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BISBEE’S BUZZ
Dot.com
2nd Decade (2001-2010) is bigger & better than anyone ever
imagined.
In 1969,
four research computers were connected to create the genesis of the Internet at
the blazing server speed of 56 Kb. By 1990, there were 313,000 servers on the
Internet. Today, Google.com by itself has more than 458,000 servers on line and
some servers can operate at speeds of 92 terabits/second (two (2) billion times
faster than the 1969 speeds).
Some
experts estimate that 17% of the world population has used the Internet and the
hypertext World Wide Web (August 6,1991). We may see that user group swell to
50% in the next few years. Internet growth has not slowed. In 1994, the
Internet usage growing 2300% per year and Internet growth has not slowed.
Shocking
statistics show the USA
is third in usage behind China & Europe. However, the USA e-mail
traffic has surpassed telecommunications and printed mail. Last year, there
were about 170 billion e-mails per day (2 million each second). The
introduction of cell phones/portable devices like the Blackberry and other
smart phones is increasing the volume significantly. Estimates indicate that by
2010, the information flowing over the Internet will double every eleven hours.
The systems are converging in
ways that offer improved efficiency and reduced costs. Using the newer
technologies isn’t just a choice it is a competitive imperative in both the
public and private sectors.
Cabling is the foundation
highway at the termination point for this dazzling new information age. Folks, it ain’t getting slower.
Cabling Changes in Store for 2008
By Bisbee,
Frank
Fiber to
the desktop, Wi-Fi networks and copper prices affect plans. The enterprise
network is undergoing a major shift in emphasis that impacts cabling."
according to Jim Hayes of the Fiber Optic Association, the international
non-profit professional society for the fiber-optic industry that develops
educational programs and certifies fiber-optic technicians.
"Users
expect mobility, demonstrated by the sales of laptops exceeding desktop
computers and the popularity of mobile platforms like the BlackBerry and
iPhone. Wireless has had growing pains, but with the advent of 802.11n, better
cell phone data systems and the likelihood of success for WiMAX, users now have
adequate wireless bandwidth practically everywhere and are not crazy about
being tethered to a patch cord.
"The
network of the future is certainly not recabling every couple of years with
another UTP upgrade," he adds. "If 10-Gigabit Ethernet needs to be
delivered to the desk, it's probably going to be on fiber, not just for the
bandwidth, but also for the lower power consumption. But I'm betting on more
mobile applications, with a backbone of fiber connecting wireless access
points. That's how cell phone networks are built, as well as many metro Wi-Fi
networks. With most large enterprises already depending on fiber backbones,
adding adequate wireless access is easy, and, of course, upgrades are simply a
matter of replacing wireless access-point hardware."
Zone
cabling with fiber to the zone hub is the first step to fiber to the desktop
(FTTD). Fiber has been a crucial part of the campus and riser solution for
years; now, fiber is reaching the horizontal plane in the structure with a host
of economic and functional benefits.
Currently,
plenum-approved communications cable dominates new building installs in the United States.
Return-air plenum design is still less expensive than ducting feed-and-return
HVAC. That brings up another area of concern: supply.
Copper
continues to be a cost concern, as well as a supply issue. The most significant
supply weak point, however, is the fluoropolymer materials used to insulate
high-performance copper- based twisted-pair cabling for plenum-approved cable.
There are
only two major producers of the fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP; commonly
known by their trade names: Teflon from DuPont and Neoflon by Daikin USA). If either
or both of these material suppliers have a problem, the entire communications
industry may have a problem. The National Electrical Code (NEC) may be changed
to allow other cable constructions to be approved, but that process with the
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) takes three years.
The NFPA
might open the plenum-approved cable exemption to include low-smoke
zero-halogen RoHS-compliant cable that is already approved by the European
Union. That would still take three years to approve, however.
A shortage
of FEP has occurred several times in the history of plenum-approved (CMP-rated)
copper cable. During each shortage, the prices rose dramatically, and hybrid
constructions were introduced using a mix of other insulating materials to make
up for some of the material shortfall. Today, that may not be possible because
the higher-performance copper cables (Category 5e, Category 6 and soon Category
6a) cannot function properly with the resultant delay skew caused by different
insulation material properties.
"Fire-safe"
fluoropolymer materials used in plenum-approved CMP- rated cables generate
toxic gases when the cables are exposed to various levels of heat. Since the
original approval of the use of CMP-rated cables in the return-air building
plenum spaces, there has been no official testing of the cables for any
incapacitation factor or toxicity of the gases generated in fires.
According
to Chris Pezoulas, vice president of business development at Canadian wiring
systems manufacturer: Electec, "Engineers, consultants, specifiers,
building owners and contractors alike should look at the cable they are contemplating
installing in their air-handling spaces and consider setting a higher standard,
not only for themselves, but for anybody that may ever occupy the space they
are using.
