Find out why BICSI is today's fastest growing Cabling Association. Our industry expertise, technological resources and Certification programs keep you on the competitive edge. Let us serve you to our mutual success!
Over the
past 25 years, but mostly during the past two decades, we have seen the
Information Age become a reality. The Computer & Communications’ touch are
being felt everywhere. The improbable we do right away, but the impossible will
take two more weeks.
The most
advanced information societies are somewhere between Star Trek and Twilight
Zone. All this is even more shocking when you recognize that the speed of
change is still accelerating. We are moving more types of information at ever
faster rates to do more tasks than we even considered just 10 years ago.
There are
many more winners than losers in the Information Technology Industry.
Each
component has seen advancements. Each system has seen upgrades. New systems
with new features are being introduced every month. Technologies are merging in
ways we never expected.
The IT and
Telephone businesses are converging with Power and Control. Security and Life
Safety Systems are jumping on the wagon too. Pretty soon the top technicians
will have an entire alphabet soup after their names (RCDD, PE,
TPM, NTS, ESS, OSP, CFOI, WD, NCE, LVT, etc.) and those don’t even recognize manufacturer
skill certifications.
Some
manufactures may find their leading products getting crushed by the relentless
tsunami of newer competing systems. Do you remember the copper communications
cables (CAT 2,3,4,5,5e,6,6a,7)? Do you remember when FTTD - fiber to the desk
was a myth and FTTH was way out there?
Webinars,
trade publications and industry associations are working diligently to keep up.
Websites have become a critical component of the each business. Education is
vital to getting the word out. REMEMBER: You can’t sell solutions to some one who
doesn’t know they have a problem. The entire challenge is about
EDUCATION.
What are
you doing about it?
BTW: DWT -
driving while texting is deadly. Don’t do it or tolerate it in your
organization.
Safety is too important to
ignore.
But that’s
just my opinion,
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
904-237-0365 cell frank@wireville.com
*********************************
The SAFE PLAY for The Contractor
an
inexpensive and effective business safeguard
There are
many pitfalls for the contractor. They need self-defense. Costs can sneak up
and wipe out the profit from a project. Some of the surprises cannot be
prevented, but most of the nasty developments can be avoided. Planning is
crucial, and the agreement for the project should be well defined, with some
clauses to address the unforeseen and unexpected costs.
The attacks
upon the contractor can come from many directions. Even Mother Nature can pose
a serious threat to the best-laid plans.
Recently, I
overheard a contractor filling his truck at the gas station. The clerk inquired
if he was going to fill up the tank and the contractor replied, "Nope.
I've only got a hundred bucks on me." Gas prices soared so quickly that
many contractors ended up paying the extra costs to do the jobs out of their
own pockets. There are many other horrific examples of unexpected cost
increases spiraling upward after the job has been negotiated and the deal
signed. Medical and liability insurance can rocket up with very little advance
notice. Contracts that must be performed over lengthy periods are very likely
targets for these "bear traps".
In the
electrical and communications industry, there are some counterfeit
products.Some are even labeled and
packaged to look identical to the 'real deal'.While the products in the electrical side are less prone to this
problem, the communications cabling industry has had so many new products come
on the scene that almost no one can keep up.
SELF
DEFENSE IS A MUST
For my
money, "Going it alone is not an option." says Michael
Shannahan, Vice President of Communication Planning Corp. (Jacksonville, Fla.).
"The pace of technology in the communications network industry is moving
so quickly that we would need a purchasing agent dedicated just for new
products and enhancements.Now, add the
need for product testing and quality control and bingo – now, you need another
dozen or so full time employees.Also,
don’t forget the billion-dollar-testing organization." Shannahan
added,"The problems are more than
just evaluating the product on a stand-alone basis, now you have to put it to
work in a real network to calculate actual performance with other
components.To do that type of testing,
you will require some real "high-dollar" techs.Throw that in your budget."
Fortunately,
there are powerful self-defense resources available that provide real solutions
to the quality control challenge. We have researched the communications
industry and found a set of solutions. Choose a leading distributor of
communications and electrical products and related supply-chain management
& logistics services. Make sure they also have expertise in security,
communications cabling, and infrastructure.There are numerous first-rate sources out there. However, our research
found that there are only a few programs meets the challenges of assuring
integrity to the purchasing process with a level of quality control.
By now, you
should have gotten part of the message about why self-defense and a strong
distributor is a "no-brainer" for the contractor.Let's add a few other self-defense bonus
points to the distributor value.Face
it; the distributor is the communications cabling and connector market’s
largest buyer.For the manufacturers,
maintaining the best working relationship possible with a distributor is an
absolute must.The distributor is where
products converge and network systems are created.We don’t buy parts anymore.We buy systems.The systems must be integrated and
maximized.
Arthur
Padgett, an independent communications consultant ( CATZ -Cabling A To Z) and
37 year veteran of the industry said, "Today the process of developing a
design and evaluating alternatives for the cabling network infrastructure is
more challenging than ever before.Functionality, performance, life-cycle term, and budget are thrown into
the mix along with the entire technical specification.In the world of communications
infrastructure, using a self-defense mind set and a distributor is a priority
for the contractor.Incredibly, we still
see many contractors failing to use or capture the values available from the
distributor."
The time to
find out about glitches or mismatches is not "after the fact".The communications infrastructure was once a
formula of 78% labor and 22% materials.Today that formula has evolved to approximately 52% labor and 48%
materials.Once the installation has
been performed, a change-out to correct performance problems could cost the
contractor the entire labor investment.That scenario is a death sentence for the contractors'
profitability.If you think lawyers are
the solution for that type of problem, you are about to visit “the Hurt
Locker”.
INVENTORY
BLUES
Everybody
knows that the customer will wait until tomorrow to order the network that they
want yesterday.Timetables and
availability on the labor side is somewhat controllable by the contractor.
Cables, connectors, and other required materials, are a challenge of inventory
and usually outside of the control of the contractor.Maintaining large inventories to service
their customers is not a good business practice for the cabling
contractor.We have all seen inventory
building up in the contractor's warehouse and that sometimes adds up to a small
fortune.Much of the contractor’s
inventory that is not installed immediately usually ends up as junk.Inventory may include out of date, obsolete,
or incomplete materials and wasted dollars.As an option, the contractor should utilize the distributor to control
inventory for their customers.Nothing
goes to the bottom line faster than reduced expenses.
Having all
of the materials for the communications network is only part of the
solution.We must have the
peripherals.We need labeling and record
systems.We need testers and
analyzers.We need to stay abreast of
technology, codes, and standards.We
also need to be able to predict the future.Building barriers to obsolescence requires a vision for the future.Planning for the future challenges while
delivering today's solutions is imperative.Anything less is usually unacceptable.If you are a contractor, you do not want to go it alone.
MARGINAL
PERFORMANCE CAN WIPE OUT PROFITS
Another
terrible pitfall for the contractor is the terrible tester screen that
proclaims, “FAIL” on the installed cabling. Face it. Some products have been
made so close to the minimum limits of The Standard that if they go a little
“minus”, then the connected system will come up failing. When this happens on a
small or large job, the results are the same. Profit walks right out the door.
Good
self-defense advice:Make sure your
mindset is "Be Prepared" for the unexpected. There are more than
hurricanes out there. Use the right distributor.Capture their values and add them to your
total solutions package.This approach
is an inexpensive and effective business safeguard.www.naed.org
But that’s
just my opinion,
Frank
Bisbee – “HOTS -Heard On The Street” monthly column
For more
than three decades, the communications industry has focused most of its
attention on the cable.We have seen a
churn of technological advances in both fiber optic and copper based
communications cabling.The barrage of
the "newest & greatest" types of cable has almost exhausted the
bank accounts of the customers.From the
earliest releases of the Levels & Categories Program (adopted by TIA/EIA www.tiaonline.org), we have seen a stream
of more than 35 different variations & generations new cable designs.The net result is today's fiber optic cables
and copper cables deliver more performance than we even dreamed possible only a
few years ago.However, one of the
resultant damages from this technological race is a huge volume of abandoned
cable.
The
National Electrical Code (NEC 2002 - 2008) has been adopted by most local
authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ's). In a move to reduce fire hazards and
fuel load, NEC 2002 requires the removal of abandoned cable that is not
identified for future reuse.This volume
of abandoned cable could exceed 9.5 million miles of cabling waste
materials.Some industry experts have
concluded, "Most of the expense for this corrective safety action to
reduce fuel load in the structure will be placed on the shoulders of the
building owners.Many former tenants
left their cable in place when they moved out."
There are
some valuable assets that may remain after the abandoned cable is identified
and removed.Those hidden treasures are
the wire and cable management and support systems.Cable support hardware includes cable
runways, cable trays, wire baskets, flexible steel cable trays, bridle rings
and a myriad of J-Hooks and J-Hook trees. The focus on a substantial investment
in support hardware has been absent from the building owners priorities.Today's structured cabling systems must allow for both the installation and the
removal of datacom cabling in the workplace (particularly the
multi-tenant environment).Several key
Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA www.boma.org)
committees are still studying these issues and reviewing the language in leases
to maximize the values for both the tenant and the building owner.
A
well-designed and installed cable support hardware system will reduce
installation and removal expense substantially.This asset is highly reusable and will generate repetitive savings
throughout many generations of tenant or occupant turnover.This is the permanent highway for the
information systems in buildings.
A serious
look at the people, policies and technologies that will dominate the agenda in
2004 will include a focus on cabling infrastructure hardware.When the tenant moves out, this valuable
asset will be transferred to the building owner as an " As Built
Improvement".
A
consultation session with your support team at the distributor will help to illustrate some of the technical underside to this
misunderstood and under-valued hidden asset.We found numerous offerings from the shelves of your distributor (www.naed.org) that were a perfect fit for
current requirements, adaptable to cable removal and reuse for future
installations.When it comes to SELECTING WIRE AND CABLE MANAGEMENT
SYSTEMS, your distributor has all of the answers.In most projects, proper support hardware is
mandatory to maintain performance and the capability to handle MACs (Moves,
Adds, & Changes) without affecting working networks.
The
cable support system (overhead, perimeter, infloor, or underfloor) is a
critical component of a properly designed voice-data-video communications
system. To find out more about this arcane technology check out EIA/TIA-569
“Commercial Building Standard for Telecommunications Pathways and Spaces.When designing the cable tray support system,
be sure to consider the (current and future) load capacity and grounding
requirements.
In summary,
many of the key BICSI (www.bicsi.org )
insiders continue to forecast an increased demand for substantially more robust
structured connectivity components and support hardware for structured cabling
systems.Several large commercial real
estate firms have already begun the process of evaluating the cabling
facilities in their buildings in order to covert the trash to treasure.One building owner told us, "We bought the
Fluke Networks® DTX -1800 Cable Analyzer™ and starting down the road to
recovery." Additionally, there is already an increased demand for software
systems to document and record the asset (i.e. Fluke Networks LinkWare ™ Cable
Test Management software and facility documentation) www.flukenetworks.com
It turns
out that there are literally millions of dollars of fully functional installed
cabling systems that has been abandoned in some buildings.You don't have to be a rocket scientist to
see that there are big savings to be captured.
The
proper installation, labeling and documentation of the entire cabling system
make the installed asset potentially transferable from tenant to tenant through
the building owner.There will be
language in the leases that cover the responsibility for removal if the
incoming tenant does not find the asset acceptable.If a successful transfer of this asset is
accomplished, then both the outgoing and incoming tenants will realize
substantial savings.In any event, the
building owner gets ownership of the cabling support hardware asset.This approach is definitely a win/win
scenario.
But that’s
just my opinion,
Frank
Bisbee – “HOTS -Heard On The Street” monthly column
TIA is
accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop
voluntary industry standards for a wide variety of telecommunications products.
TIA's Standards and Technology Department is composed of five divisions which
sponsor more than 70 standards-setting formulating groups. We will review the
standard from User Premises Equipment, Network Equipment group, including:
TIA/EIA-568-B
Series, Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Standard
TIA/EIA-569-A, Commercial Building Standards for Telecommunications Pathways
and Spaces
TIA/EIA-569-A-6, Commercial Building Standards for Telecommunications Pathways
and Spaces for Multi-Tenant Buildings
TIA/EIA-606, Administration Standard for the Telecommunications Infrastructure
of Commercial Buildings
TIA/EIA-570, Residential Telecommunications Cabling Standard
TR-42
Scopes:
TR-42 -
User Premises Telecommunications Infrastructure
TheTR-42
Engineering Committee is responsible for commercial, industrial and residential
cabling standards including telecommunications infrastructure administration,
pathways and spaces, and copper and optical fiber systems requirements. These
standards include information and requirements necessary for implementing
telecommunications infrastructure.
TR-42.1 - CommercialBuilding Cabling
The TR-42.1
Commercial Building Cabling Subcommittee develops and maintains
telecommunications cabling standards for commercial buildings. This
Subcommittee specifies cabling system topology, architecture, design,
installation, testing and performance requirements for commercial buildings,
and campuses. The telecommunications cabling specified is intended as an open system
designed to support a wide variety of voice, data, video, building control and
other low voltage, power limited applications.
Where applicable, TR-42.1 integrates systems requirements and recommendations
generated by other TIA Sub-committees into its standards, and provides joint
approval with TR-42.4, TR-42.7 or TR-42.8 on any TIA publication that is
intended to add to or modify cabling system requirements specified in standards
developed by TR-42.1.
TR-42.5
- Telecommunications Infrastructure Terms and Symbols
TR-42.6
- Telecommunications Infrastructure and Equipment Administration
The TR-42.6
Subcommittee develops and maintains standards for telecommunications
administration. These standards include requirements for alphanumeric
identification, labeling, color-coding and record-keeping for the telecommunications
infrastructure consisting of cabling, pathways and spaces, firestopping, and
grounding and bonding. In addition, these standards provide guidance for the
administration of equipment assets.
TR-42.7
- Telecommunications Copper Cabling Systems
TR-42.7.1
- Copper Connecting Hardware
TR-42.7.2
- Copper Cable
TR-42.8
- Telecommunications Optical Fiber Cabling Systems
The TR-42.9
Industrial Telecommunications Infrastructure Subcommittee develops and maintains
standards for telecommunications infrastructure in industrial buildings,
structures and campuses that are beyond the scope of the commercial building
standards. Industrial buildings, structures and campuses can be large, dusty,
corrosive, and can contain explosive and severe environmental conditions such
as extreme temperature, EMI/RFI, and hazardous gasses. The standards developed
by this Subcommittee address both occupied work areas and remotely controlled
equipment.
The telecommunications cabling specified is intended as an open system designed
to support a wide variety of voice, data, video, building controls, industrial
controls and other low voltage, power limited applications. The standard
addresses special needs for design, materials, processes and installation
practices.
Where practicable, the standards developed by this Subcommittee will harmonize
and incorporate requirements of standards developed and approved by TR-42
Subcommittees and Working Groups through normative reference.
*********************************
Fiber Optic cable connections used to be the weakest link, but not anymore
With a
breakthrough in the technology, this new patented process has catapulted the
network to a new level of dependable connectivity. Richard Brammer, Special
Projects Director – Communication Planning Corp. added, “We switched to the
ScratchGuard™ because it was tougher and delivered better performance than ANY
other F.O. connector available at any price. It’s UNIQUE.”
Megladon Announces
New Product Release of TFOCAII Fiber Optic Assemblies with HLC® ScratchGuard™
Technology
Austin, Texas, February 8, 2010 – Megladon
Manufacturing Group has announced that HLC and SCRATCHGAURD fiber optic
technology is now available for the TFOCA family of fiber optic
assemblies. Designed for harsh environments and field deployments, the
TFOCA type connector has the need to withstand the constant handling and
matings required in tactical applications, and these aspects are further
complimented by HLC technology.
Unlike normal fiber optic connectors, these are made for high strength, as
they're meant to be used in harsh environments. TFOCA is used in aerospace,
oil-drilling, military, and water purification applications. The connectors are
generally hermaphroditic, so any two can be connected, regardless of gender.
Several US Department Of Defense specifications and military specifications
apply to TFOCA, including DOD-1678, MIL-C-83526/12-01, and MIL-STD-810C. Normal
(civilian) fiber optic connectors are much less expensive, but require a
variety of specialized tools to assemble.
The Tactical Fiber
Optic Cable Assembly (TFOCA) provides the physical connection between Fiber
Optic Modems (FOMs), repeaters or other equipment
This ruggedized
TFOCA connector will withstand the repeated connection/disconnections and the
handling typically required for rapid fiber optic cable deployment and
retrieval in a tactical or commercial harsh environment applications.
Jim Hayes,
President of the FOA (the Fiber Optic Association) reminds the communication
designers that the ultimate goal of the fiber optic connector is transparency.
The Megladon Mfg. ScratchGuard™ HLC® TFOCA is unique in durability and superior
performance.
TFOCA connectors
are engineered and tested to satisfy the mechanical and environmental
requirements of DOD-1678 and MIL-STD-810C. The TFOCA connectors meet the
requirements of MIL-C-83526/12-01. Connector and housing assemblies are
hermaphroditic which facilitates genderless coupling with similar TFOCA
connectors. This ruggedized TFOCA connector will withstand the repeated
connection/disconnections and the handling typically required for rapid fiber
optic cable deployment and retrieval in a tactical or commercial harsh
environment applications.
The TFOCA
connector's unique design and environmentally protected design provides
protection from high compressive tensile loads, dust and dirt. In addition, a
waterproof seal at every interface insures outstanding resistance to moisture
and water penetration. Each TFOCA connector is protected with its own captive
hermaphroditic dust cover. The cable termination is designed to firmly anchor
the cable to the connector body without special tooling. These connectors are
field mountable.
“HLC and TFOCA
products are a match made in heaven,” says Daniel Hogberg, Megladon Product
Manager, “we are able to strengthen the TFOCA application and bring performance
and reliability once thought impossible. When you take a tough product
and make it tougher, you open up new possibilities in the realm of field
deployable networks.”
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.
For additional
information regarding Megladon’s variety of fiber optic products please contact
John Culbert at 512.615.4687 or by email at scratchguard@megladonmfg.com.
*********************************
Siemon Launches Online Educational Resource on Shielded Network Cabling
www.siemon.com/shielded
was developed to help IT network and data center professionals understand the
benefits of shielded twisted-pair copper cabling
March 16, 2010,
Watertown, CT, USA — Siemon, a globally recognized leader in network cabling
solutions, is proud to announce the launch of a new online resource dedicated
to helping IT network and data center professionals get clear facts on shielded
network cabling systems such as category 6A F/UTP and category 7A S/FTP
solutions.
Focusing on key
network infrastructure issues such as 10Gb/s performance requirements, noise
resistance, installation considerations, cost savings and future-proofing, www.siemon.com/shielded provides an easily navigated portal
to Siemon’s library of in-depth resources.From a simple, 1-page list of key shielded cabling benefits, advantages
and myths, users can access instructional videos, whitepapers, customer case
studies and more.
The information superhighway is a scary place without signage
Remember Rod
Serling’s famous introduction “The signpost up ahead says you are entering the
twilight zone”
Unfortunately, many
network service technicians are finding no signage or labels to guide their
path. It is worse than driving though a large city with no street signs,
traffic markers, or address numbers. Industry-wide, we spend millions of dollars
each year in the hunt for cabling facilities in order to fix network problems.
These costs are avoidable.
The cabling or
information transport systems are the last mile of the dazzling new information
superhighway.
Today, more than 20
million miles of cabling connects the workplace of America to the Information
Superhighway. Most of the cabling is not labeled, tested or documented. Once
disconnected, it is deemed “abandoned cabling” that must be removed according
to the NEC 2002-2008 National Electrical Codes.
There is virtually
no road map, no atlas, and no signage on the cabling of the dazzling new
information superhighway.
This isn’t a problem. It’s an opportunity.
Each year we
account for our wealth and assets with Annual Income Statements addressing
Profit and Loss and the Balance Statement of Assets and Liabilities. It is the
language of business. The cabling or information transport systems are usually
omitted and/or ignored, in spite of the huge impact they have on both.
Introduction of
newer more effective systems or maintenance of existing technology systems has
a major impact on the bottom-line. The signage and the facility management
systems are crucial to maximize the functionality of the supporting cabling or
information transport systems. How do you sign your work? No labels
means big problems ahead.
How much can I save
with a cabling documentation strategy?Industry experts estimate billions. Even the basic concept of labeling
is noted by a motto. “Cabling without labeling isn’t just stupid. It’s insane.”
Combine labeling,
with cabling performance test records, drawings, and an effective naming
convention, and you have a well documented asset that serves many functions.
Plus it is transferable and reusable, not trash.
Combine the
effective Professional Labeling Tools system with the complete certified cable
test records exported from the Fluke Networks® DTX -1800 Cable Analyzer™ and
you have the best system to convert the cable infrastructure from “stranded
capital” to “working asset”. www.flukenetworks.com
Fluke Networks will
be exhibiting at the NECA annual Conference and Exposition in Boston 2010 www.necanet.org or visit www.necaconvention.org for
complete information. Make plans to visit with their folks and make your
systems worth more.
The
Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has issued the above referenced
Declaratory Statement which confirms the requirement to permit low voltage
work. Therefore, effective April 5, 2010, an electrical permit will be
required for low voltage work. For residential low voltage work the
inspection has been exempted similar to other minor electrical work, and thus
upon payment of the permit fee the permit will auto expire. For
residential and/or commercial projects, when the low voltage work is being
performed as part of an electrician’s main contract, it can be included in the
Nature of Work for that permit and will not require a separate permit.
