Issue: September 2006
By: Frank Bisbee

Bisbee's Buzz

Labels save big bucks

Communications and Datacom infrastructure is very expensive and highly labor intensive to install and service. It is shocking to consistently find cabling facilities in the workplace with virtually no documentation (records, drawings, or labeling). With millions of dollars invested in the physical information network, the first and most important step to preserve the investment is “LABEL IT.” Today, RHINO’s portable Industrial Labeling System is the most effective way to add finished value to the network and associated hardware.

www.rhinolabeling.com

The strongest incentive to have better documented cable is the need to control our costs.  When wiring decisions are uncontrolled, we suffer from “MAC Attacks” (Moves, Adds and Changes).  With the constantly changing world of IT and telecommunications, undocumented, and unmanaged MAC expenses can demolish budgets and eat into our profits.  In reality, few records are kept, and of those even fewer are kept up to date.  MAC can reach 90% in labor costs that cannot be reclaimed unlike the cable itself.

Properly documenting your network installation will:

Save time

Save money

Add value

With proper documentation in place, a decrease in labor costs, due to the ease of cable identification, can be achieved.  The complexity of your network should determine the level of detail needed for labeling.  Using the TIA/EIA-606-A (Administration Standard for Commercial Telecommunications Infrastructure) is a good starting point for formulating a strategy that fits your business.

With the addition of a properly documented network infrastructure, a building owner/facilities manager, can change a possible liability into an asset.  Like the deteriorating effect of rust on steel, cabling systems without labels will result in major expenses as the technicians try to navigate the myriad of facilities in order to service or repair the systems. Numerous studies have shown these “hidden expenses” add up to a shocking 10% or greater of the service costs. Now, add the price of down-time and the price is staggering.

Plan the project, purchase wisely, install properly, label, test and document.

It’s a great business practice.

But that’s just my opinion……

By: Frank Bisbee

"Heard On The Street" Monthly Column

Honoring the Battlefield

By Claire Swedberg

It has been more than 60 years since five marines and one Navy corpsman were photographed raising the American flag on Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima, Japan. The moment is immortalized in photographs and architecture and is a strong legacy for the U.S. Marine Corps.

In November 2006, the National Museum of the Marine Corps will open in the Marine Corps Heritage Center Campus, Quantico, Va., marking the Leathernecks’ 231st birthday and honoring the Corps’ lengthy heritage. Contractors such as Walker Seal Co. Inc., Fairfax, Va.—who have been a part of creating the one-of-a-kind museum—say this is a project they will never forget.

Designed by Fentress Bradburn Architects, Washington, D.C., the $57-million project is unique because of the 210-foot, 50-ton steel mast—representing the scene at Iwo Jima—that angles up through the building and beyond.

Although small Marine command museums exist around the country, until this new construction, the Corps did not have a facility to house its thousands of artifacts.

“We didn’t have much capability of displaying our artifacts in a professional manner,” said Brig. Gen. Jerry McKay.

The museum project was divided into two parts. Centex Construction, Fairfax, Va., was the base building general contractor, and Design and Production Inc., Lorton, Va., worked on the tenant fit-out, complete with exhibit galleries, audio/visual interactives and a theater.

Securing the mast

One of the biggest challenges was the atrium and mast, which is known as the Leatherneck Gallery. The atrium includes an observation deck, for looking down into the gallery floor, and land artifacts, such as a track vehicle. Four airplanes hang from the ceiling. The 150-foot diameter circle gallery has walls clad with travertine marble from Italy.

Installation required 24-inch-thick concrete foundation walls that tower 45 feet tall and support massive steel plate girder beams, which provide the necessary structural framing for the monumental atrium skylight. The windowless structure is built to include earthen berms up against perimeter walls—the wall thickness was necessary to make them substantial enough to support that design.

The mast serves as the center point of the building, and is on a mammoth scale. Putting the mast in place was a significant hurdle. The steel structure arrived in three pieces to be assembled in the field, then was raised with cranes, which lifted the mast over the wall of the central gallery before it was anchored into place by the rib beams. The mast was raised and closed in with heavy-gauge stainless steel panels.

“I’ll never forget seeing them lift that mast with two monstrous cranes,” said Tom Barnett, Walker Seal project manager.

Because of the angle and because it needed to be  installed before the building structure was completed, a temporary shoring tower was built to hold the mast. The steel erector set in place specific beams that created tripod-like support system for the mast.

“There were lots of tolerance challenges in making sure the skylight framing and aluminum cladding fit in and around the structural support framing and the central mast that protruded through the apex of the skylight,” said Matt Dye, project executive at Centex Construction.

The mast slants out of building in a northwest direction and has a lighted ship’s ladder up its interior with intermediate rest platforms. Wiring was needed for a safety light on the mast top to make it visible to aircraft as well as to power a smoke evacuation fan on the roof.

Fighting the wiring challenges

Installing the branch electric into the 45-foot-tall structural walls was one of the major electrical challenges.

“They had to do some pretty meticulous planning to make sure they had their routing in the right place,” Dye said.

Barnett said the Walker Seal men did much of their work with a 135-foot-high lift, big enough to hold two men and not much more. They installed 150 fixtures in the ceiling, but spent considerable time bringing equipment up where they could use it, then dropping down for more, since the lift had a limited weight capacity.

The airplanes, already in place in the gallery, were another one of the project’s challenges.

“We worked over and under and around the airplanes hanging there,” Barnett said.

They installed wiring in the steel framework around the gallery but making that work, Barnett said, was piecemeal at best. Walker Seal did prewire the wireway in 60, 8-foot-long pieces, then joined them together on the site.

