For: www.wireville.com
"Heard On The Street" Column
Issue: February 2007
By: Frank Bisbee
Ray Gendron, The Founder of
the BICSI Cares campaign passes away Ray Gendron, a telecom and
structured cabling specialist who founded BICSI Cares Inc. fundraising campaign
purely by accident, died yesterday in a Courtesy of Cabling
Networking Systems Magazine. www.cnsmagazine.com Ray Gendron was one of the
finest, warm, and caring men that I have ever had the honor to know. FDB Frank Bisbee The winter BICSI Conference
and Expo was a resounding success. There
was an energetic buzz in the atmosphere that resonated throughout the
membership and staff of BICSI. The excitement
was palpable from the opening remarks of John Bakowski, RDCC/NTS/OSP/WD
Specialist, President of BICSI, throughout the conference until the closing
ceremony. The whirlwind of the Winter
BICSI Conference 2007 has died down; we have found our desks under the pile of
“to do’s” that accumulated while we were on our conference “adventure.” Now it is time to reflect on our time. We were able to sit with
David Cranmer, RCDD for a few minutes and have a chance to hear how motivated
he is to “bring BICSI in line with the strategic plan that the Board of
Directors has set forth.” The strategic
plan sets the stage to stimulate BICSI’s growth both in the One of the changes David
Cranmer has made as the new Executive Director was to appoint (with Board
approval) Richard Dunfee, OSP as Director of Professional Development
(PD). Richard is no stranger to BICSI
having served as BICSI Training Program Manager. Richard Dunfee has been involved with BICSI
since 1989 and is excited to be part of the team that will bring so much
valuable knowledge into the industry. The presentations throughout
this conference covered a wide range of specialties and issues. The information that attendees received will
enhance their industry knowledge and skill level. Some of the presentations included (but not
limited to): ·
“What happened to
My Division 17?” by ·
“20-Year-Old
concept of Measuring a Building’s ·
“Fundamentals of
AV” by Jeffery Coil, RCDD of Graybar Electric ·
“Ribbon Cabling
in the ·
“Making Sense of
AV” by Joseph D. Cornwall of Quicktron ·
“Broadband
Opportunities in the Connected Community” by W. James Hettrick of ·
“Government
Relations Update” by Richard Reed,
RCDD/OSP Specialist BICSI
Government relations There were several luncheons
on the schedule for the week. We
attended what always seems to be the most informative of the bunch. The Fluke Networks luncheon is a “must –
attend” for every conference. The
presentation, given by Jan Lewis, BICSI’s Director
of International Operations and Special Projects Liaison, was thrilled to see
25 nations represented during the International Regions luncheon. “The enthusiasm of our international members
is contagious,” said Jan Lewis. During
the past year, she had worked on the revitalization of the European Region with
great success. We look forward to seeing
more on BICSI’s international side in the future. We would like to say thank
you to all the BICSI staff that give up time at home with families to make this
event not only possible but also a venue that members want to plan to
attend. The comment we received most
describing this BICSI was “friendly.”
This was partly due to Rick Westcott BICSI’s Services Consultant and
Trisha Mendoza BICSI’s Manager of Membership Operations, operating the BICSI
Central Booth that was located just across from attendee registration. They were always ready to answer questions
and spend time getting to know the members.
As we walked around, people
were sitting down and pulling out their laptops or they were at the
conveniently located public computers quietly going through mail or just
catching up on notes. Ryan Settlemire,
BICSI Webmaster/IT Administrator, kept the network up and running to make
communication with home and work possible during this hectic time. The opportunities surrounded
us as we wandered up and down the aisles of the exhibit hall. Attendees had a chance to stop by booths and
have hands-on access to some of the innovations in our industry. Exhibitor Product Forums held nightly in the
Product Forum Theater gave a snapshot of new ideas and products. This is a great way to get an overview of a
variety of products in a short time. With 209 exhibiting
companies, the attendees could cover every aspect of the industry. There were the veteran companies that are a
fixture of each BICSI Conference and there were the “newcomers” who are
experiencing this phenomenon for the first time. Working their way up the
aisles, attendees were given access to an environment where networking, sharing
ideas, and learning new information that enables the attendee to start the year
ahead of the game. BICSI conferences are
always packed with valuable information that can be used to further education,
knowledge, and skills. Hats off to Georgette Palmer
Smith, CMM (Director of Conferences and Meetings) who did an outstanding job
coordinating the many details making this conference run smoothly. Maarja Kolberg, Communications Manager, kept
the information flowing with informative press releases during the conference. To all whom we do not have room to mention,
“THANK YOU “for all you did. You are
appreciated for the time and energy that you invest into each value-packed
BICSI event.
Maureen Levy recently
returned as publisher of Toronto-based Cabling Networking Systems
Magazine. Maureen, who has more than
over 25 years of experience in the Canadian magazine industry, played a pivotal
role in turning Cabling Systems, the former name of CNS, into a success story
after it launched in 1998. She will also maintain her current role as publisher
of Canadian Consulting Engineer. Her
publishing background includes industrial machinery and equipment, trucking
transportation, construction industry and telecommunications. “I look forward
to the opportunity of working with advertisers once again in this exciting
market,” she says. www.cnsmagazine.com Leviton has been a leader in identifying and
manufacturing solutions for the electrical and telecommunications industry for the past 100 years. As we celebrate our
100th anniversary, we are proud to announce a national support team comprised of skilled commercial cabling, design, and installation experts. These Leviton Specification Engineers are service-driven individuals who are
equipped to help build the best wired or wireless cabling infrastructure
possible for Information Technology projects. The S3 Team is available to help specifiers with all
the practical information required to create solutions to their most
challenging design and installation issues. This free service includes an
abundance of materials available on the Leviton website, as well as access to local
Leviton Specification Engineers, and provides answers to Information Technology
questions in areas such as: • 10 Gigabit Ethernet over copper using Category 6 and
Category 6A UTP/ScTP • 10 Gigabit Ethernet over fiber • Data Center cabling design – “Change your equipment and not your cabling” • Wireless Systems using 802.11a/b/g in a centralized
or distributed architecture for the Enterprise • Power Quality – solutions that enable a stable,
consistent and Un-Interruptible power • FTTx and Multiple Dwelling Unit (MDU) solutions Let our highly qualified and industry recognized
Registered Communications Distribution Designers (RCDD’s) help you Specify,
Simplify and Succeed. Build the best Information Transport System that
you can and let the S3 Team show you how “Leviton Makes It Easy”. www.leviton.com
CABA is pleased to announce that its Intelligent
Buildings Leadership Forum will be held June 18 at the CABA's Intelligent Buildings Leadership Forum is an
interactive executive event designed to bring together related "large
building" stakeholder groups that have a vested interest in the technology
driving integrated systems and intelligent buildings. This year, the Forum will
focus on research findings from CABA's Intelligent Buildings Roadmap and on
green building technology. The Roadmap is a collaborative industry-funded
research project designed to update CABA's Technology Roadmap (TRM) for
Intelligent Buildings, a research report released in 2002. It explores the
opportunities offered by emerging intelligent building technologies. Paul Ehrlich, PE, of Building Intelligence Group LLC,
will make presentations concerning the Roadmap at the Forum. Building
Intelligence Group is the independent consulting firm that developed the
Roadmap for CABA. The presentations will focus on the current status and
imminent opportunities offered by the accelerating evolution and usage of
intelligent building technologies. The participating organizations in this CABA research
project are: Cisco Systems, Direct Energy, ESC Automation/Delta Controls,
Johnson Controls, HID Corporation, Honeywell International, Tridium, Lawrence
Berkeley National Laboratories, Legrand North America, Lutron Electronics Co.,
Inc., Panduit Corp., Siemens Building Technologies, Tour Andover Controls,
Trane Control Systems, and InfoComm International. The Forum will also feature sessions on emerging green
building technologies. Environmentally sustainable buildings call for
integrated designs encompassing a "whole system" approach. The range
of "green" design features is very diverse, with options that include
energy efficient materials, passive solar considerations, and structural and
mechanical components. CABA's Intelligent Buildings Leadership Forum will
examine these design features, typically known as the Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. "We are pleased that CABA has selected InfoComm
as the site for its Intelligent Buildings Leadership Forum," stated Randal
A. Lemke, Ph.D., Executive Director, InfoComm International. "CABA is
recognized as Ronald J. Zimmer, CABA President & CEO, responded,
"We are extremely excited to participate in InfoComm and share this
leading-edge research on the intelligent buildings sector." For more information about the Forum's program, please
go to www.caba.org/leadersforum.