In general,
the type of low voltage work that will require a permit will include, but not
be limited to, security alarm systems, central vacuum systems, stereo/surround
sound systems, irrigation systems, and low voltage lighting. Thermostat
wiring can be done by a mechanical contractor and does not need a separate
permit if installed as part of another permit. Similarly, low voltage
irrigation wiring only, can be installed by a licensed irrigation contractor.
As low
voltage irrigation wiring is a topic covered under the irrigation contractor
trade exam, no additional examination would be required. Please
call 904-630-2091 for more information.
To aid in
licensure, the Jacksonville City Council recently passed bill 2010-0067 (copy
attached) which created a new category, Low Voltage Contractor. Please
read the attached bill thoroughly, it allows for a temporary license provided
evidence is shown of three years of experience and a completed
application. The temporary license is only good until December 31, 2010.
Listed below
are two exemptions from licensure as stated in FS 489.503. Section
(14)(a) exempts the said work from licensure, but not permitting. Section
(14)(b) exempts the work in its section from licensure and permitting.
(14)(a) The
installation of, repair of, alteration of, addition to, or design of electrical
wiring, fixtures, appliances, thermostats, apparatus, raceways, and conduit, or
any part thereof, when those items are for the purpose of transmitting data,
voice communications, or commands as part of a cable television, community
antenna television, or radio distribution system. The scope of this exemption
is limited to electrical circuits and equipment governed by the applicable
provisions of Articles 725 (Classes 2 and 3 circuits only), 770, 800, 810, and
820 of the National Electrical Code, current edition, or 47 C.F.R. part 68.
(14)(b) The
installation of, repair of, alteration of, addition to, or design of electrical
wiring, fixtures, appliances, thermostats, apparatus, raceways, and conduit, or
any part thereof, when those items are for the purpose of transmitting data,
voice communications, or commands as part of a system of telecommunications,
including computers, telephone customer premises equipment, or premises wiring.
The scope of this exemption is limited to electrical circuits and equipment
governed by the applicable provisions of Articles 725 (Classes 2 and 3 circuits
only), 770, 800, 810, and 820 of the National Electrical Code, current edition,
or 47 C.F.R. part 68. A company certified under chapter 364 is not subject to
any local ordinance that requires a permit for work performed by its employees
related to low voltage electrical work, including related technical codes and
regulations. The exemption in this paragraph shall apply only if such work is
requested by the company's customer, is required in order to complete phone
service, is incidental to provision of telecommunication service as required by
chapter 364, and is not the subject of a competitive bid. The definition of
"employee" established in subsection (1) applies to this exemption
and does not include subcontractors.
Introduced
by the Council President at the request of the Mayor and amended by the
Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee:
ORDINANCE
2010-67-E
AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING CHAPTER 342 (CONSTRUCTION TRADES REGULATIONS), SECTION 342.110
(TRADES, CRAFTS, CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS), ORDINANCE CODE, SO AS TO
CREATE A NEW CONTRACTOR CATEGORY OF LOW VOLTAGE CONTRACTOR; PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, on
November 4, 2009, the Construction Trades Qualifying Board (the “Board”) voted
to recommend to City Council the amendment of Section 342.110, Ordinance Code,
so as to create a new contractor category of Low Voltage Contractor; and
WHEREAS, on
November 20, 2009, the Florida Building Commission issued Declaratory Statement
DCA09-DEC-257 holding that the Florida Building Code requires that a permit be
obtained for work related to low-voltage electrical systems for telephones,
data transmission, fire and security systems, closed-circuit and cable
television, paging systems and speakers; and
WHEREAS,
the Board and the Building Inspection Division have both determined that the
creation of a new local low voltage contractor category would be an appropriate
action to facilitate the Florida Building Commission’s decision in Declaratory
Statement DCA09-DEC-257,; now therefore,
BE IT
ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Jacksonville:
Section
1.
Amending Section 342.110, Ordinance Code. Section 342.110 (Trades,
crafts, contractors and subcontractors) of Chapter 342 (Construction Trades
Regulations), Ordinance Code, is hereby amended to create a new subsection (t),
Low Voltage Contractor, and, as amended, shall read as follows:
CHAPTER
342. CONSTRUCTION TRADES REGULATIONS.
*
* *
Section
342.110.
Trades, crafts, contractors and subcontractors.
*
* *
(t)
Low Voltage Contractor.
(1)
For the purposes of this chapter, Low Voltage Contractor means a contractor
whose practice and scope of work are limited to the installation, repair,
fabrication, erection, alteration, addition to or design of electrical wiring,
fixtures, appliances, thermostats, apparatus, raceways, conduit and fiber
optics (transmission of light over stranded glass) or any part thereof not to
exceed 98 volts, when those items are for the purpose of transmitting data,
proprietary video (satellite systems which are not part of a community antenna
television or radio distribution system) central vacuum, electric locks, data
distribution, networks, home theater systems, surround sound systems, public
address systems or telephone systems.
(2)
After December 31, 2010, it shall be unlawful for a person to engage in the
business of a Low Voltage Contractor who does not hold a valid contractor
certificate issued by the Board in that category, or in the category of a
certified or registered electrical contractor or a certified or registered
specialty electrical contractor.
(3)
Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, the Board may:
(i)
Establish a certificate of competency classification of specialty contractor
known as a Low Voltage Contractor and certify persons in that classification as
qualified to have the knowledge and skill to perform the work within that
classification.
(ii)
Adopt rules to regulate the issuance, supervision and revocation of a Low
Voltage Contractor certificate of competency, including the requirement for the
appropriate examination as defined by (iii) below, proof of at least three (3)
years of practical experience, the payment of reasonable fees not to exceed
those of masters qualifying for other trades within the scope of this chapter,
the issuance of temporary certificates, and other regulations found necessary
by the Board to administer this paragraph.
(iii)
Issue temporary certificates for a Low Voltage Contractor upon completion of
both an approved Application for Examination and Application for Contractor
Administration Examination, and proof of at least three (3) years of practical
experience. Temporary certificates of competency shall be valid until the
applicant successfully passes the appropriate certification examination with a
grade of 75 or above, or no later than December 31, 2010.
Section
2. Effective.
This ordinance shall become effective upon signature by the Mayor or upon
becoming effective without the Mayor’s signature.
Form
Approved:
____/s/
Margaret M. Sidman__________
Office of
General Counsel
Legislation
prepared by: James R. McCain, Jr.
*********************************
THE NECA SHOW – UPDATE
CONTRACTORS
CONNECTING THE WORLD WITH LIGHTING + INTEGRATED SYSTEMS
NEWS UPDATE
▪ March 2010
March 2009
▪ National Electrical Contractors Association ▪ Convention -
Exposition Dept
EXPANDED
EDUCATION, MORE MANUFACTURERS OFFER MORE OUTSIDE LINE SOLUTIONS
We received
many positive comments from the 2009 NECA Convention education series that
was geared especially to the needs of the Outside Line Constructors.
We recently
surveyed line contractors about new education they would like to see at NECA
2010 Boston and
received many great responses.
NECA is
expanding our outside line work series in Boston,
and here are just a few of the hands-on workshops that will be presented by industry experts:
-EEI
Contractor Safety Initiative: 2 hours
-OSHA 10:
10 hours
-ET&D
Best Practice: 2 hours
-Using Web
based, Outside Safety, Simulator Training: 4 hours
-Significant
2010 Code Changes: 4 hours
In
addition, we have invited more heavy equipment manufacturers to showcase their
newest products in the NECA Show this year.
Some of the
largest and most important contractors in North America
will be at the NECA Show in Boston.
Will you be there too?
PRESIDENT
OBAMA DISCUSSES NUCLEAR POWER, GREEN JOBS AT NECA JOINT TRAINING CENTER
President
Obama chose the joint training facility of the Washington, D.C. Chapter,
NECA and IBEW Local 26 in Lanham,
Md., to announce that his administration
is guaranteeing $8 billion to build two new nuclear reactors.
The
president also discussed federal investment in green energy job training.
The nuclear
reactors will be built at an existing plant in Burke, Ga.
It will be the first nuclear power plant to break ground in nearly three decades, according to the
White House. Officials said the project will include approximately 3,500 construction
jobs and 800 permanent operations jobs and will provide power to about 550,000 residential homes. More...
SOCIAL
MEDIA
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for all the latest NECA Convention & Show news on our Blog, Facebook,
Where’s the beef? Most of the business is found in the GEMs
So where is
the money? You don’t have to look far to find the sparkling “GEMS.” The GEMS – Government, Educational, and
Medical Sectors are all still experiencing growth. Funding programs in all
three of these sectors are strained but still functional.
As we shift
into a new economy, most of our focus has been on the depressing news of the
worst financial conditions since the Great Depression. That is a reality that
we must deal with diligent cost-savings strategies. There are many business
sectors that will continue to shrink and adapt to changes that must be made to
continue.
The almost
unbelievable meteoric rise of DATACOM during the past two decades has only
opened more doors of opportunity. DATACOM becomes the vehicle to integrate,
improve, and reduce costs in areas that were previously “stand alone”. The IBS
– IntegratedBuilding System has a huge impact on
ENERGY (POWER) – CONTROL – COMMUNICATIONS – SECURITY – LIFE & PROPERTY
SAFETY SYSTEMS.
SmartBuilding evolves to Smart Campus and then
Smart Community, and so on.
Municipalities
are made more efficient and safer through DATACOM networks for many areas
including: security, safety, and traffic control. DATACOM coordinates the flow
of information between agencies. Inter-agency coordination has proven to be one
of the best ways to eliminate duplication of costs and improve services. With
shrinking budgets, several sectors are focused on the growing demand for their
services and the task of doing more with less.
Today, industry
and trade organizations such as: NECA (National Electrical Contractors
Association), NJATC (National Joint Apprentice Training Committee), and IBEW
(International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers), are engaged in a massive
effort to “raise the bar” for higher standards of quality, safety, and
performance in materials and workmanship.
GEMS =
Government – Education – Medical Sectors requirements are still increasing
despite reduced financial resources. The funding streams for these sectors are
strained but not disappearing like so many other private sectors.
The new
administration in WashingtonDC
has announced programs to create jobs and rebuild the infrastructure of the USA. The
infrastructure focus goes far beyond roads, sewers, and bridges. The new focus
is on replacing old technology with information transport systems with a
barrier to obsolescence.
We have
spent countless hours looking into these industry sectors. Vendors that already
enjoy the fruits of these sectors aren’t talking. They aren’t even whispering.
They quietly shuffle back and forth to the bank.
If you
think that uncovering these opportunities requires a major mining effort, then
you haven’t even tried. Search the Internet. Check out the industry
organizations that describe members of the GEM sector – including these GEMS:
NASTD –
National Association of State Telecommunications Directors: www.nastd.org
ACUTA -
Assn of College, and University Telecommunication Administrators:www.acuta.org
Government
– Federal, State, and Local
Federal,
State, and Local is not shrinking. As the population grows, so does the
government and the demand. The government is the single largest employer in the
USA.
We forecast the government employment roles to grow over the next several
years. One of the potentially most valuable services of the electrical and/or
communications contractor is the DESIGN/BUILD programs to implement a newer
infrastructure using converged technologies. Converged technologies have a
provable track record of major reductions in energy consumption. The resultant
impact of these improved services allows the budget to shift resources to new
critical needs, like: Police, Fire, Rescue, and Medical infrastructure.
Additionally,
IBS networks may reduce the cost of regulation, enforcement, and
administration. Many cities are literally drowning in the administration
requirements that have developed with new laws. Somebody passed a law but never
anticipated what it would cost to implement the code.
Education –
K-12 and Higher Education
The needs
of the school system have jumped to a new level that was never imagined when
most of the structures were built. Education is natural fit for improved
information networks. Unfortunately, the Information Super Highway turns into a
rutted dirt road when it reaches the majority of schools. This critical area of
need must be addressed. We cannot afford to employ a super sized army of
educators. We can replicate the value of our teachers with technology. We can
make our schools safer with technology, and we can stretch our education
dollars with technology.
Medical –
Public & Private Health Care, Hospitals and satellite Medical Facilities
The growing
population is also growing older. The baby boomers have dumped a huge load on
the medical infrastructure that is greater than the resources. Spiraling
medical costs and the implementation of new technologies demand an immediate
upgrade to the information systems. Numerous hospitals are already proving the
added value of a paperless patient care record system. We can have added safety
for the patient and staff with technology, like Access – Control and Security
Cameras. The teaching role of physicians can now be replicated through
technology with a huge payback in decreased costs.
With the sparkling “GEMs”, you can
still make money the old fashioned way, with quality, safety, and reliability
at a fair and reasonable price.
Reprinted
with permission from the leading publication in our industry -
The
Electrical Contractor Magazine www.ecmag.com
Check out this site.
When it comes
to moves, adds and changes, most customers can’t or won’t do what it takes to
cut costs. As a result, many VDV contractors are surviving tough times thanks
primarily to MACs work. Here’s a quote from Business Communications Review, by
Frank Bisbee, a voice-data-video (VDV) industry expert:
“The
strongest incentive to better cable management is the need to control costs.
When wiring decisions are uncontrolled, companies can suffer from ‘Mac
attacks’—moves, adds, and changes that can insidiously devour budgets and
devour profits. MAC attacks began when the ‘put an outlet here, put an outlet
there’ philosophy prevails.”
The article
ran in 1989 and it’s still true today. It shows some things in the data
communications/telecom market do not change, despite technology’s rapid
advance. Bisbee wrote his piece before the Internet hit the public’s
consciousness, at a time when building-wide data networks were primarily a
conversation topic for propeller heads.
The key
thing to note: Bisbee was talking about communications and datacom cabling.
Electrical
MACs, too?
“MACs are
the thing that is keeping contractors going, how they are holding their
business together,” said D.A. “Bo” Conrad, a VDV trainer with Crossbow
Communications. “Unless the contractor has got some type of strategic alliance
with a customer, he’s not going to make any money on bids for VDV installs.
Recently, there was a walk-through on a bid for a school district here in San Mateo. There were 38
contractors on that walk-through. Basically, because you get more margin on the
MACs work, it’s the only way some contractors can supplement the low bids they
have to put in to win new installs.”
For the
electrical contractor into VDV, there is a combination of “electrical MACs” and
the VDV type. That’s what David Firestone, of Commonwealth Electric of the Midwest, is seeing. Commonwealth tells its customers that
it will take care of “tenant finishes,” including the electrical, VDV and
security needs.
“It goes
hand in hand with us doing the power wiring,” said Firestone, who is the
chairman of NECA’s VDV Task Force. “What we’re trying to sell is a one-stop
shop. ‘Call us, and not only can we handle your power wiring, but the same
person—or someone else in our organization—will take care of all your low-voltage
needs.’
“We’ve been
doing this for banks here locally, for years, and the same in our Iowa operation,”
Firestone added. “For one customer—a facility where we’ve worked for many
years—it seems like we’re moving someone virtually every day.”
While VDV
and electrical MACs fit together, so does getting the initial VDV installation
and landing the MACs work. Some contractors pursue low-price installations,
just for the follow-on MACs.
“For some
people, this amounts to a business philosophy,” Firestone said. “It amounts to,
‘If you’ve got your foot in the door, it’s a lot easier to get your entire body
in.’ The focus seems to be on getting the initial project, at whatever price,
and then staying with that customer for ever and ever.”
Some ideas
on MACs
Bill
Albert, data communications vice president for national distributor Rexel Inc.
in Dallas, says
MACs work might present contractors with a less-taxing route into the
commercial VDV business.
“A
contractor who gets into the datacom business probably should not start with a
$250,000 job.
That’s a
great way to lose money,” said Albert. “Typically, a MACs job is not very
complicated. It’s punching jacks, running cable. It allows a contractor that
does not have experienced people to get them some experience on a small
project. There are contractors who handle moves from the electrical
side—receptacles, perhaps some lights—who are now asking to handle the MACs as
well. . . . It boils down to the old crawl-before-you-walk, walk-before-you-run
approach.”
The best
thing about MACs work is that it’s available. Customers may be postponing
significant capital expenditures, but they can’t avoid MACs, according to Rob
Bezjak, a Graybar vice president. “Half of all business locations move people
in a typical year. People still must handle day-to-day moves, and they are also
trying to maximize their use of floor space,” said Bezjak. “This is work that
needs to be addressed by a well-trained installer.”
Bezjak
suggested capitalizing on the newly ratified Category 6 standard. Though Cat 6
is more expensive, contractors should stress to customers its longer life and
productivity potential.
“A higher
percentage of MACs are used right away—immediately—than in any new
installation,” Bezjak said. “Many times, a customer will specify cabling for
future expansion in a new install. In MACs, the customer hires a contractor to
do specific work. A user will probably work at that location in a very short
period of time.”
But perhaps
the work won’t go well. Customers often have a laissez faire attitude, said
Pete Lockhart, vice president of new technologies at Anixter in Skokie, Ill.
“It’s a weird business. There is more MACs work in the tough times. When a
company lays off 10,000 people, the tendency is to pack together the people you
still have. So you move them,” he said. “But the results are not so good.
End-users are having their contractors pull existing cables out of partitions
and reuse them. That’s happening in 30 percent of MACs, we think.
“The
customer cares that the green light comes on after a MACs job,” Lockhart added.
“But it really doesn’t mean much—just that they put enough voltage through the
cable to get the green light on. It doesn’t mean they’re passing any data.”
Contractors,
however, aren’t taking shortcuts. “They are doing what the customers asked—paid
them to do,” he said. “If the customer had installed a true structured cabling
system in the first place, all they’d be doing for these MACs would be moving
jumper cables.
“But the
customers have been unwilling to make that additional investment. It’s totally
dictated by the guy in charge of the facility. If it’s someone that doesn’t
understand the infrastructure (structured-cabling) requirements, then he will
get what he gets. Often, he’s not willing to pay any more money than he
perceives he needs. At some level, the concept for this kind of customer is
that he’s wiring the equivalent of a telephone. If the green light is on,
that’s good. Of course, he might be losing 30 percent of his throughput.”
No
accounting for MACs
Bisbee said
little about MACs has changed since his 1989 article. He is president of
Communication Planning Corp. and proprietor of Wireville.com,
and has spent 40 years in the VDV world.
“Let’s say
a business spends $1 million on a datacom network installation. Many businesses
experience $1 to $3 million in additional network expense in MACs work, over
three to five years. Some institutions have run to six to 10 times initial
cost. We have documented this. Why?” Bisbee asked. “How does the customer see
the network? Is operating it an expense? Or is it an asset? If it’s an asset,
you manage it like an asset, and, by the way, you spend some more money upfront
and put in better-quality material. But if you see the network as nothing but
an after-installation expense, then you’re doomed to do it (MACs work) over and
over again.”
Will
customers wise up and end this contractor paradise?
“A
contractor paradise is exactly what it is,” said Bisbee. “People like me have
been advising the customer for years to manage the telephone systems and data
networks as assets. We’ve been ignored—still are.”
Bisbee said
if a data network can be cabled for $1 million, it might cost $50,000 up front
to set up a records system. If managed over time, three to five years later, it
will still be working, and only adds will be needed. This approach, instead of
spending another $1 to $3 million in MACs, should appeal to the company’s CEO.
“But the
CEO never finds out,” Bisbee said. “No one ever shows him the numbers on it.”
Bisbee
doesn’t see more of the same. He thinks MACs will get much worse because
customers are undisciplined. There’s no required testing and MACs are made
without records. If an installer has to revisit, he or she often has to start
from scratch. The federal government estimates 45 billion feet of cable is
abandoned in the nation’s plenum spaces. MACs are a big reason.
“Take a
typical MACs job. The customer needs it done in a hurry. If the installer tries
to use what’s in place, but it doesn’t work on the first attempt, the next move
is to pull in a new cable. It’s a lot cheaper for the customer than having the
installer spend the time to figure out where everything is.
“So what
are you doing, in the end?” Bisbee asked. “You’re piling more and more cable on
top of existing cable. That’s how you get 45 billion feet of this stuff, none
of it being used, in the plenums.” EC
SALIMANDO
is a Vienna, Va.-based freelance writer and frequent contributor to ELECTRICAL
CONTRACTOR and TED magazines. He can be reached at wordsmith@verizon.net
Reprinted
with permission from the leading publication in our industry -
The
Electrical Contractor Magazine www.ecmag.com
Check out this site.
The famous "Fiber U" (FiberUniversity) online fiber
optic training courses have returned, now part of the free educational programs
offered by The Fiber Optic Association. Fiber U is being updated and expanded
with modern online-learning technology. Lennie Lightwave, mascot of the
original Fiber U, has joined the FOA too! Fiber U is online at
www.fiberu.org.
Now available is a self-study program "The Basics of Fiber Optics" at
Fiber U that is free to everybody. It's aimed at novices who want to learn
about fiber optics or "old hands" who want to update and refresh
their knowledge. The program takes advantage of all the technical materials on
the The FOA Online Fiber Optic Reference Guide and the new textbook the
FOA Reference Guide To Fiber Optics. We have created a lesson plan that
leads you through 10 lessons from the basics of fiber optics to installation
practices. Each lesson gives you reading assignments and then tests your
comprehension. You can take the course online or using the textbook - both are
referenced in the lesson plans. Go to Fiber U (www.fiberu.org)
and try it yourself.
At Fiber U, there are also eleven "Virtual Hands-On" Tutorials that
show you how common processes in fiber optics (cable preparation, splicing and
termination) are done properly.