“We put in the wiring, the outlet boxes, ran the conduit, and then protected it as they poured the concrete [for the walls],” Barnett said. “We were able to pull wires through it so that was the proof that it worked.”

With Centex Construction, Walker Seal helped wire what Barnett called “50,000 square feet of cavernous space.” After that was complete, workers moved onto the second phase.

Immersion exhibits

After getting the substructure wired, Walker Seal had more to do under a different contract. Working with general contractor Design and Production, Walker Seal would be responsible for wiring the exhibits and theatrical lighting. The same electricians who connected the substructure also put together the exhibit work.

When the exhibit area is completed, visitors who enter the museum will feel what it was like landing on Iwo Jima, as well as the siege of Khe Sanh, Vietnam, in 1968.

Visitors start by passing through a surround sound theater where they are treated as new recruits. They may be barked at by drill instructors, then will go through simulations of battles of World War II, including Iwo Jima. Visitors walk onto a Higgins Boat and into the raging battle. They continue on into Vietnam.

To make all this happen, Design and Production built—and Walker Seal installed power for—various audio/visual displays, as well as five central audio/visual control rooms serving various galleries, said Dale Panning, Design and Production senior systems engineer. The company also installed equipment racks with MPEG servers, audio servers, interactive computers, amplifiers, digital processing, and show control equipment.

The control rooms are designed to sequentially turn on for a diagnostic self-check each day, then synchronize with the other control rooms and displays such as video projectors and plasma screens.

The Ethernet-based system is automated, allowing an audio/visual staff member to walk through the galleries each morning and confirm that all exhibits have started up and are functioning properly before the doors open. The system also can be controlled remotely from an Internet connection.

Design and Production built and tested the racks for the gallery effects in its facility before workers brought them to the job site for Walker Seal to install.

“The immersion exhibits are intended to offer sound, the flashing strobe lights of enemy fire and even a shaking ground,” Barnett said.

To further the sense of immersion, the exhibits include a flat black ceiling with a series of theatrical lights installed to create war-like lighting. Walker Seal electricians installed motion detectors, which allow the launching of each exhibit as someone enters the area. These are connected to the audio/visual rooms where the programmed controls originate.

“There are a lot of players, a lot of people involved,” said Panning. “What’s unique about this museum is the immersion experience as opposed to looking though glass. Here you see, hear and feel the whole event. That’s what makes it special.”

Walker Seal also installed conduits and lighting for a meditation pathway that leads to a chapel on the museum grounds.

McKay said he expected commitment from the contractors involved in construction but is pleased with just how much commitment experienced, not just from the contractors and subcontractors as companies, but from the individuals working on the site.

“It’s fantastic. We’ve had a great group of people working on this. Walker Seal has done a great job. Even the individuals seem to take pride in what they are doing. We’re very excited about it,” McKay said.

This is just phase one of the project. The Heritage Foundation hopes it will continue onto phase two with an additional 79,000 square feet and exhibits that will extend coverage of Marine history back to 1775.

For Barnett, who is 69, this may be the opportunity of a lifetime.

“It means a lot to me to be doing this now,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to work on a job of a really special nature.”    EC

SWEDBERG is a freelance writer based in western Washington. She can be reached at
claire_swedberg@msn.com.

Pack Your Bags — Las Vegas Awaits

Just a month from now, the BICSI 2006 Fall Conference will commence in Las Vegas, Nevada, September 18-21. Make sure that you register to attend this extraordinary opportunity to hone your ITS skills. This year’s Fall Conference opens with a motivational presentation by Scott McKain, the co-founder and Vice Chairman of Obsidian Enterprises—a company generating $100 million in annual revenue. The Conference will continue with informative seminars and plentiful networking opportunities in the entertainment capital of the world—Fabulous Las Vegas!

Details and Registration...

BICSI Golf Tournament in Las Vegas

When you attend the 2006 Fall Conference, you have the opportunity to experience the Golf Tournament—a Monday tradition at every BICSI conference. Network with your peers and clients at Stallion Mountain Country Club on Monday, September 18, with an 8 a.m. shotgun start. Attendees, exhibitors, guests and business colleagues are welcome to participate.

Details…

Session Topics Survey

Have an influence on the next BICSI Conference. If you have recommendations for topics to be featured, share them by e-mail with Kim Osterman at kosterman@bicsi.org. The responses will be compiled and presented to the BICSI Education Advisory Council for planning track sessions at future BICSI conferences.

Hitachi Appoints Daniel Lee To Vice President Of Marketing

The Ubiquitous Platform Systems Division of Hitachi America, Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT - News), www.hitachi.us/tv, today announced the appointment of 15-year consumer electronics veteran Daniel Lee to the position of vice president of marketing. Lee will direct Hitachi's U.S.-based marketing, communications and advertising strategies across the company's complete line of consumer electronics, including high-definition plasma, LCD and projection televisions, and DVD camcorders. Additionally, Lee will be responsible for Hitachi's expanding brand awareness efforts, including its new, "Power Unleashed" integrated national advertising campaign, announced separately today. Mr. Lee will be based out of Hitachi's San Diego, California office.

"Daniel Lee brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the U.S. consumer electronics marketplace to our company and his appointment will allow Hitachi to further expand its flat panel brand awareness, prestige and market share," said Kenji Nakamura, vice president and general manager, Hitachi America, Ltd., Ubiquitous Platform Systems Division. "We are fortunate to have Daniel on board to help us build on the strength of the Hitachi brand and our original technologies."

