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BISBEE’S BUZZ Everybody’s turning GREEN Everybody’s
turning GREEN. Turning GREEN seems to be on the agenda for almost all industry
sectors. Over the past few months we have witnessed an amazing shift from
business as usual to “look at our new environmentally friendly
whatchamacallit.” Are all these business and manufacturers really going green
or have they just turned the green tinted light on the same old products. The
answer is YES & NO. Some
companies are making a genuine effort to bring better safer and more
environmentally friendly products to the market, while some companies are doing
the smoke and mirrors act on existing products. Determining which is which is a
challenge. One thing is certain: we must also deal with the consequences of
many years of “ignoring toxic products and hazardous materials”. For more than
40 years, the cable manufacturers have used halogenated products that pose a
substantial risk to public safety and public health. Fluoropolymers, PVC
compounds containing harmful phthalates in the plasticizers and heavy metals
like LEAD in the stabilizers are contained in almost all of the 9 million miles
of cable in the American workplace. Many of today’s current buildings are like
big fishbowls with Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Indoor Environmental Quality
(IEQ) reaching or approaching unhealthy levels for the occupants. The code
developing bodies (www.nfpa.org) have
virtually ignored the toxicity issues as they set up the Fire Protection Codes
for the Looking for
the REAL GREEN? Don’t get sucked in by the “Associations” that are nothing more
than spin doctors and shills for companies that want to perpetuate their reign
of profits at any prices. Get on the Internet and check out the bonafide
associations, like U S Green Building Council www.usgbc.org and The Environmental Working Group www.ewg.org.
There is still plenty of gold in the REAL GREEN. But that’s
just my opinion, Frank Bisbee Industry News 2008 Anixter Seminar Series: The IP Connected
Create an environment of control. Anixter, Inc., a world's leading provider of
communications products used to connect voice, video, data and security
systems, will host its ninth annual Seminar Series: The IP Connected
Enterprise. The seminars will explore the emerging trends, technologies and
concepts behind the worldwide movement toward network convergence. Redefine the
way that people and their environment interact by learning how seamlessly
integrated building and user systems provide real-time control and monitoring
of any device, signal or multifunction legacy system. By directly bridging all
of a building's principal systems onto a single network, The IP Connected
Enterprise provides two-way communication sharing between devices, controllers
and systems regardless of location. Spanning 20
cities in In addition to the presentation, guests
will have the opportunity to: o
Visit one-on-one with some of Anixter's top manufacturer partners in a trade show setting o
Qualify to receive BICSI and National Burglar & Fire Alarm
Association continuing education credits o
Enter a raffle drawing for a chance to win one of several free prizes. These
seminars are open to anyone interested in learning how the latest products,
technologies and standards can merge building and user systems into a single IP
network. Benefiting Chief Information Officers, Chief Security Officers, IS and
telecommunications managers, LAN administrators, security integrators and
directors, network technicians or anyone involved in the design, specification,
acquisition or administration of LAN cabling infrastructures, these seminars
will directly address the challenges facing today's networks. Registration
begins at 11:30 a.m., and the event includes a complimentary lunch buffet.
There is no cost associated with the seminar; however, space is limited. Each
seminar will conclude with a free raffle drawing at 4 p.m. Daily Agenda 11:30 a.m.
1:00 p.m. Registration
Exhibits Open
Buffet Lunch 1:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
Presentation: Exploring Issues Associated with Migration to
Intelligent Information Networks 2:00 p.m.
2:15 p.m.
Break
Exhibits Open 2:15 p.m.
3:15 p.m. Presentation: Infrastructure
Solutions for the IP
Connected 3:15 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
Exhibits Open Raffle Drawing The IP Connected Enterprise is currently
scheduled for the following cities: April 24 May 1 May 15 Adelphi, May 29
June 3 June 5 June 19 June 26 July 10 July 24 July 31 August 14 August 21 September 4 September 11 September 25 October 2 October 23 November 6 November 13 To view the
schedule, register for a seminar, or to simply get more information and
updates, visit Anixter's Web site at anixter.com/events or contact Mary Cathlin
Sullivan at 224-521-4181. About
Anixter Anixter
International is a leading global distributor of communication products,
electrical and electronic wire & cable and a leading distributor of
fasteners and other small parts ("C" Class inventory components) to
Original Equipment Manufacturers. The company adds value to the distribution
process by providing its customers access to 1) innovative inventory management
programs, 2) more than 400,000 products and over $1 billion in inventory, 3)
218 warehouses with more than 6 million square feet of space, and 4) locations
in 249 cities in 49 countries. Founded in 1957 and headquartered near ********************************* Belden extends CEO Stroup's employment agreement Belden Inc.