Fiber U was the famous fiber optic training conference and online training
pioneer where many fiber optic techs got their start in the 1990s. Fiber U
offered comprehensive vendor-independent training at annual events and as part
of many conferences and trade shows. Fiber U Online offered some of the first
online training courses anywhere.
The FOA will develop Fiber U to provide free online learning
opportunities to help everyone learn more about fiber optics and cabling.
Courses will be offered at the all levels to allow learning the basics, refresh
and/or expand your knowledge.
The Fiber U website will provide self-study programs for those wanting to learn
about fiber optics and to prepare for taking courses that will provide the
hands-on skills required to become a fiber optic tech certified by the FOA.
Available now are links to online self-study programs for those wanting to
learn more about fiber optics. In the future, we'll be adding more self-study
programs, video and online webinar lectures and other education resources the
FOA will provide free to help everyone learn more about fiber optics.
About the FOA
The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. is an nonprofit educational organization
chartered to promote fiber optics through education, certification and
standards. Over 250 FOA-Approved schools around the world have certified more
than 29,000 fiber optic technicians. The FOA offers free online introductory
fiber optic programs for everyone and training for instructors at FOA-Approved schools.
For
more information on the FOA, see the organization's website
http://www.thefoa.org/, emailinfo@thefoa.org or call 1-760-451-3655.
*********************************
Accu-Tech, one of the top distributors in the USA for Voice-Data-Security & Life Safety systems rolls out their new friendly and exciting website including features and news
In a challenging economy, many companies are struggling to get their value message out to the market place. Initially, some distributors used their websites as an online products catalog that was more current than the printed catalogs.
They found a good value in this approach for their customers.
The winning streak continues.
About
Accu-Tech - 27 Years of Voice-Data-Security & Life Safety systems product
distribution success.
In November of 1983, two men, Barry Heidt and Dan Delavie (President 1993-1999)
met for lunch in Atlanta, GA. Both were facing mandatory location
moves that neither viewed favorably. Barry was President of the Atlanta branch of a Michigan
cable distributor. Dan was Eastern Regional Manager of a national
manufacturer/private labeler of electronic wire and cable. When that lunch was
over, the decision to create a new distributor in Atlanta had been cast. Through loans, second
mortgages, and stock issues they were able to raise $150,000.00 in seed money.
In March of 1984, Accu-Tech Wire & Cable officially opened in a third
generation, back row, 5,000 sq. ft. warehouse on the northeast side of Atlanta. Barry Heidt
brought great skills in administration, systems, and general organization. Dan
Delavie brought outside sales and strong industry contacts. There was an
obvious lack of inside sales skills. Enter Randy Guhl (now VP of Security)
whose enthusiasm and customer relation skills were unparalleled. The core was
in place and Accu-Tech was off and running.
It was important that Accu-Tech differentiate itself from other wire and cable
distributors. This was accomplished in two separate, but equally important
ways.
First, the management absolutely believed it was critical to instill a feeling
of trust and total credibility in and to ourselves, our employees, our vendors
and our customers. the management was asking a lot of each group and
"keeping the faith" was required and had to be earned. The philosophy
of "when in doubt, do what is right!" was injected into all
employees.
Secondly, they saw that computers were becoming ubiquitous and required special
knowledge. It was decided that voice and data held the future for Accu-Tech and
Accu-Tech could flourish if they could be known as experts in voice and data
connectivity. Accu-Tech had a potential market niche and it was an achievable
goal. Vendors loved the concept.
As Accu-Tech grew, it became apparent that the team needed experts in three
more areas. In 1989 Charles Goldgeier, CPA became our first CFO. In 1990, Bill
Lorey joined us as our VP of Asset Management (now VP of marketing) and Ed
Ellis became VP of Network Products (now President – scheduled to retire in
2010). All were now in place and Accu-Tech began to grow exponentially as the
computer networking market exploded.
The personal approach of consultive sales and support has been a keystone to
the continue growth and success of this company. Now, through their updated
website Accu-Tech is extending their consultive sales and support to the World
Wide Web. From experience many contractors already have discovered that
Accu-Tech is a very valuable resource to the contactor.
We talked with Brian Brown, Web Development & Internet Marketing Manager
for Accu-Tech Corporation. He told us that the website update program has been
a real labor of love. He said, "The main goal with this site was to create
a community environment where contractors come for training, product
announcements, industry news, or really anything they may need to stay
up-to-date with the changes of our industry. We wanted to bring the personal
touch and service of Accu-Tech to the online space. While this isn't an easy
task, we are taking steps towards our goal by creating a more interactive and
dynamic site. Expect great things to come in 2010 and beyond." The website
will continue evolve and add more valuable information.
BTW: the earthquakes in Chile may scare the price of cooper up.
Want to know more? Visit www.accu-tech.com
ACUTA’s Annual Conference Addresses Challenges of Emerging Technologies on Today’s Campuses
LEXINGTON, Kentucky, February 23, 2010 – With speakers
representing 28 different colleges and universities, this year’s Annual
Conference of ACUTA, the Association for Information Communications Technology
Professionals in Higher Education, will once again be an extravaganza of
expertise sharing.
The 2010
conference, April 18-21 in San Antonio,
Texas, is the 39th for ACUTA, the
only international association dedicated to serving the needs of higher
education information communications technology professionals. Representing
nearly 2,000 individuals at some 700 institutions, ACUTA’s core mission is the
sharing of technology and management information, and its Annual Conference is
its largest event of the year.
In addition
to the dozens of campus professionals sharing their knowledge, successes, and
challenges in educational sessions, the conference will feature a strong lineup
of industry expert speakers. Topics range from emergency preparedness to
unified communications to information communications technology infrastructure
and leadership effectiveness.
For the
keynote presentation on Monday morning, authors Jonathan Littman and Marc
Hershon will apply the principles of their book I Hate People! Ten People You Don’t Want to Be to the field of
higher education information communications technology.In this highly interactive session, they will
describe the ten behaviors that hold back workers everywhere. The audience will
come away with a set of tangible insights and strategies for personal and
organization-wide improvements.
“This year’s Annual Conference sessions are
tailored to the needs of our members in addressing the emerging technologies on
campus and the effects these technologies have on students, faculty, and the
administration,” said Jeri Semer, executive director of ACUTA. “But beyond the
sessions, there is no better opportunity for our members to network with their
peers. By sharing the best strategies and techniques, they benefit themselves
and their schools.”
ACUTA’s
Annual Conference is in conjunction with its 14th annual Forum for Strategic
Leadership in Information Communications Technology, a two-day assembly of
senior administrators, with intensive sessions taught by higher education
leaders and expert consultants. The forum’s focus this year is “Seize the
Moment: Transforming IT to Create New Value for a New Era.”
The Annual
Conference will also feature an exhibit hall with companies showcasing the
latest technology products and services. During the event, at the new JW
Marriott San Antonio Hill Country, winners of leadership and institutional
excellence awards will be announced. More information about the Annual
Conference and the Strategic Leadership Forum can be found at www.acuta.org.
About
ACUTA ACUTA, the
Association for Information 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 information communications technology professionals in contributing
to the achievement of the strategic mission of their institutions. ACUTA
represents nearly 2000 individuals at some 700 institutions of higher
education, with members ranging from small schools and community colleges to
the very largest U.S.
institutions. ACUTA’s corporate affiliate members represent all categories of
communications technology vendors serving the college/university market. For
more information, visit www.acuta.orgor call 859-278-3338.
*********************************
Our Tip of the Week, regarding laptop security, is courtesy of http://onguardonline.gov
"Treat your laptop like cash. If you had a wad of money sitting out in a
public place, would you turn your back on it -- even for just a minute? Would
you put it in checked luggage? Leave it on the backseat of your car? Of course
not. Keep a careful eye on your laptop just as you would a pile of cash."
Here is your digital invitation to the BICSI Canadian Conference. May 2-5 Montreal, Quebec
Click
here to view the digital version of the 2010 Canadian Conference &
Exhibition Final Announcement. This announcement contains the information you
need to plan your trip to the conference.
May 2-5 MontrealQuebec Online registration
is open! Conference highlights include a wide variety
technical education, as well as networking opportunities and a packed Exhibit
Hall. Don't forget: the Early Bird Rate ends on April 2. Register today!
Delivering Health Information Technology Over ITS Considerations, initiatives and standards – BICSI News
By Herbert
V. Congdon II and Kevin Ressler, Ph.D.
As medical
technologies develop and populations expand, health care initiatives and
facilities around the world see continued investment. Governments worldwide,
especially in the United
States, are looking for smart ways to invest
in health care service solutions that improve efficiency, reduce costs and expand
coverage.
The key to
any health care solution is the capability to efficiently, quickly and securely
create, store, retrieve and share information of all kinds, including
diagnostic images, lab results and patient data. This calls for traditional
stand-alone analog systems to migrate to digital IP-based systems—a trend that
is well under way and underscores the need for a robust, high-capacity network
infrastructure in health care facilities.
As the
storage, access and distribution of health care information evolve and expand,
it becomes increasingly important to provide standardization and guidelines for
the cabling infrastructure that supports this information flow. Considering the
broad range of health care facilities (e.g., hospitals, clinics, nursing
homes), and varying requirements for levels of service in those facilities,
these guidelines will include some unique considerations that vary from typical
office-oriented networks.
Advanced
Network Performance
With the
access, reliability and secure storage of health care data mandated by the
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act, health care managers realize that a quality network is in
their best interest. In addition, there is a growing realization that anything
done in a health care facility requires or will require a data connection. The
sheer number and types of services that the data network is expected to support
have increased the overall value of the network.
In
addition, health care buildings are expected to have an exceptionally long life
span—often many decades of service of continuous operation with very limited
opportunity for refurbishment. These factors make a sound argument for the
initial installation of a high-quality, robust and high data-rate network. No
one wants to design or install a cabling network that becomes the limiting
factor when migrating to IP-based health care service delivery.
Larger
Telecommunications Spaces
The network
infrastructure of a health care facility is expected to accommodate many
systems beyond typical telephone and data, including nurse call, security,
CATV, biomedical and building automation systems. As a result, larger
telecommunications spaces and pathways are needed to support all of these
systems. It is critically important to ensure that the floor plan of any health
care telecommunications space includes enough space at the beginning of the
design process, especially since it is difficult to find additional space after
the walls go up and people move in.
To
accommodate the needs of today and tomorrow, the requirements for a typical
telecommunications room (TR) in a health care facility should be about twice
the size of a TR in office-oriented networks. A growth factor of 100 percent
should also be considered when determining room size. In the case of the
equipment room (ER), this growth factor can be part of the initial design or be
accommodated by dedicating adjacent space (e.g., storage room) that can be
claimed in the future if necessary.
Higher Work
Area Density
Within a
health care facility, there are many types of work areas and each has different
needs for telecommunications services. Depending on the type of space and
applications, each specific work area can be assigned either a high (>14),
medium (6 to 14), or low (2 to 6) recommendation for cabling density, which
basically represents the number of cable runs and outlets (ports) for each work
area. Due to the growth in IP-based and IP-connected devices, selecting a
number in the high end of the density range is recommended.
While a
cabling density of more than 14 outlets may seem extreme compared with the
traditional office cabling perspective, it may accurately reflect the number of
ports needed when entertainment, video monitoring, portable device connections,
telephone (VoIP), nurse call and the multitude of other services are needed in
a patient room.
The
flexibility for scheduling and implementing moves, adds or changes is normally
complex but even more so in the health care environment—not just from a timing
perspective (disruption of the patient care mission and revenue stream) but
also from an infection control and security perspective. Most every health care
facility will have restrictions and regulations on tearing into walls and
lifting ceiling panels. Therefore, placing additional outlets as part of the
initial design may prove to be more cost-effective than adding outlets later.
Outlet
Location Considerations
When
locating outlets in health care spaces, some thought is needed to determine
where they would be most useful and would minimize the number and length of
patch cords in any one room. For example, one outlet might need to go on the
facing wall to support video entertainment for the patient, one outlet might
best be located in the ceiling to support portable equipment and another might
need to be placed at the patient head end to support services like phone and
nurse call.
Critical
Care Areas
The matter
of life and death takes on new meanings in a health care environment. There are
unique requirements for the cabling infrastructure to support critical care
areas, which are defined as areas where the loss of telecommunications services
could have a serious impact. For these areas, the use of multiple entrance
points and cabling route diversity are recommended as two mechanisms for
ensuring that telecommunications services are not disrupted. Looking at this
from a redundancy perspective might make this easier to understand.
Government
Initiatives
In 2009,
the U.S.
government launched a major initiative with the Health Information Technology
for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act in Title XIII of the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The HITECH Act created the Office of the
National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology within the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services. This legislation and related
activities are having a transformative effect on health information technology
across the nation.
The first
$1.2 billion of HITECH grants were announced in August 2009, with $598 million
allocated to create 70 health information technology extension centers
nationwide and another $564 million to help states support the development of
health information exchanges and facilitate coordination and alignment among
states. ARRA also funded the ONC with $2 billion to drive standards and policy
for health information technology, including provider loan programs that
facilitate the adoption of certified electronic health records (EHRs). ARRA
also allocated an additional $17 billion to Medicare and Medicaid for the
adoption and "meaningful use" of EHRs (see sidebar).
While the
intent of EHRs is standardizing the content of digital health records, health
care files can contain huge amounts of data—any one file in any one record
could be hundreds of gigabits (e.g., an MRI). Diagnostic images, lab results
and other health care records need to be accessed quickly and accurately from
almost anywhere in the country. As paper records migrate to electronic health
records, the bandwidth needs of a health care facility will increase and place
stronger demands on the network cabling.
Evolution
of a Standard
The
industry recognized that the office-oriented commercial building cabling
standard, ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.1, was too restrictive to support the many needs
of a health care facility cabling infrastructure. As a result, the need for a
cabling standard for health care premises was formally presented to the
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) TR-42.1 Commercial Building
Cabling Subcommittee in 2003. At that time, a survey of BICSI members
demonstrated the support for such a project, and there was significant interest
in the project from health care facilities, consultants, manufacturers and
organizations. The project was officially launched and a task group was formed
to create a draft addendum to the 568-B.1 standard, but these early efforts
indicated that the draft was becoming too unwieldy in size and scope to be
suitable for an addendum.
When the
TR-42.1 subcommittee started the project of developing the ANSI/TIA-568-C.0
standard, Generic Telecommunications Cabling for Customer Premises, the task
group decided to table the health care effort until that standard was
published. They believed that the 568-C.0 standard would provide a sound
foundation for a new premises standard for health care facility cabling. In
2008, the health care cabling task group was reformed with even more interested
parties and began work on a draft of the health care standard using 568-C.0 as
a baseline. For example, the standard will recognize the same media as in
568-C.1, which includes category 6A, category 5e and category 6 balanced
twisted-pair cabling and multimode and singlemode optical fiber cabling.
The scope
of the draft document focuses on the requirements for telecommunications
infrastructure, cabling, cabling topologies, cabling distances, pathways and
spaces rather than trying to carve out any specific type of category of health
care facilities. The standard will support a wide range of health care
facilities and systems (e.g., nurse call, security, access control,
pharmaceutical inventory), particularly those that utilize or can utilize
IP-based infrastructure constructed of balanced twisted-pair and optical fiber
cabling. It will also recognize the impact that converging these many systems
onto the IT network will have on the size and requirements of the cabling
spaces (e.g., TRs, pathways).
The current
draft is proceeding through the ballot process in the TIA TR-42.1 subcommittee,
and the release for publication should be approved sometime in mid-2010,
barring any unforeseen, complex technical issues. Once finalized and approved
for publication, the document will become ANSI/TIA-1179, Healthcare Facility
Telecommunications Cabling Standard.
While
TR-42.1 has been actively engaged in developing a health care facility cabling
standard, another engineering committee has a slightly different focus.
Engineering Committee TR-49, Healthcare ICT, is one of TIA’s newest engineering
committees. TR-49 is responsible for the development and maintenance of
standards for the health care information, communication and technology (ICT)
applications that involve medical devices, network infrastructure, applications
and operations support. Ideally, the TR-49 Engineering Committee will reference
the TIA-1179 standard for structured cabling to support the ICT applications.
Closing
Thoughts
New
legislative provisions and regulations will affect health care facilities,
their funding and their cabling. New technologies and older technologies
migrating onto IP-based platforms will affect the data load on the network, as
well as the size of spaces, work area density, outlet location, redundancy and
other cabling considerations. New standards will help enable a consistent,
robust infrastructure to support today’s applications and any IP migration.
This means that the network designers and managers will be well positioned to
justify appropriate expansions and capabilities of their networks and enable
the network owners to reap the rewards of a smart investment.
ARRA and
"Meaningful Use"
Title XIII
of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 defines the Health
Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, also known as the
HITECH Act. ARRA authorizes the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
(CMS) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide
reimbursement payments from both Medicare and Medicaid programs for physician
and other health care providers who implement "meaningful use" of
certified electronic health records (EHRs).
CMS
released the definition of "meaningful use" on December 31, 2009.
This definition provides new guidance for providers and hospitals to qualify
for billions of dollars in federal incentives. ARRA provides federal incentives
of up to $44,000 per physician over five years, and hospitals can qualify for a
minimum of $2 million a year. The first incentives will be paid in 2011 based
on 2010 performance against Stage 1 guidance provided by CMS.
Key
Resources
American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009—www.recovery.gov.
www.meaningfuluse.org—This
informative health care IT site is sponsored by the Association of Medical
Directors of Information Systems (AMDIS) and contains news, opinions,
discussion, podcasts and other resources about "meaningful use" and
how the stimulus money will impact the U.S. health care industry.
U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services information related to
ARRA—www.hhs.gov/recovery.
Information
about ARRA-related grants—www.grants.gov.
Herbert V.
Congdon II, PE, is the manager of standards and technology for Tyco
Electronics. He can be reached at hvcongdon@tycoelectronics.com.
Kevin
Ressler, Ph.D., is the director of business development for Tyco Electronics.
He can be reached at resslerk@tycoelectronics.com.
Reprinted
with permission from BICSI NEWS magazine www.bisci.org
*********************************
BOMA Approved as USGBC Education Provider
(WASHINGTON—February 22,
2010) The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International today
announced that it has been approved as a U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
Education Provider. USGBC has approved the technical and instructional quality
of two of BOMA’s education series, the BOMA Energy Efficiency Program (BEEP)
and the Sustainable Operations Series (SOS). BEEP’s six on-demand Webinars have
been approved for a total of 12 GBCI CE Hours and the four Webinars in the SOS
series have been approved for a total of six GBCI CE Hours, all counting toward
the LEED Credential Maintenance Program.
The BEEP
series gives building owners and property managers information, strategies,
technologies, how-to guides and resources to reduce energy and costs in their
buildings. It was developed by the BOMA Foundation in partnership with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s ENERGY STAR® program and is supported
in part by a grant from EPA. SOS builds on the BEEP program by clearly
demonstrating how green operations can effectively enhance the bottom line,
improve tenant satisfaction and benefit the environment. Each course features
practical strategies and case studies on buildings that have employed green
operating practices.
"BOMA
has long been a leader in green education and we are proud to be a
USGBC-approved Education Provider,” commented BOMA International Chair James A.
Peck, RPA, FMA, senior director of asset services, CB Richard Ellis. “Both BEEP
and the SOS series teach industry professionals practical strategies for
optimizing energy efficiency and implementing sustainable operating procedures
while focusing on ROI and improving the bottom line.”
BOMA is
committed to enhancing the ongoing professional development of the building
industry and LEED Professionals through high-quality continuing education
programs. As a USGBC Education Provider, BOMA has agreed to abide by
USGBC-established operational and educational criteria, and is subject to
annual reviews and audits for quality assurance.
All
USGBC-approved Education Provider courses:
·
Support the LEED Professional Credentialing Maintenance Program
·
Are preeminent in green building education and align with USGBC’s educational
mission
·
Are delivered in a variety of formats and target multiple learning levels and
audiences
·
Are peer-reviewed to meet USGBC’s high standard for instructional design and
content quality
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 18,000–plus members own or manage more than
9 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.
*********************************
Environmental Building News Provides Guidance
BRATTLEBORO, VT, March 11, 2010-New stories come
out daily about toxic hazards in products. Consumers are increasingly anxious
about chemicals in everything from baby bottles to buildings, while building
professionals are seeking to address these concerns by selecting safer
products. However, just understanding the terms can be daunting, let alone
finding perspective amid the confusion.
Environmental
Building News, the nation's oldest and most respected publication on green
building, has stepped up to provide guidance for designers on what matters most
with chemicals and toxicity and how to select safer building products. EBN's
March, 2010, feature article, "Chemistry for Designers:
Understanding
Hazards in Building Products," includes a no-nonsense guide to common
hazards in building products and how to prioritize the search for alternatives,
along with a series of strategies to guide building professionals in specifying
safer products.
"The
frontrunners aren't having an easy time of it," said Jennifer Atlee,
research director at BuildingGreen, who wrote the article. A few firms are
trying to lead the way with these issues, paving the way for others, but the
time spent getting up-to-speed on these issues and then educating manufacturer
reps about the concerns can be very significant.
Despite the
challenges, more designers and firms are tackling these issues, driven by
initiatives like the Living Building Challenge and Healthcare Without Harm, and
new tools and strategies are making it increasingly feasible to address these
concerns.
"Firms
are using all sorts of strategies to try and simplify the process,"
explained Atlee.
