For: www.wireville.com
"Heard On The Street" Column
Issue: August 2009
By: Frank Bisbee
Did you really think
that $48 dollar Rolex was the real deal?
Ain't spam grand? Every day we are inundated with hundreds of
spam emails proclaiming values and deals beyond belief. My daddy used to say, "If it seems to
good to be true, it probably is…".
The $48 Rolex watch is obviously a counterfeit. In the communications industry there are some
counterfeit products. Some are even
labeled and packaged to look identical to the 'real deal'.
Imagine that you found out
that the installed cable did not meet the transmission requirements of the
product you thought you bought, AFTER you just completed the installation a 700
station cabling system for a call center and bank. While this is not a common occurrence, it
does happen. What safeguards can be put
in place to minimize the chances of a horror story like this happening to
you?
The pace of technology in
the communications network industry is moving so quickly that a purchasing
agent would have to be dedicated to new products and improvements on a full
time basis. If the purchasing agent gave
each vendor with a new product 15 minutes seven days a week, at the end of a
year, the first vendors would be back in line with more new products and no
decision would ever be made. That is not
a practical solution.
Now, add to the frustration,
the need for product testing and quality control and bingo - now you need
another dozen or so full time employees.
Also, don’t forget the million- dollar test lab. The problems are more than just evaluating
the product on a stand-alone basis, now you have to put it to work in a real
network to calculate the actual performance with other components. To do that type of testing, you will require
some real "high dollar" techs.
Throw that in your budget.
There are powerful
resources available that give real insurance to the quality control challenge.
We have researched the communications industry and found a set of solutions
from an unexpected source. The world's
largest electrical/datacom distributors, have programs for the communications
cabling and infrastructure industry.
These programs meets the challenges of insuring integrity to the
purchasing process with a level of quality control that we have found to be
superior to all other product sources.
Counterfeits or faulty
products happen. There are many things
that a contractor could do to reduce or eliminate this scenario. The most sensible approach to insuring you
won't have this problem is the DISTRIBUTOR programs.
By now, you should have
gotten part of the message about why the DISTRIBUTOR is a
"no-brainer" for the contractor.
Let's add a few other bonus points to the distributor value. Face it; the distributor is the
communications cabling and connector markets largest buyer. For the manufacturers, maintaining the best
working relationship possible with a distributor is an absolute must. The distributor is the focal point for the
products to meet, combine, and create the network systems required in the
marketplace. We don’t buy parts
anymore. We buy systems. The systems must be integrated and
maximized. We buy system parts, but not
"parts" parts.
Today the process of
developing a design and evaluating alternatives for the cabling network
infrastructure is more challenging than ever before. Functionality, performance, life-cycle term,
and budget are thrown into the mix along with the entire technical
specification. In the world of
communications infrastructure, using a distributor is a logical tool for the
contractor. However, we still see many
contractors failing to use or capture the values available from the
distributor.
A distributor has more
purchasing power than any other buyer in the marketplace. The distributor is a high-volume repeat
customer with the ability to enhance the manufacturer's product value. The DISTRIBUTOR commands and delivers
competitive prices far more effectively than any contractor could ever hope to
achieve. Day after day, the DISTRIBUTOR
is one of the biggest buyers in the world.
When there is a problem with a product, solutions must be found,
remedies must be negotiated. Once again,
the DISTRIBUTOR gives the contractor the big hammer to resolve technical
"boo-boos".
The time to find out about
glitches or mismatches is not "after the fact". The communications infrastructure was once a formula
of 80% labor and 20% materials. Today
that formula has evolved to 52% labor and 48% materials. Once the installation has been performed, a
change-out could cost the contractor the entire labor investment. That scenario is a death sentence for the
contractors' profitability. If you think
lawyers are the solution for that type of problem, you have a lot to
learn. Your best bet is having a
distributor that will go to bat for you with the manufacturer, using their
clout to get the best resolution possible.
It's one thing to make the
sale. It's another thing to deliver it.
There are no mystical gurus in the back room at the contractors' office
with a database of current connectivity solutions and the costs. However, we found out that the DISTRIBUTOR
can add virtually all-available information to develop the solution. This is a great equalizer for any contractor
to compete in the marketplace.
INVENTORY
Everybody knows that the
customer will wait until tomorrow to order the network that they want
yesterday. Timetables and availability
on the labor side is somewhat controllable by the contractor. Cables,
connectors, and other required materials, are a challenge of inventory and
usually outside of the control of the contractor. Maintaining large inventories to service
their customers is not a good business practice for the contractor. We have all seen inventory building up in the
contractor's warehouse AND that sometimes adds up to a small fortune. Much of the contractor inventory that is not installed
immediately usually ends up as junk. Out
of date, obsolete, or incomplete materials mean wasted dollars. Most contractors don't manage inventory on a
small basis. As an option, the contractor should turn to the distributor to
offer that part of the business solution for their customers.
Having all of the materials
for the communications network is only part of the solution. We must have the peripherals. We need labeling and record systems. We need testers and analyzers. We need to stay abreast of technology, codes,
and standards. We also need to be able
to predict the future. Building barriers
to obsolescence requires a vision for the future. Planning for the future challenges while
delivering today's solutions, is imperative.
Anything less is usually unacceptable.
If you are a contractor, you do not want to go it alone.
Good advice: Use the
DISTRIBUTOR. Capture their values and add them to your total solutions
package. This approach is the least
expensive and most effective business insurance available.
REMEMBER: SAFETY IS TOO
IMPORTANT TO INGNORE
Never drive and text. No
exceptions
But that’s just my opinion,
Frank Bisbee
"Heard On The Street" Monthly Column
www.wireville.com
4949 Sunbeam Rd, Suite 16
Jacksonville, FL 32257
(904) 645-9077 office
(904) 645-9058 fax
904-237-0365 cell
frank@wireville.com
***************************
Connected Home Research Council Family Ecosystem
Forum
Sep
9, 2009
Connected Home Research
Council Family Ecosystem Forum, hosted by Whirlpool Corporation
in
Trapeze
Networks Awarded Two More Breakthrough Patents
New
Intellectual Property Covers New Location Based
Access
Control, Identity-Based Networking
Press
Release
Source: Trapeze Networks
On Monday July 20, 2009,
5:00 am EDT
"Awarded patents are
important because they protect our intellectual property and give us the
ability to add differentiated value to our products without any third party
hindrances," said Ahmet Tuncay, chief technology officer of Trapeze
Networks. "These recent inventions make wireless networks more secure and
easier to configure and deploy. Trapeze Networks' position as an innovator is
strengthened in important ways with the award of these two patents."
One of the newly awarded
patents is "methods and apparatus for controlling wireless network access
privileges based on wireless client location," (7,551,574) which is a
quintessential patent that coverts client accesses controls enforcements based
on client location.
Media Heaping Praise on
Trapeze Networks' Innovations
Devin Akin, founder and
president of Certified Wireless Network Professionals, writes in his blog,
". . .Trapeze brought a gun to a knife fight," and "This day
should be remembered." Later in his posting, he writes, "If this
doesn't put Trapeze squarely in Gartner's 2009 'visionary' quadrant, somebody
must be asleep at the wheel at Gartner." And regarding the fact that the
technology has been awarded a patent, Akin writes, "In a nutshell, this
means they own it, and it [expurgated] to be anyone else ..."
