2020 will always be a year remembered as, well, unprecedented. From a global pandemic causing businesses and schools to pivot to remote environments, to new questions surrounding racial and gender equality, the events of 2020 have had an impact on all industries. Businesses are looking internally to make their corporate environments more inclusive and representative of all employees, and the construction industry is no exception.
Read MoreFor the past 5-10 years, we have been hearing so much about the Internet of Things (IoT). On the surface, IoT can sound a bit confusing. The Internet of Things? What things? And how does the internet play a role in all of this?
Read MoreAs digital solutions increase, industrial companies are converging connectivity and advanced data analytics at a record pace to allow for a smarter manufacturing experience. According to the Institute for Digital Transformation, more than 70% of U.S.-based companies are planning to introduce a new digital technology platform or digitize their products.
Read MoreInfrastructure has been at the top of the news cycle lately, and that hasn’t happened for quite some time. While you may not think of it as a trending topic, there is renewed interest in infrastructure, how it is evolving and how it affects us, positively or negatively, in our daily lives.
Read MoreWe can all agree that COVID-19 has changed our world in previously unthinkable and radical ways over the past two years. As we start returning to the office, the implementation of day-to-day activities will be forever changed – a case in point is the audio/visual outfitted meeting room.
Read MoreWhether you are a guest at a hotel, a resident at a senior living community, or a student on campus, your experience in each of those spaces is enabled, in many ways, by technology. Smart devices, audio/visual equipment, Wi-Fi, security systems, and IoT are just a few of the technologies that keep us connected, safer, and happier as we share our latest updates, maximize productivity on the go, and collaborate on the next big idea. As we bring more devices into our spaces, we also bring the need for more connectivity and smarter network designs.
Read MoreIt has been nearly a year and a half since the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic began, and while we have made some progress in fighting the virus, it appears we still have a long way to go. The emergence of the Delta variant, first identified in India in December 2020, has weakened the defenses we have put in place to stop the spread of the virus and significantly impeded our ability to return to normalcy.
Read MoreWhen you think about a data center, you might think about servers, switches, cooling, cabling, connectivity, access control and the like. What about audio/visual (AV) solutions? While it might not be top of mind, AV within a data center is a key issue. The appropriate data center AV solutions help provide the physical security and access to core information you want and need.
Read MoreWe live in a hyper-competitive business world. And no business is more competitive these days than physical security and data communications, especially in a post-COVID environment with pent-up demand. You know that pre-project planning decisions can have significant economic impacts and you want to be sure those impacts are on the positive side of the ledger. Some of those planning decisions can include sourcing your solutions from the right manufacturers, hiring the best integrators and contractors, and determining the most impactful distribution partners from which your solutions will come.
Read MoreFor three years now, HID Global has conducted research for their annual State of Physical Access Control Report issued every January. In this article, we will review highlights from HID Global’s 2021 edition of this report. The data that HID Global gathers and reports on is gleaned from over 1,000 responses to their Access Control Systems Trends Survey, which is distributed to security professionals in small, medium and large businesses across many industries, including the education, technology, government, manufacturing and healthcare sectors.
Read MoreUnderstanding the importance of utility grade infrastructure for commercial buildings The Transformation of Commercial Buildings Commercial buildings are on the front lines of rapid technology evolution. The imminent arrival of 5G and the estimated 30 billion connected devices that the Internet of Things (IoT) will enable in the next few years, as well as the presently unknown innovations and inventions that will place additional demands on bandwidth, are all driving transformation in buildings and businesses.
Read MoreImagine if your customers could know what’s coming next. If they could respond before potential challenges and have the ability to foresee new business opportunities. That's where a new paradigm emerges: the artificial intelligence of things (AIoT).
Read MoreTwo years ago, estimates from the Gates Foundation said the number of buildings worldwide would double by 2060, and the International Data Corporation reported that there would be 75 billion connected devices by 2025. In one survey by Wired Score, 77% of tenants said they would sign a longer lease in a building with a superior infrastructure to manage them all.