Mr. Lee comes to Hitachi America from Maxell Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Hitachi Maxell, Tokyo, Japan, where he served as vice president of marketing for the consumer data and professional product groups. Prior to Maxell, Mr. Lee was the director of marketing communications at LG Electronics, playing a leading role in the company's successful entrance into the U.S. electronics and major appliance markets. Lee earned his bachelor's degree in marketing from Northeastern University and his MBA from Cornell University.

Hitachi has a unique position in the marketplace by manufacturing and developing its own core technologies to provide consumers and businesses with optimal product performance in each of Hitachi's product categories. For consumer products, please visit www.hitachi.us/tv. For business products, please visit www.hitachi.us/digitalmedia. For more information about electronic whiteboards and Starboard software, please visit Hitachi Software at www.hitachi-soft.com. Hitachi brand business products are connected through Hitachi's OneVision program, which makes it possible for any Hitachi business unit dealer to sell Hitachi products from other Hitachi business units.

Hitachi America, Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., markets and manufactures a broad range of electronics, computer systems and products, and consumer electronics, and provides industrial equipment and services throughout North America. For more information, visit www.hitachi.us.

Hitachi, Ltd., (NYSE: HIT - News; TOKYO:6501 - News), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 356,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2005 (ended March 31, 2006) consolidated sales totaled 9,464 billion yen ($80.9 billion). The company offers a wide range of systems, products and services in market sectors including information systems, electronic devices, power and industrial systems, consumer products, materials and financial services. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at www.hitachi.com.

TED Magazine Wins Three ASBPE Awards of Excellence

Business Publication Editors Awards Recognize Editorial, Design Distinction
TED Magazine, the official publication of NAED, won three Regional Excellence Awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors' 28th Annual Awards of Excellence Competition. The national contest receives more than 2000 entries each year. The magazine was recognized as part of the Midwest-South Region of the ASBPE.

TED's recognitions include:

Regional Award for Editorial Excellence for the regular column, Profit Report (July, November 2005). The column is written by TED contributor Dr. Albert Bates, founder and president of Profit Planning Group. It addresses profit-related issues, challenges, and opportunities for electrical distributors.

Regional Award for Editorial Excellence in the Individual or Company Profile category for Deep in the Heart of Profit (May 2005), a feature article about Elliott Electrical Supply written by TED Editor Michael Martin.

Regional Award for Design Excellence in the category Contents Page or Pages for Departments and Features (March 2005). The monthly section is designed by TED Magazine staff, Misty Byers, managing editor and Randi Vincent, art director.

Check out the award-winning article on Elliott Electric Supply.    More…
Read the winning Profit Report Columns.    More…

www.tedmag.com

Corning Cable Systems Updates Downloadable Offering Of Hardware Product Drawings

Corning Cable Systems, part of Corning Incorporated’s (NYSE:GLW) Telecommunications segment, has updated its hardware product drawings, a useful tool for customers to use as part of network designs and bid specifications.

These two-dimensional and isometric drawings of LANscape^® and LANscape Pretium^™ Solutions hardware family products are available in PDF, as well as AutoCAD-compatible DFX and Visio formats.  The drawings are offered free of charge for downloading from the Corning Cable Systems Web site at www.corning.com/cablesystems/productdrawings.  Unlike some other competitive tools that require registration or membership in selective programs, you do not need to register for this valuable tool.

This is the third edition of the downloadable drawings, which Corning Cable Systems has made available to customers for many years.  Highlights from the third edition include several LANscape Solutions innovations, such as high-performance Pretium Connector Housings, the Fiber Zone Box for structured cabling solutions, and several of Corning Cable Systems’ environmentally rugged hardware closures for outdoor and industrial environments.

Corning Cable Systems LANscape Solutions is a complete offering of products, services and support designed to simplify fiber optic cabling requirements. For additional information on the hardware product drawings or any other Corning Cable Systems product or service, please contact a customer service representative at 1-800-743-2675, toll free in the United States, or (+1) 828-901-5000, international, or visit the Web site at www.corning.com/cablesystems.

About Corning Incorporated
Corning Incorporated (www.corning.com) is a diversified technology company that concentrates its efforts on high-impact growth opportunities. Corning combines its expertise in specialty glass, ceramic materials, polymers and the manipulation of the properties of light, with strong process and manufacturing capabilities to develop, engineer and commercialize significant innovative products for the telecommunications, flat panel display, environmental, semiconductor, and life sciences industries.

300-meter fiber horizontal: The good, the bad, and the political

There are basically two large camps on the issue of a possible 300-meter fiber horizontal, divided mostly along party lines—copper cabling manufacturers and fiber cabling manufacturers. And then there are the rest of us that try to discern the “why” so we can explain it to the architects, space planners and building owners who are our customers.

The precedent for use of a 300-meter fiber horizontal has already been set. TIA-942 Data Centers currently allows a 300-meter fiber horizontal, but TIA-568-B.1 Commercial and TIA-570-B Residential do not. We already know that it works, the question is within which of the “unique premises environments” should it be considered as the “minimum standard allowed” and why?

I decided to ask members of each of these camps for some of the pros and cons regarding a ubiquitous 300-meter horizontal for fiber cabling.

The copper camp is quick to quote studies, which are well over 30 years old, on typical lengths of horizontal cabling that show most “existing cables” are about 150 feet long. Oddly enough that is about the same as the length as a typical electrical branch circuit. You see, during the era “under study” most of the “telephone” cabling was terminated on the “other wall” in the electrical rooms. Given the choice, would we design systems that way today? Probably not. It is interesting to note that there have not been any “new” studies presented to the committee for consideration, so the original 30-year-old study still stands as “typical.”