and President and CEO John Stroup entered into an employment agreement that
extends Stroup's contract to October 2011 and increases his annual base salary
to $700,000 from $600,000, according to a regulatory filing Monday with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The amended
agreement also calls for annual extensions after October 2011 and grants him a
retention stock option award of approximately $3 million. Stroup will
continue to be entitled to participate in the company's annual cash incentive
plan at an annual target cash incentive of at least 130 percent of his base
salary and in the company's long-term incentive plan. www.belden.com ********************************* Berk-Tek Demonstrates First Simultaneous 10G and 1G Channels In the Same Pathway Berk-Tek, a
Nexans Company, an innovative leader in copper and fiber optic cable
technology, is demonstrating at Data Center World in Booth #326 (April 1-2), a
continuous live 10GBASE-T network transmission over a 100-meter NetClear GTX
channel consisting of Berk-Tek’s LANmark-10G2 Augmented Category 6 cable. At the same time, a demonstration of 1
Gigabit transmission over a NetClear GT2 channel is being shown utilizing the
Berk-Tek LANmark-1000 Category 6, which is interwoven on the same reel. “This is the first real-time demonstration of
Category 6 and Category 6a UTP cables intermingled in the same pathway
successfully transmitting simultaneous Gigabit and 10Gigabit Ethernet signals,”
states Todd Harpel, Director of Marketing for Berk-Tek, a Nexans Company. The
live three-minute exhibit visually contrasts a 10GBASE-T network operating on a
NetClear GTX Category 6A channel sending the equivalent of 200 CDs worth of
data with a parallel 1000BASE-T 1 Gigabit Ethernet system operating over a
NetClear GT3, Category 6+ UTP channel, that sends the equivalent of 28 CDs in
the same amount of time. This
demonstration is the culmination of previous research conducted by the The www.berktek.com. - www.nexans.com
********************************* “CCTV Convergence” Seminar Series Berk-Tek, a
Nexans Company (manufacturer of copper and fiber cable products),
Ortronics/Legrand (manufacturer of structured cabling connectivity and physical
support products), NVT (manufacturer of CCTV video and camera power
transmission equipment (PVD) for convergence to UTP), JVC (manufacturer of
analog and IP cameras and Network Video Recorders (NVRs) and S2 Security (hardware and software
manufacturer for access control and integrated security systems) combined their
expertise in the security market to host a seminar, “CCTV Convergence,” held in
February at the Affinia Manhattan Hotel, New York City, for over 100 security
and I.T. integrators and end users. This
seminar and trade show focused on the physical cabling and component
requirements for network integration as CCTV progresses from legacy analog,
through a hybrid scenario to total IP.
Because of its success, two more seminars have been planned for In addition
to the educational presentations by all the aforementioned participating
companies, there was a hands-on demo that included separate analog and IP-based
camera system. Each camera ran through a
real 100-meter UTP NetClear structured cabling channel – Category 5e for the
analog cameras and Category 6 for IP.
The analog demo utilized the NVT video and camera power transmission
equipment (PVD) to convert the analog camera’s coax media to UTP. The IP demo included IP cameras, connected
with RJ-45 jacks and the S2 NetBox access control, all powered by PoE (Power
over Ethernet) midspan injector through the UTP cable. The two demos were
connected with one fiber optic cable, which allowed them to share the same
monitor and reside on the same network, through the JVC hybrid DVR. “As CCTV is
quickly moving from analog to an IP-based network, we realize there is a lack
of education being provided on the how’s, when’s and why’s of these emerging
trends,” states Geoffrey Anderson, National Marketing Manager for JVC. “By
bringing together experts on cabling, active equipment, components and even
access control, we provided insight on preparing today’s network for tomorrow’s
applications,” he adds. “Through IP
convergence, previously separate networking functions, including data, video
and power, are now being connected together over one standardized structured
cabling network to allow the sharing of resources, which provides a higher
level of network efficiency, while increasing the network’s return on
investment,” states Carol Everett Oliver, RCDD, Marketing Analyst for Berk-Tek,
a Nexans Company. Together Ortronics/Legrand and Berk-Tek, a Nexans Company,
have expanded their NetClear structured cabling solutions for enterprises to
include security and surveillance applications through the new NetClear ESS
program. “As part of NetClear ESS,
Berk-Tek and Ortronics are teaming up with associated vendors in the CCTV
realm, such as camera manufacturers, such as JVC, and active component
manufacturers, such as NVT and S2, to offer proven integrated solution sets for
both I.T. managers and security integrators,” notes Chris Adams, Marketing
Manager for Ortronics/Legrand. NVT is in
the business of transmitting CCTV video and supplying camera power over
unshielded twisted pair wire via structured cabling networks. “NVT provides
products, solutions and support to Berk-Tek and Ortronics/Legrand to educate
the market on the transition as analog CCTV moves from a coax-based
infrastructure to UTP-based,” states George Wojtan, Datacom Market Manager,
NVT. “Together our products will allow installers and end-users to benefit from
the performance, cost savings, simplicity, and future proofing of structured
cabling,” he adds. “Selecting
the right camera for the right installation and environment can be
overwhelming,” states Adrian Parvulescu, Product Manager for Security Cameras
for JVC. “Integrators should be aware of
the differences in camera qualities that can drastically affect performance and
signal integrity – for both analog and IP,” he adds. In addition, JVC offers a line of Network