Read MoreProfessional audio video and its role within information communications and technology (ICT) is the bridge that connects the virtual and onsite worlds for businesses, schools and communities. It’s easy to imagine the added difficulties we could have experienced over the last year if not for AV.
Read MoreIt’s been said that, in times of crises, only the strong survive. They survive through a combination of increased flexibility, adaptability and accelerated innovation. As we all know, the world doesn’t stop when crises hit. If anything, it speeds up to address the new reality, and that’s exactly what happened when the COVID-19 pandemic hit—businesses were forced to adapt.
Read MoreWith the number of COVID-19 cases on the rise, health agencies have strengthened their messaging around the importance of wearing a mask, but the number of available face-covering options can be daunting.
Read MoreThe digital transformation is hitting factory floors worldwide, and industrial digital adoption is picking up speed. To put things in perspective:
Read MoreWe've all been there – a datacom network has not had any major upgrades in quite a while. We're always trying to control costs, and while sometimes this approach can work, it's certainly not ideal.
Read MoreConnecting the first security camera to a network was a major innovation that changed the way the security industry operates. Surveillance systems integrating with speakers, door stations, and software have led to additional opportunities for creating proactive security solutions – a revolutionary idea as opposed to the more traditional reactive security approaches.
Read MoreDo you ever think back and wonder how your parents did it all? They juggled work, family, and life, all while constantly knowing how to turn complex situations into simple ones in a matter of seconds. Now, take that same concept and apply it to your fiber data communications network.
Read MoreSingle-mode fiber’s recent and growing migration across the enterprise and end-user networks has begun to replace multi-mode fiber more than ever before. This article discusses the how’s and why’s of this ongoing growth.
Read MoreWhat is digital transformation, and what does it actually mean?
Read MorePower over Ethernet (PoE) is quickly becoming a widely accepted datacom networking protocol and is rapidly expanding. This expansion is enabling a range of PoE applications across the enterprise with easier and more cost-effective power solutions.
Read MoreManufacturing facilities are becoming more connected, and the associated benefits are limitless – from becoming more agile and competitive in the market, to maximizing efficiency, reducing costs, or monetizing data. It’s becoming clear that implementing smart manufacturing best practices is no longer a choice but a necessity for survival.
Read MoreTaking data to the edge is happening more and more these days and for many reasons, including the development of edge data centers or mobile edge computing sites (MECs).
Read MoreFifth-generation (5G) wireless networks are here… sort of. Major carriers have begun deploying 5G infrastructure that will ultimately bring incredible enhancements to the download and upload speeds we all now enjoy on remote devices, laptops, cell phones, or tablets. While these enhancements won’t happen overnight, the network deployment process is happening now.
Read MoreAs technology goes, we live in a world where smaller seems better. But imagine that your most valuable computing asset might also be your largest asset – the very building that houses your operations.
Read MoreWhen it comes to data communications, one of the most critical infrastructure elements is the uninterruptible power supply (UPS), especially when it comes to distributed IT, data centers, or network closets.
Read MoreYear over year, school planning strategies emphasize safety and security. The primary goal when planning for a school district is to provide students and teachers with the ability to learn and share in a safe and secure environment.
Read MoreIt’s not a tightly held secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a tectonic shift in how the world functions and how it will move forward into a less certain future. As businesses, schools, governments, and communities look to safely reopen and resume some semblance of normal operations, the sheer volume of information and opinions available can overwhelm the senses.
Read MoreA smarter infrastructure begins by leveraging new and emerging technologies to ensure immediate bottom-line savings. These future-proof solutions will grow as the needs of your building change.
Read MoreHistory has far too many high-profile, worst-case scenario examples of network data breaches. These situations drive CIOs and IT pros to invest in transforming IT infrastructure and ensure that corporate info is secure, protected, and highly available.