The fiber camp wants to reduce the number of telecommunications rooms within the building as a “cost saving measure,” which realistically is sort of the “all your eggs” (or in this case network ports) “in one basket” approach.

This idea was first introduced as a Centralized Optical Fiber Cabling System. But once TSB-72-1997 finally made its way through the committee process, the result (maximum horizontal length of 90 meters) was quite different than what was originally intended (maximum horizontal length of 300 meters) because it also included copper cabling. Yes, I know what the TSB’s title says, but both media types were covered in the original TSB-72 and later when the material was incorporated into TIA-568-B.1.

Fewer telecommunications rooms would mean less building space to power, cool, ground, etc., and few network maintenance points. But too many cables concentrated into one space—for example all the ports in a commercial office building—and you have built yourself a data center.

It is true that dense concentrations of network ports within fewer telecommunications rooms will much improve the port utilization rate. However, the optical network equipment has historically been more expensive than its copper counterpart. This is where the fiber camp argues that an increase in use of optical network equipment will encourage reductions in pricing due to higher volume purchases. I don’t know that I would “buy” into that argument, but I do believe that over time, because network speeds continue to increase, the cost of network equipment for optical fiber and copper cabling will begin to approach parity, while the cabling distances supported will become even further divided.

But is this a “commercial building”?

When TIA began writing premises cabling standards in the mid-1980s there were only two types of buildings on their radar: residential and commercial. The method of determining which was which, was fairly simple. If it is not someone’s home, then it is a commercial building.

Using this classification method, hospitals, schools, factories, power plants, data centers, office buildings, etc. are all commercial buildings.

Today, we are seeing more granularity within the standards, and many of these will someday have their own “unique premises environment” standard.

However, the title of TIA-568-C.1 is still “Commercial Building” and I believe that this is going to cause a lot of confusion as to which standard will take precedence. If TIA-568-C.1 is actually meant to address commercial office buildings, then a simple change in the title should correct the problem, and if not I am certain that the discussions will be long and interesting.

It is my personal opinion that the 300-meter fiber horizontal should be included in TIA-568-C.0, which would allow use in all “unique premises environment” standards where it was not specifically prohibited by an exception. For example, there would not be an exception within data center or industrial standards but there would likely be one within the commercial (office) building standard where the copper cabling camp has a strong presence.

So what would happen in the case of an airport or hospital for which there are no “unique premises environment” standards? In my opinion, TIA-568-C.0 would apply and it would then be the responsibility of the designer to determine if the 300-meter fiber horizontal should be allowed.

Fiber’s limitation

What is seen as the limiting factor in using fiber in the horizontal today? How do you power the Power over Ethernet (PoE) and PoE Plus devices with optical fiber?

What we need is “just a little DC.” Power over fiber?

The fiber-optic powering system consists of a high-power laser diode, an optical fiber for transmission, and a photovoltaic cell. Photovoltaic cells have been used for years in solar panels to convert sunlight into heat or electrical energy.

The high-power laser diode is the device that converts electrical energy (DC) into light energy, transmitted through a medium. At the far end of the fiber-optic cable the photovoltaic cell converts the light energy back into electrical energy (DC) where it is used to power an electronic device like a WiFi antenna or a VoIP telephone. And the same optical fiber that is used to power the device can also be used to communicate with it. Now it is not only possible, but actually in production.

On 5 May 2006 JDS Uniphase Corporation announced that its Photonic Power Business Unit has achieved optical-to-electrical conversion efficiency greater than 50 percent on their 3-volt and 5-volt gallium arsenide (GaAs) Photovoltaic Power Converter (PPC). The company reports that more than 10,000 units have been deployed serving more than 50 customers, including Siemens, Raytheon, ETS Lindgren, and NEC. Yes, things are about to get interesting.

Next month I plan to discuss why, if 150 feet was typical, 100 meters was chosen as the maximum channel length.

BY: Donna Ballast RCDD

Reprinted with full permission of Cabling Installation & Maintenance a Pennwell publication – July 2006 issue

Southeast Builders, Designers Receive Prestigious Aurora Awards

The Grammy’s of the Home Building Industry

Builders and designers throughout the Southeast received prestigious Aurora Awards during an industry gala last Saturday. The awards extravaganza coincided with the 2006 Southeast Building Conference (SEBC) tradeshow and educational conference.

“For this special night of the year, the spotlight is on the Southeast’s finest builders and designers,” says Valerie Cope, 2006 AURORA Award Chair. “The prestigious event creates lifetime recognition for all winners.”

The nationally recognized AURORA Awards honor builders, designers, architects and other home building industry professionals in a 12-state southeast region stretching from Texas to Virginia.

The Golden AURORA Award and Best in State AURORA Awards are considered the premier AURORAs. All winning photos are posted on theauroras.com.

2006 GOLDEN AURORA WINNER

Foley Design Associates, Architects Inc., Wild Heron, Panama City Beach, FL
Wild Heron is comprised of numerous residential opportunities including home sites, bungalows, custom-designed homes, and condominium residences. Wild Heron threads Coastal Craftsman architecture through each residence and community structure. The Coastal Craftsman style is a genuine complement to the natural landscape surrounding it, using time tested finishes like slate, river rock, split stone, glass, wood and historic metals. At the heart of Wild Heron is the Greg Norman-designed Shark’s Tooth Golf Course, an Audubon International “Signature Sanctuary.” World-class community amenities include a lakeside fire-ring, pool, fitness center, boardwalk and an oak-grove park. Stocked with kayaks and canoes, residents also have access to the Boathouse. A series of walkways for both pedestrians and golf carts link all amenities. Members can enjoy a private beach club with a pool, cabana, and grill located minutes away on the sugar sand coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

2006 BEST IN STATE AURORA WINNERS

STATE                                                WINNER

Florida                                               Foley Design Associates, Architects Inc.
                                                           Wild Heron
                                                           Panama City Beach, FL

This Coastal Craftsman style home is designed by Foley Design Associates, Architects Inc. and is both the 2006 Golden AURORA Award winner and the 2006 Best in State AURORA winner for Florida. Please see description of this property above.