Video Recorders and storage devices for analog, IP and hybrid (combination of
both). S2 Security
develops a unique line of open architecture, scalable, IP network-ready
products that integrate access control, alarm monitoring, video surveillance
and temperature monitoring. “Going
beyond CCTV means that eventually all building automation systems can reside on
an IP-based network,” states John Moss, CEO and Founder of S2. “The simplest form of integration is a 100%
Web-based user interface, which is the core of all S2 security systems.” Attendees
of future shows may register at www.jvcseminar.com About the NetClear About
Berk-Tek, a Nexans Company Berk-Tek Contact: Carol Everett Oliver Direct Tel: 717-682-7336 E-mail: carol.oliver@nexans.com About
Ortronics/Legrand ********************************* Coleman Technologies, Inc. Renews ATP - Outdoor Wireless Mesh from Cisco Systems Coleman
Technologies, Inc (CTI) is pleased to announce that it has renewed
the Outdoor Wireless Mesh specialization from Cisco Systems. The Cisco
Outdoor Wireless Mesh Specialization recognizes a select group of partners for
their knowledge and expertise in selling, designing, installing, and supporting
advanced Wireless solutions. According to Cisco’s official website,
“Outdoor Mesh is a new technology solution that addresses an emerging market,
specifically municipal WiFi. Chosen ATP Outdoor Mesh Partners must have proven
history of successful outdoor RF/Radio deployments. These deployments could be
point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, or mesh. The brand of installed equipment
is not as important as the knowledge and experience of providing outdoor RF
installations. Also the partner must have the ability to provide outdoor
wireless operation and support services.” “Coleman
Technologies, Inc. has once again followed through in their drive to be the
world’s best systems engineering and integration company. Cisco’s
advanced specializations have rigorous requirements only the most-qualified
partners in terms of technical excellence and customer satisfaction can
achieve, and CTI has exceeded these expectations time and again,” says Randy
Olsson, Director of Network Engineering at Coleman Technologies. “This is
an outstanding accomplishment for Coleman Technologies. Coleman
Technologies continues to excel by following a rigid methodology founded on its
aerospace heritage and employing the most talented team of network engineers,
project management, sales and support personnel in the industry. By
continuing to adopt and develop new technologies in this innovative business,
CTI will continue its tremendous level of success.” Recognition. Coleman
Technologies is among the most highly certified Cisco partners in the world and
has achieved virtually all advanced technology specializations from
Cisco. CTI is also one of the only partners worldwide to attain both
Unified Communications and Security Master Specializations from Cisco
Systems. These and other specializations will continue to be recognized
on the Partner Locator section of Cisco’s website. http://www.colemantechnologies.com ********************************* CommScope Enterprise Solutions’ SYSTIMAX® InstaPATCH® Cu Solution gives high-performance networks a fast, reliable answer CommScope
Enterprise Solutions, a division of CommScope, Inc. (NYSE:CTV), announces the
release of its SYSTIMAX® InstaPATCH Cu cabling solution for data center
environments in the North America (NAR) and Caribbean and Latin American (CALA)
regions. The SYSTIMAX InstaPATCH Cu Solution is designed to provide a
hassle-free installation in a fraction of the time required by traditional
implementation methods. To better meet the goal of this design as well as
customers’ unique specifications, CommScope conducts pre-terminating,
pre-testing and customizing of the copper cabling solution. For
networks utilizing Category 6 and 6A cabling, the SYSTIMAX InstaPATCH Cu
Solution includes pre-measured cable, pre-terminated connecting hardware,
pre-placed source-destination labels, prepared port configuration and
pre-bundled cables – which support quality installations at a rapid speed. These measures help CommScope’s
BusinessPartners provide customers with the intelligent network infrastructure
solutions they need in the shortest time possible. “At CommScope we understand that network
infrastructures are unique, so our representatives work closely with IT
managers to understand their data center and network needs,” said Mark
Peterson, senior vice president, global marketing, of the CommScope Enterprise
division. “Once an evaluation is complete, together with our BusinessPartners,
we prepare the pre-terminated solution and test every harness and port to
ensure that each component meets our highest standards. From there, our
BusinessPartners are able to perform fast installations.” The
SYSTIMAX InstaPATCH Cu Solution is supported by CommScope’s 20-year commitment
to performance, providing its customers with intelligent reliable solutions
backed by a CommScope guarantee – a warranty unique to the industry.
Additionally, CommScope will provide customers factory test reports for each
harness assembly verifying the built-in performance levels of the system. The
solution is applicable in the horizontal, backbone, switch applications and
throughout the data center. Source-destination labeling, pre-termination and
plug-to-plug capability dramatically reduce the amount of time needed to
implement a solution. This flexible harness system allows customers to select
assemblies from 1 to 24 ports on each end.
A special device called a SwitchPack combines multiple plug ends (4, 6,
8, 12 or 16) into a single unit which can easily be plugged into a high density
switch or server at one time optimizing connection speed. “We want to
offer customers a simple, high-security installation—and we believe that the
SYSTIMAX InstaPATCH Cu Solution is another CommScope innovation that provides
peace-of-mind,” said Peterson. “Companies can rest assured that they’re
receiving cutting-edge technology before the installation team even arrives.