Read MoreThere are currently 32 models of electric vehicles available for purchase in the United States. By the start of the next decade, it’s projected that more than half of new car sales will refuel by plugging in.
Read MoreThe federal government and the Department of Defense (DoD) recognize that standards-based wireless networking has become an essential part of conducting business efficiently.
Read MoreCommand centers are crucial for government, military, and utility organizations to communicate effectively and dispatch resources. But to keep this room secure and running smoothly, up-to-date technology is a must.
Read MoreAs we enter a new decade, facial recognition is a hot topic. Media outlets frequently report on the technology as a crime-solving potential or a privacy concern. While both claims are valid, the real story is harder to uncover.
Read MoreOver the past 30 years, the use and function of buildings have changed dramatically.
Read MoreJust like any other organization, government agencies generate and store massive amounts of data at local, state and federal levels – from census and employment data, to data about military activities and covert operations.
Read MoreThe choice between single-mode or multi-mode fiber deployment can be a critical decision for a data communications network.
Read MoreWith the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) came the requirement for federal agencies to consolidate and optimize data centers by Oct. 1, 2018. But don’t worry if you’re working with some that haven’t achieved all the closure and efficiency improvements that were prioritized in the subsequent Data Center Optimization Initiative (DCOI).
Read MoreGovernment contractors are looking for a cost-effective solution to increase their network speed without compromising security. A fiber optic network is one route to go, but it’s expensive and time-consuming to install.
Read MoreYour security strategy can have many moving parts. For critical infrastructure sites (i.e., power plants – nuclear, gas, electrical or solar, petroleum refineries, data centers, etc.), it’s important to know what’s happening inside and outside.
Read MoreIf you work in the data communications industry, specifically with the federal government, you’re probably already familiar with the Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative (FDCCI), and how it led to the Federal Information Technology Reform Act (FITARA).
Read MoreThe Threat Within While stories about tech-savvy hackers and foreign state-sponsored web attacks make the biggest headlines – networks are most vulnerable to data breaches from less publicized culprits: internal users.
Read MoreWould you build a house without a blueprint? Would that blueprint have a foundation and include safety measures like windows and doors with locks?
Read MoreWith a steady stream of television commercials, roadside billboards, and digital banner ads to remind us, the first wave of the fifth generation (5G) of wireless networks is already here.
Read MoreIn recent years, you’ve probably heard people talk about: the internet of things, digital transformation, digital buildings, converged networks, and smart buildings. But, do you know what they mean? Or what makes these words so important in the day-to-day business operations of a company, and how they are related to each other?
Read MoreFifty years ago, hospitals ran on tongue depressors and surgical masks. Today, they run on data.
Read MoreWhat do we mean by end-points, and why do they matter? We’re talking about end-point applications, and they’re important when it comes to choosing the right UTP cabling solution for the right end-point application.
Read MoreHigh throughput, low latency, network availability, reliability, and security have always been top priorities in data centers.
Read MoreFrom tornadoes and hurricanes to floods, earthquakes, and ice storms, Mother Nature has many ways of threatening your business. When disaster strikes, it’s important to have a predetermined plan in place to minimize downtime, injury, and loss of valuable information.
Read MoreThe “Internet of Things” has evolved from buzzword status to mainstream reality, but not without its challenges.
Read MoreFor school-aged children, a classroom rich in digital experiences is a must to ensure that today’s students are ready for tomorrow’s high-tech world. According to a 2017 report from EducationSuperHighway, 88 percent of classrooms had Wi-Fi access, up from just 25 percent in 2013.
Read MoreThere’s nothing more important than saving lives and improving people’s health. That’s why healthcare facilities require the most advanced connectivity solutions available.
Read MoreIn today’s retail climate, hardly a day goes by without news of another legacy-brand retailer announcing store closings or financial restructuring. In fact, nearly 7,000 store closing announcements occurred in 2017, setting a new record. With the public’s embrace of online shopping, this trend will likely continue and perhaps accelerate.