For more information about InfoComm 07, June 15-21 in About CABA
AFL Telecommunications, a
leading supplier of fiber optic products and services, and Leviton
Manufacturing Company, The alliance is focused on
supporting end-to-end solutions through a combination of Leviton’s FTTH and
industry-leading Integrated Network home technology portfolio, and AFL’s FTTH
passive infrastructure, network electronics, and system integration expertise.
“AFL is very pleased to welcome Leviton to the FTTH Made Easy™ program”, said
Kent Brown – Director, Access Solutions. “FTTH is a powerful community
amenity that drives value for the developer, builder and resident. AFL’s
relationship with Leviton connects the optical network to the in-home network
and makes it easy for residential developers to implement FTTH within their
communities.” “Leviton and AFL are perfect
complements, bringing a wealth of in-home experience and product solutions
together with industry leading access network solutions and integration
services,” said Michael Mattei, Leviton’s Director of Fiber Business
Development. Mattei states how the market
tends to talk about homes passed and homes with fiber service at the side of
the house, but that is where it ends. Often forgotten is the distribution
within the home, to the jack on the wall, where we desire the speed and
bandwidth that fiber delivers, in a media that our computers, TV’s and other
electronics can accept. In 2006, Leviton wired several hundred thousand
homes for broadband signal delivery to the den, kitchen or bedroom. “This
alliance provides start to finish service and support for the implementation of
a FTTH network encompassing both the active and passive elements of the
design,” stated Mattei. In addition to an end-to-end
product portfolio, the program will also feature a portfolio of services,
including; AFL’s FTTH Business Model and Leviton’s “Whole House” Integrated
Network solutions. These services will provide residential developers with a
single source for defining and implementing the value created by FTTH.
AFL’s program integrates a
variety of critical success variables, including: FTTH Business Modeling and
network design services, outside plant infrastructure, network electronics and
in-home technology solutions. Visit www.FTTHMadeEasy.com
for more information. About
AFL Telecommunications About
Leviton
SMP Data Communications, a
leading developer and manufacturer of high-speed cross-connect products for
communication networks, recently participated in a comprehensive demonstration
of 10GBASE-T products in operation at the Solarflare® Communications test facility
in The validation trials to
demonstrate 10GBASE-T operation over Category 6A cabling were performed on a
100 meter channel. The trials were run
in a 100 meter, worst-case channel configuration as specified in the draft TIA
augmented Category 6 standard, currently under development in the TIA TR 42.7
subcommittee. The channel configuration consisted of six around one (6A1)
cables, bundled every eight inches. The
equipment used for channel performance validation was Solarflare Communications
10Xpress™ 10GBASE-T PHYs that are currently sampling to OEM customers. “Our competition offers connectivity products
that only operate effectively when combined with the cable they also
manufacture, in essence a “tuned system” that costs the customer a premium and
is not truly interoperable,” stated Bill Reynolds, VP and general manager of
SMP Data Communications. “This is especially true with hard-to-meet emerging
standards and protocols such as 10GBASE-T and Augmented Category 6. SMP connectivity is designed to focus on
verifiable throughput as well as ‘the standards.’ The US-made superior quality
of our connectivity, derived from our own intellectual property, allows SMP to
deliver connectivity that is economical and truly interoperable. This testing is a testament to our products
capabilities and quality designs.” “This testing proves the
reliability and robustness of the 10GBASE-T cabling and PHY products,” said
Bruce Tolley, VP of marketing at Solarflare. “These products are available
today.” www.smpdata.com
Hitachi Global
Storage Technologies (Hitachi) announced today it has developed new software
technology targeted toward digital video recording (DVR) applications,
including set-top boxes (STBs), that utilize hard disk drives. Today's consumers increasingly use their
digital cable and satellite set-top boxes to record high-definition programs
and stream digital media from the Internet, and they want that content
available throughout the house. However, recording and playing back a high
number of multiple programs, or streams, can place greater demands on the hard
drive and the conventional STB file system. " "Smart" Hard Drive Management To address the heavy demands on the HDD,
AVSM technology gives the STB system the ability to distinguish between
streaming applications (movies, streaming media) and best-effort, non-real-time
applications (electronic program guide, IPTV download, photo viewing). This
helps to maintain quality of service (QoS) and protect against disk
fragmentation. The AVSM software technology currently comprises a streaming
file system and sophisticated I/O scheduler and ultimately makes hard drives
work "smarter". It handles the multiple HDTV streams present in
multi-room households and optimizes task scheduling to help maximize HDD
performance. Simply put, AVSM technology promotes: By extending the value of the hard drive,
The August 2006 Productivity column
investigated the impact of the changing market facing electrical contractors.
With the current and continuing expansion of commercial and residential
construction markets, the needs of contractors are dramatically changing. Electrical distributors
provide the essential connection between manufacturers and the owners and
specialty contractors. While the position of an electrical distributor has not
changed, its role must change from one of distribution to one of supply.
Distributors arrange and facilitate the transfer of materials from the factory
to the contractor. Suppliers support the customers by responding to their
needs. All of these relationships impact an EC’s profitability. Let’s
illustrate with a short story: The crew arrives at the job site at 6 a.m., preparing
for the day’s work. With the toolboxes unlocked, assignments given, coffee
procured and donuts eaten, the crew attempts to locate its materials. Crew
members find all they need except for the six additional boxes and 20 feet of
cable ordered yesterday. The materials will be on the next delivery truck and
were promised for first delivery. The first truck of the day arrives. More material
arrives but without a pallet jack. One crew stops to help carry it all to the
sixth floor. The next truck shows up, a different distributor. The
general didn’t leave instructions for this truck to have access to a restricted
area. The foreman spends 15 minutes trying to locate the project manager (PM).
The truck will have to come back tomorrow to try again. Now the project foreman is on the cell phone with the
PM trying to track down yet another order. The truck is en route but not
expected to arrive until 10. The crew can do nothing but wait. Finally, the truck arrives with 20 feet of cable and
five boxes. The sixth box was backordered, but all six are needed. The five are
stashed in storage. Maybe the distributor will get more in today, and someone
can go pick it up. A return is packed and waiting, ready to be picked up.
The driver doesn’t have the return authorization paperwork; the crew moves the
material back to a safe place to wait until tomorrow. Next comes a third-party shipper with a truck that
doesn’t fit inside the fence. The electricians must unload 400 fixtures, only
50 of which will be installed this week. To the contractor, labor
matters. Delivery matters. Even though the contractors constantly fight for the
lowest price, in reality, price is secondary. Without the lowest prices, and
often even with the lowest prices, contractors are unable to recover from the
labor losses associated with handling materials instead of installing. Distribution faces a paradox.