And when the installation team does arrive, it won’t be long before the
high-performance network is fully functional and ready to go.” CommScope
Enterprise Solutions, a division of CommScope, Inc., offers a complete
portfolio of network infrastructure solutions that enable enterprise customers,
regardless of size, industry or IT budget, to take advantage of business and
technology opportunities. The division’s SYSTIMAX® and Uniprise® product lines
offer voice, data, video and converged solutions ranging from mission-critical,
high-bandwidth and emerging applications to applications that demand
unrelenting reliability and quality for everyday needs. Backed by CommScope
Labs and a 20-year extended warranty, the product lines are delivered through a
global channel network of industry leading BusinessPartners and distributors
ensuring a consistent and high-level of service and support worldwide. http://www.commscope.com ********************************* Corning Holds Grand Opening Ceremony for LCD Glass Plant in China Corning
Incorporated (NYSE:GLW - News) today hosted a grand
opening ceremony for the company’s new liquid crystal display (LCD) glass
substrate manufacturing facility in the People’s Republic of China. The plant, located in the Beijing Economic Technological
Development Area, is the company’s first TFT-LCD glass production facility on
the “Today marks the latest chapter in John P. Bayne, president, Corning Display Technologies China,
hosted the grand opening celebration, together with Weeks and James P. Clappin,
president, Corning Display Technologies. “As an industry leader in TFT-LCD glass and other advanced display
products, Previously, ********************************* Corning Receives Verizon’s 2007 Supplier Excellence
Award Corning
Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) today announced that The Verizon
Supplier Excellence Awards Program acknowledges companies that support
Verizon’s commitment to continuous improvement of quality and service to its
customers through a passion for excellence. Criteria for winning includes
quality of service, year-over- year growth, a commitment to supplier diversity,
meeting and exceeding performance metrics, providing cost management solutions
and excellent customer service. “Verizon is
focused on delivering the best customer experience, so we expect the highest
quality service from our vendors, which keeps us focused on the business of
serving our customers,” said George Dowell, vice president of Supply Chain
Services, Verizon Services Operations. Corning Cable Systems is among 10
vendors that have received a 2007 Verizon Supplier Excellence Award for
delivering advanced products and services and for consistently demonstrating a
commitment to excellence. “Receiving
a Supplier Excellence Award from Verizon is a great honor for Corning Cable
Systems,” said Mike Genovese, senior vice president and general manager,
commercial operations for Corning Cable Systems. “We look forward to continuing
to provide a superior level of quality and service to Verizon and its
customers.” For
additional information on Corning Cable Systems products and services, contact
a customer
service representative at 1-800-743-2675, toll free in the ********************************* ELECTEC Building Wiring Systems welcomes manufacturer’s
representatives ELECTEC
Ltd. (www.electeconline.com), a
Canadian innovator of Manufactured Wiring Systems proudly welcomes new
manufacturer’s representatives to the fold.
Innotech
Solutions Inc. (www.innotechsolutions.ca)
and WestRep Marketing Inc. (www.westrepmarketing.com)
represent Electec’s Next Generation in
Wiring Systems, introducing EZ-Cabling to networking professionals and
engineering consultants in two of “It is with
great pleasure and excitement that we welcome this select group of industry
professionals to our family.” VP
Business Development, Chris Pezoulas continues, “Our relationships are very
important to us and together with our growing network of knowledgeable and
professional sales representatives we endeavor to provide consistently high
levels of innovation, service and value.” EZ-Cabling
is a pre-terminated copper cabling solution that offers an unprecedented level
of safety, reliability and re-usability through its non-combustible cable
construction, verified performance guarantee and unique modular design
concept. The ease of
installation and maintenance makes EZ-Cabling an intelligent choice for an
environmentally responsible cabling infrastructure that is re-useable and
re-locatable. Using EZ-Cabling as a
horizontal cabling infrastructure prevents troublesome and potentially toxic
abandoned cable from accumulating in air-handling spaces. ********************************* New JackRapid Termination Tool Terminates Jacks 8 Times Faster, Making Single-Purpose Tools Obsolete Fluke Networks, provider of innovative Network SuperVision
Solutions™ for the testing, monitoring and analysis of enterprise and
telecommunications networks, today announced the newly redesigned JackRapid™
termination tool. This groundbreaking tool lets technicians install jacks up to
8 times faster than with traditional punchdown tools. Users can terminate
and trim all eight wires in a jack at once with one easy squeeze, reducing the
time spent on the job and saving labor costs. JackRapid's new ergonomically designed handle requires less effort
when performing the punchdown process, reducing hand fatigue and allowing more
jacks to be punched down faster. The new handle also includes a built-in
wire jacket stripper. With JackRapid's jacket stripper and the ability to
precisely trim all 8 wires without separate snips, installers need fewer tools
at the job site. The built-in stripper and consistent punchdown action
also combine to improve the overall quality level of the job while time to
completion goes down. In an installation of 1000 jacks, a standard single-wire punchdown
tool may require 29 labor hours at an average project cost of approximately
$1,445 USD. The same installation job utilizing JackRapid requires 10
hours at an average project cost of approximately $500 USD. Compared to
the traditional single-wire punchdown tools, JackRapid can cut installation
time and cost by 2/3. JackRapid’s patented design features an interchangeable
termination head that holds the jack in place. Different style heads
accommodate jack styles from most popular manufacturers. The termination
head uses a wall-friendly design to that makes close-to-wall installations far
easier than with other types of tools. ********************************* HCM Introduces Category 6 ECOTM Line of Cables< HCM is
pleased to announce the launch of its new smaller diameter Category
6 cable, Category 6 ECOTM. Category 6 ECOTM is
manufactured without a center filler and has an outside diameter that is
similar to that of Category 5e cable.