"With
all that we know today about the toxic nature of Teflon, FEP and PFOA, it
astounds me that the policy and code makers in North
America have ignored the toxicity of plenum cable flame
retardants," he adds. "Exposed plenum cable in air-handling spaces is
a chemical nightmare."
"Fire-safe"
fluoropolymer materials used in plenum-approved CMP- rated cables generate
toxic gases.
Frank
Bisbee is the president of Communication Planning Corp., Jacksonville, Fla.,
and editor of "Heard on the Streets," a widely circulated newsletter
for the communications cabling industry. The newsletter can be found at www.comnews.com.
Reprinted
with permission from Communications News Magazine
Copyright
Nelson Publishing May 2008
(c) 2008
Communications News. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights
Reserved.
This month,
the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is meeting in Las Vegas for their annual conference and
voting on many issues under review for the NEC 2011 (National Electrical Code).
Our appreciation goes out the army of volunteers who work to build the
consensus process for the code development.
Our curses go to the shills who represent commercial interests over
safety.
Putting
Profits over PUBLIC SAFETY is deplorable.
But that’s
just my opinion,
Frank Bisbee
"Heard On The Street"
Monthly column
www.wireville.com
Jacksonville, FL
(904) 645-9077
(904) 645-9058
frank@wireville.com
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Industry News
3M Releases Improved Dynatel Modular Test Platform
New Features of 3M Dynatel Advanced Modular System 965AMS Focus on Physical
Media Layer for Unsurpassed Accuracy
An outside plant technician using the newest features of the 3M Dynatel
Advanced Modular System 965AMS will find an easier-to-use test set that
includes a standard voiceband spectrum analyzer and live differential TDR in
addition to the optional 3M Dynatel All-in-One Modem Module VDSL2 with Internet
browser and Ethernet test capability introduced in February 2008.
“The advanced copper test capabilities of the 3M Dynatel Advanced Modular
System 965AMS not only measure, but analyze the network,” said Steve King,
business unit manager for 3M Test & Measurement Solutions. “Unlike many
other diagnostic test sets, this system focuses primarily on the physical media
layer instead of merely the protocol being carried over it. The advantage is
technicians can quickly and accurately identify copper line problems,
pinpointing where, why or to what extent a fault or interference exists”
The 3M Dynatel lab brings 100 years of cumulative experience to diagnostics for
the physical media layer. Developed with strict adherence to existing industry
standards, the 3M Dynatel 965AMS also complies with and encompasses new service
types for which standards have not yet been defined.
Now a standard feature of the 3M Dynatel 965AMS, the new voiceband spectrum
analyzer provides a graphical representation of the voiceband frequency
spectrum giving technicians the ability to identify noise sources that
contribute to metallic noise or power influence readings. In addition, the new
wideband spectrum analyzer interference templates allow technicians to compare
DSL interference signatures to further pinpoint and identify line problems.
The new live differential time domain reflectometer (TDR) option allows the
outside plant technician to capture a baseline trace on a troubled pair then
view a live trace as stress voltage is applied to the pair. Differential
operation with panning and zoom further highlights differences to enable
detection of subtle changes in the pair.
Combined with the new “All-in-One” modem module, these new features of the 3M
Dynatel 965AMS offer a complete test platform for the field technician. The
“All-in-One” modem module provides VDSL2, ADSL2+, ADSL2, ADSL, and Ethernet
connectivity in a single rugged module. It is compliant with ITU standards
including G.993.2 (VDSL2), G.993.1 (VDSL), G.992.5 (ADSL2+), G.992.3/4 (ADSL2),
G.992.1 (G.DMT), and ANSI T1.413 (ADSL). It also supports ADSL2+ Addendum 1
requirements for full rate performance with non-zero INP settings and WAN
Protocols including PPPoE, PPPoA, and RFC1483. An integrated Internet browser
validates web access to complete the network analysis package.
The hand-held, five-pound 3M Dynatel 965AMS is housed in a lightweight,
ergonomically designed case for portability and ease of handling. It has a
large display that is highly visible, even in bright sunlight. The unit’s
rugged, waterproof design meets or exceeds the stringent IEC IP67 immersion
test and ASTM D4169 five-foot drop test for reliable outdoor use in all weather
conditions.
About 3M Communication Markets Division
With more than 40 years in the telecommunications industry, 3M Communication
Markets Division offers one of the widest and most comprehensive suite of
scalable solutions to communications service providers around the world, from
underground and buried plant, to central office, premises and more. Proven
systems from 3M optimize network testing, construction, locating and
maintenance for faster, more reliable high-bandwidth transmissions; enable
physical media-layer capabilities for FTTP and DSL deployments from central
office to customer premises; and deliver fiber optics technologies to leverage
existing infrastructure or install completely new networks.
