With 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 site plan can have a lot of 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, regardless if you’re onsite or not.
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.
Read MoreWhen architects design buildings, they think about more than just style or aesthetics. They also consider the user experience — how occupants will move about in, function in, and even enjoy a building. And now a new tool, the Internet of Things (IoT), is taking design to a whole new level.
Read MoreWireless controls, cloud-based systems, and smaller, more powerful surveillance cameras will be among the technologies on display at the annual ISC West security conference in Las Vegas April 6-8.
Read MoreIf you prefer meeting in smaller groups, here’s some encouraging news. A growing trend is that of the “huddle room," a small conference room or meeting space designed specifically for the little group.
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