Craig Mathias, a columnist
for Network World and the president of Farpoint Research, writes in his column,
". . .you gotta love this idea," and ". . .as Trapeze's
announcement shows, the innovations around horizontal applications of RTLS in
the enterprise are arriving. . ."
Naomi Graychase of Wi-Fi
Planet, writes,
"The new Trapeze RF Firewall is a tactical, location-based approach to
enterprise network security that specifically seeks to prevent intrusions like
the type of parking lot attack that so famously breached the TJX networks in
2005-2006 and compromised 45 million customer payment cards."
The specific patent being
praised is US Patent 7,551,574, received on June 23, 2009 and covers a method
and apparatus for controlling wireless network access privileges based on
wireless client location.
Trapeze Networks' SmartPass
Patented Tool
The second patent Trapeze
Networks received, (
Tuncay says, "This
particular patent also covers the operation of redundant switch databases
(tunnel affinity) and determining location of clients based on log-in
operations, so it is broad and powerful."
About Trapeze Networks
Trapeze Networks, a Belden
Brand, is a leader in enterprise wireless LAN equipment and management
software. Trapeze was the first company to introduce NonStop Wireless -
delivering unmatched reliability to the enterprise wireless LAN and its
solutions are optimized for companies requiring mobility and high bandwidth
such as healthcare, education, and hospitality. Trapeze delivers Smart
Mobile(TM) providing scalable wireless LANs for applications such as Voice over
Wi-Fi, location services, and indoor/outdoor connectivity.
***************************
2009 Recovery Act Economic Stimulus Funds
Key Contacts and Resources
Congress passed The
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) on February 13 and President
Obama signed it into law on February 17, 2009. The ARRA contains significant
tax, investment, and spending provisions impacting energy efficiency, Smart
Grid, and infrastructure projects. NAED members can now take advantage of
information compiled by NEMA (the National Association of Electrical and
Medical Imaging Equipment Manufacturers) on the ARRA, better known as the 2009
stimulus package. Click here
to access a pdf containing a list of websites outlining energy-efficiency
incentives and programs. More information is available through the NEMA
Economic Stimulus webpage, www.nema.org/gov/economic-stimulus.
***************************
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***************************
Solar energy or
photovoltaic systems (PV) are defined by size, expressed in watts,
During the school year the
(view2.fatspaniel.net/PV2Web/merge?&view=PV/standard/HostedDetail&eid=194824)
The monitoring is very
sensitive; a user is able to observe the change in power output as the weather
changes, as a cloud passes over the campus, for example.
As part of the analysis for
the PV system,
“It is really a good
feeling to see the system generating energy as early as 6 a.m. and watching the
kilowatt-hour curve increase as the day goes on,”
Solar is quiet,
environmentally friendly, has no moving parts, installs faster, and is
extremely reliable. The energy is predictable right down to the kilowatt and
can be expected to last for 25 years or more, without industrializing the
skyline.
“The social, financial and
technical aspects of renewable energy are being woven into many high school and
college curriculums in science, mathematics, physics and business,” Paris, who
also teaches wind energy systems at Massasoit Community College, explained.
“It’s good to have a productive example right on campus.”
At Sacred Heart,
environmental awareness and individual social responsibility is integrated into
course work throughout the curriculum. Be it the school’s proactive stance in
energy conservation on campus or through its long-standing environmental
student organization, G.R.E.A.N. (Globally Responsible Environmentally Aware
Network), care for the environment is an integral part of the Sacred Heart
culture and mission.
***************************
ACUTA
Hurricane Preparation Checklist to Colleges/Universities is a powerful guide
Just in time. The 2009
Hurricane Season started June 1st and the tropics are already
churning. ACUTA, the Association for Communications Technology
Professionals in Higher
The 13-page document covers a broad range of pre-storm and post-storm
activities and considerations, tailored to the needs of the college and
university information communications technology personnel who make up ACUTA’s
membership. ACUTA is the only international association dedicated to serving
the needs of higher education information communications technology
professionals. It represents nearly 2,000 individuals at some 780 institutions.
The checklist can be accessed by both ACUTA members and non-members through the
ACUTA website (www.acuta.org),
specifically at this URL: www.acuta.org/?2026 or by searching for
“hurricane checklist.”
“Colleges and universities play an important role in disaster preparedness and
recovery for both their campus constituencies and their communities in
general,” said Dr. Walt Magnussen of
Magnussen added, “I can’t overemphasize the importance of maintaining
communication services to a campus community during an emergency situation.”
In the wake of the devastation wrought by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005,
ACUTA began working closely with the
The checklist covers areas such as emergency facilities and lodging, creation
of contact lists, physical power and fuel, staffing, computer and network services,
damage assessments and other post-storm activities, and training.
“One major advantage of the hurricane preparation checklist is that it covers
very extensively the basic considerations, and schools can build on those to
add specific activities and preparations of their own,” said Jeri Semer,
executive director of ACUTA. “Our goal in preparing this checklist is to do
what we can to help our members and others contribute to the health and safety
of everyone on campus.”
About ACUTA
ACUTA, the Association for Communications Technology Professionals in Higher
***************************
AFL
Telecommunications Introduces Drop Cable Storage Solution
AFL Telecommunications introduces the new Drop Cable Storage Unit (DCSU),
designed to store and organize the slack from a fiber drop left at a Fiber
Distribution Terminal (FDT). The DCSU can also be used for the organization or
storage of any unused multi-fiber drop in the placing of a multi-port terminal
from VATS splicers. Manufactured with weather-resistant light weight aluminum,
the DCSU contains a keyed bracket mount that prevents twisting and can manage
up to 12 fiber drops when laid flat into the raceway with minimal slack
required at the terminal. With spring-type lockable fingers to hold fiber drops
and cable, no tie-wraps are required.
The DCSU is supplied with
strand mount hardware that meets Telcordia® specifications. Optional hardware
to mount to poles or in below grade hand holes is available. Galvanized strand
clamping devices accommodate 1/4" to 7/16" strand and meet ASTM
specifications A153 and B695. The DCSU's are constructed from aluminum with a
baked acrylic enamel finish, and using an optional longer bolt, are stackable.
Patent pending. For additional
information, visit www.AFLtele.com.
About
AFL Telecommunications
AFL Telecommunications is an industry leader in providing fiber optic products,
engineering expertise and integrated services to the Electric Utility,
Broadband, Telco, OEM, Private Network and Wireless markets. It has operations
in the
***************************
Anixter
International Inc. Announces Share Repurchase Program
Glenview, IL - Anixter
International Inc. (NYSE: AXE
- News)
announced on July 31,2009 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.
Anixter currently has
approximately 35.6 million shares outstanding.
About Anixter
Anixter International is a
leading global distributor of communication products, electrical and electronic
wire & cable, fasteners and other small parts. The company adds value to
the distribution process by providing its customers access to 1) innovative
inventory management programs, 2) more than 425,000 products and over $950
million in inventory, 3) 232 warehouses with more than 6.5 million square feet
of space, and 4) locations in 270 cities in 52 countries. Founded in 1957 and
headquartered near
***************************
Belden Announces Plans to Close Plant in Leominster,
MA
Belden announced plans to
cease production activities at one of its manufacturing plants located in
There will be approximately
170 associates affected by these actions who will be eligible for severance
benefits from the Company.
This action is part of the
restructuring initiative the Company announced in December 2008.