This is the result of a shift in the entire electrical construction industry,
away from the historical industrial work and toward a growing commercial and
residential market. Historically, the industrial market was as good a fit for
electrical distributors, with their focus on the manufacturers, as it was for
contractors. Over the past 30 years, the
commercial and residential components expanded until now where they make up
almost 60 percent of the electrical construction market. As the economy
shifted, the needs of each side also shifted. ECs are facing new challenges,
and as a result, electrical distributors are being forced to change their
operating philosophies in order to meet their customers’ needs. To profitably respond,
electrical distributors must understand the needs of each player in the supply
chain, from the manufacturers all the way through to the end-users, beginning
with their financial models and cost drivers. ·
Financial
model: A company’s financial model is determined by its cost structure,
which is the combination of its fixed and variable costs, profit and revenue
bases and cost drivers. Electrical contractors’ costs are primarily driven by
variable costs. In fact, 85 to 90 percent of the operational costs of any
specialty contractor, including electrical contractors, are typically allocated
as variable costs, regardless of whether the contractor is a union or an open
shop. ·
Variable
costs: Variable costs are the costs
associated with completing a project: labor, materials, rental expenses, etc.
Variable costs increase as sales increase because of the costs required to
complete a project. For example, an eight-story building with 200 fixtures on
each floor requires twice as many fixtures as a four-story building with the
same plans. The cost of the fixtures is a variable cost, as is the cost of
installing each one. ·
Fixed costs:
Fixed costs define the costs required
to operate. Fixed costs typically remain constant throughout the year and
include general and administrative costs, salaries, insurance, property taxes,
carrying costs of inventory and other expenses. ·
Profit: The relationship between net profit, variable cost and
fixed cost is shown in Figure 1. In order to recognize a profit, earned
revenues must exceed both the variable costs and fixed costs. The break-even
point (BEP) is the point at which both variable and fixed costs are covered. Contractors and distributors,
just as every other business, achieve top performance by minimizing both their
variable and fixed costs through error reduction, process improvement and
customer awareness. However, the biggest return in terms of cost reduction
comes from targeting the cost drivers, that is, the elements of a particular
financial model that have the biggest impact on the end cost of providing any
product. Profits, the money remaining
after all costs are addressed, made up only 3 percent of the typical contractor’s
revenues in 2001. This dropped to a measly 1.7 percent in 2004. In other words,
a $1 million project returned only $17,000 in profits to the electrical
contractor. The biggest cost driver for
the electrical contractor is its labor, a true variable cost. The longer it
takes to install materials, the higher the labor cost. As shown in Figure 3, by
targeting its variable costs, a contractor can reduce its overall costs,
achieve its break-even point much earlier and recoup the difference as profits.
Electrical contractors earn
their money by installing electrical components. Recall from Figure 2 that
labor costs typically require 44 percent of the typical contractor’s revenues.
Any reduction in the cost of labor goes straight to the contractor’s bottom
line. Industry research has shown that approximately 40 percent of labor’s time
is spent handling materials instead of installing. The benefits from supplier
services can help the electrical contractor significantly reduce the time
currently spent on material handling, allowing this time to be applied instead
to productive installation. With the shift toward
commercial and residential work, the needs of contractors are following suit.
Commercial work is faster and less specialized, with materials and specs that
vary widely from project to project. Contractors need suppliers who can help
address the labor costs by providing the right materials in the right quantity,
correctly packaged and delivered to the right place at the right time. Using their labor for any
purpose other than installation can turn a job from a potentially profitable,
successful project into a money loser, even going so far as to turn it into a
killer job that single-handedly wipes away all profits made by every other
project in the company. By refocusing customers away from price and onto the
labor savings that can be gained by correctly using the supplier to manage the
materials, the situation can turn into a win-win for all involved. However, to profitably make
the shift from a distributor to a supplier, electrical distributors need to
understand their own financial model as well. In the next article, we will
investigate this model and then how the contractor’s model and the
distributor’s model can be effectively used to reduce the costs on both sides. EC DANESHGARI is
president of MCA Inc. He is a consultant for various electrical and general
contracting companies. WILSON, a
professor at Franklin University, is the director of research for MCA Inc. Reprinted with full Permission of
Electrical Contractor Magazine February issue 2007
Anixter Inc.
(NYSE: AXE - News), the world's leading
distributor of communication products, electrical and electronic wire &
cable and a leading distributor of fasteners and other small parts
("C" Class inventory components) to Original Equipment Manufacturers
(OEMs), announced the release of its 2007 Communications Products catalog. Anixter's 2007 Communications Products
catalog is a completely redesigned industry resource that includes more than
1,100 pages and over 15,000 part numbers of the latest products and solutions
for all of your communication needs. This catalog continues to be an
easy-to-use reference tool Anixter customers count on for day-to-day product
needs and information on the latest products and technology. "The catalog has proved invaluable to
our company for the ordering process. Our company provides complete network
integration and we rely on the well organized and descriptive character of the
catalog to order the correct product for each job." Keeping pace with emerging technologies,
our 2007 catalog highlights the latest copper and fiber network cabling systems
being deployed in the marketplace from industry leading manufacturers. It also
features all of the ancillary structured cabling accessories required to
support these systems such as racks, cabinets, cable management and power
management products, tools and test equipment. Some of the specialized sections of the
catalog include 10 Gigabit Ethernet data cabling systems, IP Surveillance,
Wireless, Power over Ethernet, and Access Control systems. The new IP Security
section provides a snapshot of the latest networked products being deployed in
the security market. All of the products included in the catalog are searchable
through a user-friendly index that includes both the manufacturer name and part
number. Additionally, an updated glossary of current industry terms and
acronyms are also available in the catalog. Another new enhancement of the 2007
Communications Products catalog is the addition of the Anixter Standards
Reference Guide in the catalog's Appendix section. The guide highlights
up-to-date networking industry standards developed by the TIA/EIA, IEEE and ISO
organizations. Anixter offers several additional catalogs
including the newly released 2007 Broadcast and Entertainment catalog, the
Security Solutions catalog, Wire & Cable catalog, and an on-line eCatalog.
Anixter's new 2007 Communications Products catalog is available in print and on
CD. This and other Anixter catalogs can be ordered by visiting our Web site at http://anixter.com/literature
Contractors who use software
from McCormick Systems to estimate and manage electrical and automated building
systems projects will gather April 18-21 in Phoenix, AZ for the company's
annual User's Conference. This year's renewal will be
the 25th annual. The event includes two full days of meetings plus access to an
on-site computer "lab." Users can use the lab to try out ideas they
hear during the conference, with or without help from McCormick staff. "Our customers tell us
they want to be able to do more estimates, faster, and more accurately, with
the same resources – in terms of people and equipment," says Todd
McCormick, the company president. "Our agenda this year primarily focuses
on those concerns." An additional agenda item is
a popular annual segment, "What You Have On Your Computer That You Aren't
Using." Many elements included as "standard" items in the
estimating software can be overlooked by contractors, including: ·
Options for
keeping pricing current ·
Project
Documentation ·
Accessing your
estimating system remotely ·
And, of course,
an abundance of information on Estimating For more information, see www.mccormicksys.com.
Corning Cable Systems LLC,
part of Corning Incorporated’s (NYSE:GLW) Telecommunications segment,
introduces two new handheld fusion splicers.