Read MoreThe new operating norms of lower oil prices, heightened safety, and environmental awareness create challenges for inefficient oil and gas companies. They also drive the most efficient organizations to constantly improve and repeatedly find new, consistent methods to preserve or increase their profitability, compliance and reputation.
Read MoreIf you’ve ever been to a large sporting event, convention or rally, you know all too well how slow the Wi-Fi signal can be when many in the crowd attempt to tweet or upload to Instagram at the same time.
Read MoreBeyond traditional security and surveillance applications, video cameras in manufacturing and assembly environments are tools used to improve personnel management, maintain safety, reduce liability and optimize efficiency. Production and operations managers looking to reduce costs or tighten timelines can deploy cameras in their factory or plant.
Read MoreAs a network cabling contractor, you need to keep an eye on product costs. When it comes to the cabling products you choose, you’re balancing your customer’s needs against what works for your bottom line.
Read MoreToday, the demand for data is increasing at an unprecedented rate. Speed, capacity, and capability requirements have expanded exponentially and data centers must respond to meet these needs.
Read MoreIn 1801, James Pillans hung a large piece of slate on the wall of his classroom in Edinburgh, Scotland. Using colored chalk to mark on the slate, he had just invented a new mechanism to convey information to his students. By the mid 1800’s virtually every classroom in the United States had a chalkboard — a fine example of mid-19th century game-changing technology.
Read MoreHave you ever wondered, “Do I really need a special equipment rack in a seismically active area?” The short answer is “Yes.” Using a rack or cabinet designed for seismic applications may be more costly, but will give you the highest load-bearing capacity in your designated floor space.
Read MoreAt one point or another, we’ve all had the unfortunate experience of someone running the hot water tap during our shower. Imagine that same running shower competing with three or four toilets, sinks, washing machines and spigots. That is essentially what we put our networks through today — whenever demand exceeds supply, someone gets left in the cold.
Read MoreWith technology expanding at such a fast rate, the world of education has been working hard to integrate it into classrooms. Many schools have incorporated smart boards, mobile devices, and online lesson plans into their teaching programs. To support digital learning and supply internet connectivity in the classroom, an increasing amount of equipment is required to properly store and protect hardware, networks, and infrastructure throughout campus.
Read MoreIt’s no secret that wireless services have grown to become our “fourth utility” in the last decade. While this evolution has been revolutionary in terms of communications and connectivity, it has also exposed capacity limitations within in-building enterprise and office environments.
Read More2017 marked the ten year anniversary of the ratification of the Category 6A standard. At the time of its introduction, the industry hailed Category 6A cable as the future-proof standard for supporting 10GBase-T. However Category 6A has only taken off within the last few years, growing 20%+ annually. There are many reasons adoption took so long.
Read MoreIn the relationship between a smartphone and a USB charging port, it’s the phone that has the power.
Read MoreIn the United States, the publicpower utility industry has found themselves in the middle of a market transformation. Data traffic is increasing exponentially, but rural America is getting left behind with limited access to internet services.
Read MoreWe have all witnessed the increasing pace of technological evolution and the resulting opportunities that evolution creates. Finding ways to leverage those opportunities in the connected real estate market is what “smart” buildings are all about. While the concept of a smart building – or an environment that dynamically responds and adjusts to the occupant’s needs – has existed for many years, the technology needed to make them practical arrived at a slower pace. That has changed drastically in recent years as new smart systems, applications and sensors have flooded the home improvement market. But what about the commercial space? How can we get the same level of performance from our office buildings that we get at home?
Read MoreNetwork infrastructure pros are well aware of the revolution happening inside the walls and ceilings of modern buildings and they know what is driving it. It’s the advent of intelligent buildings where virtually every device is connected to network cabling infrastructure allowing building systems to communicate via the IoT. Thanks to advancements in PoE technology, that cabling infrastructure is often expected to go beyond data communications delivering low-voltage power to a variety of end devices.