About Belden
Sending All the Right
Signals - from industrial automation to data centers, from broadcast studios to
aerospace, from cutting-edge wireless communications to consumer electronics,
Belden people are committed to delivering the best signal transmission
solutions in the world. Belden associates work in copper cable, fiber, wireless
technology, connectors, switches and active components to bring voice, video
and data to your mission-critical application. With 2008 revenue of $2.0
billion, Belden has manufacturing capability in North America, Europe and
***************************
Thursday, July 23, 2009
CANASA
appoints new Executive Director
The Canadian Security Association (CANASA) announced that it has appointed Mr.
Jean-Francois
Tridium's smart home technology featured by U.S. Department of Energy
Tridium’s Smart Home Technology is being showcased in the U.S. Department of
Energy’s Living Zero Home Tour. The DOE’s Living Zero Home Tour is traveling
across the country to show useful and affordable ways people can save energy,
reduce their utility bills and to demonstrate the benefits of using energy
efficient products and technologies to live more comfortably, use less energy
and contribute to a eco-friendly environment. Tridium (7/8)
CEA forecasts
CE revenue will fall nearly 8% in 2009
The Consumer Electronics Association last week forecast that
Market for IP multimedia phones set to take off
The IP multimedia phone may turn into the "fourth screen" in Americans'
homes, according to market researcher In-Stat, based on consumers' increasing
need for visual communications. Multimedia phones are expected to bring in as
much as $8 billion in annual revenue by 2013, In-Stat said, with the increase
in the number of homes with broadband access helping to drive the sales. ElectronicHouse.com
(7/16)
Blu-ray disc
sales, rentals skyrocket
Sales of Blu-ray discs jumped 91%, to $407 million, in the first half of 2009
even as consumers' home-entertainment spending fell. Digital Entertainment
Group said revenue from Blu-ray rentals also increased, by 62%. PC World
(7/16)
PlayStation
Network reaches the 500-million mark
The PlayStation Network has reached the 500-million mark for pieces of digital
content, such as movies and TV shows, that have been delivered to PlayStation 3
and PSP devices. According to this report, the distribution mark is an
important one for
U-SNAP
Alliance releases first specification for home to grid product developers
U-SNAP Alliance, formed by a group of utility industry leaders to create a low
cost connector standard to enable consumer products to communicate with any
vendor's smart meter, released its first specification for product developers.
The
Crestron
introduces Prodigy Home Control
Prodigy is a simple to install, easy to use, and exceptionally affordable
solution that does not require any special wiring, programming or expensive
custom installation. Prodigy home automation solutions include home theater,
audio distribution, lighting and climate control. CEPro
(7/21)
Security experts at home: no downtime
There's no rest for computer security professionals, assuming they have one or
more computers at home. TechNewsWorld polled some experts in the field to find
out how they safeguard their personal systems, and we were surprised at the
wide range of responses. Some experts really batten down the hatches, while
others rely more on common sense than on security software. TechNewsWorld
(7/22)
Companies chase the promise of high-tech homes
Hewlett-Packard Co., Microsoft Corp. and Apple Inc., among others, are selling
systems to centrally store and manage digital media in the home. Other
start-ups are also vying to supply software to monitor and manage such
technology, which could be a $5 billion a year market by 2011, according to
research firm Parks Associates. Wall Street
Journal (7/22)
British Gas announces new money saving technology
British Gas has just announced it has signed a brand new agreement with
AlertMe.com to trial a new type of technology to help households around the
Smart meters cracking into U.S. homes
The number of smart electricity meters with two-way communications is poised to
mushroom in the next two years, according to a study. Research company Park
Associates this week released figures for smart-meter installations in the
New research
released on home automation industry
Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Home Automation
Solutions and Business Issues 2009" report by Mind Commerce LLC to its
offerings. The report provides updated information about home automation
technologies, standards, organizations, designers and installers. The report
also provides an updated vision for the home automation market, including an
overview of current business models, global SWOT Analysis for the industry
including real-world examples. The report also includes a market segmentation
study that contains factors that shape the home automation industry. Research and
Markets (7/22)
New environmental targets for commercial buildings in B.C.
Close to 17,000 commercial buildings in British Columbia could soon be energy
efficient thanks to a recently signed agreement between the Ministry of Energy,
Mines and Petroleum Resources, BC Hydro and the Building Owners and Managers
Association of BC (BOMA). Tumbler Ridge News (7/22)
Cisco to transform energy demand and use with smart buildings
U.S. Green
Building Council's new headquarters earns LEED Platinum
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is proud to announce the Platinum
certification of its new
HVAC system
helps provide cell phone reception
The nation's largest convention center,
Green
makeovers all the rage in an ugly market
A report by Pike Research, a market research firm based in
PA state
buildings upgrade, achieve savings
Pennsylvania’s Department of General Services (DGS) has completed a project
with Siemens Building Technologies to reduce energy consumption at the state
government’s Health & Welfare and Labor & Industry buildings. The
structures, each 50 years old, are located in
HVAC
manufacturers fighting new CSA standard on harmonics
The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) is
concerned about the proposed adoption by the Canadian Standards Association of
the IEC 61000-3-12 Standard. The association, representing equipment
manufacturers, has joined a coalition of 14 similar organizations, including
the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating, who were to be sending a letter
of concern to CSA regarding the standard. Canadian
Consulting Engineer (7/2)
U.S.
announces $57 million in funding for smart grid initiatives
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu on Monday announced $57 million from the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for smart grid initiatives. The
funding will be split with $47 million going to eight smart grid projects
across seven states and $10.5 million for local governments to develop
emergency preparedness plans. Energy
Efficiency News (7/22)
Cisco, Intel help power up smart grids
A broad group of companies including giants Cisco Systems and Intel Corp. are
working with utilities to draft proposals competing for $3.9 billion in grants
recently announced by the Department of Energy. In addition, Cisco is actively
engaged in discussions on defining new variations of Internet Protocol
standards to serve electric utilities. EE Times
(7/21)
DOE, China to research greener buildings, vehicles, energy
Energy Secretary Steve Chu is putting U.S.-Chinese cooperation into energy and
efficiency research on the front burner this week with partnerships aimed at
breaking ground in energy-efficient buildings, green vehicles and cleaner
energy generation. IBM and Duke Energy are among the companies looking to
MatrikonOPC passes another Milestone in OPC Server Functionality
MatrikonOPC™ is proud to deliver on their commitment for higher levels of OPC
Server functionality with the release of the newest version of their OPC Server
Framework. Used in all of their OPC Servers, the newest version of the
MatrikonOPC Server Framework includes advanced calculation and security
options.
Other Items
Global Cache
Signs VidaBox as Value Added Reseller
FieldServer Technologies Join Crestron Integrated Partners Program
Distech Controls Wireless Battery-less Solution for Open Building Automation
Distech
Controls EC-Net Web-based Multi-Protocol Building Automation Solution for
LONWORKS® and BACnet®
CABA Research
Spotlight 
Understanding
Cost-Effectiveness of Energy Efficiency Programs: Best Practices, Technical
Methods, and Emerging Issues for Policy-Makers
This report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency examines how to
measure the effectiveness of energy efficiency programs. A combination of the
following measurements are recommended: the participant cost test (PCT), the
utility/program administrator cost test (PACT), the ratepayer impact measure
test (RIM), the total resource cost test (TRC), and the societal cost test
(SCT). Additional benefits include greenhouse gas reductions and a portfolio of
renewables. Methods and examples for applying these measures are presented. Read the full
report as published in CABA's Research Library.