The OptiSplice™ Ribbon Fusion Splicer and the OptiSplice One
Fusion Splicer are ideal for use in various local area network (LAN)
environments. The OptiSplice Ribbon
Splicer, a handheld 1- to 12-fiber fusion splicer, provides improved speed and
performance when compared to previous generation multi-fiber splices, all in a
handheld package. The OptiSplice One Fusion Splicer is the next-generation
single-fiber splicer. It features an intuitive user interface, dual cameras,
toolless maintenance, an ultra-fast heat-shrink oven and high-capacity Li-Ion
battery, in a reduced-size fusion splicer. The handheld fusion
splicers are ideal for locations where space and tight working conditions are a
concern. Both units are available with modular accessories for use in different
LAN applications. The robust splicers feature a splice area cover that serves
as a wind protector and robust rubber bumpers for harsh environments. The OptiSplice One and
OptiSplice Ribbon Splicers have an ergonomic layout in which the splice area,
screen and keypad face the operator. The compact size allows the splicers to be
placed close to other network equipment for efficient workflow. In addition,
the fusion splicer case converts into an aerial splicing platform. The units’ high-intensity
LEDs provide splice area illumination for use in low-light environments. The
LEDs can also illuminate the interior of a splice closure or other piece of
hardware, making the OptiSplice™ One and OptiSplice Ribbon Handheld
Fusion Splicers perfect for restoration purposes. The splicers also contain
factory and user-defined programs for common fiber types, and a USB interface
for data output and software upgrades. www.corning.com/cablesystems.
During the annual BICSI
Winter Conference in Orlando, three individuals received awards for their
efforts to help advance the telecommunications industry. More than 6,000
telecommunications professionals attended the four-day event, which included
technical presentations, association meetings, and more than 200 exhibitors
featuring the latest products and services. The Harry J. Pfister Award
for Excellence in the Telecommunications Industry was presented to Ray Keden,
RCDD, a member from San Leandro, CA. The award was established in 1982 by the
University of South Florida (Tampa, Fla.), to recognize the lifetime
achievement or major accomplishment of an individual in the telecommunications
industry. It promotes the efforts of an individual who enhances the
professional, scientific, technical or educational aspects of the industry. The
presentation was made by Mel Anderson, Ph.D., USF College of Engineering. Keden currently serves on
BICSI’s Codes Committee and Standards Committee. The ever-prestigious BICSI
Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD®) designation
and ITS Technician credential are just two of his many educational
accomplishments. He holds an MS in Electrical Engineering and has contributed
to the ITS industry for more than 40 years. His career began in Germany
as a telecommunications technician. Since then, he has worked with many U.S.
and international companies on new product launches and designs. He has
contributed to the writing of many U.S. and International standards, including
the International Pathways and Spaces Standard and the Telecommunications
Pathways and Spaces Standard. The David K.
Blythe/University of Kentucky Distinguished Service Award was presented to Rita
Recalcati, a BICSI member and Country Chair from Italy. The award recognizes
the volunteer spirit of BICSI members and spotlights one individual as the
BICSI member of the year for outstanding efforts in promoting BICSI’s
educational programs and commitment to professional development within the
telecommunications industry. Recalcati has more than 17
years of industry experience, and has been a member of BICSI for 10 years. She
was involved with inception of BICSI in her region, and currently serves on
BICSI’s Nominating Committee. She is best known for the behind-the-scenes work
and support for the region while being a BICSI pioneer in establishing a local
BICSI presence. She now covers BICSI activities in two countries, while
supporting MCI, an association management company in Brussels, Belgium. Stephen Banks, RCDD was
presented with the Larry G. Romig Committee Member of the Year Award. BICSI
developed the award in recognition of the volunteer work performed by its
members and to honor one individual for exemplary efforts and dedication within
a BICSI committee. Banks is Chair of the Systems
Design Subcommittee of the Technical Information & Methods (TI&M)
Committee, which is charged with writing and updating BICSI’s technical manuals
and for the development of additional technical publications. He is a
highly respected member of the telecommunications community, both in his region
and globally. He has spent a lot of time and effort, largely at his own
expense, to help write BICSI manuals. Banks started his career at
GEC Telecommunications in 1972, working on Strowger electromagnetic exchanges
and moving on to the digital switched computer solutions on System X. He then
transferred to GEC's Defence Projects Division and was the design authority for
a number of large government and defense IT projects in the 1980s, before
leaving GEC to run the projects group for a fiber optic distributor. After spending 18 months as
an independent consultant, he joined Alcatel in 1997 as the UK market
development manager for fiber and copper LAN cables. His duties were to promote
and support the company's cable products with consultants and end users. He
also provided technical and product support to the connectivity partners who
needed Alcatel cables for their solutions. Following the creation of Nexans
from Alcatel, Banks transferred over to the Cabling Solutions side of the
Nexans business. ### BICSI is a professional
association supporting the information transport systems (ITS) industry with
information, education and knowledge assessment for individuals and companies.
BICSI serves more than 24,000 ITS professionals, including designers,
installers and technicians. These individuals provide the fundamental
infrastructure for telecommunications, audio/video, life safety and automation
systems. Through courses, conferences, publications and professional
registration programs, BICSI staff and volunteers assist ITS professionals in
delivering critical products and services, and offer opportunities for
continual improvement and enhanced professional stature. www.bicsi.org
The Continental Automated Buildings Association
(CABA), through its Internet Home Alliance Research Council, has completed a
needs assessment study on managed services for micro and small business. The study assesses the current state of the managed
services market and identifies areas for further development. The report finds that the most popular managed
services for micro and small businesses consist of Web hosting, email and
messaging services, servers, routers and LAN installation and maintenance, data
backup, storage, security and other related services. The report also determines that target customers
prefer to work with local specialty service providers, or alternately, with
manufacturers directly and that small businesses have a distinct interest in
annual contracts provided there are clear, substantial cost-savings compared to
a pay-as-you go arrangement. "In general, micro and small businesses do not
have dedicated information technology or telecom support personnel," states
Ronald J. Zimmer, CABA President & CEO. "Instead, this report shows
that they have staff with other primary responsibilities that manage these
products or services. This needs assessment helps service providers obtain a
more complete sketch of the needs of micro and small businesses in order to
improve their marketing and product development efforts." The report was completed with the guidance and
financial support of AT&T, Cisco Systems, Costco Wholesale,
Hewlett-Packard, Level Platforms and SupportSoft through CABA's collaborative
research model. "We are extremely pleased to have led industry
participation in this research project," says Jeff Dean, Senior Manager,
Service Provider Internet Business Solutions Group at Cisco Systems, Inc.
"This research report will allow Cisco and other participating companies
to make more informed decisions in terms of existing and prospective
customers." The report "Microbusiness & Small Business
Managed Services Needs Assessment Study" is currently available to Internet
Home Alliance Research Council members. It will be available for sale through
CABA's eStore at www.caba.org/estore. About CABA
Two new series of color concentrates
comprised of 16 colors for PVC and ten Munsell (R) colors for polyethylene
comply with the RoHS requirements specified by the European Union, according to
Teknor Color Company, which will introduce the new colors at Interwire 2007
(Booth 3409). The concentrates are for use with a wide range of PVC and
polyolefin compounds used in the wire and cable industry. “These new concentrates have been
formulated with pigments that comply with RoHS regulations yet provide the same
coloring efficiency and electrical performance obtained with standard
concentrates,” said Anne Upton, wire and cable market manager. “They make it
possible for wire-industry manufacturers in the Americas to serve customers in
Europe as well as to meet growing restrictions on the use of certain
metal-containing compounds in the domestic market.” Both series are available in bead form
(the exception is PVC black, which comes in dice form). They include: ● 16 concentrates for use with
PVC. The carrier resin for these concentrates is lead stabilizer-free
PVC. The colors are: Aqua, Black, Blue, Dark Blue, Brown, Dark Brown, Gray,
Green, Light Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, Dark Red, White, and Yellow. ● 10 Munsell colors for use
with PE and TPEs. The colors are: Black, Blue, Brown, Gray, Green,
Orange, Purple, Red, White, and Yellow. As applied to pigments used in color
concentrates, RoHS regulations restrict the use of lead-, cadmium-, and chromium-containing
substances.
