Founded in 1936, the Cullman Electric Cooperative is located in Cullman, Alabama, and was one of the first electric cooperatives to be formed in the state. The cooperative has 44,000 members in Cullman, Winston, Morgan and Lawrence counties.
Read MoreThis is the digital universe. "It is growing at 40% a year into the next decade, expanding to include not only the increasing number of people and enterprises doing everything online but also all the “things” — smart devices — connected to the Internet, unleashing a new wave of opportunities for businesses and people around the world." - EMC Digital Universe with Research & Analysis by IDC
Read MoreThe American Marketing Association defines marketing as "the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large."
Read MoreCan we talk broadband? That’s the question that citizens and business owners kept asking the City of Loveland, Colorado as they were exploring the possibility of bringing high-speed connectivity to their community.
Read MoreThere’s no doubt that in today’s market we’re seeing a growing demand for solar energy. With that comes a growing need for energy storage.
Read MoreThe U.S. energy storage market is growing at a rapid rate. In 2020, the market surpassed $1.5 billion and is expected to become an $8.9 billion annual market by 2026. With this significant growth, it’s important that contractors understand what energy storage is, why it’s important, what problems it’s solving, and what opportunities there are to leverage energy storage.
Read MorePassive optical LAN (POL) isn’t some new, breakthrough technology — in fact, it has been around since the 1980s – but it’s rising in the ranks as many businesses start to leverage fiber. While fiber used to be considered more of a nonessential luxury, it is now increasingly being used in new construction, especially in the hospitality industry, as businesses adapt to increasing bandwidth demands.
Read MoreAs we have all seen, the demand for data centers has grown exponentially over the past few years. With the accelerating need for work from home (WFH) and more hybrid working solutions (HWS), as well as the continuing connected device explosion of the Internet of Things (IoT), there appears to be no end in sight.
Read MoreIt’s hard to believe that we’re midway through the second year of this global COVID-19 pandemic. It’s safe to say there are and will continue to be many unknowns because of this pandemic. It has changed the way we do business, the way we work as individuals and teams, the way we manage our families and home life. Let’s be honest, it has changed a lot.
Read More2020 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 MoreDeploying a rural broadband network can be challenging, but with decades of experience and expertise in the broadband industry, WESCO | Anixter can provide the products, services and solutions to successfully deploy fiber networks.
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 MoreThere is a connectivity revolution in our midst. For the last five years, the Internet of Things (IoT) has been touted as the next big thing. The latest stats from Transforma Insights estimates the number of connected IoT devices in 2020 to be 8.74 billion, up from 7.74 billion in 2019. These figures are expected to increase by 200% in 2030 and have an estimated value of more than $1 trillion globally.
Read MoreMuch of the world continues to experience supply chain strain, with challenges coming in a variety of forms. Transportation and freight disruptions, increased prices on metals and other materials, shortages of plastic resin and semiconductor chips – these are just a few of the aspects involved. Those industries with complex supply chains that rely on inputs from other businesses that also experience shortages and delivery challenges are especially hard hit.
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 MoreWhen the United States government released $190 billion in CARES Act and American Rescue Plan funding for the education sector, it paved the way for school districts across the country to take necessary steps to cover expenditures incurred during the recent pandemic.
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 MoreSupply chain management and optimization is an essential part of the success of any business. In times of growth or decline, if you haven’t considered your entire supply chain and logistics, you could experience issues, frustration and disruptions.
Read MoreSafety in the modern mining industry continues to be well regulated. However, the ongoing use of outdated lighting systems, particularly in underground mines, creates potentially hazardous working conditions.
Read MoreStudents and faculty across the country’s 132,000 public and private K-12 schools and 7,000 institutions of higher education have struggled over the past year and a half to stay engaged in a digital-first curriculum. However, as the current school year comes to a close, a return to normalcy in the new school year seems possible. This is an exciting prospect for many, but resuming full-time in-person instruction will not come without challenges
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 MoreWhen you're thinking about a facility upgrade, one of the most difficult steps is defining the scope. You want to match the solution to the goal — not to overachieve it, not to under-achieve it.
Read MoreLocated in Wanatah, Indiana, Kankakee Valley REMC (KV) is a member-owned Touchstone Energy cooperative delivering power to more than 18,000 residential and commercial member-consumers with 21,000 meters serving seven rural counties in northwestern Indiana.
Read MoreThe COVID-19 pandemic impacted global supply chains significantly in 2020. One year later, the macroeconomy is bouncing back, vaccines are on the rise, and businesses are starting to reopen. However, the rebound is not without its pressures on suppliers.
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 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 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 MoreLashing wire is stainless steel wire commonly used in the utility and telecommunications industries to bring and support aerial cables or a combination of cables to a supporting strand. It is produced by a specially controlled annealing process which yields a uniform fine-grain structure throughout wire length and cross section for best results.
Read MoreWhen it comes to implementing high-performing supply chain models, Lean principles play a powerful role. Lean optimization processes can be deployed to reduce waste, increase efficiencies and provide measurable savings for companies in many industries.
Read MoreAs every company grows, they’ll find standards their clients and customers expect—or need to meet—aren’t always the same. These different standards can make it impossible to source key assets efficiently. That’s why it’s important to understand the applicable standards, so you can evaluate options for streamlined sourcing.
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 MoreDespite the pandemic and the economic issues created by it, Pro AV is still predicted to experience strong growth the closer we get to 2024.
Read MoreFinding ways to increase supply chain efficiency is always good for business. As many companies are adapting to business challenges given the current pandemic, it’s even more critical to maximize the value of your supply chain to save time and resources, reduce costs, and shrink waste.
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 variety of face-covering options can be daunting. How do these respiratory protection options compare in terms of performance?
Read MoreNatural disasters can hit unexpectedly, resulting in storm damage and destruction of homes, businesses, roadways, and electrical systems. When Hurricane Laura made landfall on August 27, 2020, causing 150 mph winds, flooding, and power loss, communities in Texas and Louisiana faced complete devastation. WESCO and Anixter employees were quick to respond with power rebuild and restoration support.
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 MoreAre you aware of the upcoming infrastructure requirements in your facility? Using a comprehensive solutions development approach for facility improvements can allow you to identify all potential existing and near-term infrastructure needs in order to improve overall business performance.
Read MoreWildfires 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 MoreAs we move into the third year of the Coronavirus 2019 Pandemic, new variants continue to challenge many of the controls we have established to protect our workers. Most recently, the Omicron variant has caused a surge breaking records for the number of new daily cases.
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 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 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 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.
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