Webcast:
Building Controls and Energy: An Integrated Approach to Cost Savings
AutomatedLogic Corporation and Tridium, both CABA members, are sponsoring a
webcast by Building Operating Management magazine, focused on building contols
and energy. In this 75-minute webcast, you'll learn the keys to energy cost
savings by taking an integrated approach to a building automation system's
design. The webcast is scheduled for July 30 at 1 pm ET. Register free
of charge today!
Webcast:
Construction Industry Market Insights
On July 23 at 2 pm ET, join expert economists Jim Haughey, Ken Simonson and
Kermit Baker for “Turning Points in Construction,” a complimentary, 90 minute
Webcast focused on the key factors affecting the recovery of the construction
industry. The Webcast is produced by Reed Construction Data in association with
the American Institute of Architects. Register now!
CABA
announces agenda for Office of the Future Consortium meeting
The Office of the Future Consortium is a group of progressive utilities
(Southern California
Agenda announced for Connected Home Research Council Family Ecosystem Forum
The Connected Home Research Council has announced its agenda for its Family
Ecosystem Forum, to be held September 9. Hosted by Whirlpool Corporation in
CABA now
posting news on Twitter
CABA has launched a profile on Twitter (www.twitter.com/caba_news)
to keep members and industry stakeholders informed on the latest news and
developments in both the home and building automation marketplace.
Click here for CABA's Industry Events Update
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ARTICLE ON AGING INFRASTRUCTURE CONFERENCE
Do you understand the ramifications if it isn’t?
The U.S. Department of
Homeland Security had a well-attended workshop last week at
Why? Because it provides
short-term jobs as well as huge residual value that promotes better long-term
regional and economic sustainability.
Infrastructure is the
platform for commerce and trade routes in the global economy.
Adding Resiliency, Residual
Value
Many people came to this
workshop with very focused views from their own disciplines. Aside from various
areas of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other federal and state
government agencies, there were many from various segments that support the
infrastructure.
From structural engineers
and bridge builders to mechanical engineers, road builders and academics from
leading universities, all were looking for new solutions. Some were focused on
utilizing advanced materials and intelligent transportation systems. New
preventive maintenance approaches (like monitoring corrosion
in suspension bridge cables) were also discussed.
Using embedded sensors in a
new application lends itself to what I call the cross-pollenization of
technology across different industries. If it’s proven in one industry, why not
try to see if there is an application in another industry?
There was a consensus that
more emphasis is needed to fund various infrastructure initiatives. What also
needs to happen is for everyone to get a better appreciation of the total
picture. This means having more of a multi-disciplinary understanding of the
linkages between layers of infrastructure and their impact on global economic
competitiveness.
Infrastructure Has Been
Building For 3,000 Years
In my presentation, I pointed
out the need to understand the multiple layers of infrastructure as well as the
new interdependencies that are becoming more evident than they were 50 or 60
years ago. Infrastructure over the last three millennia has always been the
platform for commerce that helped expand trade routes and commerce.
The now-classic example of
what happened between the economic growth of
We are at the same type of
critical juncture again. This time we are focusing on broadband connectivity,
which is the latest layer of infrastructure that focuses on providing
multiple-gigabit connectivity. As I pointed out in my presentation, many have
yet to realize that the three most important words in real estate today are
location, location and connectivity.
Intelligent Infrastructure
While defining what this
means at every layer of infrastructure was touched upon, it wasn’t finalized.
Finding common ground among
those in charge of designing, implementing and maintaining the various layers
of infrastructure – as well as common definitions – seems to be the next big
step. We can’t compete in the accelerated pace of the 21st-century global
economy by relying on 19th- and 20th-century infrastructure.
Carlinism: Infrastructure
is the platform for commerce and trade routes.
Check out Carlini’s blog at
CarlinisComments.com.
Follow daily Carlinisms at Twitter.
James Carlini is an adjunct
professor at Northwestern University. He is also
president of Carlini & Associates. Carlini can be
reached at james.carlini@sbcglobal.net
or 773-370-1888.
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Dupont 2Q Profit
Skids And More Legal Problems
Chemical maker DuPont 2Q
profit tumbles 61 pct on lower sales volume
Lower sales and
restructuring charges pushed profits for chemical giant DuPont down 61 percent
in the second quarter.
Wilmington-based DuPont on
Tuesday reported earnings of $417 million, or 46 cents per share, in the three
months ended June 30, down from $1.08 billion, or $1.18 per share a year
earlier.
Overall revenues tumbled 24
percent to $7 billion, from $9.3 billion a year ago.
DuPont said it has achieved
about $600 million in cost reductions this year, more than half of its $1
billion goal.
DuPont announced that it
would cut another 2,000 jobs, on top of 2,500 layoffs and elimination of about
10,000 contractor jobs.
Kullman said the company
wants to maintain about 75 percent of its fixed cost reductions for the long
term, including the elimination of about half of the contract positions being
cut.
With little immediate
improvement expected in the car and housing industries, Kullman said DuPont
will focus on cost and productivity improvements.
Results for the quarter
reflected a $340 million pretax charge for restructuring. That was partially
offset by a $125 million in pretax gains, including fewer charges related
things such as hurricanes.
For chemical makers, who
produce materials used in almost every economic sector, the global downturn has
been especially harsh. Volumes declined in all major business segments and were
down by double digits across all geographic regions.
Oppenheimer analyst Ed Yang
said he was surprised there was no improvement in overall volume compared to
the first quarter, given that economic conditions seem to be stabilizing.
Overall, volume was down 19
percent this quarter, including a 27 percent decline in
Sales declined by more than
20 percent in all business segments excluding the agriculture and nutrition
unit. The performance and material unit saw sales decline by 40 percent.
DUPONT in the Safety arena
for asbestos exposure to workers AGAIN
THEN:
Tempers flare as DuPont
asbestos trial enters fourth week
Thursday, March 06, 2008
By David Yates
Tempers began to flare last
week as the possible billion-dollar asbestos trial of Willis Whisnat Jr. et al
vs. DuPont De Nemours wrapped up its third week of testimony on Friday, March
7.
The trial, going on in Judge Donald Floyd's 172nd Judicial District Court,
focuses on Whisnat, a pipefitter who smoked throughout his adult life and
worked at DuPont's Sabine Works facility in Beaumont. Working back in 1968 as
an independent contractor, he was allegedly exposed to enough asbestos fibers
to contract mesothelioma - a cancerous lung condition.
The cancer claimed Whisnat's life sometime in the late '90s. He was around the
age of 72 when he died.
This week, jurors heard excerpts of depositions given by several former DuPont
workers who worked with Whisnat during the late '60s. The workers testified
that they never saw Whisnat wearing a respirator - a device designed to filter
asbestos dust.
DuPont contends that its safety policies during the '60s and '70s required
employees working around "extreme" dust to wear respirators.
However, an industrial hygienist, hired by the plaintiffs, passionately
testified that workers were not capable of determining when they were working
in "extreme" dusty conditions.
During his testimony, the plaintiffs' expert began shouting at DuPont defense
attorney Larry Cotten.
Cotten asked if the man was upset with him. The plaintiff's expert responded by
saying, "I'm upset with (DuPont) for not implementing (adequate asbestos
safety) programs."