About 3M
A recognized leader in research and development, 3M
produces thousands of innovative products for dozens of diverse markets. 3M’s
core strength is applying its more than 40 distinct technology platforms –
often in combination – to a wide array of customer needs. With $24 billion in
sales, 3M employs 75,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 60
countries. For more information, visit http://www.3M.com.
*********************************
Anixter International Inc. Announces Share Repurchase Program
Anixter
International Inc. (NYSE: AXE - News) today announced a share
repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to 1 million of
its outstanding shares with the exact volume and timing dependent on market
conditions. Anixter noted that all previously announced share repurchase
programs had been completed prior to the end of the first quarter of 2008.
Anixter currently has approximately 35.7 million shares outstanding.
Anixter
International is a leading global distributor of communication products,
electrical and electronic wire & cable and a leading distributor of
fasteners and other small parts ("C" Class inventory components) to
Original Equipment Manufacturers. The company adds value to the distribution
process by providing its customers access to 1) innovative inventory management
programs, 2) more than 400,000 products and over $1 billion in inventory, 3)
218 warehouses with more than 6 million square feet of space, and 4) locations
in 249 cities in 49 countries. Founded in 1957 and headquartered near Chicago, Anixter trades
on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AXE. http://www.anixter.com
*********************************
Anixter International to record $4.2 million charge for granting retiring CEO options
Anixter
International Inc. said Monday it will incur $4.2 million in charges in the
second quarter because the communication products company agreed to let its
departing chief executive keep his stock options and restricted stock upon his
retirement.
Chief
Executive Robert W. Grubbs is retiring at the end of June, to be replaced by
Robert J. Eck.
Previously,
Grubbs agreed not to compete against the company for two years, and his stock
options and other grants would be terminated within 90 days of his departure.
The company
said Monday it amended the agreement. Now, Grubbs agrees not to compete against
the company for the longer of five years, or two years beyond his retirement
from the company's board. In exchange, Grubbs will keep his options and they
will vest as scheduled.
*********************************
Beast Cabling Systems Meets Market Need with New SPEED™ Solutions
Beast
Cabling Systems, Inc. introduced new SPEED™ solutions as an enhancement to
their comprehensive line of Cabling Installation Systems (CIS) and components.
The offering includes the cost-effective SPEED Labeler, SPEED Patch Panel
Organizer, and SPEED Installation Services.
“The
network cabling industry has been calling for flexible solutions that make
copper and fiber cabling installations more efficient and cost effective by
speeding up the pulling process, eliminating errors, reducing waste, and
maintaining proper separation of today’s high-bandwidth cables for maximum
performance,” says Greg Bramham, vice president of Beast Cabling Systems.
“Through recent R&D efforts, we’re please to offer a new line of
lightweight and significantly lower-cost SPEED solutions that respond to the
market need and appeal to a broad range of network cabling installers.”
The SPEED
Labeler is a lightweight, portable tool that acts as an Extra-Hand™ to maintain
order and allow technicians to quickly and accurately label cables for the
rough-in pulling stage of a network infrastructure installation. Easily
positioned in front of up to 24 boxes of cable, this ergonomic tool enables
application of color-coded labels on both ends of each cable in a fraction of
the time as conventional processes while eliminating errors, keeping kinks out
of pathways, and reducing technician fatigue.
The SPEED
Patch Panel Organizer is a convenient, labor-savings sorting board that
eliminates the tedious task of cable sorting when routing into racks in the
telecommunications room. This lightweight Patch Panel Organizer features a
Lexan® dry-erase writing surface mounted on foldable legs with left-right
sorting locations for sorting up to 384 cables by patch panel location.
SPEED
Installation Services delivers fully trained Beast SPEED Technicians to the job
site to help meet compressed schedules or heavy workloads that exceed available
staff. Available on short notice and for extended hours, these SPEED
Technicians install a significantly greater volume of rough-in cable in shorter
periods of time using Beast SPEED solutions and CIS for maximum efficiency and
reduced cable usage.
About Beast
Cabling Systems
Headquartered
in Arlington, VA, privately held Beast Cabling Systems
provides patented cabling installation system (CIS) components and services to
the voice and data cabling markets. Contractors using Beast CIS achieve a
competitive advantage by improving practices and profitability on every job for
better network performance and customer satisfaction. For more information,
visit www.beastcablingsystems.com
.
