctuations in the electricity market in order to make energy more affordable and business processes more productive."

Sonexis Technology, Inc. Selected as an Alliance Member in ShoreTel Innovation Network

MONROEVILLE, Pa., June 16, 2011  -- Sonexis Technology, Inc., a leading provider of on-premise audio and Web conferencing platforms for the enterprise, today announced it has been selected by ShoreTel, Inc., a provider of brilliantly simple Unified Communication (UC) solutions, as an Alliance member in the ShoreTel Innovation Network. Sonexis is proud to continue its relationship with ShoreTel as an Alliance member in the ShoreTel Innovation Network.

Sonexis ConferenceManager provides a high quality, feature-rich collaboration solution for enterprise customers looking to implement a secure, cost-effective alternative to 'pay per minute' audio and Web conferencing. Sonexis customers derive significant cost savings over traditional conferencing service providers, and benefit from enhanced security, functionality, and reporting features that are inherent in the platform.

"Sonexis is committed to providing a comprehensive and complementary collaboration solution to ShoreTel customers and partners," said Dan Watkins, executive vice president of Sonexis. "ConferenceManager offers a robust and secure collaboration solution that can be seamlessly deployed to ShoreTel customers that require an expanded collaboration solution, while preserving prior investments. As an Alliance member in the Innovation Network, Sonexis can provide ShoreTel customers another option for enhanced audio and Web collaboration."

"We're pleased to have Sonexis and their ConferenceManager solution within the Innovation Network, complimenting ShoreTel's rich Unified Communications offerings," said Kevin Gavin, chief marketing officer at ShoreTel. "Sonexis has been a valuable technology partner since 2008 and we look forward to building upon existing success as part of our ongoing commitment to standards-based technologies and open-architected systems that give customers flexibility to implement solutions ideally situated for specific business needs."

Visit www.sonexis.com or www.shoretel.com to learn more about Sonexis ConferenceManager or the ShoreTel Innovation Network.

About Sonexis Technology, Inc.

Sonexis is a leading provider of in-house audio and web conferencing platforms for the enterprise. Sonexis ConferenceManager has set new standards for ease of use and security for communications and collaboration. Designed to work within existing voice and data networks, hundreds of leading organizations have deployed Sonexis ConferenceManager with minimal cost, effort or administration.  A subsidiary of Compunetix with headquarters in Monroeville, PA and a technology center in Tewksbury, MA, Sonexis can be reached at 888-4SONEXIS (888-476-6394) or www.sonexis.com.

About ShoreTel, Inc.

ShoreTel, Inc., (NASDAQ:SHOR - News) is the provider of brilliantly simple Unified Communication (UC) solutions based on its award-winning IP business phone system. We offer organizations of all sizes integrated, voice, video, data, and mobile communications on an open, distributed IP architecture that helps significantly reduce the complexity and costs typically associated with other solutions. The feature-rich ShoreTel UC system offers the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO) and the highest customer satisfaction in the industry, in part because it is easy to deploy, manage, scale and use. Increasingly, companies around the world are finding a competitive edge by replacing business-as-usual with new thinking, and choosing ShoreTel to handle their integrated business communication. ShoreTel is based in Sunnyvale, California, and has regional offices in Austin, Texas, United Kingdom, Sydney, Australia. For more information, visit www.shoretel.com.

ICANN To Expand Top-Level Domain Names, Applications Start Jan 12, 2012

By TechCrunch.com, Updated: Monday, June 20, 9:22 AM

The ICANN board has voted to approve the new gTLD program, which was first announced three years ago. The new program will significantly expand Top-Level Domains (TLDs) to allow companies, organizations and even cities to turn their own brands into domain name extensions. Think .ADIDAS, .HOTEL, .BRUSSELS, .FACEBOOK and the likes.

Applications for new gTLDs will be accepted from 12 January 2012 to 12 April 2012.

ICANN board members voted 13 for, 1 opposed, 2 abstain on the first day of its international pow-wow in Singapore. Earlier this year, the organization’s board entered into a contract with ICM Registry to operate a .XXX top level domain name for adult websites and whatnot.

Currently, there are 22 generic top-level domains, including .com, .org and .net.

According to ICANN, newly introduced gTLDs may change the way people find information on the Internet and how businesses plan and structure their online presence.

“Internet address names will be able to end with almost any word in any language, offering organizations around the world the opportunity to market their brand, products, community or cause in new and innovative ways,” ICANN said in a statement.

However, it’s important to note that only “established public or private organizations” will be able to apply, and the price tag for a new domain name extension is steep – unless you consider $185,000 a bargain. Nevertheless, expect lots of interest even at that price.

Oracle seeking billions from Google in Android patent battle

By Jason Ankeny