Generic Cabling Solutions

The benefits of using a structured network infrastructure include lower material and labour costs, a single installation force for cabling, a single point of contact for systems integration, reduction in physical space requirements, lower relocation expenses, reduced maintenance and administration costs, and the ability to migrate to new technologies with greater ease, less risk, and lower costs.

The ideal structured network infrastructure is not just the use of category of cabling product (Category 5e, 6, 6A, etc.) in the building. In fact, an infrastructure could have a mixture of twisted-pair and fibre-optic cabling, but also important is the design, installation, and ongoing management. The concept is to wire once.

The extra material cost and labour expense incurred in implementing a true structured network infrastructure is minimal compared to the higher labour expense involved in upgrading and re-cabling later.

Today, energy conservation is a global priority. Increased energy consumption and oil prices lead to increases in the price of electricity, too. Government programs are being instituted to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. While fuel prices continue to fluctuate, there is a worldwide quest for protection of the environment and conservation of energy, as well as a demand for healthy work environment and the need to minimize expense during difficult economic times.

With a true structured network infrastructure, the convergence of telephones, computers, wireless devices and building management controls onto one centralized IP network is enabled as the technology evolves, as well as improving the building’s carbon footprint. The structured network infrastructure becomes the “fourth utility” of a building.

The key to designing a proper network is early planning, long-term thinking and avoiding “living for today” investment, which is as applicable to IT as it is in all walks of life.