Cotten is an attorney for the
The trial to date
The trial began Thursday, Feb. 21 and is expected to conclude sometime in mid
March.
According to expert testimony offered by Dr. Edwin Holstein, DuPont was well
aware asbestos in the work place was killing its workers in the early 1960s,
but did nothing until the government stepped in.
After Whisnat's death, his family joined an ongoing class-action suit against
DuPont and several other oil and chemical companies, which was first filed in
the Jefferson County District Court on June 4, 1998. The class members claim
DuPont negligently and maliciously exposed workers to asbestos when the company
knew asbestos dust and fibers created health hazards.
According to medical testimony, Whisnat's chest was riddled with bone-eating
tumors, a condition the plaintiffs are attempting to link to Whisnat's
seven-year stint at DuPont.
In his opening remarks, plaintiff's attorney Glen Morgan said DuPont's asbestos
policies during the '60s, '50s and '40s were so malicious that the company's
"right to exist should be taken away."
Morgan is a partner in the Reaud, Morgan & Quinn law firm and represents
the family of the late Willis Whisnat .
Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, is an excellent fire retardant and was
wildey used by industrial companies, like DuPont, in the early decades of the
20th century to insulate pipes, according to the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration.
"The Defendant (DuPont) knew of the toxicity of asbestos prior to the
first exposure of Decedent (Whisnat) to the defective and unreasonably
dangerous material on its premises," Morgan wrote in Whisnat's suit.
Morgan continues by writing, "Plaintiffs will not seek an amount in excess
of $4,100,000,000, excluding pre- and post-judgment interest and costs of
court, as compensation for Plaintiffs' damages."
If Morgan has his way and DuPont is forced out of existence, more than 60,000
people would lose their jobs, according to employment figures on DuPont's Web
site. However, Morgan did say during opening remarks that he would not ask
jurors to award his clients billions of dollars.
Morgan continued by comparing the chemical company to killers on trial who
deserve, in his opinion, to be executed. "There are some corporations
whose rights … to exist should be taken away."
The plaintiffs maintain that DuPont knew about the dangers of asbestos as early
as 1940, but chose to conceal their findings and focus on a defense to protect
the company from lawsuits rather than implement policies that would save the
lives of its workers.
DuPont's attorneys argue that its 1940s studies only focused on people who were
"heavily" exposed to asbestos on a daily basis, like miners for
example, not chemical plant workers.
DuPont also argues that the chemical company was a consumer not a producer of
asbestos-containing products, placing product liability on the seller - and
took steps to protect its employees from asbestos before OSHA implemented
asbestos guidelines in 1972.
In addition, DuPont contends Whisnat was an independent contractor, not a
DuPont employee, and therefore Whisnat's employer, B.F. Shaw, was directly
responsible for his safety. And even though he was not a DuPont employee, the
company still protected Whisnat from asbestos by requiring pipe workers to wear
respirators.
DuPont protected its other workers by barricading asbestos-laced pipe
worksites.
The plaintiffs, however, argue that asbestos fibers can drift beyond the
barricade, which only consisted of yellow caution tape.
Dr. Holstein testified that an asbestos fiber is thousands of times smaller
than a human hair and can float in the air for hours.
Case No. E159-183-Q
NOW:
June 25, 2009
DuPont sued over asbestos
in
Ex-Lycra plant workers say they were exposed
By ANDREW EDER and AARON NATHANS
The News Journal
DuPont Co. exposed workers
in
The lawsuits came from
former workers at a Lycra spandex plant in
DuPont knew that exposure
to asbestos could harm workers as early as 1964, the complaints said, but the
company continued to use asbestos in the heat pipes and machinery of its
The workers, Cristian
Dematei, Juan Carlos Laborda and Ceferino Ramirez, are represented by the
Dematei, who worked at the
facility for 11 years, suffers from asbestosis, a chronic condition that causes
shortness of breath and an increased risk of lung cancer, the complaint said.
Laborda worked at the plant
from 1968 to 1980, according to his complaint, and suffers from asbestosis and
asbestos-related lung cancer.
Ramirez worked at the
facility for 32 years before retiring in 1993. He has been diagnosed with
asbestos-related laryngeal cancer and asbestosis, his lawsuit said.
The lawsuits allege that
workers were never warned of the dangers of asbestos exposure or given respiratory
protection.
Amanda Velazquez, asbestos
medical paralegal for Jacobs & Crumplar, said: "They need to break the
double standard," referring to DuPont stopping using asbestos in
DuPont spokesman Dan Turner
said, "While we have not had the opportunity to review the filing yet, and
cannot comment on the specifics, we do find it puzzling that the plaintiff's
attorneys have filed the compliant in
Velazquez said it makes
sense to sue a company in the place where it is based.
***************************
FL Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Cost-Free Customer Service Initiative Gets Good
Reviews
Comments
to Secretary Charles W. Drago confirm the program is a success
"Quality on the
Line" Provides Customers
“Challenging economic times call for
more creative approaches to engage customers in department enhancements,”
stated Secretary Charles W. Drago. “This Web-based forum costs no money, allows
customers to interact with me one-on-one, and extends our reach to a broader
group of customers who may not have the time to leave work and meet me at
district offices.”
Building on the success of
“On the Road to Better Business,” when Secretary Drago toured
The Department’s mission is
to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The Department licenses more
than one million businesses and professionals ranging from real estate agents,
veterinarians, and accountants to contractors and cosmetologists. For
more information, please visit MyFloridaLicense.com
***************************
FL Department
of Business and Professional Regulation Sends Strong Message To Unlicensed
Individuals with Record Year-End Results
July 21, 2009 - TALLAHASSEE—When
the fiscal year 2008/2009 began last July, the Department of Business and
Professional Regulation’s Division of Regulation intended to send a strong
message that unlicensed activity would not be tolerated, and investigators hit
the streets to stop it. Division investigators aimed to decrease
unlicensed activity through increased proactive enforcement efforts. They
did more than meet their goal; they far exceeded it by performing 64 percent
more operations than the previous year.
“I believe that this great
increase in proactive enforcement efforts illustrates the department’s
commitment to protect the public and provide an even playing field for our
licensees,” said Secretary Charles W. Drago. “This fiscal year, we
encourage our licensees and
What many may not know is
that unlicensed activity can literally leave victims without a roof
overhead. Last week, Division of Regulation investigators in
The division proactively
combats unlicensed activity through sweeps, which consists of checking licenses
to ensure compliance with state laws, and stings, which consist of undercover
operations where known or suspected unlicensed individuals are targeted.
Both operations may result in the arrest of unlicensed persons. In the
past three years, the division has made a commitment to increase these efforts,
which is demonstrated in the data below.
|
Year |
Number of Proactive
Enforcement Operations |
|
Fiscal Year
2008/2009 |
505 |
|
Fiscal Year
2007/2008 |
327 |
|
Fiscal Year
2006/2007 |
147 |
Penalties for unlicensed
activity can include a fine of up to $5,000 per incident. Persons engaging in
unlicensed activity can be charged with a first degree misdemeanor for a first
offense. In addition, any person who acts as an unlicensed contractor during a
Governor-declared state of emergency commits a third degree felony.
“The department’s
stepped-up enforcement efforts are providing greater protection from
unscrupulous activity and helping to ensure that law-abiding, licensed
contractors can meet Florida’s building needs,” said Jay Carlson, President of
the Florida Home Builders Association and a home builder from Punta Gorda, Fla.