Ortronics/Legrand, a global leader in high performance
copper, fiber and wireless structured cabling solutions, introduces Clarity10G
patch panels now available in the traditional multi-port adapter format.
Utilizing an innovative method of circuit isolation, the Clarity10G patch
panels support the alien crosstalk requirements of IEEE 10G and TIA Augmented
Category 6 cabling specifications without requiring the use of individual jacks
for panel termination. Fully supporting all of the internal and alien
requirements of 10 Gigabit Ethernet in a traditional panel format marks another
major advancement in UTP connector technology from Ortronics/Legrand. The
Clarity10G panels utilize Ortronics' innovative technique of synchronized
reactance to minimize internal crosstalk while reducing the injection of common
mode noise that is a significant source of alien crosstalk. These new panels
also include Tactical Isolation Zones, a concept first introduced with Clarity
10G jacks to provide additional safeguards against noise radiating from the
connector and to defend against the influence of alien noise sources on the
connector. With these technologies, combined with Ortronics
previously developed advancements of dual reactance and center tuning, the
result is a nearly transparent signal path for enhanced signal-to-noise
(internal and alien) performance. The new product family will be available in flat or
angled versions, with 24 or 48 ports.
Clarity 10G multi-port adapter panels support preferred panel
termination practices with mechanical accommodations for easier lacing of the
larger insulated conductors of 10 Gig cables, providing a labor-saving
alternative to the individual jack panel. The new Clarity10G patch panels were featured at the
BICSI Winter Conference in Orlando, FL . www.ortronics.com
HAI, the leading manufacturer of integrated automation
and security products since 1985, announces that the Consumer Electronics
Association (CEA) has awarded HAI's Snap-Link with a 2007 CES Innovations
Design and Engineering Award in the Integrated Home Systems category. An independent panel of preeminent industrial
designers, engineers and members of the press selected the winners. Additionally the Industrial Designers Society
of America (IDSA) endorsed and acted as advisors to the Innovations awards. The judges determine the winning products
based on user value, unique and novel features, contribution to the quality of
life, and the aesthetic and design qualities of the product. Snap-Link is a USB key that plugs into any computer
and directly communicates through the secure Ethernet port on an HAI home
control system. It gives homeowners the
ability to check and adjust lights, security, temperatures, webcams, and
more. It is very secure, easy to use,
with no installation or on site computer required. Moreover, there are no
monthly fees associated with this software.
Snap-Link is currently shipping and has a suggested retail price of $99. Previously Snap-Link was designated as a Finalist for
Electrical Contracting Products' 2006 INNOVATION Awards and recently was
awarded a CHIP (CePro High Impact Product) by the readers of CePro
magazine. The CHIP awards are based on
the recommendations of professional integrators who have sold, installed, and
profited from the winning products. HAI products are sold through a worldwide network of Distributors
and installed by over 1000 trained dealers.
For more information on HAI's Snap-Link or other award winning products,
please visit www.homeauto.com.
ADC (NASDAQ: ADCT; www.adc.com), the
company that designed and built the very first Augmented Category 6 cable,
today announced that it has reduced the size of its CopperTen®
Augmented Category 6 UTP cable. This new cable is being showcased at the 2007
BICSI Winter Conference in Orlando, Fla. The event is being held at the Gaylord
Palms Resort & Convention Center where the company’s solutions will be
displayed at booth #411. ADC’s new CopperTen Augmented
Category 6 UTP Cable has an average outside diameter of .275” compared to the
industry average of .310”, which translates into a 22 percent reduction in
cross-sectional area compared to typical Augmented Category 6 cable. The
benefits of implementing a smaller cable include: Enhanced airflow for improved
data center cooling, reliability and uptime; Reduced installation costs
due to its lighter weight and smaller volume; and Improved fill rates in cable
trays, conduits and raceways. Designed to run 10-Gigabit
Ethernet over 100 meters of copper cabling, ADC was able to reduce the size of
CopperTen by further enhancing the company’s patented AirES®
technology. “This unprecedented reduction
in the size of Augmented Category 6 UTP cable will give data center and network
managers more flexibility and higher performance for their investment,” said
Jaxon Lang, vice president of product management, structured cabling for ADC.
“The market has been demanding a smaller Augmented Category 6 UTP cable, and
ADC delivered.” ADC also is introducing its
new suite of TrueNet® Fiber Plug-and-Play Solutions for data center
applications, designed to improve reliability, scalability and cooling needs of
modern data centers. The new product suite includes plug-and-play, Multi-Fiber
Push-On (MPO) solutions for ADC’s line of TrueNet Fiber products within the
main distribution area (MDA), backbone and horizontal and equipment
distribution areas (HDA and EDA). Together, these solutions promote reliability
in the data center through properly-managed cable density, which encourages
proper airflow and reduces maintenance. The TrueNet Fiber Plug-and-Play
product line includes: Optical Distribution Frame
(ODF) with MPO Solution – Optimized for cross-connect applications, this is the
most manageable high-density distribution frame available, effectively managing
up to 1,728 fibers and incorporating cable management and MPO plug-and-play
cassettes for rapid deployment. Fiber Panels with MPO
Cassettes – ADC’s fiber panels consolidate and manage optical cables from
storage area networks, servers and switches in the HDA and EDA, offering bend
radius protection, intuitive routing and easy connector access. TrueNet MPO Microcable Trunk
Assemblies – Small, round, manageable 12-fiber cables pre-terminated with a
high-density MPO connector on both ends for fast deployment. Compatible with
ADC’s FiberGuide Optical Raceway System to enable placement of fiber cable in
the overhead that maximizes accessibility and airflow. TrueNet FiberGuide Optical
Raceway System – A variety of fittings and components that snap into place for
simple addition or removal of drops; horizontal storage sections manage fiber
overlays. TrueNet TracerLight®
- Jumpers improve accuracy by enabling precise identification of optical patch
cord terminations, minimizing risk of removing the wrong fiber. About the TrueNet Portfolio
Para System, Inc., a leader
in power technology with its line of Minuteman® Uninterruptible
Power Supply (UPS) systems, announces its Minuteman® Endeavor™
On-line UPS Series combining double-conversion technology and industry-leading
features. Its unique design and flexibility allows the units to be installed in
one of several configurations depending on the situation: ·
Rack/cabinet configuration (19-inch rack kit included, 23-inch rack kit
optional) ·
Tower configuration (installation kit included) ·
Wallmount configuration (installation kit optional) Double-conversion technology
is designed so that the inverter is always connected to the output of the UPS.
