Wildfires are a continual concern in many California communities. In fact, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, there have been 7,921 fires from January 1 through November 29 of 2020. That’s an increase from 6,872 fires reported in the same period in 2019.
Read MoreIn 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic placed unprecedented stress on businesses and institutions, which had to adapt quickly to continue operations and keep on-site employees safe and healthy.
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 MoreThere's no denying that electric vehicles are the future of the automotive industry. As consumers and governments continue to grow increasingly concerned with their environmental footprint, the demand for electric vehicles will continue to rise.
Read MoreThe digital transformation is hitting factory floors worldwide, and industrial digital adoption is picking up speed. To put things in perspective:
Read MoreThis year, organizations across our industry adapted to stay up and running in an unprecedented working environment. While 2020 presented unique operational and safety challenges, we stayed focused on employee safety, business continuity, and continuous improvement.
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 MoreIn the age of the Internet of Things (IoT), there’s a lot of terminology floating around that has a nebulous definition that seems to adjust based on the audience. Some terms are even used interchangeably, and wrongfully so.
Read MoreAs a purchasing professional, it can seem like your biggest hurdle is figuring out how to do more with less especially in today’s dynamic work environment.
Read MoreWhat makes a building or city “smart?” One word: technology. More specifically, the Internet of Things (IoT), which is made up of internet-connected devices, such as light fixtures, fitted with sensors and meters that generate and transmit real-time data over a network, no human involvement required.
Read MoreThey say less is sometimes more, and we at Current completely agree: our fixtures use less energy while producing more light.
Read MoreAs technology continues to advance, the need for power in health care facilities continues to increase. To ensure safe and reliable electrical connections in patient care spaces, a standard, store-bought power strip is not sufficient – health care facilities must use medical-grade power strips.
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 MoreAfter an electrical incident, your investigators put together a report. It looks like you've done everything right. But it seems that a part failed unexpectedly, and your liability is limited.
Read MoreKeeping children safe in schools is top of mind in today’s world, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) show 81 percent of schools use surveillance cameras for safety and security reasons, understandably so.
Read MoreVFDs are critical in today’s environment to ensure an efficient manufacturing process. They are used to control the frequency and voltage of an AC motor and yield additional performance and energy savings. Many operations professionals depend on them to regulate nearly every motor in a facility – sometimes hundreds of motors!
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 MoreDid you know that the type of lighting can instantly change the mood of a room or space? Believe it or not, the ideal lighting for an office or classroom is much different for a retail store.
Read MoreA single question is on the minds of facility and operations managers nationwide: what steps can we take to ensure a safe and successful re-opening?
Read MoreWhat is digital transformation, and what does it actually mean?
Read MoreEvery three years brings a new edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC). The regular updates aim to improve electrical safety standards and keep employees and their workplace hazard-free.
Read MoreThe outbreak of COVID-19 continues to impact businesses around the globe. And while many companies are ready to re-open offices, they’re looking to do so as safely as possible so employees can have peace of mind when walking through the front doors.
Read MoreConsidering a lighting upgrade? It’s an excellent way to save energy and cut costs as well as create a more productive, enjoyable work or learning environment and even potentially boost retail sales. However, before you press go on a lighting upgrade or retrofit project, take a step that can save you money and time and help ensure success: Get an investment-grade lighting audit.
Read MoreProfessionals in the electrical industry often wonder about the top questions to ask when dealing with motor control. Although there are probably eight or ten questions that need to be answered sometime during the life of the order, it's more economical (both dollars and lead-time) to answer them from the beginning.
Read MoreWith sufficient lighting performance and intense illumination, the use of high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps has been a primary technology choice for years. But regardless of its popularity, should you be aware of any drawbacks to HID applications?
Read MoreWESCO’s industry-leading Expert Webinar Series takes you on a deep dive into the latest technologies, tools, and most relevant topics in the business. Partnering with electrical and technology leaders from a variety of best-in-class manufacturers, WESCO’s Expert Webinar Series provides fresh, innovative information that will help you stay at the top of your field.
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 MoreAs manufacturing environments become more competitive, leaders are leveraging innovative technologies to become more productive and outperform traditional key performance indicators (KPIs) of success.
Read MoreWire and cable conductors are typically constructed of copper or aluminum and can be approximately a 20 percent material cost on commercial construction projects. Because these costs fluctuate and depend on supply and demand, how can you minimize the risk of metals volatility?