Read MoreOver 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.
Read MoreWith the Internet of Things (IoT) driving bandwidth demands higher and higher, healthcare facility and infrastructure managers find themselves facing expensive and disruptive rip-and-replace scenarios for networks not able to scale, migrate, and keep up.
Read MoreIn October 2016, the Department of Defense (DoD) issued the DFARS 252.204-7012 Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting clause. These regulations required prime contractors and their suppliers to provide adequate security on all covered contractor information systems.
Read MoreMany of the buildings we see today have communication infrastructure supporting building systems that are disconnected, disparate and expensive to operate. We are rapidly approaching the time when every low-voltage building sub-system will be intelligent, require power and become part of a larger building network. The worlds of operation technology (OT) and information technology (IT) are rapidly joining together.
Read MoreThe marketplace for physical security solutions is hyper-competitive and isn’t going to change anytime soon. Security Integrators charged with finding products like cameras, video management software, NVRs, cabling, racks and cabinets, etc. are under great pressure to boost profits for every job. If you are like most integrators sources for your security product supply chain range from distributors to manufacturers, online and in some cases even big-box retailers.
Read MoreBack to school time means college students across the country are eagerly cramming bedding, clothing and (most importantly) their multiple networked devices into dorm rooms that are roughly the size of a coat closet. We’ve all seen scalability in action on campuses throughout the country. Whether funding a dining hall renovation or a greenfield project supporting the expansion of the business school, educational institutions seem to be tireless in their efforts to increase their footprints.
Read MoreThink 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.
Read MoreAs new versions of phones, tablets and laptops hit the market faster than ever before, it’s obvious that technology is ever changing. Quick technological advancements aren’t without frustration. We’re all too familiar with the hair-pulling challenge of finding the right device charger or learning that your six-month-old charger is antiquated. Our business environments are no different. As can be expected, the situation is often more dire than just a sea of Apple iPhone chargers when all you need is a micro-USB.
Read MoreToday’s data centers face more demands than ever before. The increasing number of connected devices, along with more data and users, has pushed data center managers to find creative methods to efficiently meet network requirements. While lighting makes up a small percent of a data center’s load, it presents a unique opportunity for addressing energy efficiency.
Read MoreTake a moment and think about the supply bins you have within your warehouse or on a job site. You may have a technician periodically check your bin inventory levels. When items are running low, that technician goes into the warehouse or truck and replenishes the bin.
Read MoreAs consumer demands on networks increase, more businesses are turning to Category 6A cabling for their network infrastructure. This decision is primarily being driven by affordable price, high quality, and exceptional performance. Here are five reasons why you should choose Category 6A cable for your enterprise applications.
Read MoreWhile sensors have long played an important role in industrial settings, the intersection of market forces in manufacturing with the Internet of Things (IoT) has recently propelled sensor technology to new heights. Coupled with greater network connectivity and improved machine learning, sensors are now more vital than ever as manufacturers search for ways to optimize value throughout all levels of operation.
Read MoreToday’s data centers come in all forms, from large hyperscale data centers and collocation facilities, to small datacom closets. While the needs of data center managers are varied, numerous and frequently changing, there is one constant — expanding network needs drive bandwidth and speed requirements, and a data center must be able to accommodate. High-speed optics can help meet the increasing demand.
Read MoreToday’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.
Read MoreFor contractors and integrators, today’s marketplace is hypercompetitive. Every day brings a challenge to get more out of less. Increasing job profitability is the way to stay truly competitive in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Read MoreArticle originally published Sept. 2, 2016, and updated for accuracy and relevance. Data centers face ever-increasing demands in today’s digital environment. Using the right fiber optic links is the first step to ensuring an efficient, future-proof data center. Learn the benefits of Base-8 and Base-12 connectivity so you can design a network that reaches long-term transmission requirements.