*********************************
Beast Cabling Systems Enters European Market
Beast Cabling Systems,
Inc. (BCS) is proud to announce the first product sale of their innovative
Cabling Installation System (CIS) into the European Marketplace. CIS and its
components are designed to bring systemization and control to the various tasks
required to properly install network cabling. CIS enables consistent, efficient
installations that conserve time and material, reduce errors, and enhance
industry best practices for overall better network performance.
Denmark-based T.J.
Transmission A/S, provider of voice and data infrastructure solutions,
purchased CIS, and the company will first deploy the technology at a Computer
Sciences Corporation data center project in Copenhagen. “When we came across Beast
Cabling and the CIS at a BICSI conference, we thought the system had a lot of
possibilities for improving cable pulling here in Denmark,” says Troels Joergensen of
T.J. Transmission A/S. “With CIS, we anticipate being able to pull cables more
uniformly, color code bundles for better management, and reduce waste during
the installation.”
T.J. Transmission A/S
has plans to introduce CIS to the Danish market as they deploy the system on
many future cabling installation projects. “While there is no committed sales
effort to the European market, we’re very excited about this sale and the
growing interest in our products,” says Greg Bramham, vice president of Beast
Cabling Systems. “The installation market in Europe has the same concerns and
issues that we experience here in the U.S. – a shortage of skilled
technicians, high labor costs, increasing costs for cable and components, and
the increasing need for proper installation methods to install their high-speed
cable products. Consequently, it makes sense that the demand for our innovative
products is growing on a global scale, and we believe it’s only a matter of
time before CIS tools are the preferred method to install every cable
infrastructure installation in the world.”
With CIS, Joergensen
plans to easily pull 24 to 48 horizontal communications cables at a time, a process
that he says previously required more space, wasted approximately 3 to 5 meters
of every cable, and resulted in more errors. “We’ll be able to now pull cables
right to the patch panel without having to cut down lengths and move labels,
which created the potential for mistakes. I believe we can reduce waste by 50%
with CIS, which is great for the environment and the bottom line,” says
Joergensen. “Documentation is the one thing that everyone talks about but many
don’t care enough about. With CIS, there’s no reason whatsoever to not properly
label the cables, and we now have a greater possibility of ensuring good
documentation throughout the installation process.”
About Beast Cabling
Systems
Headquartered
in Arlington, VA, privately held Beast Cabling Systems
provides patented cabling installation system (CIS) components and services to
the voice and data cabling markets. Contractors using Beast CIS achieve a
competitive advantage by improving practices and profitability on every job for
better network performance and customer satisfaction. For more information,
visit THEIR NEW WEBSITE www.beastcablingsystems.com .
*********************************
Belden's CEO Pumps Up HIS PAY - Enters 10b5-1 Program
Belden
(NYSE: BDC - News) announced today that John
Stroup, the company's Chief Executive Officer, has established a pre-arranged
stock trading plan to sell shares of Belden stock. This plan was established as
part of his individual long-term strategy for asset diversification and
liquidity. The plan was adopted in accordance with guidelines specified under
Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Belden's
policies regarding stock transactions.
The
transactions under the plan will be disclosed publicly through Form 144 and
Form 4 filings with the Securities Exchange Commission.
About
Belden
Belden is a
leader in the design, manufacture, and marketing of signal transmission
solutions for data networking and a wide range of specialty electronics markets
including entertainment, industrial, security and aerospace applications. To
obtain additional information contact Investor Relations at 314-854-8054, or
visit our website at http://www.belden.com.
*********************************
Berk-Tek Hires Fiber Optic Product Business Manager
Copper and
fiber optic cabling technology and solutions leader Berk-Tek, a Nexans Company,
is pleased to announce the addition of Mike Connaughton, RCDD, as the Fiber
Product Business Manager.
Reporting
to Todd Harpel, Director of Marketing, Connaughton is responsible for managing
all Berk-Tek optical fiber LAN product activities, as well as participating in
the global Nexans Operational Product Management team.
Before
joining Berk-Tek, Connaughton spent 15 years at Mohawk, a Belden Company,
focusing on fiber optic product development and support. He has held various positions in technical
support, sales, marketing and product management. Connaughton has his Bachelors of Science in
Electronic Engineering Technology from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, and has achieved
the RCDD designation from BICSI.
Connaughton and his family will be relocating from Massachusetts
to North Carolina,
as he will be based out of the Berk-Tek fiber optic facility in Fuquay-Varina.
“Mike
brings a wide variety of experience in the industry and a unique perspective on
our company,” notes Harpel. “Combining his technical expertise with his
reputable industry relations, I am sure he will be an asset to Berk-Tek.”