Georgia                                             Studio for Civil Architecture, PLLC
                                                           The Ford Plantation Club House
                                                           Richmond Hill, GA

The design reflects the Southern architectural tradition of joining building and nature in a harmonious, organic, and dignified union. Echoing traditional plantation architecture, the complex comprises three separate structures. The main building contains members’ functions, dining and locker facilities as well as back-of-house uses. The two flanking dependencies house a pro shop and administrative offices. On the entry porch the four large and strongly proportioned Doric columns relate to the scale and position of the live oaks leading up to them. This alignment affects a visual connection and evokes the theory of classical columns as having evolved from tree trunks. Embracing the surrounding panoramic views, the building elevates the principal rooms and porches that ring the perimeter. Deep porches connect outside to inside, provide shade, and serve as outdoor rooms for social interaction.

North Carolina                                 The Evans Group
                                                           Camp at Mount Lynn Lowry
                                                           Balsam, NC

Each of the homes have been designed with numerous outdoor decks and seating areas most of which overhang the waterfall creating a symbiotic relationship between the homes and nature. The owner’s goal with the landscaping was to return the mountain to its original state by only planting native and indigenous plant material that could survive the harsh winters and add to the surroundings. All the rock utilized in the walls and stairways came from the property during the construction and anchoring of the homes. Rather than sidewalks, there are concrete stairways complete with custom railings and light fixtures making the hike between homes a little easier and strategically placed stone benches on which to rest. The Camp was developed on the principals of Smart Growth and Sustainable Communities with green philosophical values, appropriateness, variety, and flexibility.

South Carolina                                 Schmitt Walker Architects, Inc.
                                                           Colt Residence
                                                           Spring Island, SC

The clients wanted an architecturally unique home; strongly integrated with the site and allowing them to experience the surrounding natural environment from inside. The site is a heavily wooded area on the edge of a fresh water pond, with a very strong sense of enclosure and privacy. The architectural program called for four buildings; a two-bedroom guesthouse, a three-car garage, a shop for woodworking and a three-bedroom house (3,600 sq ft.) A detailed site analysis by the architect and landscape architect determined the most desirable location for each of the building components, and preserved every tree on site throughout construction. The extensive use of glass creates a strong visual connection between living spaces and the wooded site while the open floor plan, soaring roof forms, expressed structural system and expansive window (both operable and fixed), all contribute to strongly situate this house in its natural environment.

Virginia                                              Lessard Group, Inc.
                                                           Chatham Square
                                                           Alexandria, VA

Chatham Square, an innovative mixed-income community replaces high concentrations of public housing with mixed-income development. The community has been redeveloped, replacing low-density, two-story housing units arranged in a “barracks” pattern, with higher-density, three and four-story town homes and apartments designed to look like town homes, some with underground parking, in a formal, pedestrian-friendly site plan with large, central courtyards. The plan creates high quality housing, an improved streetscape, and better usable open space. The “back to back” buildings were created and include four market rate town homes with underground parking on one side and six “two-over-one” public housing units on the other side (also over underground parking), with the rental units designed to appear as though they are four market rate town homes-resulting in the seamless integration of the public housing not only within the existing community, but within the surrounding neighborhood as well.

Tennessee                                        Scott H. Wilson Architect LLC
                                                            Private Residence
                                                            Nashville, TN

This home renovation project was designed to allow a growing family to stay in their home in an established neighborhood located close to downtown, work, and school. The major spaces added were a new, enlarged kitchen with eating area, a new family room, master suite, and deck on the main level. The upper level turned one bedroom into two bedrooms with sitting area and bath. The solution adds new space at the rear of the existing structure which minimizes the impact on the streetscape and provides a better connection to the rear yard while adding much needed space for the family. The stone and siding used compliment the original brick and siding of the house and the steeply pitched gable roofs provide a feeling of spaciousness to the compact design while adding a touch of whimsy to the rear elevation. The new interior also opens up spaces previously isolated to provide better flow for entertaining as well as enhancing family interaction in the home. The new home demonstrates that a modest size home can feel comfortable, flow well and provide ample space without requiring an extravagant budget.

Texas                                                 Hnedak Bobo Group
                                                           Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center
                                                           Grape Vine, TX

Entry to the grand hotel immerses guests in the rustic details and architectural forms representing historic Texas design vernacular of three distinct regions: Hill Country, the Lone Star and the Riverwalk, using Texas limestone, wood trusses and lintels, iron, stucco and metal roofing. These materials unite diverse areas of the large-scale property-hotel exterior, hotel interior, ballrooms, restaurants, retail, entertainment venues, spas, and indoor and outdoor pools-to attain design consistency. Materials play off of lush gardens and waterscapes that are used to soften rough features of the native architecture of the hotel exterior and within hotel atriums, while keeping the resort’s signature brand elements. Over five stories of guestroom balconies surround and overlook these atrium gardens for soothing and dramatic guest experiences. The centerpiece of the hotel, a 3.5-acre glass atrium, bears an impressive colored glass ‘Lone’ star as an ode to the locale and as a striking accent to break up the large atrium span. 