"There
is a limit to what designers can do for any one project, but the important part
is to get started," said Atlee. "Even just asking the questions
of manufacturers is starting to make a real difference. Manufacturers are
responding."
Alex
Wilson, Executive Editor of EBN, and the founder of its sister publication, the
GreenSpec Directory of green building products, put the problem in context.
"The vast majority of the 60,000 to 80,000 chemicals in use today have
never been tested for environmental health and safety concerns; that isn't
required today," he explained. "This means that chemicals being used
to replace known hazards may turn out to be even worse. The green building
community has an important role to play in helping legislators understand the
business case for comprehensive chemical reform," Wilson said.
"Manufacturers
are struggling with this issue too," explained Atlee. "On the one
hand, they may not know the hazards in their own product. On the other hand,
they've seen an overreaction by customers to chemicals found on various hazard
lists; it makes manufacturers gun-shy." EBN's guidance on chemical choices
should help to clarify confusion in the design community.
"Chemistry
for Designers: Understanding Hazards in Building Products" was published
in the March 2010 issue of EBN. Access to the full article requires a
membership in BuildingGreen.com, but Atlee provides additional commentary in a
blog on the topic.
Editors: Jennifer Atlee is available for interviews about addressing chemical
hazards in buildings. To arrange an interview, contact Jerelyn Wilson at
802-257-7300 ext. 102 or jerelyn@buildinggreen.com.
Also access to the full article is also available to editors by contacting
Jerelyn Wilson.
Since 1992,
Environmental Building News has been the source the building industry turns to
for unbiased, practical information about building green. EBN is the flagship
publication of BuildingGreen, LLC, a leading publisher of information on
environmentally responsible building, whose other information outlets include
the GreenSpec® Directory of green building products, BuildingGreen.com,
a comprehensive website on green building, and LEEDuser.com,
a new website for teams going through the LEED certification process. For
information, visit www.BuildingGreen.com.
§
Wireless
security success stories When
Riverside, Calif.-based ICS Service was asked to install a security system to
protect a historic building on the California coast for the Palos Verde Unified
School District, wireless was the logical choice. It would have been a shame to
mar the building's beauty with hard wiring. SDM
(2/1)
§
KNX
to showcase latest applications in Europe More
than 100 KNX member companies will be presenting their latest KNX applications
at the Light+Building trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany, between April 11-16. KNX(2/17)
§
Wi-Fi
turns rowdy bus into rolling study hall School
officials in Tucson, AZ have mounted a mobile Internet router to a school bus
enabling students to surf the Web. The students call it the Internet Bus, a
high-tech experiment which allows them to revise and study using their laptops.
Intelligent
Community Forum(2/19)
§
Podcast:
Two sides of energy management There
are two sides to every story. In the world of M2M (machine-to-machine)
technology, it’s the business side and the consumer side. On the debut of The
Peggy Smedley Show this week—formerly the M2M Radio Show—two sides of energy
management were examined in depth. M2M
Radio(2/19)
§
Commissioning
HVAC systems can reveal ways to save energy and money Organizations
continue to look for ways to trim costs without incurring significant expenses.
For facility managers, that means turning a sharp eye and a red pen to
operating costs. Given its impact on the bottom line, the HVAC system is an
especially important target. In today's business climate, the winning projects
are often low-cost fixes or more costly projects that are worth the expense
because of a rapid payback. Building
Operating Management(2/22)
§
Building
control LEEDs to efficiency Government
regulations and environmental strategies will drive an increase in building
automation systems in the coming years. In fact, according to a recent study,
building automation systems will grow 3% from 2009 to 2015. Constructech(2/23)
§
Advanced
lighting control reduces operating costs improves productivity Typically
the largest electrical load in a commercial building, lighting accounts for 20
to 40% of the average business' electric bill. While light is a commodity
essential for productivity, lighting is a business asset that should be managed
as a critical component of both the building and the organization that occupies
it. Real
Estate Channel(2/3)
§
Bluetooth
group explores apps in smart grid The
Bluetooth Special Interest Group has formed a Smart Energy Study Group to
explore application in smart electric grids. The study group will explore
possible applications of Bluetooth in all aspects of the smart energy market.
It will form a strategy for Bluetooth Smart Energy and make recommendations
based on its finding. EETimes(2/24)
§
Attend
the GLOBE 2010 Trade Show For FREE The
upcoming GLOBE 2010 International Conference and Trade Show, taking place March
24 - 26, 2010 in Vancouver, BC, Canada, will be one of the year's largest
events promoting the 'business of the environment.'
§
Manufacturers
in the residential systems market identify market opportunities and constraints This
survey from Stiernberg Consulting examines the challenges to expanding markets
for consumer products. Manufacturers of audio, control, automation, AV
networking, video, media storage and management, wire/cable, lighting,
furniture, racks, and accessories were questioned near the end of 2008. The top
challenges were pricing pressures and shrinking margins, long product development
cycles, limited talent, and new competition. Competition includes the entry of
big-box retailers into the installation market. On a positive note, the economy
problems are keeping people home and demanding more entertainment. Read
the full report as published in CABA's Research Library.
Education & Training
§
M2M
Conference at CeBIT 2010 Join a
global team of ICT insiders to explore Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications,
Embedded Connectivity, Networked Devices, Location Awareness, & Remote
Management. All sessions address business requirements, device design and
certification, advanced networking techniques, and service creation. Hear from
wireless network operators, device manufacturers and application developers at
the free M2M conference focused on energy, transport and healthcare. The event
will be held March 4 at Telematics Hall 7, Stand A46 in Hannover, Germany.
§
Webinar
on monetizing M2M apps with mobile networks In this
hour-long session, accessible immediately, both Cisco and Telenor Connexion
will share specific use cases demonstrating how mobile operators can address
these challenges while monetizing machine-to-machine application opportunities
with intelligent end-to-end IP networking; IPv6 support; and network
scalability, resiliency, and performance.
§
Webinar
on CCTV and privacy The
Security Industry Association will be hosting a webinar for SIA members at 1 pm
ET on Thursday, February 25 on the topic of the influence of privacy on
electronic security and how companies can be better prepared to address privacy
concerns raised over the use of these technologies. The featured panelists are
Kathleen Carroll (HID Global) and Sam Docknevich (Siemens).
§
Webcast
on BIM adoption Reed
Construction Data is proud to present the 2010 Lessons in BIM Adoption webcast
series. Presented quarterly, the webcast series delivers information on how BIM
affects processes for the architect, engineer, general contractor, and other
members of the construction industry. On February 25 at 2 pm ET, tune in for
the first webcast in the series focused on issues surrounding BIM adoption.
§
Webinar:
The Economics of Alarm Management Hear
from Stan Martin from the Security Industry Alarm Coalition on what dealers can
expect as more and more municipalities look to onerous alarm ordinances to help
combat budget shortfalls. The live webinar begins at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on
March 3, 2010. A chat session on the topic will begin at 4:45 p.m. Eastern
time. Registration for this webinar is free by clicking
here.
CABA News
§
CH-RC
Digital Home Ecosystem Forum rescheduled CABA's
Connected Home Research Council's Advisory Board has decided to move the CH-RC
Digital Home Ecosystem Forum to a new date. It was scheduled for March 3 and
will now be held Wed, May 5, 2010. We are pleased that the event will still be
hosted by Microsoft Corporation and have also been able to confirm that Orly
Cocco, from Procter & Gamble, will be attending and moderating the ideation
roundtable session. Learn
more about the event or contact Don O'Connor,
CABA's Business Development Manager at 613.686.1814 x226 or oconnor@caba.org
for more information.
§
CABA
Completes North American Intelligent and Integrated Building Technology Market
Sizing Study The
Continental Automated Buildings Association has released a comprehensive North
American market sizing study examining intelligent and integrated building
technology.The study provides a detailed quantitative and qualitative
assessment of the current and future markets for intelligent control systems in
non-residential buildings so that industry players can undertake strategic
planning as they launch new products and services. In addition, the study
provides a review of the existing demand for intelligent building control
integration and convergence. The study can be purchased in whole or in
sections. For more details, contact Don O'Connor,
CABA's Business Development Manager at 613.686.1814 x226 or oconnor@caba.org.
§
CABA
to hold webinar on intelligent building roadmap project CABA,
through its Intelligent & Integrated Buildings Council, will hold a webinar
on its Intelligent Buildings in North America Roadmap research project on
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 1 pm ET. Through a collaborative process, the primary
objectives of the project will be to: strengthen the existing industry
knowledge base and perspectives on intelligent buildings; understand the
collective influence on the roadmap for intelligent buildings of emerging
trends in the industry such as, energy efficiency, renewable technology, IT
convergence and the integration of buildings with the smart grid; understand
the influence of current and emerging trends on smart technologies and
solutions, market preference and acceptance; and investigate the current and
future direction of the intelligent buildings market in North America, and the
opportunities it represents for participants of the value chain. For more
information about the webinar call or project, please contact Don O'Connor, CABA Business Development Manager, at
613.686.1814 x226 or oconnor@caba.org
*********************************
New book, Green Electrical $ells helps professionals profit from the booming markets for green building and energy efficiency
(PRLEAP.COM) February 2, 2010 Syosset, New York
- Carazo Communications announces the publication of Green Electrical $ells, a
new book by electrical marketing expert and energy efficiency journalist Dan
Carazo.
Green Electrical $ells provides valuable insights about the fast-growing green
building segment of North America’s construction industry, and discusses the
expanding Commercial, Institutional, Industrial, Residential, Retrofit, and
Solar Energy markets for energy-efficient products, services, and solutions.
Using interviews from over 80 industry experts, Green Electrical $ells explains
how Green Electrical has become a global mega-trend impacting the businesses
and careers of facility, property and plant managers, builders, real estate
developers, architects, designers, engineers, construction managers,
contractors, manufacturer’s sales reps, lighting and energy consultants, and
electrical distributors.
Green Electrical $ells is available online as a 204-page printed black and
white paperback, or as a 194-page e-book PDF download.
To order
PAPERBACK version: http://www.CreateSpace.com/3404445
; paperback will soon be available at Amazon.com and other retail outlets.
To order
E-BOOK version: http://www.lulu.com/content/8253318
can be read using the free Adobe Digital Editions application on various
digital tools, including Kindle, PCs, laptops, wireless digital readers, PDAs,
and smart phones.
SPECIAL ORDERS: Quantity Discounts are available for promotional or training
purposes, and Custom Branded Paperback editions are also available that include
an organization’s custom cover and inserted promotional content. For
information and pricing, contact Carazo Communications.
Brendan Owens, Vice President of LEED Technical Development
for the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC),
said this about Green Electrical $ells:
"Education
is key to transforming the built environment towards sustainability. Green
Electrical $ells contributes towards that mission by covering the importance of
energy efficiency in our commercial and residential building stock while
illustrating the vast financial and environmental benefits of green
building."
Green
Electrical $ells helps professionals and students involved with the built
environment:
Better
understand the global trends driving the long-term growth of GreenBuilding,
and the business and career implications of reducing electrical energy
consumption;
Understand
the economic benefits derived from energy-efficient solutions in each market;
Recognize
best-in-class energy-efficient products, solutions and applications favored by
top professionals, and the benefits they deliver.
Topics
include: U.S.
energy policy, power distribution, lighting and lighting controls, building
automation, LEED® certification, sustainability, motors and drives, and energy
management for all construction and retrofit markets.
Despite the recent slowdown in construction spending, GreenBuilding has remained the fastest
growing segment of the U.S.
construction market, and because the residential, commercial and industrial
sectors consume a combined 67% of all U.S. energy, energy-efficient Green
Electrical is enjoying robust growth.
About the Author
Dan Carazo has focused on the electrical industry for over a decade initially
by directing the marketing and branding for Cooper Wiring Devices, a division
of Cooper Industries, a $6.5 billion global leader in electrical, lighting, and
controls
Carazo’s marketing firm, Carazo Communications, services clients in the
electrical, lighting, lighting control, and energy efficiency industries,
including the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED).
As a journalist Carazo has authored over two hundred articles covering the
electrical industry markets and trends, including those shaping energy
efficiency, power distribution, building and home automation, lighting control,
sustainable buildings, and green building for The Electrical Distributor (TED),
Electrical Contractor, and EC&M.
Carazo’s Green Electrical Sells blog reports on energy-efficient solutions for
the green building market and appears weekly on www.TEDGreenRoom.com .
For Further
Information Contact:
Dan Carazo
Carazo Communications
6 Greenvale Lane, Syosset, New York11791USA
516-921-7199dcaraz@optonline.net
Draka's Fiber Optic Cables Meet Requirements for American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, RUS Broadband Incentives Program (BIP), NTIA Broadband Technology Opportunities (BTOP) and Buy America
Claremont, North Carolina, March 5, 2010 (NYSE EURONEXT: DRAK) – Draka
Communications – Americas reaffirms that its fiber optic cable products are in
full compliance and ready for use in infrastructure projects funded by the
American Recovery & Reinvestment Act. The American Recovery &
Reinvestment act appropriated $7.2 billion toward multiple programs such as:
RUS Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP), NTIA Broadband Technology
Opportunities Program (BTOP), Public Computer Centers (PCC), Sustainable
Broadband Adoption, and Middle Mile Infrastructure.
Based in Claremont, NC,
Draka Communications Americas is a leading manufacturer of fiber optic cable
products used throughout the United States,
Canada, Mexico and Latin America.
Draka operates two manufacturing facilities located on an integrated campus in
western NC and meets the requirements to supply fiber cable for projects that
are funded by the Broadband Stimulus plan. With more than 25 million miles of
cabled fiber installed across North America during the past 20 years, Draka is
able to meet the increasing demand for fiber cable to support expanding broadband
access to un-served and underserved communities across the USA.
Draka’s manufacturing processes meet the highest level of industry performance
standards and are ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and TL9000 certified. Draka frequently
hosts training and tours at its world class 1.2 million square foot
manufacturing center in Claremont,
NC. Draka produces enough fiber
each day to circle the globe.
Draka was awarded the "Faith in the Future Award" during 2008 by the
Catawba County Chamber of Commerce in recognition of its continued growth and
support of the community. "Draka is excited to see the Broadband Stimulus
Plan coming to life and looks forward to supporting the national expansion of
high speed broadband across the USA.
The Broadband Stimulus Plan is already creating a positive impact for our North
Carolina community and will surely boost economic growth, create jobs and
improve education and healthcare technology nationwide" states Bill
Dungan, Senior Vice President and Director, Draka Communications America.
About Draka
Draka (Euronext Amsterdam: DRAK), headquartered in Amsterdam, has 9,600 employees in countries
worldwide and revenues of €2.0 billion. Draka has a presence in 31 countries in
Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia. Draka's activities are
divided into three groups: Energy & Infrastructure, Industry &
Speciality and Communications.
Draka Communications, with over 100 years of experience, is one of the world;s
largest fiber producers and the number one multimode fiber producer. We are a
leader in innovative optical fiber and cable solutions with a portfolio of over
15,000 cables for indoor, indoor-outdoor, and outdoor applications. Draka's
regional headquarters is located in Claremont, North Carolina in the only co-located fiber and cable
facility in North America. Our 128 acre campus
is home to a world class 1.2 million square foot manufacturing facility
dedicated to the development, delivery and deployment of optical fiber and
fiber cable networks. For more information, call us at 1-800-879-9862 or visit
us online at www.drakaamericas.com.
*********************************
Electrical Contractors Boost Efforts to Reach U.S. Green Power Goals
BETHESDA,
Md., February 26, 2009 — Electrical contractors around the country are creating
new training grounds, more services and a highly skilled workforce to make the
nation’s green energy goals a reality, according to Electrical Contractor
magazine at www.ecmag.com. To help reach national
aims—such as wind comprising 20 percent of America’s power by 2030 and solar
power meeting 15 percent of the country’s energy needs by 2020—the industry’s
growing activities seek to reduce emissions, lower energy bills, cut maintenance
costs and enable a properly trained workforce.
“Our
increasing coverage of wind and solar news, lighting innovations and renewable
training opportunities reinforces the industry’s commitment to green power,
sustainable buildings and energy independence,” said John Maisel, publisher of
Electrical Contractor by the National Electrical Contractors Association
(NECA), Bethesda, Md.
Recently
reported new and ongoing activities include:
Building
the nation’s first custom wind turbine training facilities: The newest facility
in Omaha features a replica of a power-generating windmill tower to help
electricians master the technology used to harness wind power, and learn to
work safely within the interiors of the pinwheels. The first windmill training
facility opened in Rochester,
Minn. last year. Link to
ElectricTV video: http://www.electrictv.net/Archives/Wind-Turbine-Training.aspx
The
NECA-IBEW “Green Jobs” Curriculum: This nationwide program packages 75 green
training lessons that include safely installing solar photovoltaic (PV) panels,
wind power turbines and fuel cells to the same high standards as traditional
electrical work.
Solar/PV
Panels: Includes increasing activity and training in procuring and installing
PV panels as well as the balance of the system (BOS) for stand-alone rooftop
panels.
Comprehensive
energy audits: With tax credits for more energy-efficient buildings now
extended to 2013, electrical contractors are increasingly performing holistic
energy audits to help building owners and managers control energy costs, reduce
consumption and comply with energy-efficiency legislation and mandates. Audits
show exactly where, when and how much energy is being used. The latest holistic
approach accounts for how all of the various building systems—power, control,
information processing and communications, lighting and HVAC—will interact over
the building’s life cycle.
Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification and Projects: More
electrical contractors are becoming LEED certified and/or serving as valued
partners on LEED projects including installing energy-efficient electrical
equipment and systems.
Measurement
and verification (M&V): Includes training and services of installed
lighting systems and alternative energy sources for buildings that earn LEED
certification to help ensure they maintain sustainability.
Energy-Efficient
Lighting: Includes installing advanced controls for new high-performance
buildings; relighting existing buildings with energy-efficient luninaires and
controls; recommending energy-efficient lighting and ways to reduce costs; and
evaluating maintenance and environmental issues such as light pollution or
inefficient energy usage from over-lighting.
Building
Information Modeling: (BIM): The new buildingSMART Alliance serves developers and users of BIM
and is expected to become increasingly prominent in green construction.
Smart
metering/energy management: To help support two-way communication for gathering
whole-building energy usage, electrical contractors can install submeters to
record energy usage with easier categorizing; also includes installing devices
that can track solar- and wind-energy production, help prepare reports and
specify and purchase products.
Published
by the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), Bethesda, Md.,
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR delivers 85,300+ electrical contractors and 68,000+
electrical contracting locations, more than any other industry publication.
Telephone: (301) 657-3110. Web site: www.ecmag.com.
*********************************
ISOTEC® BRAND IRRIGATION & UNDERGROUND CABLES ADDED TO GENERAL CABLE’S OFFERING
HIGHLAND
HEIGHTS, KENTUCKY,
March 2, 2010 – General Cable (NYSE: BGC) is pleased to introduce its line of
Isotec® Brand cables for the Irrigation and Landscape markets.These cables cover the range of commonly used
and inventoried wire and cable products for the irrigation distributor.
In addition
to the standard product offering, the Company has the capability to manufacture
all of the various constructions of decoder cables, including Hunter, Maxi and
Toro. General Cable is an excellent resource for a wide variety of other
specialty constructions including stranded direct burial control cables and
flexible
portable cordage.
“General
Cable is excited to have the ability to offer customers the complete basket of
solutions, enhanced by General Cable’s strong product portfolio, including our
Carol® Brand Electronics and Cord products,” said Jeff Later, Vice President of
Sales, Carol and Isotec Brand Products.
Founded in
1991, Isotec has been a long-time supplier to these markets, providing a
product line of the utmost quality.All
Isotec wire and cable is made from the finest materials and manufactured with
the latest high-tech computer equipment.Isotec believes in making it right the first time, every time.
“Our Isotec
Irrigation & Underground cables are manufactured in the U.S.A. and
shipped direct from stock,”
Later said.“We have a National sales
team in place to bring you the best-quality products available.”
Contact Ken
Ericksen at 847-299-9299 or kericksen@generalcable.comfor additional information about our Isotec
cables.For more specific questions
regarding smart irrigation practices and sustainable solutions, visit the
Irrigation Association’s Web site at www.irrigation.org.
About
General Cable
General
Cable (NYSE:BGC), a Fortune 500 Company, is a global leader in the development,
design, manufacture, marketing and distribution of copper, aluminum and fiber
optic wire and cable products for the energy, industrial, specialty and
communications markets.For more
information about General Cable, visit our website at www.generalcable.com.
Going Green
with General Cable
General
Cable has accelerated its environmental commitment, addressing its Green
Alternative Approach by identifying greener opportunities and promoting green
cabling solutions wherever feasible.This includes promoting our existing green products; partnering with key
customers in their green endeavors; identifying and providing resources for green
product gaps; and participating as members in collaborative ventures such as
the Green Suppliers Network (GSN).
*********************************
GENERAL CABLE EXPANDS ITS TRANSPORTATION AND INDUSTRIAL HARNESSES BUSINESS IN EUROPE
HIGHLAND
HEIGHTS, KENTUCKY, March 1, 2010 – General Cable Corporation (NYSE: BGC), a
global leader in ignition wire harness technology, reported today that it has
acquired Beru SAS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BorgWarner France SAS, located
in La Ferte Mace, France.The business
will operate as General Cable Automotive Europe (GCAE) going forward.GCAE is a premier manufacturer of ignition
wire harnesses sold into the European automotive OEM market as well as the
aftermarket.