About Berk-Tek, A Nexans Company
For
more than 45 years, Berk-Tek has been a leading manufacturer of more than 100
different network copper and fiber optic cable products. The company has led in
the development of high-performance and enhanced fiber optic and UTP cables
designed to transport high-speed data and voice transmissions. Berk-Tek has
major manufacturing facilities at New Holland, PA, Fuquay-Varina,
NC and Elm
City, NC. For more
information, visit www.berktek.com.
About Nexans
Nexans, the worldwide leader in
the cable industry, brings an extensive range of advanced copper and optical
fiber cable solutions to the infrastructure, industry and building markets for
telecommunications and energy networks. With an industrial presence in 29
countries and commercial activities worldwide, Nexans employs employs 21,000
people and had sales in 2006 of $10 billion. Nexans is listed on the Paris stock exchange as
NEX. Visit www.nexans.com.
*********************************
California Senate votes to ban heat-resistant compounds
This is big news for the cabling industry. What
if Teflon® was banned?
-
The Associated Press
Published 6:34 pm PDT Monday, May 12, 2008
The
California Senate has voted to ban food packaging containing a family of
chemicals that have been used for decades in products that resist heat, oil,
stains, grease and water.
The
legislation by Sen. Ellen Corbett, D-San Leandro, would prohibit the use of
perfluorinated compounds in items used to package, transport or hold food,
starting in 2010.
Perfluorinated
compounds, or PFCs, are considered to be likely human carcinogens by the
Environmental Protection Agency.
They
also are associated with higher rates of heart disease, stroke and diabetes and
with diminished weight in newborns, immune system problems and hormone
imbalance.
Monday's
22-15 vote sent the bill to the Assembly.
*********************************
CommScope to Close Jaguariuna Brazil Facility
CommScope, Inc. (NYSE:CTV - News), a world leader in
infrastructure solutions for communication networks, plans to close its
Jaguariuna, Brazil broadband facility as part of the company’s goal to
eliminate duplicate manufacturing and distribution centers to reduce costs and
enhance its long-term competitive position.
The Jaguariuna facility,
which employs approximately 200 people and primarily produces broadband cable
products, is expected to close by the end of September, with most equipment
redeployed to other facilities elsewhere in the world. These changes do not
affect the company’s other Brazilian facility located in Sorocaba or the
company’s ongoing commitment to providing Latin America customers with
high-performance wireless, enterprise and broadband solutions.
“This is the latest step
in our ongoing drive to improve our competitive position, enhance our long-term
financial performance and achieve our cost-synergy targets associated with the
Andrew Corporation acquisition,” said CommScope President and Chief Operating
Officer Brian Garrett. “We regret the impact on our people in Jaguariuna and
appreciate their many contributions during the past eight years. However, we
have an extensive worldwide manufacturing and distribution footprint that can
be better utilized and more efficiently operated by consolidating facilities.
As we execute this manufacturing strategy we intend to make sure that our
customers continue to receive the outstanding service that they have come to
expect from CommScope.”
The 221,000 square-foot
Jaguariuna facility was purchased in June 2000. Both the costs and the savings
related to this facility closing will make up part of the projected total
savings and transition costs announced in connection with the acquisition of
Andrew, which was completed in December 2007.
Separately, CommScope
Europe S.P.R.L. has notified its Works Council of its intention to discontinue
production activities at its facility in Seneffe,
Belgium. A
final decision on the proposed restructuring will be made after a consultation
period with the Works Council. The company also has notified employees of its
intent to proceed with the closing of its Capriate,
Italy facility,
which was acquired as part of the Andrew acquisition. Some Capriate activities
will be centralized in the company’s Agrate,
Italy site.
Discussion is ongoing to finalize these consolidation plans.
About CommScope
CommScope, Inc. (NYSE:
CTV www.commscope.com)
is a world leader in infrastructure solutions for communication networks.
Through its Andrew® brand, it is a global leader in radio frequency subsystem
solutions for wireless networks. Through its SYSTIMAX® and Uniprise®
brands, CommScope is the global leader in structured cabling systems for
business enterprise applications. It is also the premier manufacturer of
coaxial cable for broadband cable television networks and one of the leading
North American providers of environmentally secure cabinets for DSL and FTTN
applications. Backed by strong research and development, CommScope combines
technical expertise and proprietary technology with global manufacturing
capability to provide customers with infrastructure solutions for evolving
global communications networks in more than 130 countries around the world.
*********************************
President and CEO Clark Kinlin Assures Corning Cable Systems’ Technology Community That Corning Will Protect Intellectual Property Around the World
Corning Cable Systems LLC, part of Corning
Incorporated’s (NYSE:GLW) Telecommunications segment, recently recognized its
technology community for development of numerous patented technologies
significant to advancements in telecommunications. Over the past 3 years, more than 400 patents have been granted globally to
Corning Cable Systems.