“We sincerely appreciate the great work of Secretary Drago and the many law
enforcement organizations that have helped crack down on unlicensed activity.”
There are measures
consumers can take to protect themselves. Always check licenses by
visiting MyFloridaLicense.com. Unlicensed activity should be reported to
the department via the Web site or by calling, toll-free, 1-866-532-1440.
When hiring a contractor, consumers should:
Always ask to see the contractor’s
license.
Note the license number and
verify that the license is current and in good standing. To check a license,
call 850-487-1395 or visit MyFloridaLicense.com.
Get a Release of Lien
covering all workers and materials. This removes your property from the threat
of lien.
Ask any potential
contractor for references and check each one.
Beware of scams when
contractors ask for all the money up front or will only accept cash.
Beware of contractors who
arrive in unmarked vehicles, possibly from out-of-state.
Be cautious of writing
checks made payable to individuals, especially when dealing with a company.
Get everything in writing,
including a detailed description of the work to be completed, a completion date
and the total cost.
Request from the contractor
a list of all subcontractors and suppliers who have a contract with the
contractor to provide services or materials.
Don’t sign the certificate
of completion until you are satisfied with the work done.
Additionally, licensed
contractors are reminded to hire licensed subcontractors when required for work
such as plumbing and electrical.
The department’s mission is
to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The department licenses more
than one million businesses and professionals ranging from real estate agents,
veterinarians, and accountants to contractors and cosmetologists. For
more information, please visit MyFloridaLicense.com
***************************
Healthcare is
making big strides with IT and Technology
Healthcare is a hot market
for technology vendors and Health Management Technology provides its 48,250
subscribers with important information about solutions for healthcare IT
operations. Through a monthly magazine, an interactive Web site and two
e-newsletters, companies have a wide range of options to market their products
and services to these decision makers in healthcare IT. For more information,
contact Publisher
***************************
Harger’s
Static Floor Bonding Clamp Kit
GRAYSLAKE, IL – August 1,
2009 – Harger Lightning & Grounding proudly introduces their new Static
Floor Bonding Clamp Kit (#SFBC3KIT). The SFBC3KIT bonds the static flooring
system to the telecommunications bonding and grounding system. The two piece
design sandwiches firmly to secure the ground strap and is manufactured from
110 copper alloy. The kit includes stainless steel bolts, lock washers, flat
washers and long barrel compression lug. For more information contact Harger’s
Sales Department at 800-842-7437.
Harger Lightning &
Grounding is a leading manufacturer of lightning protection and grounding
equipment, as well as UltraShotTM and Ultraweld®
exothermic welding materials for the communications and electrical industries.
Harger also provides design and engineering services and specializes in
offering total systems solutions for their customers.
847-548-8700 • 800-842-7437
• Fax: 847-548-8755
Website: www.harger.com •
Email: hargersales@harger.com
***************************
NECA 2009 Convention
Hits A Home Run With A Bold Education Program
NECA hits a home run with a
value packed
Our team reviewed the
educational program and assessed a value to the available classes. In our
opinion, the value for this package if available from another source would be
approximately $4,750 per student. Many of the sessions are unique to this
conference, timely, and designed to generate revenue for the attending
companies. We haven’t seen an agenda this good anywhere else this year.
All Sessions to be held at
the Washington State Convention and
http://www.necaconvention.org/convention/?fa=education
Pre-Convention Workshops
* This also entitles you to
all three days on the NECA Show floor and all technical workshops and entry
into the New and Featured Product Room.
For more info on a session
click on the session’s title.
Friday, September 11, 2009
|
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
|
|
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
|
|
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
|
|
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
|
|
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
|
|
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
|
|
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
See What No
one Else can See & Do What No one Else Does / Thermal Imaging |
Saturday, September 12,
2009
|
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
Entering
the Green Intelligent Building Market Have you asked yourself any of these
questions? |
|
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
|
|
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
|
|
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM |
|
|
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
|
|
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
Significant
Changes to NFPA 72 – 2010, Profiting from Change |
Management Seminars
* This also entitles you to
all three days on the NECA Show floor and all technical workshops and entry
into the New and Featured Product Room.
For more info on a session
click on the session’s title.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
|
8:00 AM - 8:50 AM |
|
|
8:00 AM - 8:50 AM |
|
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8:00 AM - 8:50 AM |
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8:00 AM - 8:50 AM |
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8:00 AM - 9:50 AM |
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8:00 AM - 9:50 AM |
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9:00 AM - 9:50 AM |
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9:00 AM - 9:50 AM |
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9:00 AM - 9:50 AM |
|
|
9:00 AM - 9:50 AM |
Monday, September 14, 2009
|
8:00 AM - 8:50 AM |
|
|
8:00 AM - 8:50 AM |
Green
Contracting: Federal and State methods for Green Building |
|
8:00 AM - 8:50 AM |
|
|
8:00 AM - 8:50 AM |
|
|
8:00 AM - 9:50 AM |
Energy
Roadmap Guiding Electrical Contractor: Energy Independence Opportunities (2
hour session) |
|
9:00 AM - 9:50 AM |
|
|
9:00 AM - 9:50 AM |
Green
Contracting: Federal and State methods for Green Building |
|
9:00 AM - 9:50 AM |
|
|
9:00 AM - 9:50 AM |
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
|
8:00 AM - 8:50 AM |
Counterfeit
Electrical Products Can Destroy Lives, Property and Your Business
|
|
8:00 AM - 8:50 AM |
|
|
8:00 AM - 8:50 AM |
|
|
8:00 AM - 8:50 AM |
Great Tools
for Your Business: NAED’s Green Guides and TED’s Green Room |
|
8:00 AM - 8:50 AM |
Technical Workshops
* This also entitles you to
all three days on the NECA Show floor and all technical workshops and entry
into the New and Featured Product Room.
For more info on a session
click on the session’s title.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
|
12:00 PM - 12:50 PM |
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12:30 PM - 1:20 PM |
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1:00 PM - 1:50 PM |
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1:30 PM - 2:20 PM |
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2:00 PM - 2:50 PM |
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2:30 PM - 3:20 PM |
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3:00 PM - 3:50 PM |
Quit
Feeding the Monsters: New Techniques to Create a Positive Safety Culture
|
Monday, September 14, 2009
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12:00 PM - 12:50 PM |
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12:30 PM - 1:20 PM |
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1:00 PM - 1:50 PM |
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1:30 PM - 2:20 PM |
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2:30 PM - 3:20 PM |
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3:00 PM - 3:50 PM |
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
|
11:00 AM - 11:50 AM |
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12:00 PM - 12:50 PM |
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12:30 PM - 1:20 PM |
“This program makes this
convention pay for itself and then some…”
Frank Bisbee
"Heard On The
Street" Monthly Column
***************************
New Carrier
Ethernet Tester For Fiber Or Copper From Fluke Networks
Another cool tool for the
network gurus.
Imagine an affordable
pocket tool that can verify carrier Ethernet links over copper or fiber.
Confirm connectivity. Verify VLAN settings. Check for speed or duplex
mismatches. Identify authentication or addressing problems or bad ports. Even
function as a layer 1-2-3 loopback device for our MetroScope or other test
sets. All at a price that's hard to resist. That's the new LinkRunner Duo
CE.