Read MoreData center cooling has traditionally been tackled one way. Air conditioning units (or CRACs) are placed around the outside wall of the room and aligned with the hot aisle. They then pump cold air underneath a raised floor for distribution in the cold aisle. While this method is generally considered an effective technique, it has a big limitation. It makes air travel long distances through open spaces between the CRAC and the equipment needing cooling. This contributes to inefficiency.
Read MoreWhen it comes to a data center’s power usage effectiveness (PUE), every IT manager wants to get as close to that perfect score of 1.0 as possible. One of the biggest causes of high PUE is an inefficient data center infrastructure – namely, your physical setup. Just like in relationships, the last thing you want is a data center running hot and cold.
Read MoreIncreasing efficiency in the data center can be a challenge, but it’s possible with facility-wide collaboration. Bring together the skills of your IT and operations personnel with an infrastructure management strategy that meets your facility’s needs well into the future. Learn how data center infrastructure management (DCIM) can benefit your facility and how to start implementing your strategy today.
Read MoreData center managers often say, “I want my data center to run more efficiently,” or ask “What solutions do you have that will drive efficiency?” While these are important questions to ask, they’re challenging to answer because not everyone has the same definitions of efficiency and success. Some managers consider only the amount of power and cooling being used, while some think it’s all about using whitespace. Others focus on processing and network connectivity.
Read MoreIn the last year, overall patient satisfaction in the healthcare industry has dropped. In fact, patient satisfaction is the lowest it’s been in nearly ten years. Increasing patient satisfaction starts with improving facilities. Make improvements to healthcare infrastructure to increase overall satisfaction and help healthcare professionals make better decisions.
Read MoreOnly a few years ago, classrooms were bursting with blackboards, pencils, and notebooks. Today, you don’t have to look far to find a plethora of monitors, computers, tablets, and smartphones. Recent advances in technology have found their way into schools because of the numerous benefits to both students and teachers. Increased school performance, healthier lifestyles and added convenience can all be achieved by integrating technology with traditional classroom learning for a truly smart classroom.
Read MoreAs medical technology moves toward increasing connectivity, the door has opened to security breaches. Since 2005, over 880 million records have been stolen due to data breaches. With today’s advances in technology, patients and physicians have better access to lifesaving medicine and procedures. But keeping patients and their data safe from cyber criminals is a growing concern.
Read MoreNorth America is fast learning that size matters when it comes to cable installation. Legacy conduits are becoming congested with large traditional loose tube cables. This has caused a demand for cost-effective smaller cables with higher fiber density.
Read MoreIn the past few years, falling oil prices have rocked the oil and gas industry. Oil and gas companies have had to get creative to remain profitable. Investing in new technology has shown promise for improving profitability and lowering costs. Using Internet of Things (IoT) technology, companies can leverage data to increase efficiency, raise security standards, and better their bottom line.
Read MoreIn today’s global environment, manufacturers are fighting to stay ahead of the competition. New technology is giving some manufacturers an upper hand. Industrial automation and smart machines are increasing productivity, cutting costs, and creating more agile supply chains for manufacturers in many industries.
Read MoreMany of us may feel well-versed on the Internet of Things (IoT) by now. We’ve experienced an avalanche of information about this technology in recent years, including how it’s going to change all of our lives. But regardless of what we already know, the IoT grows more complex every day. Its advancing capabilities are changing the business world in both big ways and small.
Read MoreIt can boggle the mind how quickly technology moves, and how things that were once a part of our everyday lives have rapidly become obsolete. Some people today might be as perplexed by items that were essential to recent generations as they would be by a tool from the Bronze Age. So what is causing this accelerated pace of obsolescence?
Read MoreThere’s no doubt that the healthcare industry is embracing mobility. A recent survey of healthcare companies found that 65 percent of those surveyed are investing in wireless infrastructure upgrades to support the growing number of monitors, machines and devices that rely on wireless connectivity. Only 40 percent of healthcare providers say they have adequate wireless connectivity in their facilities today.
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