In remarks to members of Corning
Cable Systems’ U.S.
technology community, President and Chief Executive Officer Clark Kinlin hailed
innovation as the key to providing Corning
with sustainable competitive advantage in its global markets. Kinlin touted the
development of products with clear customer value, coupled with protection of
related intellectual property around the world, as one of Corning’s top priorities. He added that Corning’s intellectual
property leadership in the industrial materials sector has been well recognized
by sources such as The Patent Board.
Kinlin made his remarks to more than
350 Corning employees and guests during recent awards ceremonies in Texas and North
Carolina. In addition to honoring patent recipients
and operations excellence awards winners at these celebrations, the 2007
Corning Cable Systems Inventor and Innovations of the Year were announced for
both cable and hardware & equipment.
Kinlin
opened his remarks by highlighting Corning’s
2008 celebration of 100 years of research and development, one of only five
U.S.-based, industrial R&D companies to achieve this significant milestone.
He noted, “Corning
is an innovation-driven company. And managing the innovation process is one of Corning’s top business
priorities. We invest approximately 10 percent of sales in RD&E and will
continue that level of investment in 2008. This sustained investment in
RD&E is one of the factors that drives Corning’s success.”
Kinlin
acknowledged that “innovation is expensive and requires sustained commitment.”
He continued, “The problems we solve for our customers are difficult technology
challenges requiring highly-skilled knowledge workers. Where we are successful,
we deliver dramatic new utility and value to our customers.”
As an
example of this utility and value, Kinlin referred to Corning’s ClearCurve™ product suite, named by
Time magazine as one of 2007’s
Inventions of the Year. Corning’s
breakthrough solution to a customer’s challenge involved re-creating the
molecular structure of optical fiber to prevent signal loss. This was paired
with new cable designs and smaller, compatible hardware to create the
ClearCurve solution set, currently being deployed by several of Corning’s U.S.
customers.
Kinlin
closed by pledging Corning’s
vigilance regarding its intellectual property. “We are committed to vigorously
protecting and defending our intellectual property in the marketplace,” said
Kinlin.
About Corning
Incorporated
Corning
Incorporated (www.corning.com)
is the world leader in specialty glass and ceramics. Drawing on more than 150
years of materials science and process engineering knowledge, Corning creates and makes keystone components
that enable high-technology systems for consumer electronics, mobile emissions
control, telecommunications and life sciences. Our products include glass
substrates for LCD televisions, computer monitors and laptops; ceramic
substrates and filters for mobile emission control systems; optical fiber,
cable, hardware & equipment for telecommunications networks; optical
biosensors for drug discovery; and other advanced optics and specialty glass
solutions for a number of industries including semiconductor, aerospace,
defense, astronomy and metrology.
*********************************
Jim Young Construction Company, Inc. Becomes Newest Member of the Corning Total Access ProgramSM (TAP)
Corning
Cable Systems LLC, part of Corning Incorporated’s (NYSE:GLW) Telecommunications
segment, announces Jim Young Construction Company, Inc. as the newest member of
the selective Corning
Total Access ProgramSM (TAP).
Corning’s TAP provides highly qualified
design, engineering, furnishing and installation companies with the tools
necessary to ensure successful fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) and wireless
deployments. Certified TAP members
receive all-inclusive access to Corning’s
innovative and reliable FTTH solutions.
After completing specialized training in the installation of optical
access networks, TAP members are able to offer their customers an extended
product warranty on complete Corning FTTH solutions.
Jim
Young Construction Co., Inc. is a privately owned enterprise established in
1978 with extensive experience in all types of fiber-optic construction,
including FTTH, intra-exchange trunking and long-haul applications. The company provides full-service outside
plant construction to telecommunication service providers. Jim Young Construction Co., Inc. delivers
quality and value-based services to a client base that includes consumer-owned
cooperatives, privately held corporations and large publicly-held corporations. The company is licensed in Ga.,
Ala., N.C.
and S.C.
"We
look forward to a long and successful association with Corning,” said Larry Lance, president of Jim
Young Construction Company, Inc. “This program will allow us to provide our
clients with the best in installation technology."
Through its Evolant®
Solutions for Access Networks, Corning
Cable Systems offers specialized portfolios of innovative products and
services that enable customers to cost-effectively deploy fiber in the last
mile. For additional information on
Corning Cable Systems, contact a customer service representative at
1-800-743-2675, toll free in the United States, or (+1)
828-901-5000, international, or visit www.corning.com/cablesystems.