Roger
Roundhouse, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Specialty Wire Harnesses
said, “The GCAE acquisition is an important step in the globalization of our
ignition wire harness business and supports the strategy to participate in the
increasingly homogenous global market for these products. Our wire harness
business now has operations in the United States,
Mexico and France.From these locations, the Company is
participating in a significant portion of the global automotive market for
ignition wire harnesses. In its first year of operations we expect this
business to report in excess of $20 million in revenues. This acquisition is
important in satisfying multi-national customers who see value in having global
partners support their business in the ignition wire harness category."
General
Cable (NYSE:BGC), a Fortune 500 Company, is a global leader in the development,
design, manufacture, marketing and distribution of copper, aluminum and fiber
optic wire and cable products for the energy, industrial, specialty and
communications markets.For more
information about General Cable, visit our website at www.generalcable.com.
In 1978, I
worked at the McGraw-Hill building in New
York City (at 6th avenue + 49th). I lived on 54th street between
1st and 2nd avenues. It was easily walkable, and I lived in Manhattan on purpose. I had gone to BrooklynTechnicalHigh School
every day via subway, and I wanted no more of that -- even if it meant living
in a 5-story walk-up apartment that resembled a shoebox (the one room's width,
at its widest point, was 8 feet, 8 inches).
One day in
early 1978, I trudged to work through deep snow, breathing in the cleanest air
I'd ever inhaled in the city of my birth.
This came
the day after a blizzard. I worked for McGraw-Hill's National Petroleum News, a
monthly magazine that also had a weekly newsletter ("The Orange
Sheet," actually printed on orange paper!). The day after the blizzard was
the day the Orange thing had to go to the printer, but the veteran editors who
lived in the suburbs were not going to make it in to get the thing out. So I
did (as did a few other youngish types). My pluckiness (or stupidity) in
coming to work on what was, clearly, a day off for everybody in the city is not
relevant here.
What
astounded me, and sticks in memory (still!), was the air. It was so clean!
There was zero vehicular traffic. No buses to spew crap into my lungs, no taxis
swarming. As I walked across Park
Avenue, east to west, a guy went by me
(heading uptown) . . . walking in the deep snow covering Park's asphalt . . .
on cross-country skis. I believe I did see one cab moving during the walk, a
sharp contrast with perhaps the 100s I would typically see on
any given day just in crossing Park.
In short,
the air in Manhattan
was clear and sweet; it was a joy to inhale. There were few, if any, people on
the streets (we all waved hello to each other, a very un-NYC thing to do!). The
walk was tough because the snow was very deep; but that was the one year I was
in great shape; I would later in 1978 run the New York Marathon, finishing in a
scintillating 4:43.
Was this a
"green" experience? Sure. But . . . it's not something we can
replicate, is it?
Dinosaurs
And Global Warming
That
experience came back to the front of my mind recently after two weeks in which
I went to the D.C. Convention Center to attend, first, the Electric Drive
Transportation Assn. conference, followed shortly thereafter by Renewable
Energy Technology 2010. The subject in all of this was green/sustainability,
with global warming lurking just beneath the surface (and sometimes coming to
the fore).
I heard
many hopes and dreams voiced out loud at the first event. The car makers hope
that the plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) is something they can sell, and
the utilities hope to generate big revenue in the evenings (something hard
to do now) from PEV recharging. As compared with hopes, RETECH 2010
was a case of "optimism overspill" -- I heard some amazing stuff,
including the confidently spoken notion that solar in 2010 will be double what
it was in the U.S. in 2009 . . . followed by another double in 2011.
From a
certain perspective, the PEV event seemed more like the final convention of the
dinosaurs, just before the big asteroid lit up the sky. The wounded behemoths
of the auto industry and the staid-and-afraid gigantors of the utility biz were
there, in the same room, roaring at each other . . . signifying, it seemed to
me, not much of anything beyond hopes and dreams.
At the
renewable energy event, there was above-board yakking on whether global warming
is really caused by human activity. The speakers who I heard talk about this
poo-poohed the objections. No one rational, the undertone ran, could reasonably
be unsure whether human activities are causing global warming.
Yes, this
is yet more evidence backing up my wife, who believes that I am NOT completely
rational. I remain on the fence. Global warming is happening, that much seems
clear; if it's caused by human activities here on Earth, what's causing it
to happen on Mars?
The
We-Be-Green-Except Crowd
As a result
of all this thinking -- which can really be distracting, you know -- I ended up
noticing some off-beat stuff at the renewable conference and show:
A. There
was a lot of paper. While the conference's official notepads were marked as
made from recycled paper, much of everything else was NOT so marked. That
surprised me (would you really hand out stuff at RETECH 2010 that was not made
from recycled paper? Yes, it turned out). Further, I personally recycled
several big handfuls of stuff -- there are lots of recycling bins in the DCCC,
which is nice. I noticed other people doing the same thing. This leads to the
question: Even if your propaganda IS printed on recycled paper, why spend the money
to print and then ship the stuff to the DCCC, if people were, in general, going
to look at it for 3 seconds and then lose it? This seems very UNgreen to me.
And wasteful.
B. In the
press room, I came across a press kit that consisted of -- I swear to this -- a
large glossy folder (not made of recycled paper) which was there to hold one
sheet of glossy paper (also not made from recycled content). That's it -- a
folder with a sheet of paper inside. The sheet of paper had two paragraphs on
it, and a nice picture. I figured I was missing something (this happens),
so I leafed through all of that company's other stuff, and it was all the same
-- one folder, one sheet of paper, two paragraphs on the paper. Jeepers! You've
heard of "shoot the piano player?" For this company, it was time to
take the PR person out onto the street -- and drop a piano on his/her head from
a 7th-story window.
C. Another
green-ish company included its annual report in its press kit. The thing was
thick, but it was not a lot of pages; it seemed to be printed, maybe, on
recycled paper. But I went through the AR several times, and did not find a
single place where it said it was printed on recycled paper. This leads to
questions:
c-1 -- if
you're going to say you are into renewable technologies and are a green
company, why would you do it, in part, via a thick document at an event
like this . . . especially if not printed on recycled paper?
c-2 --
Let's say the thing WAS done on recycled paper. Why wouldn't you tell the world
about that, in several places in that document?
c-3 -- And:
Why include your annual report in a press kit? Do you think "green"
media types make enough money to actually invest in your stock?
D. RETECH
2010 had a bunch of high-profile attendees -- lawyers, financial industry
types, and accountants. This freaked me out. Truly, you cannot make
progress in our nation without these people; they have made sure of that! And
yes, the financial segment comprised 40% of the total S&P 500 profits in
2007 (although maybe those profits vaporize into thin air if/when you stare
hard enough at them). OK, Jill is right -- I'm not entirely rational. But when
a guy from J.P. Morgan Capital was introduced as a member of one panel, I
bolted. I was afraid of what might come out of my mouth. I am not a violent
person, but I was writing in my notebook some really nasty things to ask the
guy in the Q-and-A.
Here's the
nicest: "Please tell us why any of us should permit you to leave
the room alive."
I was
wearing a badge that identified me with tED magazine. I couldn't ask such
questions (some of the others included profanity).
So I
bolted.
Next up:
Can coal be green?
Joe
Salimando of EFJ Enterprises is a consultant, web content provider, and
wordsmith based in Oakton, Va. To contact him, call 703-255-1428. See
also The EleBlog.
IMPORTANT
NOTE: THIS COLUMN REFLECTS ONLY THE OPINIONS OF ITS AUTHOR AND DOES NOT REFLECT
THE OPINIONS OR POLICIES OF NAED, TED MAGAZINE, OR THE ADVERTISERS ON THE
TEDMAG WEB SITE.
*********************************
The Light Brigade - New Outside Plant Emergency Restoration Training Course
The Light
Brigade announces a new two-day technical training course for Outside Plant
Emergency Restoration. This course, which is available only as a custom course,
places heavy emphasis on fault location, troubleshooting, and test equipment.
It culminates in a second day of hands-on practices that simulate actual field
restorations for retrievable and non-retrievable slack scenarios.
Whether the
fiber cable network is above or below ground, inside or outside a building, the
words “emergency restoration” strike fear in any network or outside plant
manager. Network outages can cost ten of thousands of dollars every hour your
system is offline. When (not if) a problem occurs, it is critical not only to
have a recovery program in place, but to have staff that is trained to deal
with the emergency in timely, cost-efficient manner.
Course
attendees will learn:
Why and
where singlemode fiber cables fail in the outside plant and how to troubleshoot
and repair them in a timely manner
Typical
cable management products used in the OSP and emergency restorations including
singlemode fibers and cable structures
Retrievable
and nonretrievable slack scenarios for aerial, underground, and ducted
restorations
Test
equipment used for maintenance and emergency restoration, including the optical
time domain reflectometer
Restoration
planning
Network
planning, design, and maintenance
About The
Light Brigade
The Light Brigade, a division of AFL Telecommunications LLC, is the world’s
leading fiber optic training company having trained over 38,000 students in its
public and customized classes. The curriculum covers
the entire spectrum of fiber optics from basic theory and design to maintenance
and testing, through advanced topics such as FTTx, DWDM, SONET, PMD/CD, and
fiber-optic video transmission. The Light Brigade also produces professional-quality
educational DVDs and CDs, a self-paced
computerized training module, and self-study courses. For more information
on The Light Brigade’s educational programs, visit www.lightbrigade.com.
*********************************
CEP Certification, LLC Announces March 2010 Certified Electrical Professionals™ Certification Recognizes Education, Training, Experience and Professionalism in Electrical Distribution
ST. LOUIS… CEP Certification, LLC (CEP
Certification) a limited liability corporation established by the National
Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) announces the March 2010
Certified Electrical Professional – Inside Sales™ (CEP – IS™) and Certified
Electrical Professional – Outside Sales™ (CEP – OS™) certificants.
CEP is a
certification program for distributors, manufacturers and others in the
electrical distribution channel. Certification gives the holder credibility in
their industry and increases the professionalism of the industry as a whole.
CEP certification identifies that the holder has demonstrated expertise in
areas such as product knowledge, customer service, sales skills, and other
skills giving them added credibility in the electrical industry.
The following have been awarded the Certified Electrical
Professional – Inside Sales:
Bruce
James Andersen
Butler
Supply, Inc.
Fenton, MO
Pam
Campbell
Springfield
Electric Supply Company
Bloomington, IL
Samuel C.
Cribb
Shealy
Electrical Wholesalers, Inc.
Florence, SC
Michael
P. Crowe
Springfield
Electric Supply Company
Springfield, IL
Andrew
DiFranco
Electric
Supply, Inc.
Tampa, FL
Dwayne A.
Egli
Dakota
Supply Group
Bismarck, ND
Jerry M.
Gass
Butler Supply
Centralia, IL
David A.
Johnson
Border States Electric Supply
Albuquerque, NM
Jeff
Kumpf
Springfield
Electric Supply Company
Bloomington, IL
Joe
Larson
Springfield
Electric Supply Company
Springfield, IL
Mandy L.
Maloblocki
WESCO
Distribution, Inc.
Hammond, IN
Kevin D.
Martin
WESCO
Distribution, Inc.
Hammond, IN
Charlene
Masone
Electric
Supply, Inc.
Tampa, FL
Kari
Mayer
WESCO
Distribution, Inc.
Hammond, IN
Scott L.
Penley
Schaedler
YESCO Distribution Inc.
York, PA
Steven D.
Roten
Schaedler
YESCO Distribution Inc.
Lancaster, PA
Brian D
Schmitgall
Springfield
Electric Supply Company
Bloomington, IL
Jeff
Sterling
The Hite
Company
Pittsburgh, PA
Heath
Stinebaker
Springfield
Electric Supply Company
Springfield, IL
Bill I.
Stonecipher Jr.
SMC
Lebanon, MO
Jeff
Tiezzi
Springfield
Electric Supply Company
Decatur, IL
The
following have been awarded the Certified Electrical Professional – Outside
Sales:
Edward
Bennett
Shealy
Electrical Wholesalers, Inc.
Florence, SC
Pearl
Bradley
Rexel
Hamilton, OH
James L.
Carmack
Butler Supply
Moberly, MO
Brad
Centola
Springfield
Electric Supply Company
Decatur, IL
Eric
Collins
Republic
Companies
Davenport, IA
James G.
Dick Jr.
The Hite
Company
Meadville, PA
Mark
Gassen
Republic
Companies
Davenport, IA
Scott J.
Gehle
Dickman
Supply
Sidney, OH
Mark R.
Haborak
Rexel
Alexandria, VA
Robert
Charles Hanson
J.H.
Larson Company
Watertown, SD
John S.
Leombruni
Springfield
Electric Supply Company
Rockford, IL
James M.
Manning
Springfield
Electric Supply Company
Peru, IL
Thomas
"TJ" Nance
Rexel
Tampa, FL
Scott
Ohlsen
Springfield
Electric Supply Company
Moline, IL
Steven E.
Parn
Springfield
Electric Supply Company
Springfield, IL
Dale
Pinegar
Springfield
Electric Supply Company
Danville, IL
David C.
Powell Jr.
The Hite
Company
Pittsburgh, PA
Michael
Stuart
Springfield
Electric Supply Company
Decatur, IL
Darrin
Vatnsdal
Dakota
Supply Group
Grand Forks, ND
The next
set of test dates will be July 12-23, 2010, interested candidates should begin
preparing now. For suggested courses, FAQs, candidate guides, sample exam
questions, self assessments, and other helpful materials, visit the CEP home
page at www.naed-cep.org. Or contact NAED Customer Service at customerservice@naed.org
or toll-free at (888) 791-2512.
CEP
Certification, LLC (CEP Certification) is a limited liability corporation
established by the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) to
develop and administer certification and recertification processes for the
purpose of designating those individuals who have met CEP Certification
professional knowledge standards. The mission of CEP Certification is to
enhance the performance of individuals working in the electrical distribution
industry by setting standards for the performance of industry job roles and
assessing individuals against these standards.
NAED is the
trade association for the $70+ billion electrical distribution industry.
Through networking, education, research, and benchmarking, NAED helps
electrical distributors increase profitability and improve the channel. NAED’s
membership operates in approximately 4,400 locations internationally.
Free Self-Study Program on "Fiber U"
(www.fiberu.org)
As we
announced last month, the FOA is bringing back "Fiber U" or FiberUniversity
and Lennie Lightwave to offer free online training in fiber optics and cabling
at www.fiberu.org. We have just finished a self-study program “The Basics of
Fiber Optics” at Fiber U that is free to everybody. It’s aimed at novices who
want to learn about fiber optics or “old hands” who want to update and refresh
their knowledge. The program takes advantage of all the technical materials on
the The FOA Online Fiber Optic Reference Guide and the new
textbook the FOA Reference
Guide To Fiber Optics. We have created a lesson plan that
leads you through 10 lessons from the basics of fiber optics to installation
practices. Each lesson gives you reading assignments and then tests your
comprehension. You can take the course online or using the textbook - both are
referenced in the lesson plans. Go to Fiber U
(www.fiberu.org) and try it yourself.
At Fiber U,
we have also added eleven "Virtual Hands-On" Tutorials that show you
how common processes in fiber optics (cable preparation, splicing and termination)
are done.
Where Can You Find More News on
Fiber Optics?
The FOA Monthly Online Newsletter is a good
place to find information about what’s going on in fiber optics. Each month
contains articles summarized from the usual sources but also from our own
reporting about important issues like where US stimulus money is being spent,
how Google wants broadband to offer 1 Gb/s over fiber to everybody’s home,
what’s happening in standards committees, what kinds of technical questions
we’re being asked by our readers and contributions from our network of fiber
optic and cabling experts. The FOA
Monthly Online Newsletter is online at http://www.thefoa.org/foanewsletter.html.
About the
FOA
The Fiber
Optic Association, Inc. is an nonprofit educational organization chartered to
promote fiber optics and premises cabling through education, certification and
standards. Over 250 FOA-Approved schools around the world have certified more
than 29,000 fiber optic technicians. The FOA has the largest online technical
reference for fiber optics and offers free online introductory fiber optic
programs at Fiber U (www.fiberu.org.)
For more
information on the FOA, see the organization's website http://www.thefoa.org/,
email info@thefoa.orgor call 1-760-451-3655.
*********************************
Legrand | Ortronics Announces Creation of the Ortronics® Layer Zero™ Ecosystem
New London, CT, March 3, 2010 – Legrand |
Ortronics, a global leader in high performance network infrastructure
solutions, proudly announces the creation of the Ortronics Layer Zero Ecosystem
program.
Layer Zero,
introduced by Legrand | Ortronics, is the revolutionary new foundation layer
for the ISO/OSI model.Layer Zero - the
Infrastructure Layer™ - addresses the critical role that infrastructure plays
in network performance. Recognizing the importance of the underlying physical
infrastructure layer and emphasizing best practices in pathway and
physical support design provides a new level of stability to the network.
The
expertise of Legrand | Ortronics in layer one technology enables the
development of superior infrastructure solutions for Layer Zero. These
solutions combine knowledge of customer requirements with insightful product design
to leverage gains across the entire network.The right equipment at Layer Zero will address the key factors of
airflow, density, protection and performance while also providing significant
energy savings.
Legrand |
Ortronics has developed the Layer Zero Ecosystem program to provide customers
with recommended resources for other facets of their Layer Zero infrastructure.
"We're collaborating with innovative companies who share our vision of
utilizing the infrastructure layer to optimize networks.Our Layer Zero Ecosystem will include
companies with complementary technologies that round out our Layer Zero
solution, providing a complete infrastructure solution for the client,"
states Tony Walker, Director of Advanced Marketing for Legrand | Ortronics.
This
exclusive network will facilitate the co-engineering of products to better
complement each other - products that enable a network
manager to implement comprehensive solutions that are scalable, sustainable and
help secure a competitive advantage. The ecosystem will include the
best-in-class company from each of the following sectors: cooling, power
management, raised floor, perforated tiles, active equipment, cable trays,
cabling, pathways, mobile data center, environmental sensors, collocation cages,
storage and thermal imaging.In
addition, Legrand | Ortronics is continuing to identify adjacent areas for
additional alliance opportunities.
Legrand |
Ortronics (www.legrand.us/ortronics),
headquartered in New London,
Connecticut, USA.is a global leader in high performance
network infrastructure solutions, offering a complete range of Category 5e, 6
and 10 Gig copper, fiber optic, and residential/MDU connectivity solutions, as
well as Layer Zero physical support solutions including Cablofil® wire mesh
cable tray and Wiremold® pathways.
About
Legrand:
Legrand is
the global specialist in products and systems for electrical installations and
information networks where people live and work. Its comprehensive offering of
solutions for use in commercial, industrial and residential markets makes it a
benchmark for suppliers worldwide. Legrand has a strong presence in the North
American market, with a portfolio of products that includes Cablofil, On-Q, Ortronics,
Pass & Seymour, Vantage, Watt Stopper and Wiremold. The company is actively
expanding its market divisions that include Electrical Wiring Systems, Home
Systems, Lighting Controls and Commercial Datacom.Innovation for a steady flow of new products
with high added value is a prime vector for growth. Legrand reported sales of
$5.0 billion in 2009. The company is listed on Euronext and is a component
stock of indexes including the SBF120. FTSE4Good, MSCI World and ASPI (ISIN
code FR0010307819). www.legrand.us
*********************************
Legrand | Ortronics and Triad Raised Access Floors by NxGen, LLC announce Layer Zero™ Ecosystem alliance
New London,
CT, March 9, 2010 – Legrand | Ortronics, a global leader in high performance
network infrastructure solutions, and Triad Raised Access Floors by NxGen, LLC,
providers of multi-patented raised access floor designs, proudly announce their
alliance under the Ortronics® Layer Zero Ecosystem program.
Layer Zero,
introduced by Legrand | Ortronics, is the revolutionary new foundation layer
for the ISO/OSI model.Layer Zero - the
Infrastructure Layer™ - addresses the critical role that infrastructure plays
in network performance.This innovative
approach to network design can have a dramatic effect on the system by
lowering the overall temperature in the facility, reducing the risk of
equipment failure and enhancing system performance, all while providing
significant energy savings.
Legrand |
Ortronics developed the Layer Zero Ecosystem program in order to provide
customers with recommended resources for other elements of their Layer Zero
infrastructure. "We're partnering with innovative companies like Triad who
share our vision of utilizing the infrastructure layer to optimize networks,"
states Tony Walker, Director of Advanced Marketing for Legrand |
Ortronics.Thomas Weiss, Sr. Vice
President at Triad Raised Access Floors by NxGen, LLC, states, “The Layer Zero
alliance with Ortronics positions us to associate with best-in-class industry
peers to provide creative cooling solutions for our customers.”
The
collaboration between Legrand | Ortronics and Triad brings together two
companies focused on providing customers with a more complete thermal
management solution for their infrastructure needs.This will facilitate co-engineering of
products to better complement one another - products that enable a network
manager to implement comprehensive solutions that are scalable, sustainable and
help secure a competitive advantage.
Ortronics
Layer Zero solutions include the Mighty Mo® 10 advanced cable management rack
and MightyMo cabinet, which are designed to maximize
network equipment airflow by maintaining cold-aisle/hot-aisle airflow.Triad cooling solutions include the Triad 56
and Triad 65 high density airflow panels with the hi-plume stratification fin,
which act as delivery mechanisms to optimize air flow for side-to-side
cooling.These products work in concert
to manage and improve the whole airflow system, eliminate hotspots and more
effectively manage thermal fluctuations.This reduces the total cost of ownership by increasing cooling
efficiency, maximizing network performance and ultimately reducing power
consumption.