When utility line power is present, the inverter operates to charge the
battery. Because the inverter is always connected to the load, this design
provides better filtering and a more stable output voltage than typical standby
or line interactive technologies. Models in the Endeavor Series
are: ·
ED1000RM2U - 1000VA / 800W ·
ED1500RM2U - 1500VA / 1200W ·
ED2000RM2U - 2000VA / 1600W ·
ED3000RM2U - 3000VA / 2100W Key features for the Endeavor
Series include: ·
Virtually unlimited runtime using external battery packs ·
Maximum 8 hour rapid recharge time of batteries, no matter how many
battery packs are installed, through the use of independent battery chargers in
each external battery pack · Output
receptacle control through two independently controlled output circuits, allows users the ability to shutdown
or reset specific connected devices without having to shutdown the entire output of the UPS · Compact design
at only 3.5 inches (89mm) high,
Endeavor Series units can be installed in a rack or cabinet using only 2U of
rack space and still provide the most battery runtime using the least amount of
rack space The Endeavor Series features
a front panel display that provides information about battery status, connected
load capacity, multiple alarms and warning indicators. It also serves a testing
mechanism. In addition to the various
mounting/rack kits, the Endeavor UPS may be ordered with stand-alone
Ethernet/SNMP communication an environmental sensor and/or a dry contact
closure card for additional control and power management capabilities. Detailed information can be
accessed and control of the UPS via the new Minuteman SentryPlus™ software
included, free with each Endeavor unit. It can be installed and accessed
concurrently over USB, RS-232 and Ethernet connections when used with the Endeavor
Series. Para Systems offers a
$200,000 Minuteman Platinum Protection Plan™ for equipment connected
to the Endeavor Series UPS systems. In addition, a
standard, non-prorated, three-year warranty is provided on the UPS units
including the batteries. Recognizing the benefit of
being environmentally conscious, Para Systems has developed the Endeavor Series
to comply with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive as
established and defined by the European Union. The Endeavor Series UPS systems
are certified to the following standards: UL 1778, CSA, and CE. The 500VA,
2000VA, and 3000VA units are FCC Class A certified) and the 1000 VA unit is FCC
Class B certified. Lower costs, with more
features, makes the Minuteman® Endeavor Series UPS the value leader
in the UPS industry, with MSRPs between $599 and $1,399. The Minuteman®
Endeavor Series UPS is in stock and ready for immediate delivery. 220V versions of the Endeavor
Series will be available for distribution during the first quarter of 2007. www.minutemanups.com/media
“I have always been extremely proud of the
world-class military education provided at Fort Leavenworth,” said Sam
Brownback, a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee. In November
2003, the Senate included $28 million for the initial construction of the Lewis
and Clark Instruction Facility at Fort Leavenworth. “Young members of the Army
leadership, as well as foreign military officials, receive some of their best
training right here in Kansas,” Sen. Brownback said. As part of the Army’s
Command and General Staff College, the Lewis and Clark Instruction Facility
will replace Fort Leavenworth’s Bell Hall, moving up in the ranks as the Army’s
premier educational facility. The project encompassed 96
classrooms to support digital education, administrative and support space, a
2,000-seat auditorium, a 100-seat conference room, a 300-seat lecture hall, an administrative
wing, and service areas. It was a challenging assignment for Capital Electric
Construction Co. Inc., Kansas City, Mo., in terms of the infrastructure and the
security requirements because the Lewis and Clark Center was built with the
Department of Defense’s (DOD) “standards and force protections” that have been
required for many government buildings even before 9/11. As subcontractor to general
contractor J.E. Dunn Construction Co., in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers, Capital Electric expended approximately 200,000 man-hours as the
electrical contractor on the 2½ year, 425,000-square-foot, $115-million project
headed by general foremen Tony Adams and Duane Coder. “People throw around the term
‘high-tech’, but this building was very complex with regards to power,
tele-data and telecommunications,” said Doug O’Neill, senior project manager,
J.E. Dunn, Kansas City, Mo. “Some colleges have a lot of
IT in the classrooms, but we’re not aware of any that can do everything that
this facility will be able to do—from long-distance learning to being able to
hook up to the Web to access military networks worldwide in order to get
real-time training information from Baghdad if they want,” said Ron Reid,
architect, The Benham Cos. LLC, headquartered in Oklahoma City. The Command and General Staff
College is an accredited university in addition to being a place to train the
elite of the U.S. Army—majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels—in tactics,
logistics, leadership, history and joint military operations. “Majors in the army come here
to prepare for their next 10 years,” said Lynn Rolf, director of Educational
Technology, Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth. “The new
building is exciting because we’ve revamped our curriculum to be more current
and relevant and reorganized our organizational structure. The facility and
infrastructure will support and enhance the faculty and the curriculum,” Rolf
said. Prototype classroom beta
tests facility Prototype Classroom: Beta Tests Facility As the designers drew the
plans and schedules for the project, Rolf, wishing to have the most efficient
learning environment, made a suggestion regarding construction of the
classrooms. “I convinced our leadership,”
he said, “that if we were going to build 96 classrooms, we should build one
prototype model room built to the exact design specifications and house it with
students and faculty to find out if the design was flawed and discover what we
could do to fix it. Rather than make 96 big mistakes, we wanted to discover any
mistakes and fix them in the prototype.” So as the steel frame was
being installed, the contractors built a 1,000-square-foot prototype classroom.
It had all the media inputs imaginable in an educational setting—VCR; DVD; a
visualizer camera in the ceiling to allow the instructor to show a book, a
magazine page or other items to the whole class; photographs in 3D; two cameras
available for teleconferencing; a sound and light dimming system controlled by
the instructor from a tablet computer; and two 65-inch plasma screens in the
front. It also included three separate computer networks—a Combined Arms Center
network (a standard network), a voice system network for telephones and the
Battle Command and Simulation Network for students to simulate war games. “It’s a closed network
because they are using the Army Battle Command Systems and other IT
applications that are actually in the field in the operations centers and
deployed units,” Rolf said. Conduit considerations Students and teacher feedback
about the efficiency of the room proved invaluable. “There were several
modifications, both functional and aesthetic that resulted from building the
mock up classroom,” said Todd Strickler, project manager, Capital Electric. One change was to upsize the
conduits to accommodate the large amount of cabling needed for the various
networks, and another modification reconfigured the classroom to support the
teaching methods. “We work in staff groups of
16,” Rolf said. “Students are seated at eight tables arranged in a U shape, so
everyone is facing front but able to see each other or break into smaller
groups of four. If we gave the smaller groups an assignment, we wanted them to
be able to pivot their desks to form smaller groupings,” Rolf said. Since that action wouldn’t be
possible if the desks were hardwired into the floor and concrete, the
contractors installed a raised floor, so Capital Electric could move the floor
boxes and reconfigure the network and electrical drops. “That was important to us
because we didn’t want to have the configuration of the room drive our training
or educational requirements,” Rolf said. “As designed, each small group would
have access to a white board on which to make notes and full access to the
computers with their networks, replicating command headquarters just as the
majors would be involved with in the field. Our students now get a chance to
operate, experiment and work with some of the tools they’d see after
graduation.” As Capital Electric was
installing the cabling to make the configurations possible, they discovered the
array of junction boxes in the floor overlapped the large cable trays. Since
there was not enough room to accommodate both, Capital Electric moved the cable
trays 6 inches to the right. “It was a $1,000 change in
the plans that would have become a $100,000 change after construction,” Rolf
said. The cost of technology alone in each classroom amounts to about $78,000. When the time came to do the
installation on the classrooms, Capital Electric applied what they had learned
doing the prototype room and then faced other hurdles. “The requirements and
specifications for certain qualifications and testing were so stringent that we
needed to have not only properly qualified but also experienced personnel on
the job,” Strickler said. Installation of the network
and audiovisual cabling was one of the areas that called for expertise.