(www.corning.com)
*********************************
Craig Consulting Services :BELDEN Training Schedule
June– September 2008
Dates Class
JUNE
6/9-6/10 303
Design San Antonio, TX
6/11-6/12 700
Installation San Antonio, TX
6/23- 6/24 303
Design Memphis, TN
6/25 - 6/26 700
Installation Memphis, TN
JULY
7/22 – 7/23 303
Design Kansas City, MO
7/24 – 7/25 700
Installation Kansas City, MO
AUGUST
8/5 303
Design Salt Lake City, UT
8/6-8/7 700
Installation Salt Lake City, UT
8/11-8/12 303
Design Tulsa, OK
8/13-8/14 700
Installation Tulsa, OK
SEPTEMBER
9/9-9/10 303
Design Denver, CO
9/11-9/12 700
Installation Denver, CO
9/23 303 Design Las Vegas, NV
9/24-9/25 700 Installation Las Vegas, NV
This
schedule is subject to change based upon Customer requests.
James R.
(Ray) Craig RCDD/NTS Specialist
Belden
Regional Trainer
Craig Consulting Services
520 Lynn Court
Coppell, TX
75019
* Classes scheduled by
Belden Training Department
*********************************
Craig Consulting Services :BICSI Training Schedule
June– December, 2008
Dates Class
JUNE
6/16 – 6/20 Technician
JULY
7/14 – 7/18 ITS
Installer 2
AUGUST
8/18 – 8/22 TPMA
PM 125
8/25 – 8/29 Technician
SEPTEMBER
9/15 – 9/19 ITS
Installer 2
OCTOBER
10/6 -
10/10 Technician
NOVEMBER
11/10 –
11/14 Installer
1
DECEMBER
12/8 –
12/12 Technician
This
schedule is subject to change based upon Customer requests.
James R.
(Ray) Craig RCDD/NTS Specialist
Craig Consulting Services Training
Center
13370 Branch View Lane
Farmers Branch, TX 75234
*********************************
D-Tools Unveils New Website
D-Tools
Inc., the worldwide leader in system integration software, today announced, the
launch of its newly re-designed website located at www.d-tools.com.
“With its
fresh appearance and dynamic interactivity, our new website’s new format and
redesigned navigation bar makes it easy for visitors to quickly and easily
navigate through the site and locate information they are seeking, “said Tim
Bigoness, VP of Sales and Marketing of D-Tools. “The new website is completely
template-driven which makes it easier to update and add new content, while the
new design gives it a more atheistically pleasing appearance.” www.d-tools.com
*********************************
D-Tools Enhances Manufacturer Vantage Point (MVP) Program with Elegant Addition
D-Tools,
Inc., the worldwide leader in system integration software, today announced that
Media Decor has joined the D-Tools Manufacturer Vantage Point (MVP) program.
Florida-based Media Decor, LLC was founded in 2003 to fulfill elegant
designer-level solutions for today’s home entertainment installations. Media
Décor’s elegant product line provides cutting edge solutions to custom
entertainment display concealment.
“We
anticipate joining D-Tools MVP Program to be a great deal of success for our
team,” said Jonathan Graham, President of Media Decor, “This is a great
opportunity for SI users to offer their clients a stylish and customized
solution for their entertainment systems and we are pleased to be the only
concealment company within the program at this point.”
The D-Tools
Manufacturer Vantage Point (MVP) program is designed to help provide system
integrators with the most up-to-date product information to over 2,500
companies using D-Tools System Integrator software. D-Tools MVP members are
dedicated to helping companies streamline the design process and making it
easier for system integrators and installers to provide accurate proposals to
their clients.
“We are
pleased to have Media Décor be a part of the MVP Program,” said Adam Stone,
President of D-Tools. “Their designer-level solutions will offer our users a
high-end outlet adding another stylistic attribute to their clients systems.”
About Media
Decor
Florida-based
Media Decor, LLC was founded in 2003 to fill the growing demand for elegant
designer-level solutions for today's home entertainment installations. Its team
of expert and inspired technicians, interior designers, and structural
craftsmen collaborate to create and deliver the world's most compelling, beautiful,
and customized entertainment environments. For more information on Media Decor
and its service and product offerings, please visit www.mediadecor.com.
About
D-Tools, Inc.
D-Tools,
founded in 1998 and based in Concord,
California, is a worldwide leader
in accessible, highly accurate system design and documentation software. The
company’s flagship product, System Integrator™ (SI), is a total design solution
that utilizes Autodesk® AutoCAD and Microsoft® Visio for comprehensive system
design, documentation and project management. D-Tools SI allows commercial
integrators to streamline their business processes to increase overall revenues
while reducing the time and costs associated with the installation and
integration of low-voltage systems. Over 2,000 leading companies use D-Tools
software to reduce time and costs and streamline the system integration
process. D-Tools is the recipient of the Consumer Electronics Association’s
Mark of Excellence Award (2004, 2005, 2006), National Systems Contractors Association
and Sound and Video Contractor’s Innovations in Technology for Business
Productivity Award (2004, 2005) and CE Pro’s High Impact Award for Design
Software. www.d-tools.com .
