Strategic Benefits of Base 8 Connectivity

Over the last four decades the deployment of traditional 12 fiber based connectivity has served the market well. Any data center built to 10G specifications in that time frame most likely used that traditional method. As bandwidth requirements continue to increase, data center managers have started seeking a new solution. Enter Base 8 Cable     Base 8 is somewhat of a new buzzword in the industry and there may be some confusion around what it actually means. With the emergence of 40G networks, manufacturers of transceivers used in server and switching equipment evolved towards the QSFP (quad small form-factor pluggable) type of transceiver. QSFP utilizes only 8 fibers – four of which are used to transmit while the other four are used to receive. Each “circuit” transmits or receives a 10G transmission. A simple break down looks like this: 8 fibers = 4 pairs (circuits)  1 circuit = 10G 4 circtuits = 40G 12 Fiber Systems: A Historic Workaround  If the transceivers are only using 8 fibers, one might wonder how that could affect a 12 fiber system. Prior to the Base 8 solution, it meant wasted capacity since four of the fibers were not being used. This certainly doesn’t mean customers had to accept 33% of their fibers going to waste. One option is to use a ‘transition’ cassette to take two 12 fiber MPOs down to three 8 fiber MPOs, but this is an expensive work around. 100% Fiber Utilization  This is where Base 8 fiber proves its strategic value. A Base 8 solution consists of some combination of either 8 fiber cassettes or adapter panels and an 8 fiber based trunk. For example, a 32 fiber trunk utilizing four Base 8 cassettes on each end would result in 100% fiber utilization for 8 fiber transceiver systems. In addition, there would be no added costs from transition cassettes or devices, and no insertion loss of 12 fiber to Base 8. Base 8 connectivity eliminates historic fiber capacity waste and drives down costs meaning greater efficiency and a healthier bottom line.  To date, large financial and healthcare institutions are primarily taking advantage of Base 8 technology.  As this technology advances, and demands for higher bandwidth at lower cost continue to increase, strategic benefit of Base 8 fiber solutions will become a serious talking point for most mid-sized to large companies.

Take Charge of the Guest Experience With Mobile Charging

Think about the last time you were traveling. To find your hotel, call a cab, meet up with your associates, check your schedule and stay on top of emails, you needed one thing – a device and a full charge. The constant need to stay connected has changed our expectations and subsequently changed the hospitality industry. An owner or property manager has greater profitability when guests are enjoying their day, passing time in common spaces. In bar and restaurant areas, the mobile device craze is real. People carry upwards of four mobile devices at a time in some cases. This creates a perfect storm for mobile charging opportunities. Device charging comes into play when people are in a public space for as short as an hour. Mobile charging is one of the most effective ways to enhance guest experience. And, best of all, charging options exist that are low cost and high impact.  Calm a Traveler’s Low-Battery Anxiety Hotels, casinos and shopping centers have many different spaces that require charging. Guests want to pull up email confirmations in the lobby. They check emails while sitting at a restaurant. They work on laptops in a business center or outdoor area. With a constant need to stay charged, people often feel anxiety when their phone has a low battery. Having an easily accessible way to charge means that guests can put low-battery anxiety to rest while enjoying time with colleagues and friends. Easy Upgrades Improve Guest Experience Think about the last time you checked into a hotel room. You walked in and flipped the lights on. Research suggests that you probably sat down on the bed, turned on the TV, and looked for a place to charge your phone. Within two minutes of being in your suite, you needed an outlet. A study from Red Roof Inn found that the most popular hotel amenity is electrical outlets. Within a hotel room, charging is critical. For professional guests traveling for work, a hotel suite serves as a home base. A traveler may need to charge a laptop, tablet, phone and smart watch simultaneously. Charging isn’t just a convenience, it becomes a necessity. When remodeling a hotel, guest experience research ranked accessibility to outlets for charging devices as the number one concern. Realistically, you can only have so many wall boxes in a room. There are a certain number of wall boxes that can be allowed depending on electrical codes. Contractors are finding that an easy solution is a combination USB receptacle. Using the existing receptacle, guests can now charge two additional devices. The outlet itself is more useful and functional. In the grand scheme of enhancing guest experience, progressive hotels have found outlets as a low-cost, high-reward option. Swapping out a USB receptacle in every room is a relatively inexpensive upgrade, but one that guests will notice within minutes of entering their room. A Foundation for All Hospitality Industries The foundation of low-battery anxiety is that people need a charge to stay productive. Locations may differ, but sports arenas, shopping centers, casinos, residential complexes, gyms, amusement parks, and restaurants are all faced with the same proposition. People need to stay constantly connected and giving them that connection increases the likelihood that they’ll stick around.  Venues will continue to evolve. New charging configurations are being actively developed and use case applications will continue to multiply. However, the same foundation of needing to charge on the go won’t change. The good news? Adding value to your installation without soaking up a significant cost addition can be as easy as switching out outlets.  The opinions expressed in this piece are solely Legrand's. They do not necessarily represent WESCO’s views.

Powering Up and Staying Connected Outdoors

Today’s workplaces are expanding beyond the four walls of an office. As technology continues to evolve, employees are looking for new and alternative workspaces to inspire creativity and increase productivity. This includes taking their work to outdoor spaces. Bringing technology to outdoor spaces has become a challenge for facility managers and property owners who want to increase the value of their workspace while keeping their businesses running smoothly and their employees happy.   Here are a few ways permanent power enhances outdoor spaces. Constant Connection is Expected Millennials make up one in three American workers, according to the Pew Research Center. As mobile technology has developed, Wi-Fi and cell phones have blurred the lines between where people connect, making the traditional nine-to-five workday a thing of the past. This demographic has been raised in a digital world and has a firmly entrenched need for constant connection. Whether we’re inside or outside, the majority of the workforce wants a fast connection. Having strong power in outdoor spaces meets the expectations of today’s workers. Existing Workarounds for Power Are Lacking There is an increasing use of outdoor space in a variety of markets around the country. This trend is being driven by property owners looking to maximize their real estate investment by getting more revenue and use from their outdoor spaces. The upsurge in the use of outdoor workspaces is driving the need for power and data connectivity at locations away from main buildings where there is traditionally no power and data wiring. What solutions are currently available to facility managers and building owners? Often, it’s a clunky combination of temporary power, workarounds and products not UL rated for outdoor use. These solutions often involve bringing cabling or wiring from a building and then putting mats over the cable to prevent tripping. These makeshift solutions can take away from outdoor beauty, but what’s worse is that they are often unsafe. As they’re susceptible to rust and corrosion, the installations need repair and replacement regularly.   Benefits of Permanent and Safe Outdoor Power Permanent and safe power enhances the way that employees, guests and customers think of an exterior space. Facility managers need products that help create an environment that promotes longer stays, better productivity and more positive experiences. The biggest benefits of permanent outdoor power include: Lower labor costs Reduced material wear and tear Ability to provide more reliable service to guests or customers Minimal liability risk Improved aesthetics of outdoor space Stay Connected Anywhere Today’s work environment is transient. Bringing technology to outdoor spaces can stimulate creativity and productivity. Whether working inside or outside, meet and exceed employee and customer expectations with reliable outdoor power. The opinions expressed in this piece are solely Legrand's. They do not necessarily represent WESCO’s views.