*********************************
Rexel’s results in 2009 included a -31% for U.S. sales (with Q4 down 30%)
Global full-year sales came in near $15.4
billion. Also in Distributor News: Details on federal supply contracts won by
eight companies, data center best practices, an aviation certification for a
Sonepar unit, an exclusive deal for Power and Telephone Supply, and four items
picked up by watching what Walmart is up to.
How A Unified Approach to Security Improves ROI, Cuts Costs
Please
join: Open Options, Milestone Systems, Stentofon and Security Products
Topic:
Managed Integration - Open Options, Milestone, and Stentofon together proving
that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Date:
Wednesday - April 14, 2010
Time: 2 PM
(EST) 11 AM (PST)
Register
Today at:
http://www.1105info.com/t.do?id=4483084:2935042
Overview:
Converging
the best in IP technology to deliver a holistic, unified security solution through
a common platform incorporating IP-based access control, digital video
management, and IP critical communications with a lower total cost of ownership
and higher return on investment. Open Options, Milestone Systems,
and Stentofon collaborate and illustrate why integrating together as a complete
IP access control solution and providing one common source for three leading
technologies can produce the most effective result possible in access
technology.
In this
event, speakers from each company will explain the importance of each specific
element (access, video, data, and audio) and clarify how when used together
create an optimal solution. Operating a complete structure from one
single interface as a complete security solution proves to be much more
effective than separating the components and operating each alone.
Presenting
during the webinar:
Steve
Fisher, President and CEO of Open Options, Inc.
Steve has
been in the security integration industry since 1988. In addition to his
experience and leadership in the sales, installation and service of
sophisticated access control & CCTV integrations, he holds a Masters Degree
in Business Administration.
Tim
Palmquist, Director of Sales for the Western US and Canada at Milestone Systems.
Tim has a well
diversified background in both IT and security. Before joining Milestone
Systems, Palmquist spent 15 years in the IT industry including promoting the
convergence of both voice and physical security to IP.
Dan
Rothrock,Senior Vice President OEM Sales of Stentofon.
Dan has 26
years experience in the electronics industry. Since 1975 he has worked at the
dealer level as an independent representative and a distributor/manufacturer
and began working for STENTOFON Communications, Inc. in 1990.
A Q&A
session will be held during the last 15 minutes of the Webinar.
Date:
Wednesday - April 14, 2010
Time: 2 PM
(EST) 11 AM (PST)
Register
Today at:
http://www.1105info.com/t.do?id=4483085:2935042
*********************************
Siemon Launches Extended-Depth Version of the VersaPOD™ Data Center Cabinet Solution for High-Density Switch Environments
New 1200mm
(48 inch) deep VersaPOD VP2 cabinet system combines VersaPOD VP1’s high density
ZERO-U vertical patching capability with additional cable management space for
popular higher density switch, server, SAN, and distribution area
configurations.
February
26, 2010, Watertown, CT — Siemon introduces an extended-depth
version of its popular VersaPOD Data Center Cabinet Solution, designed to
support deeper networking, server and SAN equipment.Like the 1000mm depth VersaPOD VP1, the new
1200mm (48 inch) deep VersaPOD VP2 integrates bayed data center cabinets with
Siemon’s exclusive ZERO-U vertical patching and cable management capability.
The VersaPOD VP2’s combination of additional front-to-back cabinet space and
space-saving ZERO-U patching is ideal for high-density data center
environments, enabling increased cabling and equipment density while providing
excellent accessibility and thermal efficiency.
The
extended-depth VersaPOD VP2 retains the same standard 760mm (30 inch) width as
the original version, leveraging the vertical space between bayed cabinets for
patching, cable management or standard 19” vertically mounted PDUs without
consuming horizontal mounting space for connectivity.VersaPOD’s ZERO-U vertical copper and fiber
patch panels (VPP) provide up to 24 U of mounting space between every two
cabinets while end-of-row panels offer an additional 8U of vertical space for
end units.The top and bottom of the
vertical patching units may be populated independently allowing patching, wire
management or 19” rack mount PDU’s to co-occupy the bayed space.The extended depth also creates additional
vertical cable management space in both the front and rear of the cabinet for
efficient management of high-density cabling, eliminating the need for
equipment swing arms while providing aesthetically pleasing, efficiently
dressed cabling.
The VersaPOD
VP2’s highly configurable design provides options tailored to a wide variety of
data center equipment needs and layout and is an ideal solution for central
patching, horizontal distribution and main distribution area configurations. Its 1200mm depth supports today’s deepestIT equipment , such as Cisco’s popular Nexus
7000 switch and enables it to be populated in both front and rear, decreasing
the number of cabinets required for connectivity and freeing up valuable data
center space.
Additionally,
the VersaPOD VP2’s innovative design provides thermal benefits by segregating
cabling channels into the designated cabling area, away from equipment air
intake and discharge areas.By utilizing
the vertical space adjacent to the equipment mounting rails, the ZERO-U
configuration provides ideal patching proximity to switch equipment, minimizing
patch cord runs and slack congestion that can obstruct critical airflow.
In data
center designs where cabinet-to-cabinet isolation is desired for side discharge
electronics, optional cable trays minimize airflow between bayed cabinets while
providing cable channel routing and slack management of cables terminated
behind the vertical patch panels.
The
VersaPOD VP2 Data Center Solution's unique design offers full accessibility
from the front and rear of each bayed unit. Dual hinged front doors open from
both the left and right and are easily removed. Split rear doors offer an innovative quad
hinge design, allowing each split door to be independently opened in either
direction or removed. With doors and side panels removed, the VersaPOD 2
provides the same accessibility as an open rack.An open floor design and multiple roof entry
points allow flexible routing of horizontal and backbone cable.
For more
information in Siemon's VersaPOD, as well as other Siemon network cabling and
connectivity innovations, visit www.siemon.com/versapod.
###
About
Siemon:
Established
in 1903, Siemon (www.siemon.com) is a global industry leader in the development
and manufacture of high quality, high-performance network cabling solutions.
Headquartered in Watertown,
Connecticut, USA,
Siemon operates directly in over 30 countries and through its channels services
customers in over 100 countries. Siemon offers the most comprehensive suite of
copper (unshielded and shielded twisted-pair) category 5e, category 6 (Class E), category 6A (Class EA) and category 7/7A (Class F/FA), and
multimode and singlemode optical fiber
cabling systems available.. With over 400 active patents, Siemon Labs
invests heavily in R&D and is actively involved with numerous industry standards
organizations around the world.
Siemon™ and
VersaPOD™ are trademarks of The Siemon Company.All other trademarks and registered
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
*********************************
Cover story "A new breed of Halogen-Free cables" from CI&M Cabling Installation & Maintenance Magazine
February 2010 issue
General
Cable introduces halogen-free riser-rated cable
For several
years the structured cabling industry as a whole has been on the outside
looking in on the activities of the United States Green Building Council
(USGBC; www.usgbc.org). To wit, many in the industry have sought an answer to
the question, what characteristics of a structured cabling system’s design,
installation, or maintenance can affect a facility’s ability to earn points
toward the USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
designation? Industry educational association BICSI (www.bicsi.org) invited a
high-ranking USGBC official to speak at its conference, and behind the scenes
developed a working relationship with the USGBC, in efforts to gain the
organization’s recognition of cabling systems as important elements of a
facility’s sustainability.
In November
2009, the USGBC issued what it calls LEED Pilot Credit 2. Organizations that
want to earn the LEED designation must accumulate enough credits to qualify.
The USGBC uses pilot credits to test and refine its credits. The pilot credit
issued in November is the first from the USGBC to mention a building’s wiring
and cable jacketing; it specifically mentions electrical cable and wire
jacketing. Its official name is Pilot Credit 2: PBT Source Reduction: Dioxins
and Halogenated Organic Compounds. “PBT” stands for persistent bioaccumulative
toxic chemicals. The credit’s stated intent is to reduce the release of PBTs
associated with the life cycle of building materials.
In order to
gain the credit, a facility must use materials without added halogenated
organic compounds for at least 75 percent, by cost, of the materials total in a
minimum of three out of four groups. In addition to building-installed
electrical cable and wire jacketing, the other groups are: exterior components,
interior finishes; and piping, conduit, and electrical boxes.
Materials
at issue
Polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) and fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) are two of the
halogenated organic compounds covered in the credit. Both are used in high
quantities to manufacture communications cables; in the case of plenum cable
FEP is used and PVC is used in cables of all ratings (e.g. plenum, riser,
general). As such, the communications cables typically used in buildings today
will not help a building owner gain this new pilot credit.
Shortly
after this pilot credit was issued, General Cable introduced a set of halogen-free
riser-rated cables. The company is calling its new Category 5e and Category 6
riser cables 17 Free, a trademarked term referring to the fact that halogens
fall into Group 17 of the Periodic Table of Elements. The cables do not contain
any chlorine, fluorine, bromine, or iodine.
“General
Cable is committed to achieving industry-leading standards and responding
proactively to environmental issues,” said Bob Kenny, vice president and
general manager for communications cables with General Cable. “As part of this
commitment, we continue to find innovative ways to exceed the requirements of
our customers. Our 17 Free product line is a great example of turning end-user
feedback into reality.”
Years of
development
The close
timing of this announcement with the LEED pilot credit is not coincidental
because, as Kenny explained in an interview with Cabling Installation &
Maintenance, General had been working on a halogen-free cable “for several
years. I believed the first company to get halogens out of cable would win in
terms of USGBC and LEED credit.
“Our first
inclination was to apply with USGBC for an innovation credit,” he explained.
USGBC describes an innovation credit as follows. “Innovation in Design credits
for innovative performance are awarded for comprehensive strategies which
demonstrate quantifiable environmental benefits not specifically addressed by
current LEED Rating Systems.” With building cabling going unmentioned in any
LEED credit system before Pilot Credit 2 was issued, Kenny saw the innovation
credit as an opportunity to capitalize on the 17 Free cables’ halogen-free
construction. “They came out with the pilot credit before we approached them
for the innovation credit,” he stated.
In addition
to specifically mentioning PVC and FEP, the LEED pilot credit states that it
covers all plastics containing chlorine or fluorine; as well as all brominated
or halogenated flame retardants containing bromine, chlorine, or fluorine.
“The vast
majority of cables have PVC in them,” Kenny said. “A large amount have FEP in
them, and a large amount have bromine,” he added, underscoring the idea that
most cables installed in the United States today are covered by the pilot
credit—meaning they are materials whose use the credit aims to reduce.
Kenny
explained that the years in which General’s new cables were under development
allowed opportunities for he and other members of the company to conduct field
research that could maximize how worthwhile their efforts would be. He
recalled, “For the past year I have been asking consultants what they would
consider to be ‘green.’ The resounding feedback was twofold: one, there must be
a LEED credit associated with it; and two, it has to be economically viable.
‘Don’t come to me with a green cable that costs three times as much,’ they
said.”
Physical
and electrical characteristics
In addition
to economic feasibility, another key objective was to create a cable with
physical and handling characteristics users will accept. “Our goal was not to
make a European-style low-smoke, zero-halogen cable with a stiff jacket,” said
Kenny. “Developing a cable that looks and installs like PVC was probably the
most difficult thing to overcome.”
He said
that General’s in-house compound-manufacturing capability helped the
development process. “We were not at the mercy of suppliers to innovate new
compounds. Our in-house-developed compounds were specially designed for this
task. The compounds we’re using have been in use for many years. We’ve altered
some of their characteristics, but the materials science has existed for
years.”
He added
that gaining the riser rating with a halogen-free cable construction proved to
be a challenging but not unachievable task. Achieving Category 5e and 6
performance was a different story. “Because it’s polyolefin-based, the
electricals are excellent,” Kenny said. “The electrical performance was the
easiest part of the project.”
As
riser-rated cables, the 17 Free products can be used in portions of buildings
that are not air-handling (plenum) spaces, although Kenny pointed out, “In some
jurisdictions, like Chicago,
conduit must be used in plenum spaces. Riser cable can go in those conduits.
Data centers also use riser-rated cable.”
A data
center may be a particularly appropriate environment for halogen-free cables if
the facility has ambitions to gain LEED certification from the USGBC. Kenny was
careful not to be misleading about the benefits of using 17 Free cables. “We’re
not saying that if you buy this cable you’re going to get a LEED credit,” he
said. “We have a material that fits one of the LEED credit categories. We’re
providing a product that fits the bill.”
Plenum
considerations
Given that
General Cable put substantial effort into achieving a riser rating for these
halogen-free cables, the idea of a plenum-rated halogen-free cable is a
challenging one. The prospect of such an undertaking “is going to be
controversial,” Kenny predicted. “Can it be pulled off for plenum cable? That’s
going to be the big question mark—is it practical or realistic? We took a step
that I think is going to create a tremendous amount of discussion.”
While the
cabling industry might just be getting started with the idea of halogen-free
riser- or plenum-rated cables, General Cable states it is not finished
developing new cable technologies. When announcing the 17 Free products, the
company’s director of technical services Scott Brown said, “I believe this
proactive initiative reflects our stewardship to produce more environmentally
sustainable products without compromising our high standards of safety and
performance. And we are working to develop other sustainable 17 Free cable
options, including riser-rated premise fiber cables.”
Reprinted
with permission from PennWell’s Cabling Installation & Maintenance magazine
cover story "A new breed of Halogen-Free cables" from CI&M
Cabling Installation & Maintenance Magazine February 2010 issue
Additional
impact areas:
TURNING
GREEN INTO GOLD…
First
- LEEDS
credits in the private sector
Second –
Federal GSA approved EPP (Environmentally Preferred Purchasing)
Note:
communication cable in the federal budget is estimated at approximately $14
billion per annum
Environmentally
Preferable Purchasing (EPP) is a
federal-wide program that encourages and assists Executive agencies in the
purchasing of environmentally preferable products and services. These
products have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment
when compared with competing products that serve the same purpose. These
LISTED products minimize environmental and safety risks and liabilities.
[*1998 Presidential Executive Order 13101]
The EPP
program affects all purchasing resulting from direct federal funds. EPP
will have an impact on more than $440 billion of federal spending per year. GSA
(General Services Administration) spends more than $200 billion annually on
goods and services plus an additional $240 billion a year, indirectly, through
grant disbursements. The portion of that budget which has an impact
on wire & cable infrastructure is estimated at approximately $14 billion
per annum.
The U.S. federal government is the single largest
consumer of goods and services in the U.S., and probably, in the
world. The nation's 87,000 federal, state, and local government offices
spend more than $385 billion per year in purchases. This represents
approximately one in every five dollars spent in the economy.
Furthermore,
the nation's 37,000 colleges and universities spend about $300 billion yearly
on purchases (more than the budgets of all but 20 countries in the
world).
EPP - A
Priority Task
EPP will have
an impact on all GEMS [Government * Education * Medical sectors].
However, there is a major glitch in the current situation. No one has
submitted and received approval of datacom cable connectors as an EPP listing
for wire & cable infrastructure products. This must be a priority in
order for the financial rewards of the EPP directive to be captured in the
cabling market sector.
CPC can
assist the manufacturer in the submittal and approval process to obtain GSA
"EPP Listing" and recognition of its cabling products. This
qualification process is required in order to make claims that the FEP-Free,
LEAD-Free products are EPP compliant. National guidelines issued by the
Federal Trade Commission (FTC), with the cooperation of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), are available to help companies make sure their green
claims don’t run afoul of the law. The FTC Act prohibits deceptive acts or
practices, including deceptive representations in advertising, labeling,
product inserts, catalogs, and sales presentations.
When you
combine private sector pressures from the buyers’ side and " the NEW
decision makers" in the Building Owners & Managers group (BOMA, NAIOP,
etc.) with the public sector and the unfolding EPA program for a federal wide
EPP mandate, the market pressure demanding a safer cabling infrastructure will
increase to a level that we have not seen in several years.
*********************************
TIA news
Telecommunications Industry
Association (TIA) Elects New Chair, Vice-Chair for Cabling Standards Committee
Bob Jensen
of Fluke Networks Elected Chair of TIA's TR-42 Engineering Committee; Valerie
Maguire of the Siemon Company Elected Vice-Chair
Arlington, Va. – At its most recent meeting
earlier this month, TIA's
TR-42 Telecommunications Cabling Systems engineering committee elected Bob
Jensen of Fluke Networks as Chairman and Valerie Maguire of the Siemon Company
as Vice-Chair. Elections were also held for leadership positions for several of
the committee's subcommittees.
Engineering
Committee TR-42 develops and maintains voluntary telecommunications standards
for telecommunications cabling infrastructure in user-owned buildings, such as
commercial buildings, residential buildings, homes, data centers, health care
facilities, industrial buildings, etc. The generic cabling topologies, design,
distances and outlet configurations as well as specifics for these locations
are addressed. The committee's standards work covers requirements for copper
and optical fiber cabling components (such as cables, connectors and cable
assemblies), installation, and field testing in addition to the administration,
pathways and spaces to support the cabling.
TIA
congratulates Jensen and Maguire along with the following chairs and
vice-chairs on their appointment to lead the TIA TR-42 standards program for
the next two years.
TR-42
Committee on Telecommunications Cabling Systems
Chair: Bob Jensen, Fluke Networks
Vice- Chair: Valerie Maguire, the Siemon Company
TR-42.2
Subcomittee on Residential Telecommunications Infrastructure
Chair: Ray Emplit, the Wiremold
Vice-Chair: Bob Jensen, Fluke Networks
TR-42.6
Subcomittee on Telecommunications Infrastructure and Equipment Administration
Chair: Steve Huffaker, JPMorgan Chase and Company
Vice-Chair: Jonathan Jew, J&M Consulting
TR-42.12
Subcommittee on Optical Fibers and Cables
Chair: Mike Kinard, OFS
Vice-Chair: Brett Lane, Panduit Corporation
TR-42.13
Subcommittee on Passive Optical Devices and Components
Chair: David Fisher, Tyco Electronics
Vice-Chair: Helmet Knehr, Telcordia Technologies
TR-42.16
Subcommittee on Premises Telecommunications Bonding & Grounding
Chair: Mark Harger, Harger, Inc.
Vice-Chair: Richard Jones, Richard Jones Consulting
"On
behalf of TIA, I want to express our deep gratitude to TR-42's newest
leaders," said TIA Vice President for Technology and Business Development
Cheryl Blum. "This is an energized group and the important standards they
work to develop and maintain have great impact, improving telecommunications
cabling technology in ways that make it more energy efficient and effective in
creating a sustainable world."
TIA also
thanks all the past Chairs and Vice-Chairs who have served and supported the
TR-42 standards development process.
The
committee also approved the merger of subcommittee TR-42.8 Optical Fiber
Cabling Systems (568 B.3) into the TR-42.11 Optical Systems subcommittee, which
is chaired by Paul Kolesar.
To learn
more about how to participate in TIA standards development, please contact
Director for Technology and Business Development Stephanie Montgomery at smontgomery@tiaonline.org.
To obtain
copies of TIA standards, contact IHS International at +1.800.854.7179 (United States and Canada); +1.303.397.7796
(international) or visit global.ihs.com.
Sign up for
RSS
feeds on standards and other TIA news.
About TIA
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global
information and communications technology (ICT) industry through standards
development, advocacy, tradeshows, business opportunities, market intelligence
and world-wide environmental regulatory analysis. Since 1924, TIA has been
enhancing the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information
technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members'
products and services empower communications in every industry and market,
including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation,
government, the military, the environment and entertainment.
TIA's Board
of Directors includes senior-level executives from ACS, ADC, ADTRAN,
Alcatel-Lucent, ANDA Networks, AttivaCorp, Bechtel Communications, Inc., Cisco
Systems, Corning Incorporated, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND, Inc., Graybar, Henkels
& McCoy, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, Intersect, Inc., LGE,
Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, Openwave, Inc., Panasonic
Computer Solutions Co., Powerwave Technologies, Qualcomm, Research In Motion,
Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, Tyco Electronics, Ulticom,
Inc., and Verari Systems. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates, Orca
Systems and Telcordia Technologies.
For more
information about this press release or other TIA or EIATRACK news, please
contact TIA PR Director Mike Snyder at msnyder@tiaonline.org.
Telecommunications Industry
Association (TIA) Commends FCC for Addressing Accessibility as Part of National
Broadband Plan
Innovation
and Industry/Government Collaboration Are Keys to Delivering Affordable,
Accessible Technology to People with Disabilities
Arlington, Va. – The Telecommunications Industry
Association (TIA) commends the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on its
work to address the accessibility and affordability barriers faced by people
with disabilities as part of the National Broadband Plan now being developed by
the FCC for Congress.
A
conference held today brought together government officials, including FCC
Chairman Julius Genachowski and Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President
for Disability Policy, consumers with disabilities, industry groups, and
academics to discuss how to fulfill Congress’s vision that all Americans,
including people with disabilities, share fully in the benefits of broadband.
Discussion
centered on the National Broadband Plan’s working recommendations and
exploration of the role of innovation; the need for legal, policy, and
regulatory changes; and the importance of collaborative problem-solving and
open government processes. The technologies manufactured by TIA member
companies embrace the Plan’s goal of utilizing innovation to drive
accessibility.