The smaller outside diameter can help reduce installation costs by
permitting the owner to install more Category 6 cables per conduit or tray than
could be installed if using typical Category 6 cables. This new
construction, which is UL verified for performance and exceeds the requirements
for Category 6, is a result of knowledge gained during the development of HCM’s
Category 6A cable, Supra 10TM, said Steven Kenney, Marketing
Manager for HCM. “We are very excited
about this new product,” he adds. “Not
only does it offer the Category 6 performance that our customers require, but
it does so using substantially less material. This also translates into a
smaller impact on the environment when the product reaches the end of its life
cycle. To reduce the environmental
impact even further, we designed packaging that was made with 100% post
consumer cardboard. We believe this is
the most environmentally friendly Category 6 cable on the market.” The
Category 6 ECOTM is manufactured at HCM’s About HCM HCM,
located in To learn
more about HCM products, please contact HCM toll free at 800-772-0116 or visit
the HCM website at www.hcm.hitachi.com. ********************************* General Cable Announces Long-Haul Submarine Fiber Optic Award General
Cable Corporation (NYSE: BGC - News) reported today that its
subsidiary, Norddeutsche Seekablewerke GmbH (NSW), has been awarded its first
submarine long-haul repeatered fiber optic communications link project. The communications link
will stretch through the Mediterranean Sea from General Cable acquired
NSW in April 2007 and began an investment program to expand the capability of
the facility to include submarine power cables and repeatered submarine
communications cable. NSW is located on a tributary of the NSW, headquartered in General Cable 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, and communications markets. Visit our website at www.generalcable.com. ********************************* Graybar’s Kathleen Mazzarella Joins Industry Leaders on NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence Board Graybar, a
leading distributor of electrical and communications products and related
supply chain management and logistics services, announced today that Kathleen
M. Mazzarella, senior vice president – sales and marketing, comm/data, was
elected to the board of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
(NAW) Institute for Distribution Excellence During her
four-year commitment, Mazzarella will work with other board members to enhance
the wholesale distribution industry and drive efficiencies in the distribution
channel. The board’s projects include producing a report on future trends in
wholesale distribution entitled “Facing the Forces of Change” and research on
other strategic issues. The NAW Institute board is a hybrid organization
including 15 additional representatives from companies in the wholesale
distribution industry and associations that serve wholesale distributors. “Graybar
has been active with NAW for a number of years, and we are pleased about
Kathy’s involvement in the NAW Institute,” said Robert A. Reynolds Jr.,
chairman, president and chief executive officer of Graybar. “At Graybar, we pride ourselves on constantly
looking for ways to improve the distribution industry. Kathy’s commitment to the NAW Institute board
enables Graybar to further collaborate with industry leaders to develop best
practices that bring greater value to our customers.” NAW
Institute board members work to produce industry research and education to
support excellence in distribution. They focus on providing the information
wholesalers and distributors need to continuously improve their
profitability and business processes, including supply chain management and
distribution trends. http://graybar.com/ ********************************* Graybar Vice President Named to Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) Board Michael C.
Dumas Joins Technology Leaders to Enhance Industry’s Business Environment Graybar, a
leading distributor of electrical and communications products and related
supply chain management and logistics services, announced today that Michael C.
Dumas, vice president comm/data business, recently joined the
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) Board of Directors. Dumas and
his fellow board members provide direction and guidance to the association over
a three-year term. Board members attend triannual meetings, contribute to
various committees, such as legislation and technology, and maintain
communications with TIA leadership. The 34-member board includes CEOs,
presidents and other senior executives from industry-leading technology
companies. “We are proud of our long affiliation with
TIA, and Mike’s role on the board reflects our strong commitment to the
telecommunications industry,” said Kathy Mazzarella, senior vice president,
sales and marketing, comm/data at Graybar. “Mike’s leadership and service will
enable Graybar to make an even greater contribution to the future of the
industry.” TIA members
work to enhance the business environment for thousands of companies focused on
broadband development and deployment, information technology, Internet Protocol
(IP) solutions, and the convergence of voice, data and video applications.
Graybar has been a member of TIA since its inception. Prior to
becoming vice president of Graybar’s communications and data business in 2005,
Dumas held a variety of management positions at the company in corporate
accounts, electrical sales and finance.