*********************************
New Test Suite in EtherScope Network Assistant Creates New Business Opportunities for Value Added Resellers and System Integrators
Installers
now have the ideal tool for LAN installation and validation, allowing projects
to be completed more quickly at lower cost
Fluke
Networks today announced new capabilities for the company's award winning
EtherScope Network Assistant that helps Value Added Resellers (VARs) and System
Integrators (SIs) expand their network installation business. VARs and SIs installing new networks will
find that the EtherScope analyzer's new capabilities help them install,
validate, and document LAN installations faster and at a lower cost.
Validating
LAN performance during installation is made possible by EtherScope’s new Service
Performance Tool. Installers, VARs and
SIs use this tool to demonstrate and document that those network services that
are critical for acceptable LAN operation (DHCP, DNS, web) are available and
responsive. Such documentation may be a
client requirement, or the installer may use this feature to differentiate his
service from the competition. When
teamed with Ethernet performance testing, network installers have a powerful
new combination of tools to validate that network infrastructure was correctly
installed and configured. Validation and
the resulting documentation provide assurance that the LAN will perform as
designed – resulting in robust network operation, fewer trouble tickets and
more satisfied users and clients.
These
validation results are captured by the EtherScope Network Assistant and turned
into easy-to-interpret documentation that thoroughly characterizes LAN and WAN
link performance at turn-up. Any
performance issues later noted by the customer can be compared against this
turn-up documentation. Validation
documentation serves as proof of a project successfully completed.
Other new
installation tests are provided by the expanded Ethernet performance test
suite. Users can now measure and assess
end-to-end Ethernet performance using new RFC 2544 procedures and other
advanced tests, including jitter and bit errors, with customizable pass/fail
criteria. The EtherScope analyzer can
now also be paired with a low-cost Gigabit LinkRunner Pro packet reflector for
end-to-end testing. The smart LinkRunner
Pro packet reflector supports layer 2 and 3 networking at a price that allows
installers to instrument multiple links or to equip multiple field technicians.
Technicians
working for SIs and VARs typically spend 70% of their time on deployment
issues. EtherScope's new battery of
installation validation tests lets installers spend less time on site and helps
SIs and VARs save money.
In addition
to these new installation-centric features, the EtherScope Network Assistant
now offers enhanced troubleshooting with the addition of draft 802.11n access
point detection and location. "We
have a customer who swore there were no unidentified wireless access points on
the site," said Jennie Lassig of CompuTech Consulting in Woods Cross,
UT. "With EtherScope we found that
a user had mounted an unknown AP and was transmitting unsecured."
The
EtherScope Network Assistant is a handheld network analyzer that helps network
professionals quickly solve problems on 10, 100 and Gigabit, twisted pair and
optical fiber LANs and wireless LANs.
CompuTech's Lassig reported that a "customer had a tech on site for
2 days who couldn’t resolve the problem of slow network performance." With the EtherScope Network Assistant
"we went there and within two minutes found a network loop in a switch
that didn’t have spanning tree enabled. The customer was thrilled and we gained
their trust and confidence in our technical expertise." EtherScope also now supports SNMPv3, crucial
for network technicians responsible for devices using this newest version of
SNMP.
Product
availability
The
EtherScope Network Assistants is available for immediate delivery from Fluke
Networks sales partners worldwide. All
EtherScope Network Assistants shipped after April 28 will include new version 4
software. Existing EtherScope owners
with Gold support can upgrade their units by visiting
www.flukenetworks.com/EtherScope.
About Fluke
Networks
Fluke
Networks provides innovative solutions for the installation and certification,
testing, monitoring and analysis of copper, fiber and wireless networks used by
enterprises and telecommunications carriers. The company's comprehensive line
of Network SuperVision™ Solutions provide network installers, owners, and
maintainers with superior vision, combining speed, accuracy and ease of use to
optimize network performance. Headquartered in Everett, Washington,
the company distributes its products in more than 50 countries. More
information can be found by visiting Fluke Networks’ Web site at
www.flukenetworks.com
*********************************
New MicroScanner 2 Termination Test Kit Increases Technician Productivity From the First Day of Use
Complete set of best-in-class tools for network cable installers,
TV cable technicians leads to faster, higher quality work with less risk of
error
Fluke Networks, provider of innovative Network SuperVision
Solutions™ for the testing, monitoring and analysis of enterprise and
telecommunications networks, today announced the new MicroScanner2 Termination
Test Kit. This comprehensive new collection of installation and service
tools includes everything a network cable installer or TV cable tech | 