Separate networks originated from different locations, rather than from one.
This design isolated the networks and only allowed certain information to be
transmitted on certain cables. But the extent of the work created the biggest
issue. “Our biggest challenge was
the aggressive schedule and the sheer volume of the work,” said Curt Mauk,
project manager, structured cabling, Capital Electric, who worked with
Strickler. “My team of 18 to 20 worked 26,000 man-hours in a 10-month period.
Foremen Jesse Mauk and Mark Hilliard coordinated the work and did a lot of the
ground work, [which included]... compiling lists that plotted the details for
the installers, so they didn’t have to spend time figuring out from plans and
drawings what they needed to do.” Mauk’s team also ran fiber optic
cable to every desktop, alongside the copper Cat 6 cabling. “In the future, when the
bandwidth required exceeds the capacity of copper cabling, they will have fiber
to the desktop. That future proofs the installation,” he said. Complete plans In preparation for the project, Capital
Electric completed computer-aided design drawings of conduit paths. “They did an exhaustive set
of drawings that pinned down every piece of conduit to every room and where it
needed to go,” said Doug O’Neill. “That was advanced thinking on their part, so
that instead of using drawings from the architect with notes indicating six
light fixtures in the room and where six plug-ins were needed—leaving it to an
installer to figure out where to run all the conduits—they had it all laid out
on drawings ahead of time.” Capital Electric benefited
from the step. “Because of the drawings, we were able to identify any problems
earlier in the project and get responses back from the architect and engineer,”
Strickler said. “It helped us have a better understanding of the building.” Workers also completed
cabling portions for the audiovisual systems and installed the lighting
controls for the classrooms and lecture hall and in the auditorium. Andy Wilhite, project
manager, Capital Electric, oversaw and coordinated the installation of the
lighting control systems and acted as the quality control officer and manager
of materials procurement. The company also integrated the lighting controls to
the audiovisual system, allowing commands to dim lights, turn on a projector or
lower a projection screen to be activated using a touch console. “In every classroom, the
lighting fixtures are part of the dimming system and tied into the control
system,” said Brad Hull, lighting controls specialist, Mercer-Zimmerman Inc.,
the manufacturer’s representative for Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC),
Middleton, Wis. “The most interesting aspect was the sheer scale of the
project. There are over 200 control stations throughout the facility. The
control wire runs were so long; we had to find a creative solution within the
architecture of the Unison control system, which includes 1,600-foot control
signal runs. We had to stack the system into the building, so we could reach
every single control station and not exceed wire run limits.” Capital Electric also
installed a theatrical control system manufactured by ETC in the auditorium. “The stage lighting system in
the auditorium was relatively complicated,” Strickler said. “It had 260
fixtures and a lot of networking and control cabling as well as the power.” Capital Electric’s tasks also
included expansion of the substation and addition of a 7,500 kVA transformer. “The existing and new
transformer work in parallel,” Strickler said. The company dual fed the main
switchgear at the substation then ran two new circuits, 12,470 volts, up to the
building, then installed a 480-volt distribution system that was spread out to
20 different locations. From those locations, they installed 250 miles of
branch cabling in an electrical metallic tubing conduit system to provide power
to lighting receptacles and equipment. “We feel very good that the
college is going to be proud of this facility when we walk away,” O’Neill said,
“because it will be a showcase for the United States Army, the Corps of
Engineers and Fort Leavenworth.” Those at the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers agree. “From our standpoint, working with J.E. Dunn and Capital
Electric has been a good experience,” said David Manka, resident engineer, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers. “When Capital Electric was brought on board, we knew
we’d end up with a good product.” “We feel a sense of pride
having worked on it,” Capital Electric’s Strickler said, “and a sense of
accomplishment to have been part of something that is going to help future
leaders of this country.” CASEY, author of “Kids Inventing! A Handbook for Young
Inventors” and “Women Invent! Two Centuries of Discoveries that have Changed
Our World,” can be reached at scbooks@aol.com or www.susancaseybooks.com. Reprinted with full Permission of
Electrical Contractor Magazine February issue 2007
In
2006, the U.S. telecommunications market grew at its fastest rate since 2000,
showing that the drive towards convergence continues to stimulate the
telecommunications industry, according to TIA’s 2007 Telecommunications
Market Review and Forecast.
Bisbee’s Buzz
The telecommunications industry has served us well, Gendron, a past president
with the organization, once wrote. The objective of BICSI Cares Inc. is to be a
good corporate citizen and give something back to those less fortunate.
The fund-raising initiative began when Gendron jokingly decided to pass a hat
down a row of seats at a BICSI conference in the late 1970s and to his surprise
it came back filled with money. Since there was no way of knowing who gave
what, he decided instead to donate the cash to a charity.
The motto “BICSI Cares” was officially adopted in May 1992 and since then; more
than US $1.15 million has been collected and presented on the last day of each
conference to a charity in the host city.
Over the years it has given money to charities worldwide to help build schools,
feed the hungry, stop domestic violence, combat illiteracy, sustain the
environment, and especially to help children in need.
Sick, homeless, poor, neglected, and abused, as well as injured children and
those with birth defects, have all found help.
Current BICSI president John Bakowski today described Gendron as “a great human
being as well as a friend to everyone he ever met.”
"Heard On The Street" column
www.wireville.com
Jacksonville, FL
(904) 645-9077
frank@wireville.com
Maureen Levy Returns As Publisher For Cabling Networking Systems
CABA To Hold Intelligent Buildings Leadership Forum At INFOCOMM 07
CABA is the only industry association to offer industry intelligence to
stakeholders in all areas of home & building automation. CABA's resources
cover areas such as HVAC, lighting, security, A/V, communications technologies,
energy management and controls. A number of resources are available through the
association including iHomes & Buildings magazine, research, CABA's forums,
CABA's monthly eBulletin, Information Series reports, Event Reports and the
CABA web site. Please visit www.caba.org for
further information.
About InfoComm International
InfoComm International is the international trade association of the
professional audiovisual and information communications industries. Established
in 1939, InfoComm has over 4,100 members, including manufacturers, systems
integrators, dealers and distributors, independent consultants, programmers,
rental and staging companies, end-users and multimedia professionals from more
than 70 countries. InfoComm International is the leading resource for AV market
research and news. Its training and education programs, along with its
separately administered Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) and corporately
administered Certified Audiovisual Solutions Provider (CAVSP) company
credentials, set a standard of excellence for AV professionals. InfoComm
International is the founder of InfoComm, the largest annual conference and
exhibition for AV buyers and sellers worldwide. InfoComm also produces trade
shows in Europe, Asia, and
AFL Telecommunications And Leviton Announce A Marketing & System Integration Alliance To Support Fiber-to-the-Home
AFL Telecommunications, a division of Fujikura Ltd., is an industry leader in
providing fiber optic products, engineering expertise and integrated services
to the telecommunications industry. AFL manufactures, engineers and installs
the fiber optic products and equipment that communications providers need to
provide high-speed voice, video, and data services to their customers. AFL’s
extensive experience in both design and application crosses all markets, from
Telco, Broadband and Wireless, to Electric Utility, OEM and Private Networks.
Visit us at www.afltele.com.