He holds a B.S. degree in General Business Administration from ********************************* Graybar Surpasses $5.25 Billion in 2007 Sales Graybar,
one of the nation’s leading distributors of electrical and communications
products and related supply chain management and logistics services, has
announced that it exceeded $5.25 billion in net sales during 2007, an increase
of nearly $250 million, or 5 percent, over 2006. The company also posted net
income of more than $83 million, up $26 million, or 45 percent, from the
previous year. Income from
operations totaled more than $161 million, nearly $40 million, or 33 percent,
more than in 2006. The company also reported significantly lower debt levels,
which led to reduced interest expense, and finished the year in a strong cash
position. “We had a banner year in 2007 with record
sales and profitability,” said Robert A. Reynolds Jr., chairman, president and
chief executive officer of Graybar. “Our
investments in technology and commitment to organic growth enabled us to
improve our bottom-line results.” Graybar’s
Enterprise Resource Planning system continues to help the company boost
productivity and rapidly respond to changing market conditions. The information
technology platform provides Graybar’s nationwide locations with valuable
business data in real-time to enable quick and efficient asset and supply chain
management. “Our strong
year-end results reflect the exceptional customer service our employees and
employee-owners provide. We continue to
raise the bar on performance and value for our customers,” added Reynolds. The company
looks forward to building on the year’s momentum with continued sales growth
and profitability in 2008. http://graybar.com/ ********************************* Leviton is First in Industry to Meet TIA Component Requirements for CAT 6A Connector Independent testing completed and
announced as TIA standard is ratified Leviton
Network Solutions announces the industry's first Augmented Category 6 (CAT 6A)
connector independently tested by Intertek/ETL to exceed component performance
as defined in the recently finalized ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.2-10 standard. This new
standard defines performance and testing requirements up to 500 MHz for
Augmented Category 6 (Cat 6A) cabling systems to support the operation of IEEE
802.3an 10GBASE-T applications up to 100 meters. The TIA standard was approved
for publication at the TIA TR42 engineering committee on February 8, 2008 and
is expected to be available to the public from IHS, Inc. (www.ihs.com), TIA's
exclusive document distributor this month. “Achieving
component CAT 6A performance is extremely significant because it translates
directly into greater performance margins in field testing of permanent links
and channels”, explains Keith Kosanovich, RCDD, Leviton's Sr. Product Manager
for Copper Systems. “With greater margins above the CAT 6A limits, Leviton
customers can be confident they are installing the highest performing CAT 6A
structured cabling system available.” Category 6A components are fully backward
compatible with all previous categories, including Category 6 and Category 5e,
providing a smooth migration path to future high-speed applications such as
10GBASE-T. In order to
achieve this performance, Leviton developed proprietary internal technologies
that minimize Alien Crosstalk in the connector and in the channel. In addition,
the Leviton CAT6A Connector utilizes a patented Cone of Silence ® which
effectively eliminates Alien Crosstalk between connectors in patching and work
area applications. Leviton's
connector is an integral component of their complete CAT 6A cable and
connectivity solution. This advanced solution provides guaranteed channel
margins over the TIA standard in both short distances, typically found in data
center applications, and longer distances common in traditional enterprise applications
to the work area. www.leviton.com ********************************* The Light Brigade’s June 2008 Training Schedule Fiber
Optics 1-2-3 This course focuses on how to design, install, test and
maintain fiber optic communication systems for voice, video and data
applications. The course consists of two days of classroom content and two
optional days of hands-on practices. Course material and techniques taught are
based on ITU, TIA/EIA, IEEE, Telcordia and ANSI standards. Class participants will
learn to understand and effectively use any manufacturer's equipment or product
designed to conform to these widely accepted standards.
Advanced
Hands-on Modules These intensive one-day fiber optic training courses were
developed as the next level of training for those who require more advanced
skills and experience with major fiber optic disciplines and equipment. Each of
the five modules focuses on a specific discipline and incorporates concentrated
hands-on exercises. Module 1: Fiber Optic Cable
Preparation, Patch Panels & Splice Closures Module 2: Fiber Optic Connectorization Module 3: Optical Loss Testing, Troubleshooting &
Documentation Module 4: OTDR Theory, Operation & Emergency Restoration Module 5: Fiber Optic Splicing (Fusion & Mechanical)
FTTx for
Installers and Planners This course focuses on how to design, install, test and
maintain fiber optic communication systems for voice, video and data
applications. The course consists of two days of classroom content and two
optional days of hands-on practices. Course material and techniques taught are
based on ITU, TIA/EIA, IEEE, Telcordia and ANSI standards. Class participants
will learn to understand and effectively use any manufacturer's equipment or
product designed to conform to these widely accepted standards.