And to sweeten the deal,
we're offering an IS50 Pro-Tool™ Kit (a $150 USD value) when you purchase a
LinkRunner Duo CE before September 1, 2009. The kit includes everything you
need to cut, strip, clean and connect network phone and data lines to blocks and
jacks. All in a sleek, form-fitting pouch.
Learn more
about the LinkRunner Duo CE and download the IS50 Pro-Tool kit redemption
form. View a
virtual demo.
***************************
Optical Cable
Corporation And SMP Data Communications Opened A New Combined Center For
Improved Speed And Service
Optical Cable Corporation
announced that in July, they centralized the inside sales operations for all of
our cabling and connectivity product offerings by Optical Cable Corporation and
SMP Data Communications. Neil Wilkin, President & CEO of Optical
Cable Corporation said “This move has been taken in an effort to continue
to improve our service to you—our valued customer.”
Now, whether you are
placing an order, requesting a quote or have any other technical or customer
service inquiry for Optical Cable Corporation products or SMP Data
Communications products you have a single inside sales team contact
point.
Additionally, you will
notice that our accounting function has been centralized as well, with all
invoices being managed from the OCC corporate headquarters in
In a winning strategic
move, Optical Cable Corporation acquired SMP Data Communications in order to
offer all of their customers complete and high quality cabling and connectivity
datacom solutions.
OCC is now an
industry-leading designer and manufacturer of innovative datacom solutions for
a multitude of markets. We offer a full suite of fiber optic cables,
copper cables, copper and fiber optic connectors, copper and fiber optic patch
cords, racks, cabinets, datacom enclosures, patch panels, face plates,
multimedia boxes and cable and connectivity management accessories—all designed
to meet the most demanding needs of end-users.
Please contact your OCC
Inside Sales Person at 800-622-7711 if you have any questions regarding your
new primary contact or if we can assist you in placing an order. If you
have any accounting questions, please don’t hesitate to call us at
+1-540-265-0690.
“Thank you for your
business. We look forward to continuing to provide the high quality products
and services you’ve grown to expect from OCC.”
“Quality and great service
are the benchmarks of Optical Cable Corporation and SMP Data. They just keep
getting better.”, said
***************************
Siemon Introduces
MapIT G2, the Next-Generation Intelligent Infrastructure Solution for Physical
Layer Network Management
MapITâ G2
offers best-in-class user interfaces, 80% higher density and a 75% reduction in
power consumption versus competing intelligent infrastructure solutions.
December XX, 2008.
Designed with a higher
degree of intelligence, MapIT G2 patch panels and fiber enclosures feature an
onboard LCD screen that provides connection status, diagnostics and dynamic
label information. The LCD display provides more detailed instructions to
technicians versus simple LEDs or traditional non-intelligent panels. The ability to monitor and display copper and
fiber patching fields in real time and perform diagnostics through this onboard
interface reduces troubleshooting time and speeds the completion of work
orders.
The MapIT G2 Master Control
Panel (MCP) collects all network infrastructure data provided by the Smart
Patch Panels and Fiber enclosures, monitoring up to 2880 ports in just 1 rack
mount space (U). The MCP features an integrated LCD display and keypad, which
provide technicians access to key network architecture and diagnostic
information. By providing this interface
locally within the patching zone, the MCP virtually eliminates the need for
technicians to carry PDAs or directly access the MapIT software server. The MCP interface allows full end-to-end
graphic circuit traces for any channel in the system and can perform extensive
diagnostic tasks on any component or port.
The combination of MapIT G2
patching and MCP enables 80% higher density than competing systems, providing a
huge reduction in the amount of critical and expensive data center rack/cabinet
and floor space. For example, common IIM
systems can require up to 60U of equipment to manage 20,000 ports. MapIT G2 can
manage the same 20,000 ports in just 7U!
In addition to improved
density, MapIT G2 dramatically reduces power consumption, using 75% less power
than other IIM systems for a decided “green” advantage. This lower power consumption reduces heat
generation and energy consumed by thermal management systems.
Available in Category 6A
(Class EA) shielded and unshielded and Category 6 (Class E)
unshielded as well as singlemode and multimode 10Gb/s optical fiber, the MapIT
G2 system is fully scalable. It can handle
networks from 24 ports to 65,000 ports in a single patching field, making it
equally effective managing a massive data center or a widespread network of
small remote sites.
About Siemon
Established in 1903, Siemon
is an industry leader specializing in the manufacture and innovation of high
quality, high-performance network cabling solutions. Headquartered in
Connecticut, USA, with global offices, manufacturing and service partners
throughout the world, Siemon offers the most comprehensive suite of copper
(unshielded and shielded twisted-pair) category 5e,
category 6 (Class E), category 6A (Class EA)
and category 7/7A
(Class F/FA), and multimode and singlemode optical fiber cabling systems
available. With over 400 active patents specific to structured cabling, from patch cords
to patch panels,
Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and development of industry standards,
underlining the company's long-term commitment to its customers and the
industry.
***************************
SOME DISTRIBUTORS ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF LOSING
BUSINESS
Distributor News -- August
6, 2009 TED Web News Archives
Rexel’s U.S. Sales Down 30% In Q2
Rexel SA’s first-half press
release, issued July 31, puts the company’s first-half sales in the U.S. down
30.2% “on a constant basis and same [number of sales] days.” For Q2 itself, the
decline (same basis) was given as 34.7%.
Sales in 2008’s first half
were 1.91 billion euros. At the higher euro-dollar conversion rate of June 30,
2008, that translated into roughly $3 billion in first-half
Worldwide, Rexel SA’s first
half sales were nearly $8 billion, down 17.9% on an “organic same-day” basis.
Some of the 11-page
first-half press release (found at www.rexel.com) was dedicated to explaining
an amendment to the company’s credit agreement—which was created when it bought
the non-U.S. operations of
Rexel repaid 9% of the
money it drew from its creditors in June.
The company can’t pay
dividends on its stock unless it posts an “indebtedness ratio” better than four
times.
Capital expenditures can’t
exceed .75% of sales unless that ratio improves. Note that .75% of perhaps $16
billion in annual sales is roughly $120 million.
Rexel had to pay $28 million
to gain the changes in the credit agreement.
The company’s near-term
agenda, it said in the release, is: “to further implement
its three-pronged strategy of seizing market opportunities, defending margins,
and deleveraging its balance sheet.”
Anixter’s Sales Down 19% In
Q2
Anixter’s $1.22 billion in
Q2 sales were down 25% compared to one year earlier. The company noted that the
“real” decline was 19%; the rest of the drop came from unfavorable forex
conversions and “$50.7 million in unfavorable effects from lower copper
prices,” offset by $41 million in sales gains from companies acquired in 2008. WWW.ANIXITER.COM
Additionally, Robert Eck,
president/CEO, noted that “additional holidays in [Q2], compared to the first
quarter, negatively impacted sales on a consecutive-quarter basis by 4%.”
First-half sales of $2.499
billion were down 19% compared to a year earlier. Gross margins: 22.86% in the
first half and 22.65% in Q2. In
Complicating things for
those following the stock was a $100 million “goodwill impairment charge” taken
in Q2 on Anixter’s European operations. That caused a net loss in the quarter
of $2.53 per fully diluted share. AXE stock fell 11.4% on the week, according
to Yahoo! Finance.
Anixter’s Q2 earnings call
transcript—which amounts to more than 10,000 words—can be found here.