Established in 1906, Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc. is one of the world’s
most diversified electrical manufacturing companies. Leviton has more than
thirty facilities dedicated to engineering, manufacturing and distribution of
over 25,000 products for nearly every connectivity need. Leviton’s Voice &
Data division is dedicated to producing complete copper, fiber and wireless
network infrastructure solutions for enterprise, data center, and service
provider applications.
www.levitonvoicedata.com
SMP Participates In Industry’s First 10GBASE-T 100 Meter Bit Error Rate Validation Testing With Solarflare
Bi-directional Ethernet traffic was sent over Solarflare’s 10GBASE-T link using
two 10Gb/s traffic generators with XAUI interfaces. At the same time,
bi-directional 10GBASE-T traffic was running on all six neighboring channels
simulating a worst-case alien crosstalk environment. All channels were
configured for the maximum 100m length with four connectors in accordance with
IEEE 802.3an 10GBASE-T standard and the draft TIA 568-B.2-10 Augmented Category
6 standard. There were no CRC errors in the received frames on both ends over
several hours of testing.
Participating with Solarflare to provide representative channel configurations
for the first functional testing of 10GBASE-T over Category 6A cabling
demonstrates SMP’s ongoing commitment to provide state-of-the-art connectivity
products. These products not only exceed
compliance to industry standards but are proven to perform as demonstrated by
Solarflare’s 10GBASE-T validation testing.
Hitachi Introduces Streaming Media Software Technology for Digital Video Recording Products
Distributor’s Impact on Contractor’s Profitability - Part II: The Contractors
Anixter's 2007 Communications Products Catalog Now Available
How Savvy Contractors Boost Their Estimating Productivity
Corning Introduces Handheld Fusion Splicers
Individuals Recognized At BICSI Annual Awards Banquet
CABA Releases Micro & Small Business Needs Assessment Study
CABA is the only industry association to offer industry intelligence to
stakeholders in all areas of home & building automation. CABA's resources
cover areas such as HVAC, lighting, security, A/V, communications technologies,
energy management and controls. A number of resources are available through the
association including iHomes & Buildings magazine, research, CABA's forums,
CABA's monthly eBulletin, Information Series reports, Event Reports and the
CABA web site. www.caba.org
Teknor Color Company Introduces Large Range Of RoHS-Compliant Color Concentrates For Wire And Cable
Ortronics/Legrand Introduces Clarity10G Six-Port Module Patch Panels
HAI Snap-Link Wins 2007 CES Innovations Design And Engineering Award
ADC Introduces Size-Reduced Augmented Category 6 UTP Cable - CopperTen; TrueNet
Cable Employs Patented AirES Technology
The TrueNet Structured Cabling System, a highly reliable, end-to-end system, is
designed to meet the unique network infrastructure needs of enterprises, backed
by the industry's only true Zero Bit-Error Warranty that guarantees signal
integrity and network throughput. Featuring proven cable, connectivity, and
cable management solutions for Fiber, 10 Gigabit Ethernet over UTP, and
Category 6/5e from the data center to the desktop, TrueNet is installed in
high-performance networks worldwide. www.adc.com/truenet
Minuteman® Endeavor On-line Uninterruptible Power Supply Sets A New Standard For Flexibility, Capacity and Value
Capital Electric Construction Co. Showcases Design For Top U.S. Facility
TIA Report: Broadband Demand Drives Highest Telecom Industry Growth Since 2000
Each year, TIA’s Telecommunications Market Review and Forecast analyzes
the trends affecting the information and communications technology industry.
The report includes an overview of the entire industry, as well as detailed
sections on the landline, wireless, equipment and international markets.
TIA’s annual review of the health of the telecom industry shows that the U.S.
market grew 9.3 percent in 2006 to total $923 billion in revenue, and the
worldwide telecommunications market grew 11.2 percent to total $3 trillion.
Demand for broadband and high-speed services is fueling this growth, as
carriers invest in new fiber, new IP technology and new wireless infrastructure
to provide state-of-the-art voice, video and data services.
“Consumers are thirsty for broadband, and this report shows carriers are
rushing to meet the demand,” said Grant Seiffert, TIA president. “Technologies
like voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) and broadband video, as well as new
mobile data services, are sparking new growth in the telecommunications
industry. As a result, carriers are offering more competitive all-in-one
bundled packages, and consumers are seeing lower prices and more services.”
The publication reports that the U.S. market continues its transition, as both
landline and wireless providers upgrade their networks to offer bundled and
high-speed services to consumers. As a result, the U.S. network and enterprise
equipment markets experienced a double-digit increase in revenue for the third straight
year in 2006. Accelerated fiber deployment is a principal catalyst for the
market expansion.
The report forecasts growth for competing new broadband technologies such as
fiber, satellite, wireless and broadband over powerline, which combined will
account for more than 11 percent of broadband subscribers in 2010. However, in
2006, cable modems and digital subscriber line (DSL) technology continued to
dominate the U.S. market, capturing 96 percent of the broadband market, which
in 2005 overtook dial-up access service. By 2010, 87 percent of Internet
connections will be over broadband technology.
Broadband video is one driving force behind deployment of the state-of-the-art
fiber needed to carry the high-capacity signal for this new technology, which
allows telephone carriers to provide a TV service comparable to cable TV. More
than 12 million miles of fiber were deployed in 2006, up 9.1 percent from 2005,
with nearly 10 million miles being deployed by the telephone companies.
While growth in voice traffic continues to stimulate the wireless market, data
and multimedia applications will drive wireless revenues in the future. Though
accounting for just 10 percent of U.S. wireless revenue in 2006, wireless data
and multimedia services are forecast to make up 24 percent of all wireless
revenue by 2010. Accordingly, wireless carriers are investing in network
upgrades to boost speed and availability.
Growth is expected in VoIP, as the broadband-based phone technology is forecast
to make up 34 percent of all U.S. residential landlines by 2010, or 25.5
million subscribers, up from just 10 percent and 9.5 million subscribers in
2006. A majority of cable telephone subscriptions use VoIP.
More U.S. businesses are using communication systems based on Internet protocol
technology. The adoption of IP-based “converged” enterprise network equipment
has surged during the past two years as leases of legacy equipment have
expired, the report says. IP/converged systems are expected to overtake
traditional enterprise systems by 2009.
Worldwide, Europe has the largest telecommunications market, measuring at $1
trillion, with the U.S. second at $923 billion and Asia/Pacific third at $715
billion. Overall, the international market grew 12.1 percent in 2006. Middle
East/Africa was the fastest- growing region, expanding at 21.6 percent. By
2010, the global market is expected to reach $4.3 trillion in revenue.
TIA represents the information and communications technology industry, and its
members represent the entire telecommunications supply chain, from
infrastructure provider to device maker.
www.tiaonline.org
CrossBow Upcoming Certification Classes In The month Of February 2007
|
BICSI Technician |
Fiber Optics Certification |
|
CrossBow Communication has
an upcoming BICSI Technician Class scheduled as follows: When: February 12th
2007 – February17th 2007 Where: 1245 South Winchester Blvd,
Suite 210, San Jose, CA - 95128 Price: $1500.00 (Including Exam
Fee and Handouts) Sign-Up Methods: Call: 408-392-0016 /
1-888-310-0013 Online: http://www.crossbowcom.com/register.html |
Details of the Fiber Optics
class leading to ACES International certification is as follows: When: February 26th
2007 – February 28th 2007 Where: 1245 South Winchester Blvd,
Suite 210, San Jose, CA - 95128 Price: $1345.00 (including exam
fee and including study guide) Sign-Up Methods: Call: 408-392-0016 /
1-888-310-0013 Online: http://www.crossbowcom.com/register.html |
Ask about our group discounts.
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