********************************* Autodesk Subcontractor Partners With McCormick Systems McCormick
Systems and Autodesk® Subcontractor
have successfully integrated their systems – thanks in large part to the recent
separate introductions of McCormick’s V9.0 software and Autodesk® Subcontractor
2009. What that
means: Contractors using McCormick to estimate electrical
and/or ABS jobs and Subcontractor 2009 to optimize, standardize and automate
their business processes will now save time, avoid error, and seamlessly
transfer data from the estimating to the project management side. “We chose McCormick Systems as our partner in this
effort because we feel they go about construction estimating the right
way," said Jeff Burmeister, product manager for Autodesk® Subcontractor.
“Autodesk is the leading software developer in the
construction industry,” said Todd McCormick, president of McCormick Systems. “We’ve
created a solid foundation. We think we can build on this start, together, for
the benefit of our mutual clients.” www.mccormicksys.com ********************************* Megladon Solves Megladon Manufacturing Group, LTD.
announces the deployment of its highly regarded Bend Insensitive HLC™ Fiber
Optic Patch Cords for use by network installers. The integration of HLC
connectors and Bend Insensitive Glass have combined to produce one of the most
reliable, long lasting, efficient patch cords that greatly reduces intermittent
failures, which are a nemesis for network managers. “Ruggedized” Fiber Optic
Patch Cords are a must. Scott Fairbairn, President of
American Communication Solutions (www.amcomsolutions.com) said these “super
tough patch cords hold up better than anything else on
the market” “ Megladon’s Bend Insensitive HLC™ low
maintenance solution is dust and scratch resistant which provides an
extended life span and lessens the frequency of scheduled replacements saving
network managers time and money. The product also emphasizes its compatibility
with existing connectors, thus making it the only choice for replacement and
newly engineered environments. Megladon’s breakthrough product is soon to
become the ultimate solution for network installers and network applications worldwide. www.megladonmfg.com ********************************* PDI Releases the Wavestar™ 500 KVA Mission Critical PDU at AFCOM Power
Distribution Inc. (PDI), a leading manufacturer of mission critical
distribution equipment for the data center market, today announced the addition
of the Wavestar™ Mission Critical 500 KVA Power Distribution Unit (PDU) to its
PowerPak line. This new design continues to build upon PDI's 30-year tradition
of innovation and represents an industry first with the ability, through the
Wavestar™ monitoring system, to locally display both PDU critical functions and
PDI's patented Branch Circuit Monitoring System (BCMS) in a single device. The
Wavestar™ monitoring system can provide these points to the building management
system remotely via Modbus or SNMP. "The
Wavestar™ 500 KVA PDU addresses the market need for efficient, intelligent
power solutions to serve the increasing rack power density from blade
servers," stated Keith Schmid, President and CEO of PDI. "In
addition, we have integrated market requested features such as a high-efficiency
low inrush transformer, front access design to allow for easy infrared scans,
compression lugs, plug in style breakers, hinged panels with two point locks,
and bus connections for the transformer and circuit breakers into this industry
leading product." Dave
Mulholland, VP of Marketing and Service for PDI, adds "PDI's introduction
of the 500 KVA PDU coupled with the industry leading Wavestar™ monitoring
system raises the bar again. Building upon the successful release of the
Wavestar™ static transfer switch, the Wavestar™ 500 KVA PDU is the next step in
expanding the lineup of intelligent monitoring systems for PDI. We expect to
continue to expand with more Wavestar™ products in the near future." About
Power Distribution Inc.
Founded in 1978, PDI is a leading provider of power distribution equipment and
services. Principle products include Static Switches, Power Distribution Units,
Remote Power Panels, Redundant Power Systems, Harmonic Cancellation technology,
and Branch Circuit Monitoring Systems. The BCMS product is an option available
with the other distribution products, or it can be provided for retrofit in
equipment already owned by the customer. For more
information about Power Distribution Incorporated and their complete line of
power distribution and power conditioning equipment, please visit the PDI
website at www.pdicorp.com
********************************* Health Forum Web Seminar Alert Brought to
you by H&HN, Most Wired Magazine, and Health Facilities Management Join Health Forum for a LIVE Web
Seminar: Wednesday May 14, 2008 Sponsored by Sumitomo Electric Air-blown Fiber network
infrastructure technology has been adopted by the Pentagon, Fortune 500
companies, the National Institutes of Health, the Mayo Clinic, Sharp
Healthcare, and Penn State Hershey Health System, among others, but the
technology is still largely unfamiliar to health care IT professionals. Join these industry leaders as they
relate their actual experience with Sumitomo's Air-blown Fiber Infrastructure
technology: - Bill Spooner, CIO of Sharp
Healthcare (9-time recipient of Hospitals & Health Networks' Most Wired
Hospitals Award) Learn how this technology impacts
patient safety, provides unprecedented speed and delivery, reduces network
costs and delivers a continuous and dependable ROI. To register for the live event and
to learn more, visit the registration page below. ********************************* The Watermill Group Acquires C&M Technologies Group The
Watermill Group announced today that it has acquired C&M Technologies
Group, Inc. d.b.a. C&M Corporation (“C&M”), a leading manufacturer of
custom cable, coil cords and cable assemblies.