"The
information and communications technology industry is driven by innovation,
which is key to creating technology that is affordable and accessible to people
with disabilities," said TIA President Grant Seiffert. "TIA
recognizes the importance of a focused, cooperative effort by industry and
government to deliver accessible broadband-enabled technologies. That’s why we
support a Broadband Accessibility Working Group lead by the Executive
Branch."
Over the
years, TIA has worked consistently with the disability community, the FCC and
the United States Congress on the issue of accessible technology. For example,
as the National Broadband Plan has been developed, TIA has filed comments and
met with National Broadband Plan staff, and TIA President Grant Seiffert
participated in the policy roundtable at the FCC October 20, 2009 workshop on
these issues. TIA looks forward to continuing this important work to bring the
benefits of broadband technology to all Americans.
Telecommunications Industry
Association (TIA) Hails FCC's National Broadband Plan
TIA
Endorses the Recommendations Promoting Broadband Adoption and Deployment Using
All Available Technology Platforms, and Looks Forward to Working With the FCC,
Congress, and the Administration to Implement the Plan
Arlington, Va. – The
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) commends the Federal
Communications Commission for its diligence and hard work in creating a
National Broadband Plan for the United
States. The Commission unveiled its
three-tiered broadband plan – focusing on Investment and Innovation, Inclusion,
and National Purposes – today and will deliver the plan to Congress tomorrow.
TIA
strongly endorses the Plan's recommendations to promote broadband adoption and
deployment for every American in a manner that uses all technologies and
fosters innovation and competition.
"TIA
enjoyed working closely with the Commission in creating the National Broadband
Plan," said TIA President Grant Seiffert. "Given the enormous scope
of this undertaking, we applaud the Commission for delivering a sound and
well-crafted Plan that will help to reinstate and maintain the United States
as the most technologically advanced society in the world."
"The
Plan's focus on Investment and Innovation, Inclusion, and National Purposes
addresses both immediate needs and long-term national technology goals,"
Seiffert continued. "TIA is particularly pleased that the plan embraces
our long-standing support for transition of the Universal Service Fund to
broadband. Additionally, the Plan's proposal to free 500 MHz of spectrum for
wireless broadband will go a long way toward meeting the demand for new
products and services. We also laud the Commission's call to swiftly deploy an
interoperable public safety network for our nation's first responders. TIA
looks forward to partnering with the Commission as it moves forward with its
broadband adoption programs, such as its innovative Digital Literacy Corps.
Finally, we strongly support the creation of a Broadband Accessibility Working
Group and Accessibility and Innovation Forum to meet the needs of our nation's
disabled citizens."
Over the
years, TIA has consistently offered itself as a resource to the FCC and
Congress to work toward national technology goals. As the National Broadband
Plan was developed, TIA filed numerous comments and met on several occasions
with FCC staff members and Commissioners. Additionally, Seiffert participated
in the policy roundtable at the FCC October 20, 2009 workshop on accessible
technology for persons with disabilities.
"We
look forward to further collaborative efforts with the FCC, Congress, and the
Administration to implement the Plan's recommendations and ensure that all
Americans enjoy the benefits and improved quality of life that
broadband-enabled technology provides," Seiffert concluded.
TIA Goes Beyond Green-Washing With
ICT Green Boot Camp
Silicon Valley Event on March 18 Features Interactive Panel
Discussions on Green Design and Market Access, Policy and the Low-Carbon
Economy and Business Opportunities in Green ICT
Arlington, Va. – The
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) will educate Silicon
Valley technologists on sustainability, energy and the environment
at TIA's
ICT Green Boot Camp on March 18. The intensive, interactive half-day
program will help companies chart their course for a successful, sustainable
future.
As part of
its ongoing commitment to sustainable solutions for energy and the environment,
TIA works to educate the information and communications technology (ICT)
industry on product stewardship, tracking green policy developments and
showcasing companies' success stories.
TIA experts
will explain the legal issues, certification, policy and legislative
implications, R&D, SmartGrid, and the business opportunities that have
emerged and are waiting to be grasped by entrepreneurial companies and
individuals. The educational conference also provides a networking forum during
breakfast and lunch to help ICT companies foster new relationships, encouraging
collaboration in developing innovative products for a sustainable future.
Confirmed
panel speakers for the March event include ICT industry experts, policy
consultants, and members of TIA's EIATRACK environmental
intelligence analysis legal team who specialize in tracking global legislation
and regulation affecting manufacturers.
TIA Places Increased Emphasis on
Events, Sustainability and Market Intelligence withOrganizational Shift
TIA's Taly
Walsh Becomes Vice President for Sustainability, Intelligence and Networking
Arlington, Va. – As companies in the Information
and Communications Technology (ICT) industry increasingly focus on energy efficiency
and environmental compliance, the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)
has created an Environmental Pillar highlighting its response to industry need.
Taly Walsh,
who formerly served as Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at
TIA, has been tapped to head up the Environmental Pillar, with responsibility
for EIATRACK, the Environmental Intelligence Analysis service (eiatrack.org).
In addition,
Walsh is responsible for TIA's annual networking and industry events, including
an upcoming ICT
Green Boot Camp in Silicon Valley on March 18 and the TIA-hosted
ICT Green Hall at Sustainability Virtual Summits, the next one being held
on March 30-April 1.
Finally,
Walsh is charged with growing the Market Intelligence pillar of TIA, building
upon the annual ICT Market Review & Forecast produced by TIA.
"We're
on a fast-track to establish a highly functional organization to respond to our
members' needs," said Grant Seiffert, TIA President. "Taly's years of
marketing and membership experience will serve her well in this new
capacity."
In the
transition, TIA has brought on board a new Vice President for Marketing and
Sales, John Jacobs, to head up marketing and membership for the association.
Drill Instructors to Educate
Technologists on Sustainability, Energy and the Environment at California TIA ICT Green
Boot Camp
Silicon Valley Event on March 18 Features Interactive Panel
Discussions on Green Design and Market Access, Policy and the Low-Carbon
Economy and Business Opportunities in Green ICT
Arlington, Va. – The
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) is gearing up to educate Silicon Valley technologists on sustainability, energy
and the environment with TIA's
ICT Green Boot Camp. The intensive, interactive half-day program will be
held on March 18 to help companies chart their course for a successful,
sustainable future.
As part of
its ongoing commitment to sustainable solutions for energy and the environment,
TIA works to educate the information and communications technology (ICT)
industry on product stewardship, tracking green policy developments and
showcasing companies' success stories in developing new growth opportunities.
The ICT
Green Boot Camp program provides an educational conference and networking forum
for companies in the ICT industry to help foster new relationships and
encourage collaboration in developing innovative products for a sustainable
future.
Confirmed
panel speakers for the March event include ICT industry experts, policy
consultants, and members of TIA's EIATRACK environmental
intelligence analysis legal team who specialize in tracking global legislation
and regulation affecting manufacturers.
Pre-registration
is now open. As a benefit of TIA membership, there is no charge for members.
WHEN
March 18, 2010
8 a.m.-8:30 a.m. Registration
8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Program
WHERE
Holiday Inn-San Jose
PROGRAM and
SPEAKERS
Panel 1:
Green Design and Market Access
Darren
Beck, Manager of Corporate Responsibility, SPRINT
Heather
Bowman*, Senior Counsel, Holland & Knight
Joe
Johnson, Senior Manager, Environmental Affairs, CISCO
Laura MetzDuncan,
Attorney, Beveridge and Diamond
Stan Salot,
President, The Electronic Components Certification Board (ECCB)
Panel 2:
Policy and the Low-Carbon Economy in the Information Age
Joseph
Andersen*, Energy & Environmental Policy Expert, TIA
Stephen
Harper, Global Director for Environment and Energy Policy, Intel
Bruce
Nordman, Researcher for Environmental Energy Technologies Division, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory
Michael
Terrell, Energy Policy Counsel, Google
Panel 3:
Business Opportunities in Green ICT
Bill
Birnie, VP, General Manager, New Business Growth, Panasonic
Chuck
Graff, Director, Core Technology, Verizon
Steve
Pazol, President nPhase, Qualcomm
Susan
Schramm*, Head of Marketing, Nokia Siemens Networks
* Panel
Moderators
COST:
TIA Members: NO CHARGE
Non-Members: $ 39.00
Walk-in
TIA Members: NO CHARGE
Non-Member: $ 49.00
Walk-ins
will be accepted on a space-available basis.
The event
is open to media, at no charge.
About TIA
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global
information and communications technology (ICT) industry through standards
development, advocacy, tradeshows, business opportunities, market intelligence
and world-wide environmental regulatory analysis. Since 1924, TIA ha been
enhancing the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information
technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members'
products and services empower communications in every industry and market,
including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation,
government, the military, the environment and entertainment.
Tyco Electronics and Brand-Rex Approve IDEAL LanTEK II for Certification of Structured Cable Systems
SYCAMORE,
IL, February 26, 2010 -- IDEAL INDUSTRIES today announced that its new LanTEK®
II cable certifier series has been approved by Tyco Electronics and
Brand-Rex, two leading global suppliers of structured cabling systems for data
networks.
Brand-Rex approved the LanTEK® II series for certification of the installed
performance of Brand-Rex 10GPlus, Cat6Plus and GigaPlus structured cabling
systems in channel, permanent link or CP link configurations against the
published international standards. Tyco fully approves the LanTEK II for its
Category 5e, Category 6 and Category 6A cable solutions.
Ken Hodge, R&D Manager at Brand-Rex Ltd commented: "The new LanTEK® II
cable certifier is a significant advancement in test technology. In our tests,
the LanTEK® II proved reliable and consistent in the measurement of both
screened and unscreened cabling systems."
According to Robert A. Zahr, Systems Engineering Manager for Tyco: "The
results of this qualification test greatly exceeded our expectations with
respect to the accuracy levels of key electrical parameters reported by the
LanTEK II series testers used in this evaluation."
The LanTEK® II cable certifier series provides certification to TIA, ISO and
IEC LAN cabling standards. In addition, IDEAL's FiberTEK® FDX fibre optic
modules enable the LanTEK® II to certify multi-mode and single mode fibre to
TSB Tier 1 standards.
The three new LanTEK® II models (frequency ranges of 350MHz, 500MHz and 1GHz)
offer faster test speeds, a 10.5cm widescreen display and improved Lithium-Ion
batteries, with up to 18 hours of field use. The range makes use of IDEAL's
patented measurement system, which provides reduced cost of ownership by
eliminating expensive permanent link adaptors. The unique DUALmode™ test
function enables the user to test a copper link against two different standards
with a single Autotest, making it easy to test a link to current standards, as
well as measure the performance margin against future standards with higher
performance requirements; while adding only one second to the Autotest time.
For more information, contact IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC., Becker Place, Sycamore, Illinois60178.
Or phone 1-800-435-0705, Fax: 1-800-533-4483. On the web, www.idealindustries.com.
Also visit www.lantek2.com.
*********************************
Who reads newspapers? = HUMOR
1.
The Wall Street Journal is read by the people who run the country
2. The Washington Post is read by people who think they run the country.
3. The New York Times is read by people who think they should run the
country and who are very good at crossword puzzles.
4. USA Today is read by people who think they ought to run the country
but don't really understand the New York Times. They do,
however, like their statistics shown in pie charts.
5. The Los Angeles Times is read by people who wouldn't mind running
the country -- if they could find the time -- and if they
didn't have to leave Southern California to do
it.
6. The Boston
Globe is read by people whose parents used to run the
country and did a poor job of it, thank you very much.
7. The New York Daily News is read by people who aren't too sure
who's
running the country and don't really care as long as they can get a seat on the
train.
8 The New York
Post is read by people who don't care who is running the
country as long as they do something really scandalous, preferably
while intoxicated.
9. The Miami Herald is read by people who are running (from) another
country but need the baseball scores.
10. The San Francisco
Chronicle is read by people who aren't sure if
there is a country or that anyone is running it, but if so, they
oppose all that they stand for. There are occasional exceptions if the
leaders are handicapped minority feminist atheist gay dwarfs who
also happen to be illegal aliens from any other country or galaxy,
provided of course, that they are not Republicans.
11. The National Enquirer is read by people trapped in line at the
grocery store.
12. The Seattle Times, the Eugene Register-Guard, the Portland
Oregonian and Nashville Tennessean are read by people who have
recently caught a fish and need something to wrap it in.
Cheers!
*********************************
Siemon’s Headquarters Goes Zero Landfill as Part of its “Greener Cabling” Effort
October,
2009 Watertown, CT,
USA – Siemon, a worldwide leader in IT network
infrastructure, today announced that its global headquarters and United States
manufacturing facility is a zero-landfill operation.According to an extensive ISO-14001 driven
internal audit, over 99% of the waste material at Siemon’s Watertown, CT
campus is recycled, reused or repurposed in an environmentally sustainable
manner. Siemon is the first and only network cabling manufacturer to achieve
this notable green milestone and the
first manufacturing company in the State of Connecticut to reach this level of
recycling.
As part of
extensive efficiency and environmental management programs, Siemon maintains a
95% recycling rate on all waste material, including manufacturing by-products
and office scrap.These ongoing
recycling efforts ensured that over 900 tons of waste materials were reused in
2008 alone.All remaining non-recyclable
items are transported to a local waste-to-energy plant, where they are
incinerated under carefully controlled conditions to produce electricity.A small amount of ash, the by-product of the
waste-to-energy process, is all that reaches a landfill.
This
program combines extended recycling capabilities with strong employee support.
Clearly marked recycling stations are located throughout the facility to help
separate waste material into proper containers - even compost bins are provided
to ensure that food scraps do not end up in the trash.
According
to Paul Knickerbocker, Siemon’s Plant Engineering and Facilities Manager,
achieving the zero-landfill benchmark was not a function of a single effort,
but years of full-scale efficiency and waste management initiatives. “Since
2006, and perhaps even earlier, 97% to 98% of our waste was being repurposed,”
explained Knickerbocker.“To get beyond
99%, we looked hard at our garbage and found that with the right recycling
programs, we could divert even more from the garbage waste stream.”
Carl
Siemon, the company’s President and CEO, was quick to point out the employees’
role in the zero-landfill achievement. “This is a team effort all the way,” he
explained.“To make it work, everyone at
Siemon has truly stepped up their recycling efforts.While that has paid great dividends here, we
also hope it encourages more recycling at home and beyond.”
While
zero-landfill status is viewed as a progressive and far-reaching environmental
achievement, Knickerbocker cautioned that it is only one element of a
comprehensive green effort, joining Siemon’s implementation of a renewable solar
energy program, forestland conservation efforts and more.“When you have made environmental
stewardship a matter of corporate culture for as long as we have, it is hard to
look at any one benchmark and say ‘we’ve made it.’ We’re proud to be zero-landfill,
but we can’t lose sight of Siemon’s other, equally-important green
initiatives.”
For more
information on Siemon’s environmental initiatives, visit www.siemon.com/green.
*********************************
THE ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTOR magazine NEWS and more
Distributor News: 3.18.2010
Graybar’s 2009
Net
sales of $4.38 billion for Graybar last year were down 18.9% compared to 2008.
“Our performance in 2009 resulted from hard work, a disciplined approach to
managing our business, and a consistent focus on our long-term strategy.”
Q4
of 2009 showed $1.074 billion in net sales, down 13.9%. See also the item below
providing sales results from various distributors.
Other
Graybar news:
Graybar
now occupies space in the largest industrial facility in Carteret, N.J.,
according to NJtoday.net. Construction began at the place, which is at exit 12
on the New Jersey Turnpike, in 2006. The location is said to be a 35-minute
drive from New York City and 20 minutes from the
Newark airport.
From the piece:
“Graybar
Electric occupies 136,000 of the 200,000 square feet comprising the property’s
first structure…three other [Graybar] distribution centers in Parsippany, Long Island, and Hauppauge were relocated and
consolidated within the Cartetet facility.”
A
carbon monoxide leak—which apparently happened at or near a Graybar branch—sent
11 people to the local hospital, according to the website of NBC4 in Columbus, Ohio.
The local fire department chief “said the leak originated from a furnace.” The
piece indicated that no one who became ill was expected to be kept overnight at
the hospital.
The
TampaBay Business Journal’s 2010 Best Places to
Work contest includes Graybar among the competitors in the “bigger” category
(companies with 51 to 100 employees).
Q4 & Calendar 2009 Sales For Public Distributors
With
Graybar’s release of its results, TedMag can now complete this table.
Recent Results of Various Public Distributors
Company
2009 Sales
Change—2008
Q4 2009 Sales
Change/Q4 2008
Anixter
$4.98 billion
- 18.8%
$1.217 billion
- 16.5%
Grainger
$6.22 billion
- 9.2%
$1.634 billion
+ 2.6%
Graybar
$4.38 billion
-18.9%
$1.074 billion
- 13.9%
Rexel (U.S.)
$3.32 billion
- 31.9%
$747 million
- 29.9%
WESCO
$4.62 billion
-24.3%
$1.133 billion
- 20.8%
Electrical/Datacom
Anixter—on March 4, the company said it would buy all
of the debt it had sold in an issue (10% senior notes) due in 2014. The offer
expires on April 1.
Border States—it awarded 2008-2009
Supplier of the Year honors. Winners included Encore Wire (“above and beyond”),
Hubbell Power Systems (technological excellence), and ADB (sales and marketing
excellence).
Consolidated Electrical Distributors
Lease—the company leased 9,450 square feet in Tucson, Ariz.,
according to AZStarNet.com.
Nominee—CED is one of 35 South Carolina employers nominated for
the Freedom Award, which honors companies that have done the right thing in
terms of employing (and keeping employed) men and women serving in the National
Guard and military reserves.
Essco Wholesale Electric—the company, a unit of Sonepar, is now
a distributor for Trina Solar (a Chinese firm), which, the Phoenix Business Journal reported March
10, is looking “to set up U.S.
channels.” Essco will obtain 25MW of solar panels. This deal, said Scott Tonn,
president of Essco, means “We truly are able to be a one-stop distributor for
our electrical contractors and solar integration companies.” Essco has nine Arizona locations and three in California.
Gexpro
On-site warehouses—according to Purchasing magazine, Gexpro (a
unit of Rexel’s U.S.
holding company) “has formed an alliance with PODS…[allowing it to offer]
inventory and storage services for large construction projects.” Article.
Schedule with GSA—the General Services Administration has
awarded Gexpro a “schedule contract.” According to the company, this “opens the
door for Gexpro to sell products to every federal government agency, through a
government contracting agent, and to participate in additional government
quotes for items that are in the same product classification on the contract.”
Gross Electric—the Toledo, Ohio-headquartered company will
hold a product expo on April 27 (with 40-plus vendors), one event in its
celebration of its 100th anniversary. The customer event will be
followed April 28-May 1 with a retail sale for the public at one of the
company’s locations.
IN-Green—is now the distributor in Puerto
Rico for PureSpectrum. According to the lighting manufacturer’s
release, IN-Green concentrates “on offering energy-efficiency products and
technologies to government entities, manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies,
commercial and residential builders,” and others.
National Electric—the Santa Fe, N.M., company broke ground March 8 (see photo) on “a new
state-of-the-art facility” serving Santa Fe and
northern New Mexico.
“The building will feature a photovoltaic and wind turbine system,” the company
said. The facility will have 8,000 square feet.
Platt Electric—the Beaverton,
Oregon-based company donated $4,200 to the Boise Police Canine Foundation. The
cash “will cover half the cost of a new police dog,” needed because of the
retirement of Biek, an eight-year-old German shepherd. The release with this
information, on the Platt site, was undated.
Rexel SA
Olympics—“working alongside the [Vancouver Olympic
Committee] and numerous engineering firms, Rexel Canada
advised and supplied a great number of well-suited electrical equipment for
many projects undertaken” for the recent Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Release.
Unit sold off—the company sold HCL Asia Limited (Hong
Kong), described as a distributor of “luxury products such as watches, skin
care products, and other fashion-related products in Asian countries through a
network of 54 sales outlets” to DKSH Management (Switzerland). Rexel said the
sold-off unit was a “non-core” business.
WESCO—the city council of Farmington, N.M., awarded a $56,000
bid to WESCO (Albuquerque branch) for LED street lighting, according to the Daily Times (Feb. 24).
Grainger News
Board of Directors—the company’s shareholders will vote on 12
directors, with results to be tabulated April 28. Richard Keyser, who was
chairman from 1997 to 2009, is not on the ballot; he’s been a director since
1992. More here.
February daily sales—up 6% in February (compared to February
2009), the company reported, in the United States. That’s identical to
the January report for the United
States.
E-commerce—blogger Jenel
Stelton-Holtmeier talked about Grainger.com and how it is what “most
customers expect.”
M.K. Morse—won a Partners in Performance award from
Grainger for 2009.
The Home Depot Watch
Changing things—THD “is redesigning the way it ships
merchandise to stores, answers customers’ questions, and showcases its wares on
the Internet,” according to the Feb. 24 Wall
Street Journal. It’s an effort “to improve productivity and expand
profits by revamping a slew of business practices that never changed during the
company’s mushrooming growth in the 1980s and 1990s.”
Also: A quote from Craig Menear, chief merchandising officer:
“It’s fair to say we took our eye off the ball.”
Layoffs—the company plans to shed 1,000 employees,
with 150 of those job cuts to come at its Atlanta
headquarters, according to Home Channel
News. “The restructuring involves centralizing human resources,
pooling the support structure for finance, and streamlining real estimate and
construction functions,” according to HCN.
Also: From a Marketwatch.com report: “Since it has slowed its store
openings [THD] no long needs as big of a staff for real estate and
construction, the company said.”