ABOUT THE AURORA AWARDS:
The AURORA Award competition is open to builders, architects, interior designers, landscape architects and other home building professionals in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Ward categories include attached for-sale homes, detached single-family homes, custom homes, kitchens, baths, interior merchandising, residential developments, rental apartments, recreational facilities, landscape design, retirement communities, remodeling, rehabilitation, or historical restoration, commercial projects, energy-efficiency, water conservancy, solar energy, and technology. The 2006 AURORA Award program drew 362 entries.

AURORA Award winners are announced each year in conjunction with the Southeast Building Conference. SEBC is a 12-state regional conference attended by more than 18,000 home building professionals. In addition to AURORA Award winners, the 28^th annual SEBC featured 1036+ product and service exhibits, the New Southern Home, Hurricane Alley, 80+ Education Programs, Keynote Speaker Dick Vitale, E-zone, and the Excel Awards. For more SEBC information, visit www.sebcshow.com.

Connected@Home Speakers Announced

October 15-17, 2006 / Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina

Our initial slate of industry experts has been announced. Learn from these speakers as they outline the challenges and opportunities in the connected home space:

AMX Corporation, Scott Norder; VP, Residential Market Development
AT&T, Jonathan Cowper; Associate Director - Customer Marketing & Experience
Bell Canada, Martin Cullum; GM Technology Development - Video Networks
CABA, Ron Zimmer; President & CEO
Campbell-Ewald, Ed Dilworth; Chief Contact Officer
Cisco Systems, Jeff Dean; Practice Lead - Rich Media Services
Cookson Consulting, David Skelly; Vice President & Managing Partner
Cookson Consulting, Tim Woods; President
Digitas, Katherine Dyer; Executive Vice President, Relationship Leader
Fleishmann & Walsh, Lawrence Freedman; Partner
Hewlett-Packard, TBD
Horizon Technologies, Ludo Bertsch; President
Ipsos-Reid, Mary Beth Barbour; Vice President
Ken Wacks Associates, Ken Wacks; President
Microsoft, Jonathan Cluts; Director - Consumer Prototyping and Strategy
SmartLabs, Inc., Ken Fairbanks; Vice President of Sales and Business Development
StayTuned, Frank White; Partner
SupportSoft, Inc., Bruce Mowery; Vice President
Whirlpool Corporation, Carol Priefert; Product Development Manager
Zanthus, Carole Wiedmeyer; Senior Research Consultant
Zanthus, Tracey Dobesh; Senior Research Consultant

Also, take advantage of the Internet Home Alliance Research Council Collaborative Research Track. This track will explore specific areas of interest, from a collaborative research perspective.

--IPTV: Interactive
--SMB IT Needs Assessment Project
--Subsidized Media and Location Based Advertising
--Senior Living Project
--Digital Kitchen Project

Just Added!

CABA's Standards Summit and Connected Home Council meeting.

Full agenda is available online. CLICK HERE

Early Bird Deadline (Save $250.00)

EARLY BIRD registration ends August 31.

All delegates will receive the following complimentary reports:

1) State of the Connected Home 2005 ($2,100 value)

2) Connected Home Roadmap Executive Summary

Take advantage of these free reports and EARLY BIRD pricing, by registering today! CLICK HERE.

Our Sponsors:
Pulse~LINK, Inc.
AMX Corporation
INSTEON
Whirlpool Corporation

Building Industry Sponsor:
Hanley Wood

Endorsing Associations/Supporting Publications:

Big Builder, Digital Home, ECHONET Consortium, Home Gateway Initiative, KNX Association, MPEG Industry Forum, HiddenWires, Wi-Fi Alliance,

http://www.caba.org  

Lithium Ion Technology- Now Available From Hitachi Power Tools

Hitachi Power Tools (NYSE: HIT - News) today announced the launch of its new line of Lithium Ion cordless products. Powered by HXP batteries from Hitachi, the Lithium Ion technology generates 3x the battery life of standard NiCad batteries.  They are significantly lighter to reduce the overall weight of the tools they power.  In addition, HXP batteries are uniquely backwards compatible, meaning they will also work in Hitachi's 18V DMR and DVF3 cordless tools for even more flexibility and value across the cordless line.

Hitachi HXP batteries have a life of approximately 1300-1500 cycles (# of times a user can recharge) as opposed to about 500 times for recharging NiMH or NiCad batteries. Lasting 3x longer, they do not have to be replaced as often saving the user money. They maintain a steady charge from the moment the trigger is pulled until they need to be recharged- ensuring the user will tap the full power during use. HXP battery technology reduces the weight by approximately a pound per tool, which improves manageability and lessens fatigue.

Now Available:

DV18DL 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless Hammer Drill

Offers a class leading 570 in/lbs of torque to hammer through the toughest jobs. A unique two-step speed switch gives the user the ability to select from 4 different speed settings (0-200/400/900/1800 RPM) for ultimate control. Lightweight at 4.9 lbs, the DV18DL feels like a 12V tool, while offering the power and performance of an 18V.

DS18DL 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless Driver Drill

Offers 560 in/lbs of torque to drill and drive through tough materials. It is equipped with the same two-step speed switch as the hammer drill above and weighs just 4.6 lbs.

KC18DAL 18V Lithium-Ion 3-Piece Combo Kit

This new pro-grade combo kit includes the DV18DL 18V Lithium Ion hammer drill, the CR18DL 18V lithium ion reciprocating saw and a powerful 14.4/18 Volt lantern equipped with a 5-position adjustable handle.