With manufacturing capabilities in the Headquartered
in “This transaction marks an important milestone
in the development of the firm,” said Mueller. “Founded in 1964 by my father,
Warren Mueller, C&M has experienced significant growth under our stewardship
and is well positioned in the current marketplace. We are confident that the partnership with
Watermill Group will be a great asset in supporting our management team and
further increasing the level of service and value provided to our customers.” Timothy
Eburne, Partner at The Watermill Group, added “C&M has been manufacturing
customized cabling solutions for leading OEM technology companies for four
decades. We look forward to partnering
with management and the employees to further improve operating performance at
C&M and implement a successful growth strategy for the future.” Steven
Karol, Founder and Managing Partner of The Watermill Group, said “We are
excited about the addition of C&M to our investment portfolio. The company’s strength of engineering and
component design in the manufacturing of custom cable and cable assemblies
provide a strong value proposition to its customers.” About The Watermill Group For nearly
three decades, The Watermill Group has been partnering with management teams to
transform and build great companies. By combining customized transaction
structures with the resources and expertise executives need to drive strategic
and operating change, Watermill helps its portfolio management teams thrive, to
generate extraordinary returns for all stakeholders. Watermill partners have over 165 years of
combined experience with extensive expertise in a wide variety of
industries. We focus on investing in
companies where there is the opportunity to enhance performance through
strategic change, operating improvements, or balance sheet realignments. C&M Corporation C&M
Corporation is a vertically integrated manufacturer of custom cable, coil cords
and cable assemblies. As a worldwide,
RoHS compliant cable and cable assembly manufacturer of advanced power and
signal transmission cable solutions, C&M employs the most current processes
for lean manufacturing and cycle time reduction to deliver superior
cost-competitive cables and cable assemblies faster than anyone else in the industry. ********************************* Tripp Lite Announces New Modular 3-Phase UPS Systems Configurable up to 160kVA and 97% Efficiency
Tripp Lite, a world-leading manufacturer of power protection equipment, has
introduced a new line of SmartOnline™ Modular 3-Phase UPS Systems
for 120/208V applications. Three models are available (SU40K, SU60K and SU80K)
with individual capacities ranging from 40kVA to 80kVA, system capacities up to
160KVA and operational efficiencies up to 97%. ACUTA ACUTA’s Annual Conference Addresses Challenges of Emerging Technologies on Today’s Campuses With
speakers representing 26 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 2008
conference, July 13-17 in 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 communications to
unified messaging to Voice over IP and financial issues. Keynote
speaker for the event is creative visionary and motivational futurist Warren
Arbogast, who will focus on the future of the IT service organization and
explore how colleges and universities can get the most out of their information
communications technology investments. “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 12th annual Forum for Strategic
Leadership in Communications Technology, a two-day assembly of senior
attendees, with intensive sessions taught by higher education leaders and
expert consultants. The forum’s focus this year is how to plan for, and fund,
the technologies required to fill the increasing service demands that colleges
and universities of all sizes are seeing, from students, faculty,
administration, and other stakeholders. The Annual
Conference will also feature an exhibit hall with companies showcasing the
latest technology products and services. During the event, at About ACUTA BICSI BICSI seeks presenters for Fall Conference in Las Vegas Do you have
an informative presentation for the information transport systems (ITS)
industry? The BICSI Fall Conference will be held September 29-October 2, 2008.
Hotel reservations at the special BICSI group rate for the MGM Grand in ********************************* CABA CABA Introduces New Daily Newsletter This is the
last issue of the CABA eBulletin in its current form. We’re excited to offer
you a new, daily newsletter starting Monday, May 12. CABA
SmartBrief is a FREE e-mail news service that summarizes the day’s most
important news as it relates to integrated systems for the automated homes and
buildings industry. Each day, CABA SmartBrief will deliver: Video clips
and summaries of research and articles relevant to you, handpicked by our
editorial staff.
In other
words, CABA SmartBrief editors spend hours finding research and news vital to
our industry so you don’t have use your valuable time. This will be an opt-in
service. Please look out for CABA SmartBrief
in your inbox on Monday, May 12. CABA's Convergence of Green and
Intelligent Buildings Study CABA's
objective through this study is to provide strategic recommendations that will
can demonstrate the positive environmental impact of today's intelligent,
integrated building systems and building technology solutions. Linux versus An
examination of two very different takes on the ‘smart home’ concept produce
widely differing results. A Ripe Time for Open Innovation According
to BusinessWeek magazine, economic recessions present a good opportunity to
collaborate with others on finding, developing, and marketing new ideas. One
such collaboration model identified is CABA's Internet Home Alliance Research
Council. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW RESEARCH AVAILABLE FROM Adoption
for 802.15.4 and ZigBee chipsets is accelerating in several industries,
according to ON World. Last year, seven million 802.15.4 and ZigBee chips were
sold worldwide, an increase of 1,400 per cent from 2004. Emerging trends include: Over one
hundred 15.4 and ZigBee based products are shipping today New
entrants are providing development tools using programming languages
such as Python and Java Companies
are targeting specific markets versus the generalized approach of
the last few years Chipset
bill of materials will drop to $3 in 2011, down from $12 in 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||