Reducing energy use—the company set a goal of cutting GHG
emissions “related to the domestic supply chain by 20% over the next five
years,” according to a report posted to EnvironmentalLeader.com. “More
efficient routing, scheduling, and consolidation of store shipments is expected
to equate [to] a reduction of 200 million miles driven a year.” Article.
NEMA Supports Carbon Monoxide Legislation; Member Testifies
ROSSLYN, Va., March 18, 2010—The
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has announced its support
of legislation that promotes the value of carbon monoxide alarm and detection
devices.
First
Alert, a member of NEMA’s Signaling, Protection and Communication Section,
today testified before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce,
Trade, and Consumer Protection in support of the Residential Carbon Monoxide
Poisoning Prevention Act, HR 1796, sponsored by Representative Jim Matheson
(D-NV).
HR 1796 and
its Senate companion (S 1216), sponsored by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN),
require the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to promulgate the
American National Standards Institute/Underwriters Laboratories (ANSI/UL)
Standard 2034, Standard for Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms,
as a mandatory consumer product rule.
According
to NEMA President and CEO Evan R. Gaddis, the Residential Carbon Monoxide
Poisoning Prevention Act calls attention to an important life safety issue and
promotes the use of quality, effective carbon monoxide detection and
notification devices.
“NEMA
applauds Congress’ attention to this life-and-death issue and stands ready to
work with Representative Matheson, Senator Klobuchar, and the committees of
jurisdiction to advance this legislation,” he said.
Once the
CPSC acts, CO alarms that do not meet ANSI/UL Standard 2034 will not be
available for sale in the U.S.
The legislation also establishes a federal grant program to provide funds to
states that enact CO detection requirements for public education and training
of fire code enforcement officials.
In his
Congressional testimony, Mark Devine, vice president of retail marketing for
First Alert, endorsed the bill. “We join Representative Matheson and NEMA in
their concerns for protecting and preserving human lives, and in their
confidence that carbon monoxide alarms installed in residential dwellings,” he
said.
First
Alert, headquartered in Aurora,
Illinois, is a leader in consumer
home safety products and a leading manufacturer of carbon monoxide detection
and notification devices.
NEMA is the
association of electrical and medical imaging equipment manufacturers. Founded
in 1926 and headquartered near Washington,
D.C., its approximately 450
member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and
distribution, control, and end use of electricity. These products are used in
utility, industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential applications.
The association’s Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) Division represents
manufacturers of cutting-edge medical diagnostic imaging equipment including
MRI, CT, x-ray, and ultrasound products. Worldwide sales of NEMA-scope products
exceed $120 billion. In addition to its headquarters in Rosslyn,
Virginia, NEMA also has offices in Beijing and Mexico
City.
*********************************
BOMA International Extends Green Challenge to Industry Suppliers
WASHINGTON—March 18,
2010) The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International has
announced an addendum to its 7-Point Challenge Market Transformation Plan that
calls on BOMA’s associate members—providers of products and services to the
commercial real estate industry—to institute sustainable practices in their
business operations.
BOMA’s 7-Point
Challenge, launched in July 2007, challenges BOMA members to reduce the use of
natural resources, non-renewable energy sources and waste production throughout
the commercial building marketplace. Since its launch, BOMA’s 7-Point Challenge
has been widely embraced throughout the marketplace, with more than 120 member
companies and local associations representing more than three billion square
feet of office space endorsing the Challenge.
The new
addition to the Challenge calls on BOMA associate members to implement energy
efficient and sustainable policies within their corporate facilities and to
work with their customers – commercial real estate owners and managers – to
provide expertise and knowledge of the products, equipment, services or
programs they offer to help customers evaluate green strategies to facilitate
market transformation.
Specifically,
BOMA calls on its associate members to:
Continuously develop, enhance
and market new product and service offerings to the BOMA
community, giving members innovative and cost-effective
solutions to deploy in the reduction of energy use in existing buildings;
Demonstrate
leadership by working towards a goal to decrease energy consumption by 30
percent by 2012 and implement sustainable strategies in your corporate
facilities;
Actively
participate in public-private partnerships (such as the DOE’s Energy Alliances)
to identify voluntary energy efficiency strategies with proven results and
application to existing buildings;
Share
research and/or case studies on building operating and management practices,
equipment replacement, or building retrofit projects, etc., that achieve the
goal of reducing energy consumption and result in a positive ROI;
Work with
policymakers to enact voluntary, incentive-based programs to accomplish their
goals of implementing green strategies;
Work
cooperatively within the consensus model building codes process to develop
responsible energy codes and green buildings standards that reduce energy
consumption utilizing cost-effective and proven technologies; and
Provide
opportunities and support for company employees to participate in education
programs about energy conservation and sustainable practices.
“Suppliers
of commercial building products and services play an integral role in
optimizing energy efficiency and sustainability in our industry,” commented
BOMA International Chair James A. Peck, RPA, FMA, senior director of asset
services, CB Richard Ellis. “By signing on to the Challenge, BOMA associate
members demonstrate to their customers, peers and the industry at large that
they are committed to providing green solutions that benefit the environment
and the bottom line.”
The
Challenge has garnered widespread industry and media attention for its
ambitious but achievable goal to improve energy efficiency across real estate
company portfolios by 30 percent by 2012 (based on an ENERGY STAR® average
building rating of 50). Several cities and counties have stepped up to endorse
the 7-Point Challenge, including Albuquerque, Denver, Orlando, Phoenix and Orange
County, Florida.
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 17,000-plus members own or manage more than
9 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.
In just seven days, professionals from around the world
will converge on Las Vegas
to show off, talk about and ogle the latest in security products and services
at ISC West 2010. And with the economy apparently beginning to stagger back to
(relative) normalcy, it will be interesting to see how lively the conference
gets.
This year, the folks at ISC West are aiming to draw in
attendees in any way they can. One of the biggest changes is its substantially
expanded educational series. The newly-established ISC Education Advisory Board
has revamped the show’s curriculum. With the help of manufacturers, end users,
integrators and education experts, the advisory board has worked to make the
ISC courses more relevant, helpful and interesting than ever before.
Mike Johnson, the director of industry development for
Reed Exhibitions, which hosts the ISC tradeshows, said the group’s strategic
partnerships will lead to more targeted education this year.
“We’re essentially approaching this with an entirely new
philosophy in that we’re working with the industry directly in developing
content moving forward,” he said. “This event belongs to our attendees -- and
the industry at large -- and we want to work more closely with them so they
feel ownership with this, more so than they have in the past. Ultimately, we
want to provide a solutions-focused program that matches the needs of all of
our people.
Reed also partnered with members of the PSA Security
Network and PSA Security Tech Team, the Security Executive Council and the
Security Industry Association to gain even more insight into what industry
professionals want.
The new educational tracks include the Signature Series,
high-profile sessions that have universal appeal for industry members. I’m most
intrigued by “Flawless: Inside the Largest Diamond Heist in History,” which
takes place at 1:30 pm on Thursday. The session will reveal how a group of
Italian thieves broke into the AntwerpDiamondCenter,
one of the world’s most secure buildings. In February 2003, the men gained
access to hundreds of millions of dollars worth of diamonds by breaching a
mind-boggling security system.
Incredibly, the building’s security defenses included a
specially secured perimeter, locked-down entrances with metal barriers, a CCTV
system, guards, light and heat sensors, vibration and motion detectors, and an
explosion-proof vault door. Regardless of how they did it, clearly there are
some important lessons in this story for the security industry.
The Signature Series also will include a roundtable
discussion on security technology in the next decade. During the panel,
moderated by Richard Chace from SIA, industry leaders will discuss the products
and technology applications that we’ll see being dealt, installed, integrated
and ultimately used by the year 2020 -- as long as the Mayans weren’t right.
The impressive collection of panelists includes Denis Hebert, the executive
vice president of ASSA ABLOY and president and CEO of HID Global; Fredrik
Nilsson, the general manager of Axis Communications; and Terence Yap, the vice
chairman and CFO of China Security and Surveillance Technology Inc.
“The Look Ahead” will be help at 4 pm on Thursday.
If you’re unsure of what sessions to attend -- or just a
little overwhelmed by all the choices -- check out SIA’s new Curriculum Map at http://www.siaonline.org.
Arminda Valles-Hall, the group’s director of education and training, explained
that the knowledge assessment tool was designed to help security professionals
evaluate how their skills and knowledge rate against top-performers in their
industry, focus and role.
“It also identifies a set of industry and business
courses that will help take you to that next level of performance,” she said.
“It’s a learning map, if you will.”
The re-imagined education series also includes the IP
Institute, Crisis Management and Vendor Solutions tracks. It seems like this
year’s tradeshow really will offer something for every attendee -- even when
they’re not on the show floor.
About the Author
Megan Weadock is managing editor of Security Products
magazine.
Reprinted with permission fromSecurity Products magazine.
*********************************
ACUTA APPLAUDS FCC FOR RECOGNIZING ANCHOR INSTITUTIONS’ NEED FOR BROADBAND
LEXINGTON, Kentucky, March 17, 2010 – ACUTA commends
FCC Chairman Genachowski and the Commission for recognizing the importance of
providing community anchor institutions with high-capacity broadband
connections in the National Broadband Plan released yesterday.
As a member
of the Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition, ACUTA has
participated in the efforts of the Coalition to improve the broadband
capabilities of schools, libraries, and health care providers so that they can
enhance the quality and availability of the essential services they provide to
the public and serve underserved and unserved populations more effectively.
“A Unified
Community Anchor Network (UCAN) would be a major step forward in providing
high-speed Internet access to the students, researchers, and faculty at our
medium-sized public university,” says Wendell Barbour, Dean of the Library at LongwoodUniversity and Chairman of ACUTA’s
Legislative/Regulatory Affairs Committee. “High-speed access through the UCAN
would help LongwoodUniversity and other
institutions like ours reach out to provide vital educational and information
services to the populations we serve, supporting economic development and job
growth in our region.”
A
nationwide network connecting anchor institutions would help provide affordable
high-speed broadband connectivity to serve communities throughout the nation.
It would:
•
Provide broadband connections most efficiently by aggregating demand and
sharing capacity;
•
Be open to interconnection by other providers and users;
•
Create jobs and generate economic growth by supporting the construction of
additional broadband capacity;
•Enable community anchor institutions
to better meet the needs of people who will benefit most from public access to
broadband, including students, low-income consumers who cannot afford a
high-speed connection at home, job seekers, rural health care facilities, and
many others.
•
Expand the range and services of existing local and regional non-profit
networks, and enable them to interconnect with national backbone networks such
as Internet2 and National LambdaRail;
•
Work with private sector providers.
Funding has
always been a stumbling block for those who would provide universal affordable
broadband access. The National Broadband Plan released today is an important
first step, that paves the way for the FCC and Congress to invest in community
anchor institutions, which are uniquely positioned to maximize the return on
this vital investment.
ACUTA, the
Association for Information Communications Technology Professionals in higher
Education, is dedicated to serving the needs of higher education information
communications technology professionals, with nearly 2,000 individual members
at some 750 colleges and universities. ACUTA is proud to be a part of the SHLB
Coalition, which represents 57 different public and private organizations. The
Coalition was founded in June 2009 to highlight the urgent need these
organizations have for high-capacity and affordable broadband connections.
“With the
FCC’s support for the concept of a UCAN, we are excited as we prepare to turn
the concept of universal high speed broadband access into reality in the months
and years ahead,” says Jeri Semer, ACUTA Executive Director. “We expect that
many colleges and universities will look forward to actively participating in
this significant initiative.”
About ACUTA
ACUTA, the
Association for Information 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
information communications technology professionals in contributing to the
achievement of the strategic mission of their institutions. ACUTA represents
nearly 2000 individuals at some 750 institutions of higher education, with
members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the very largest U.S.
institutions. ACUTA’s corporate affiliate members represent all categories of
communications technology vendors serving the college/university market. For
more information, visit www.acuta.org or
call 859-278-3338.
Alset Shields Electronic Equipment at Rural Sites from Lightning Damage
Alset
introduces Lightning Shield, new technology that protects equipment from
harmful
ground currents, assuring uptime in critical applications
SEATTLE, March 17, 2010 – Just in time for
this spring’s “lightning season,” Alset Corp. today introduced its Lightning Shield product
line. Lightning Shield protects telecommunications equipment installed at rural
sites from the harmful ground currents caused by nearby lightning strikes.
“Essentially,
what Lightning Shield does is keep the lightning in the ground and off your
circuits,” said Gary Fox, president of Alset Corp. “It protects your equipment
from harm and assures that your services aren’t interrupted. Your investments
in broadband equipment are protected and your network is secure, even in the
toughest weather conditions.”
Telecommunications
companies must be able to reliably deliver high-bandwidth Internet or video
services to customers without interruption. Airports, railroads, and utilities,
who rely on their equipment for customer safety or status monitoring, also
place a high priority on uninterrupted equipment performance.
Lightning
Shield helps ensure uninterrupted service for telecommunications service
providers and other companies with valuable equipment located in rural areas
that are vulnerable to lightning damage. For these companies, the services they
provide require constant uptime and high reliability.
Lightning
Shield protects against lightning damage that conventional surge protection and
grounding do not address. The danger from a nearby
lightning ground strike is that its high frequency energy travels through the
earth to the remote equipment site, saturates its grounding system, and forces
fault current through the electronics equipment onto the bonded power circuits.
Eliminating this fault path through the electronics, by temporarily isolating
the equipment from the power connection, protects the equipment for the
duration of the lightning threat.
Conventional
surge protection is designed to protect equipment from lightning-induced
current on telecom or power conductors. A grounding system is designed to
dissipate low frequency energy to the earth, so long as soil conditions permit.
Neither will protect the equipment at a site from lightning ground currents,
especially in areas where soil conditions make it difficult to achieve a
low-resistance ground.
“Alset’s
Lightning Shield provides the only proven protection against these ground
currents, the high-energy pulses that can cause a lot of damage in rural
electronic sites,” Fox explained. “Our technology detects imminent lightning
and pre-emptively eliminates the potential fault path. By improving site
reliability and significantly reducing repair expenses, Lightning Shield can
pay for itself in just one thunderstorm.”
Lightning
Shield is available in 50-amp (LS-50) and 200-amp (LS-200) versions small and
large remote sites. LS-ATS provides customized protection for larger
facilities, such as remote switches or MTSOs. Remote Manager rounds out the
product line, offering control and test capabilities that enhance site
management.
Lightning
Shield has been accepted by the USDA’s Rural Utilities Service for use on
RUS-funded projects.
About Alset
Corp.
Seattle-based
Alset Corp. designs and manufactures equipment designed to protect against
damage from lightning ground currents, also known as lightning ground potential
rise. Alset sells its equipment both directly and through a network of
manufacturer’s representatives. For more information about Alset and its
lightning protection technology, visit www.alsetcorp.com.
Visit
www.NAED.Org/TellCongress for the Latest Updates on Issues Impacting the
Industry
ST. LOUIS… The
National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) announces the launch of
its new government affairs initiative and Web site, www.NAED.Org/TellCongress.
The formation of the Web site and the selection of the legislative agenda were
led by the NAED Government Affairs Policy Committee. This effort will provide
tools that NAED members can use to help shape the outcomes of the politics and
policies that affect them most.
“There are issues being debated in Washington,
D.C., that impact our members’
companies and the industry as a whole,” said Tom Naber, NAED president and CEO.
“NAED’s government affairs initiative will help ensure our members’ voices are
heard when those decisions are being made. We want our grassroots capabilities
to complement the great work our industry allies, NEMA and NAW, are already
doing on Capitol Hill.”
One of the biggest issues being debated right now is health care reform, and
the Obama administration has called for a vote on health care to happen in the
near future. Congressional leaders may attempt to use the reconciliation
process to pass this latest proposal. NAED members can voice their concerns
about the legislation by visiting www.NAED.Org/TellCongress.
The new Web site includes tools for NAED members to locate and contact their
elected officials. There is also information about government and elections,
including voter registration forms for every state in the union. As candidates
file for office and votes that matter are cast, the Web site will be updated
with candidate guides and voting records. The Web site is careful not to tell
employees how to vote; that decision is up to each person.
Created in conjunction with The Prosperity Project at BIPAC, www.NAED.Org/TellCongress
is designed to promote good government by helping our member companies educate
their employees about the people and policies that impact their jobs and the
electrical distribution industry.
NAED will send out issue alerts on the key topics that impact individual
businesses and the industry. A few of the issues NAED is currently tracking
besides health care reform include: LIFO repeal and “card check” legislation.
To sign up to receive our issue alerts as they happen, click
here.
Members of the NAED Government Affairs Policy Committee include: Chairman Jack
Henderson, Executive Vice President, Hunzicker Brothers; Chairman-Elect
Clarence Martin, CEO, State Electric Supply; Nancy Goedecke, Chairman of the
Board, Mayer Electric Supply; Chris Hartmann, Executive VP & CEO,
International Electric Supply Corporation; Robert Reynolds, Chairman of the
Board, Graybar; James Risk, III, CEO, Kirby Risk Electrical Supply; and Sandra
Rosecrans, CEO, City Electric Company, Inc.
For more information on how to get involved with NAED’s government affairs
efforts or to discuss setting up a meeting with your member of Congress,
contact Ed Orlet, NAED senior director of government affairs, at (314) 991-9000
or eorlet@naed.org.
NAED
is the trade association for the $70+ billion electrical distribution industry.
Through networking, education, research, and benchmarking, NAED helps
electrical distributors increase profitability and improve the channel. NAED’s
membership operates in approximately 4,400 locations internationally.
*********************************
Ed Brown expanding writing and editing service
Ed Brown –
writer, editor, engineer – established his writing and editing service, www.writingengineer.com, in the
spring of 2009. Since then he has undertaken a wide variety of assignments,
including several case studies of high profile fire alarm projects for one of
the leading U.S.
manufacturers.
In his
monthly Integrated Systems column in Electrical Contractor magazine he is
publishing a series on the latest advancements in the integration of security
with other building systems.
He has
produced technical manuals and marketing materials for a leading manufacturer
of gas conditioning equipment for environmental and medical applications.
His series
of articles on practical issues facing installers of alternate energy sources,
such as photovoltaics and wind turbines, published in NECplus, the online
electrical magazine of NFPA, generated a great deal of interest, judging by the
number of reader responses.
Ed will be
expanding his reach to include more cutting-edge topics in the months ahead.
*********************************
CSC expands
Communications Supply
Corporation Extends its National Footprint
CSC Announces New
Location in Salt Lake City,
Utah
PITTSBURGH, March 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WESCO International,
Inc. (NYSE: WCC), a leading provider of electrical MRO products,
construction materials, and advanced integrated supply procurement outsourcing
services, today announced the grand opening of its new Communications Supply Corporation
(CSC) branch located in Salt Lake City, Utah as part of their 2010 national
expansion plan.
This
new CSC branch location supports WESCO's continued commitment to servicing more
customers throughout the nation with local sales, support and inventory.
In addition, this new location will be co-located within a current WESCO
facility, providing customers with a one-stop shop for all of their data
communications, security and electrical product needs. WESCO has opened 9 new
CSC branches across the country in the last year and expects to open at least
10 in 2010. www.gocsc.com
"We
are extremely excited to announce the opening of our new branch in Salt Lake City. By
expanding our national footprint, more customers will be able to experience the
people, passion and expertise that make CSC the distributor of choice amongst
the nation's top contractors and security integrators. In addition,
current CSC customers will continue to enjoy our flexible, customized approach
to business in a new geography," said David Bemoras, Vice President of
WESCO International, Inc and responsible for all Communications Supply
Corporation's operations.
WESCO
International, Inc. (NYSE: WCC) is a publicly traded Fortune 500 holding company,
headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, whose primary operating entity is
WESCO Distribution, Inc. WESCO Distribution is a leading distributor of
electrical construction products and electrical and industrial maintenance,
repair and operating (MRO) supplies, and is the nation's largest provider of
integrated supply services. 2009 annual sales were approximately $4.6
billion. The Company employs approximately 6,100 people, maintains
relationships with over 17,000 suppliers, and serves more than 113,000
customers worldwide. Major markets include commercial and industrial
firms, contractors, government agencies, educational institutions,
telecommunications businesses and utilities. WESCO operates seven fully
automated distribution centers and approximately 380 full-service branches in North America and select international markets, providing
a local presence for area customers and a global network to serve
multi-location businesses and multi-national corporations.
You’ve heard of Tim The Tool Man. Now meet Tony the TOOL MAN
Introducing Tool study and survey.
Tony Casazza, the head of a growing manufacturing
and distribution business is one of the most energized and entrepreneurial
fellows we know in the communications and datacom business. Tony recently
showed us a program they have developed to assist the technicians getting the
real deal on tools that are needed to meet the special challenges in our world.
We use tools from many different disciplines. As
most technicians know the personal tools are special and a matter of pride for
the tech.
We suggest that you go on-line and take this tool
survey. It may expand your knowledge and opens some doors. BTW: they are giving
some prizes. Pass it on.
Where and when was the first commercial installation of fiber optics?
In September
1975, Lightning struck a radio tower which destroyed the communications system
used by the Dorset Police in Southern England.
The police chief, having heard of fiber optics, wanted a fiber optic cable
installed to prevent future lighting damage. In only a few weeks, Standard
Telephone and Cable had the new fiber optic cable on line, and the first
fiber optic system to be put to use in the real world was up and running.
Courtesy
FiberStory archiving the history of fiber optics www.FOHistory.org
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