DB3DL 3.6V Cordless Lithium Ion Screwdriver

This tool is ideal for tightening and loosening fasteners in odd or tight spaces. Weighing less than a pound and producing a powerful 44 in/lbs of turning torque, the DB3DL will be a staple in any tool bag or belt. www.hitachipowertools.com

Market Outlook: Inflation, anyone?

Interest rates are up, fuel prices are on the rise, and the fear of inflation is causing the stock exchange to jump around—so what gives?

by Joseph Sullivan

What gives may not be inflation. Inflation happens when broad prices across a range of goods and services, including labor, escalate in dollar price without escalating in real value. Specific price increases due to product demand or the chocking down of sources of supply are not inflationary.

So let’s look at the biggie—the huge increases in the price of petroleum and natural gas. The intrinsic value of a barrel of oil or an mcf of gas hasn’t changed a bit—and the costs of many other things have sure gone up as a result. Isn’t that inflation?

In a word, no, although it is inflationary—in other words, the oil and gas increases do cause inflationary pressure that can eventually contribute to inflation. Yet, inflation itself is still very moderate.

So what’s the point of this explanation? Who cares about economic definitions? Aren’t they just mere academic word games? After all, if things cost more, it hurts—whether it’s inflation or “just” rising prices.

Indeed so. But the strategies for dealing with specific price increases can be very different from those used to cope with inflation.

Before looking at strategies, though, here’s what the second biggest shot in the mon-

etary policy world, the vice chairman of the Federal Reserve, Roger Ferguson, has to say. Late in the first quarter, he said the following in a speech given at Howard University:

“[Rising energy costs have boosted] prices for gasoline and other energy goods by raising the price of non-energy goods and services as firms pass on increased energy costs and by putting upward pressure on expectations of future inflation. Despite those pressures, core inflation has, as I mentioned, remained contained….

“All told, increases in energy prices over the past couple of years probably added about one-half of a percentage point to core inflation in 2005, and…appears likely to add roughly the same amount this year, provided that energy prices do not rise significantly further.”

To those who lived through the Jimmy Carter era of double-digit inflation and interest rates to match, a percentage of inflation may be undesirable, but it is not something to lose sleep over.

Of course, there are reasons why energy prices are not more inflationary. For one,  the economy has become less energy intensive. Oh, it uses more oil than it did 20 years ago, but the amount of oil relative to GDP is down. Way down. In fact, Ferguson stated that the ratio of energy use to real GDP is “down by more than half since the mid-1970s.”

The other big reason inflation has not gotten out of hand is that, unlike the 1970s, the Federal Reserve itself is determined to fight it. Unfortunately, there is a downside to this.

The Fed’s biggest anti-inflation tactic is to cool things down by raising interest rates. Raise them they have, and there may be more to come.

What about copper? Current prices are unheard of, regardless of how they bob up and down—and they are bobbing at extraordinary levels. Doesn’t that shoot the theory that inflation is under control?

Not really. The price of copper has run up because of vastly increased demand—including demand from the developing economies of China and India, and because speculators are climbing on for the ride. And, despite its remarkable usefulness in electrical and electronic products, and despite the fact that old copper mines are playing out much faster than new ones are being found, there is evidence that substitutions are taking place that can cause demand and prices to eventually subside somewhat. For example, copper prices are accelerating the move to plastic pipes, and will probably also speed the telco’s shift to optical networks.

Taking all of that into account, what can be done? That depends, of course, on the person asking the question, and his or her opinion about inflation. Those who think the Federal Reserve will indeed manage to keep it under control can focus on how to deal with specific cost increases such as fuel, freight, and higher interest rates. On the other hand, those who believe that the dollar is entering a phase of declining value will have quite a different strategy.

In a scenario of controlled inflation—but higher interest rates and fuel prices—the wise strategy is to lower use of borrowed funds and control and pass through fuel costs. Here are some practical ideas about how to get it done:

• Put more of a premium on inventory management and collections. Anything that can be done to shorten the cash cycle (the period between the day cash is paid for the inventory to the day funds are actually collected for the sale) will reduce the need for borrowed funds.

• Analyze accounts payable practices. Can better terms be negotiated? If not,  squeeze as many days out as possible before losing discounts. If rates get very high,  compare the annual interest savings on borrowed funds that can be gained by paying later to the benefit of discounts from paying sooner—the result might be surprising.

• Defer “optional” capital expenditures, acquisitions, and other outlays that cannot be shown to be extremely likely to generate a return substantially higher than the interest savings that could be gained by paying down debt. Remember in the analysis that interest savings are a pretty sure thing, while most business expenditures are more risky and should draw commensurately higher returns.

Fuel surcharges and such are pretty iffy, and when explicit, give competitors something to shoot at. Those feeling the fuel pinch would be advised to:

• Ask for bids from local delivery services (with specific service benchmarks as to times of delivery and the like). These companies often have significant operating economies over a distributor and can take a distributor partially out of the fleet and fuel business.

• Consider moving to night-time deliveries, as have some distributors in areas with bad daytime traffic. Night runs encounter almost no traffic delays and can be much more efficient. It is also easier to load the trucks up because the precise time of delivery is not especially important at night.

• Finally, those who feel that they must pass the costs through should consider doing so with a small general price increase. Calculate what the fuel difference really is, and see if a .5% to 1% price increase will cover it. The experience of many distributors has been that except in tightly bid project business, customers simply do not notice minor increases.

Be prepared

What if inflation really is coming back? What is different? Lots of things. For example, because the value of the dollar declines in inflationary periods, long-term debt with fixed rates gets repaid with cheaper money. Those who think the dollar will inflate over an appreciable period of time should consider shifting their debt structure accordingly.