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 MoreCommercial contractors are always looking for ways their projects can be done efficiently and at the lowest cost. Using prefabricated electrical systems from a distributor is one way to do that. With the help of a distributor, commercial contractors can reduce labor costs and deliver cost-effective electrical systems.
Read MoreBeing able to clearly hear sounds, warnings, discussions, alarms, and alerts on a job site may be something that many of us take for granted. Preventing initial hearing damage and protecting remaining hearing through hearing conservation is critical because hearing is foundational to communication and quality of life – at work and at home.
Read MoreViruses, disinfection, and workplace safety – these are things we used to think about periodically, but likely nowhere near as much as do we now given the current health crisis. In just a few months’ time the SARS-COV-2 virus has completely changed the way we work, recreate, educate, and go about our lives.
Read MoreAutomation and control systems are getting more complex. A good panel design takes technical complexity in stride. A great panel design also steps up the space optimization. But a best-in-class panel design accounts for how complex our interactions with control systems have become. Productivity demands timely updates to equipment, lines, and processes.
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 MoreEven today, 90 percent of procurement teams measure effectiveness by pure-play cost savings, which for a product or service is traditionally calculated as old price minus new price, multiplied by the volume.
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 MoreWith the recent healthcare crisis, businesses around the world increased their work-from-home rate from 5 percent to 90 percent in just a few days. As offices slowly begin to re-open, employees will be making their way back into the office, but we will all be adjusting to a new normal. New procedures should be developed, implemented, and communicated to sustain a clean and safe workplace.
Read MoreAs cities, counties, and states begin to re-open amid the COVID-19 pandemic, facilities managers are being bombarded with information about ultraviolet (UV) disinfection. You may be asking yourself, what is it? How can it be used? What are its limitations?
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 MoreAn apple so delicious-looking you can practically taste it on your tongue. A diamond so sparkly it beckons. A silk tie that’s exactly the right shade of blue. What makes these products look so appealing that shoppers are inspired to open their wallets? In a word, lighting.
Read MoreIn the highly competitive, fast-paced manufacturing marketplace of today, time is money. In fact, for manufacturers in the auto industry, downtime can cost $22,000-$50,000 per minute.
Read MoreWhen architects design buildings, they think about more than style and aesthetics. They must consider the user experience – how occupants will work in, function in, and even enjoy a building.
Read MoreStudents spend countless hours in classrooms, many of which lack natural light. The type of artificial light in the classroom can mean the difference between a productive, comfortable, feel-good environment and one that impedes learning, focus and enjoyment.
Read MoreSlowly but surely, the world is finding ways to become more energy efficient. From smart metering to the expanding presence of solar photovoltaic power, here are six energy solution trends that are helping businesses, municipalities and consumers pave the way to a cleaner, greener and more efficient future.
Read MoreYou’ve heard of arc flash. You’ve even heard some numbers. And while it’s easy to remember that an arc flash is three times hotter than the surface of the sun, it’s not so clear why that matters, or what your facility should do about it.
Read MoreEnvironmentally friendly safety products are better for the environment. But they are also good for businesses. Most of the PPE and safety products that you’re currently using, such as gloves, lockout/tagout kits, and cleaning supplies, have an earth-friendly alternative or can be recycled.
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 MoreA plant turnaround, or shutdown, is a scheduled stoppage of all or part of a plant’s operations.
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 MoreIn a perfect world, you’ll always have the right material in the right place at the right time on a construction job. The real world isn’t quite that simple. Organizing your people, inventory, supply and distribution creates a lot of variables that need to be managed efficiently.
Read MoreAdvanced lighting controls, also known as networked lighting controls, are becoming increasingly important in the energy efficiency world. Lighting controls provide a way to enhance energy savings from lighting and even HVAC and mechanical retrofit projects.
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 MoreIf you visited any of your facilities and asked, “How often are you pulling your team together to talk about safety?”, what response do you think you would get? Varied responses are an indicator of the need to reexamine how, when, and what your facilities use to talk about safety, and to implement consistency across all locations.
Read MoreArticle originally published Nov. 20, 2017, and updated for accuracy and relevance. While most elements of ladder safety might seem like common sense, OSHA requires that employers take additional measures to ensure that their workers’ safety isn’t compromised. Of several topics covered in the most recent Walking Working Surfaces standard, updates detailing fixed ladder use within general industry settings were a key focus.