Hard goods increase in nominal value as the dollar’s buying power shrinks. Therefore, somewhat slower turns on better-moving items can actually help. Of course, genuinely slow-moving, low-demand items never help under any economic scenario, so inventory must be closely managed in any event. (By the way, LIFO tax accounting is an essential inflation tool that can save huge sums of money.)

Will inflation pick up, or will it not? Nobody knows. It boils down to the abilities of the Federal Reserve Board—and while it has been very good at its job for a long time now, every year beings new challenges. We can only stay watchful and keep a toolkit of strategies close by in case it is needed.

Sullivan is president of JSA. He has a national practice helping electrical distributors improve profits, buy and sell busi-nesses and business units, and plan for the future. He can be reached at 972-463-1125 or joe@joseph-sullivan.com.

Reprinted with full permission of TED magazine – July 2006 issue www.tedmag.com

RHINO Non-adhesive Tag Fills Labeling Market Void

RHINO, the industrial division of DYMO Corporation, a NewellRubbermaid company, is pleased to announce the addition of Non-adhesive Tag to its line of label printer cartridges. This new product was developed to fill a void that currently exists in non-adhesive labeling applications.

Non-adhesive labels are required in applications that use plastic holders, such as on distribution panels, electrical wiring, or modular outlets. To date, non-adhesive labeling products have posed a variety of problems. These labels are often manufacturer-exclusive and non-interchangeable among components, or they require a supply of books and cards of individual letters and numbers to be kept on hand. In some cases, they are on perforated sheets that must be printed using an office printer or plotter and can result in waste if only a few labels are needed.

“The problem with most non-adhesive labeling products,” explained Lea Ann Schmidt, Sr. Product Manager for RHINO,  “is that they either require printing at the office – which is just not feasible for efficient field installations, or they require many different products be carried into the field such as various size labels and books of letters and numbers. RHINO developed its new Non-adhesive Tag cartridges to eliminate both problems.”

New RHINO Non-adhesive Tag cartridges drop into hand-held, electronic RHINO label printers (RHINO 5000 or 3000) in the same way that other adhesive-style label cartridges do. Installers simply enter the label text and size they need and press “print”. The label information is output on the non-adhesive tag in the exact size the installer needs, right at the job site. The need for individual or various size tag inserts is eliminated, saving the installer space in his toolbox and money in his pocket. As a bonus, RHINO labels make installations look polished and professional.

Doug Waldal, Global Director of Rhino, added, “The benefit of the new RHINO Non-adhesive Tag cartridges is that they offer installers more flexibility on the spot, saving time and reducing labeling inventory levels and costs. Installers can cut the inserts exactly to the size they need – all from the same cartridge. And, an installer can print just one or many labels at any given time. It’s an incredibly flexible solution to a long-standing problem with non-adhesive labeling applications.”

The new RHINO Non-adhesive Tag cartridges are available in 1/4” (6mm), 3/8” (9mm), 1/2” (12mm) and 3/4” (19mm) widths, in lengths of 18’ (5.5 m).  Available in both white and yellow colors, the label material is constructed of non-adhesive polypropylene, providing excellent durability, rigidity and printability. RHINO Non-adhesive Tag cartridges work in both the RHINO 5000 and the RHINO 3000 label printers.

RHINO Non-adhesive Tag cartridges retail from $15.99 - $17.99. The RHINO 5000 and RHINO 3000 retail for $149.99 and $99.99 respectively. All are available now through your local distributor.  For more information please visit www.rhinolabeling.com.

About RHINO
RHINO is the industrial division of the DYMO Corporation, a NewellRubbermaid company. RHINO engineers and manufactures professional-grade label printers for residential, industrial and commercial use. The best-selling RHINO 5000 and RHINO 3000 label printers were designed with easy-to-use features that greatly reduce labeling time including one-touch “hot keys,” automatic sizing, fast print output, and split-back labels. Learn more at www.rhinolabeling.com.

Light Brigade To Coordinate FTTX Centre At ECOC 2006

Nexus Media Communications Ltd, organisers of the 2006 European Conference for Optical Communications (ECOC) exhibition, are delighted to announce that The Light Brigade, Inc. will be the FTTX coordinator for the Fibre to the User (FTTX) Resource Centre at this year's event in Cannes, France.

FTTX is leading the implementation of fibre optic technology, reaching to homes and businesses throughout the world.  The multi-stand FTTX Centre will be located within the exhibition hall from 25th - 27th September and will be a focal point for those manufacturing, integrating, installing and implementing FTTX. The Light Brigade will coordinate exhibits, literature, lead retrieval, displays, signage, applications notes, standards and the ECOC FTTX exhibits directory.  The Light Brigade will be actively involved in interfacing with the ECOC exhibitors and organizations for this new addition to the ECOC conference.  Those wanting information about the Centre should contact William H. Fulton, the FTTX Resource Centre Coordinator, via email at bill@lightbrigade.com.

The Light Brigade, Inc., based in Seattle, Washington, is a fibre optic training company specializing in the development of training courses and educational DVDs for the fibre industry. In the past year, The Light Brigade has hosted many FTTX educational projects and courses at industry events such as the Optical Fiber Conference, the Fiber to the Home Conference (USA) and the Outside Plant/Globalcomm Conference. www.lightbrigade.com

View From the Board :IP ready for prime time

Despite what some heel-dragging IT industry veterans in Canada think, this is no longer a technology on the horizon.

By Brantz Myers

Internet Protocol (IP) communication products and services have proven their ability to help organizations streamline business processes and diminish costs.

For years, Canadian companies have been realizing the benefits that carrying all forms of communications -- voice, video and data -- across a