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 MoreEvery year, WESCO’s Government Partner Network (GPN) brings together our GPN partners, suppliers, and members of our Commercial, Institutional and Government team to network and collaborate. The eighth annual event took place from Nov. 5-7 in Henderson, NV, and gave attendees the opportunity to volunteer and fundraise for a local charity.
Read More2020 is right around the corner, and in the last year, our industry has seen countless technological advances, pushes for sustainability and diversity, and increasing importance placed on streamlined supply chains.
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 MoreWhat’s the most dangerous career in the United States?
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 MoreYou’ve probably already heard many of the benefits of upgrading your lighting to LED: lower monthly costs, reduced energy consumption, and moving towards green building.
Read MoreWireless has played an important role in connecting video security cameras since almost the days the first cameras were developed – from there, they grew up together.
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 MoreGone are the days of high utility bills and frequently required lighting maintenance. As technology has improved and LED lighting has become more affordable, there’s no need to waste time and money on the lighting of the past.
Read MoreSupply chain management is evolving. No longer is it seen as a simple support function, but rather a competitive advantage for the companies utilizing the advancements in available technology.
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 MoreProfitable construction projects are the result of a successful blend of labor, material, and equipment management. Too often, contractors concentrate exclusively on labor or cost reduction and overlook the opportunity for improvement by implementing material management strategies.
Read MoreWhen it comes to video surveillance, nothing is worse than having an incident, thinking you have it on camera via your network video recorder (NVR), and then finding out you had an NVR failure during that time… and you capture nothing!
Read MoreEmployee safety is always a top priority in any business. To avoid the possibility of injuries, the use of high-visibility clothing is important. High-visibility clothing allows workers to be seen in low-light conditions where the risk of injury is high.
Read MoreEmployees working on the job every day – from construction sites to warehouses – often become so comfortable with their daily activities, they can become complacent to the injury risks. Unfortunately, it’s this form of complacency that can result in job site injuries ranging from slips and falls to struck-by hazards.
Read MoreWithout proper cooling components, electrical equipment is exposed to fluctuating temperature conditions that can drastically affect performance and lifespan. The inside of an equipment cabinet can generate and trap as much heat as a home furnace – just imagine the damage those temperatures can cause your equipment.
Read MoreThe wheels of complex construction projects can quickly fall off if you don’t have the proper plan in place – resulting in costly delays. From complicated procurement cycles, material management, and project schedules, there are plenty of moving parts that could jeopardize finishing the job on schedule.
Read MoreKitchens and bathrooms are two of the most lived-in areas of a home. That’s why more and more people are investing their time and money on the elements in these rooms, and all it takes to bring life to a space is the right finish.
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 MoreThink about all the devices and parts of your life that are connected in one way or another. The information on your cell phone automatically connects to your tablet, which then connects to your laptop and so forth.
Read MoreElectricity is something we often take for granted. Because it’s so intertwined into our daily lives, from powering your smartphone to providing lighting in even the most obscure locations, we can often forget the dangers that come with it.
Read MoreIn today’s fast-paced manufacturing environment, improving productivity is at the top of every plant manager’s mind. Tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) is vital to improving manufacturing performance.
Read MoreFor the last five years, WESCO has sponsored community service projects at the National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP)’s annual meeting – and this year was no different.
Read MoreWhile all elements factor into the complexity of a project, wire and cable play a significant role in the success or failure of a job – especially when you consider that the materials are 15-20 percent of the total spend, and the installation time accounts for almost 20 percent.
Read MoreDid you know that only about 42 percent of the time on a job site is productive work? The rest of that time is waste. Identifying these areas of waste and reducing labor by just 5 percent has the ability to double a contractor’s profitability.
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 MoreThe utility industry is faced with a digital transformation. As technology continues to advance, there are more and more opportunities becoming available to improve facilities and processes.
Read MoreWhen talking about cable ties, you probably remember that time you used one to hold your keys or tools together when you were in a pinch. But do they remind you of race cars or the Mars Rover? They just might now.
Read MoreThere is a growing need to improve infrastructure resiliency in the utility industry. As the threat of unknown natural disasters and events continues to increase each year, being prepared and having resilient infrastructure in place is a top priority.
Read MoreYou’re working on a facility identification project. The first step is to organize your warehouse and figure out how you can improve productivity of your employees.
Read MoreThe construction industry has seen an increase of women on the job site. Year after year, this number continues to grow – but as a primarily male-dominated industry, there are still many things to take into consideration for women.
Read MoreHigh throughput, low latency, network availability, reliability, and security have always been top priorities in data centers.
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