It includes these comments:
On the second half, from
Dennis Letham, CFO and executive vice president of finance: “We expect reported
sales to decline on a year-on-year basis due to the stronger U.S. dollar and
lower spot market copper prices. Assuming the dollar and spot market copper
prices continue to trade at approximately the same levels as they have for the
past few months, we would expect the third quarter to see the same comparative
sales impact from these factors as we saw in the first half of the year.”
On what good news there is,
from Eck: “We believe that the success we are experiencing in security and the
modest sequential pickup in project business are both driven by our unique
approach to distribution which focuses on assisting customers in making
decisions based on the products' technical attributes in the customers
applications.”
On how things “feel” in the
first part of July, from Letham: “The very flat daily sales pattern…continued
into the first three weeks of the third quarter so if you stand back and you
say how does this environment feel? It actually—I'd point you back to the 2002
timeframe.
“What's playing out here looks a lot like 2002, when we went through a series
of quarters where the top line was virtually the same quarter after quarter.
And that seems to be that the sort of general feel to market conditions at the
moment, which hopefully is a—well, we'll look at it as a glass is half full, as
a positive sign that we're in the bottom of this recession and all we're doing
is ticking up days until the upturn is about to kick in.”
***************************
Verizon Work Force Reductions Climb to 16,000
To date, Verizon has laid
off 8,000 employees, and it says this latest round of 8,000 job cuts will come
during the third quarter. Verizon's shares fell to 95 cents, or 3 percent, to
$30.55 in trading Monday.
During the second-quarter
earnings call, Chief Financial Officer John Killian said that the beleaguered
economy's effect on the wireline business will "continue into the second
half of the year." However, Killian added that the company will
look for other areas where it can cut costs.
Verizon has confirmed that
slow demand from business users is forcing the ILEC to reduce its wireline
workforce by another 8,000 employees. The operator reported that second
quarter net income dropped 7 percent.
***************************
WESCO
International, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2009 Results
Strong second quarter cash flow contributed to
record year-to-date operating cash flow of $205 million - Reduced comparable
quarter selling, general and administrative expenses by $37 million -
Productivity initiatives will deliver $90 million of sustainable cost
reductions
Press
Release
Source: WESCO
International, Inc.
On Thursday July 23, 2009,
7:00 am EDT
PITTSBURGH, July 23
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE: WCC
- News),
a leading provider of electrical MRO products, construction materials, and
advanced integrated supply procurement outsourcing services, today announced
its 2009 second quarter financial results.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030508/WCCLOGO
)
Consolidated net sales for
the second quarter of 2009 were $1,159 million compared with $1,588 million for
the second quarter of 2008, a decrease of 27%. Adjusted for the negative impact
of foreign exchange, consolidated sales decreased 25.6% for the quarter. Gross
margin for the quarter was 19.3%, down 20 basis points, compared to the same
quarter of 2008. Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A")
expenses were $169.9 million, which were $37.0 million less than the second
quarter of 2008 and $17.6 million less than the first quarter of 2009.
Operating income for the quarter was $47.6 million versus $96.8 million in last
year's comparable quarter. Joint venture income was $1.1 million versus $2.6
million in last year's comparable quarter.
Total debt, net of cash,
was $863 million at quarter end, a reduction of $191 million from December 31,
2008. Free cash flow was $67 million for the second quarter 2009 and $199
million for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
Total interest expense for
the second quarter of $13.8 million compared to $16.0 million for the second
quarter of 2008. On January 1, 2009, WESCO retrospectively implemented the new
accounting standard, FSP APB14-1, for its convertible debentures. As a result
of this change, $3.8 million and $3.6 million of non-cash interest expense was
recorded in the respective second quarters of 2008 and 2009. The overall
reduction to interest expense in the second quarter of 2009, relative to the
second quarter of 2008, was attributable to lower interest rates and reduced
debt levels. The effective tax rate for the current quarter was 24.4% versus
30.5% in the comparable quarter of 2008.
Net income for the second
quarter was $26.4 million versus $58.0 million for the comparable quarter in
2008. Diluted earnings per share for the quarter were $0.62 per share versus
$1.33 per share in the second quarter of 2008. A total of 42.7 million shares
were outstanding as of the end of the second quarter of 2009 compared to 43.6
million shares in the comparable period in 2008.
Mr. John J. Engel, WESCO's
Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, commented, "We are
taking quick and decisive actions to manage the Company through the global
economic downturn. WESCO is currently facing weaker end market demand across
most of our served markets. We continue to focus our energies on a series of
sales and cost reduction programs and LEAN productivity initiatives to
efficiently serve our customers and take market share in this challenging
environment."
Mr. Stephen A. Van Oss,
Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, stated, "Our cost
reduction efforts will continue throughout the remainder of the year. Actions
are focused on branch optimization, staffing adjustments, and further
elimination of discretionary expenses. Through the second quarter, we have made
staffing adjustments of over 900 positions from last year's employment levels.
We are on target to reduce overall 2009 SG&A expenses by over $140 million
compared to 2008. On a year-over-year basis, gross margins declined by 20 basis
points due to a heavier mix of direct ship business. LEAN initiatives are aimed
at sales activities and on improving gross margin performance. We anticipate
seeing improved gross margins over the remainder of the year."
Mr. Van Oss continued,
"Effective working capital management resulted in excellent free cash flow
which was directed toward debt reduction. For the quarter, our variable rate
debt was reduced by $76 million and liquidity increased to $389 million. We
continue to be focused on cash generation, debt reduction and improving the
Company's capital structure to maximize liquidity and operational
flexibility."
Consolidated net sales for
the six months ended June 30, 2009 were $2,339 million versus $3,053 million in
last year's comparable period, a 23.4% decrease. Consolidated sales decreased
21.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2009 when adjusted for the negative
impact of foreign exchange. Gross margin in the current six-month period of
19.8% was equivalent to the prior year comparable period. SG&A expenses for
the six months ending June 30, 2009 were $357.3 million or $61.2 million lower
than the comparable period in 2008. Operating income totaled $91.2 million
versus $173.9 million last year. The effective tax rate for the 2009 six month
period was 26.4% versus 30.6% in the comparable period. Net income for the 2009
year-to-date period was $49.7 million versus $100.7 million last year. Diluted
earnings per share were $1.17 per share in 2009 versus $2.30 per share in 2008.
Mr. Engel continued,
"Customers are increasingly looking for new ways to streamline their
supply chains while improving the efficiency and effectiveness of their
operations. WESCO professionals are effectively addressing these needs and are
demonstrating a high degree of personal commitment and extra effort in serving
our customers each and every day. We're building on our leading National
Accounts and Integrated Supply business models, capturing new customers and
expanding with current customers. We're also encouraged by our efforts
targeting government and stimulus plan opportunities which are expected to
provide incremental revenue opportunities as we move through 2009 and into
2010. Our priorities remain centered on providing superior customer
satisfaction with our unparalleled product and service offering, and continuing
to develop and strengthen our team to ensure that we will emerge an even
stronger Company when the economy rebounds."
Teleconference
WESCO will conduct a
teleconference to discuss the second quarter earnings as described in this News
Release on Thursday, July 23, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. E.D.T. The conference call
will be broadcast live over the Internet and can be accessed from the Company's
website at http://www.wesco.com.
The conference call will be archived on this Internet site for seven days.
WESCO International, Inc.
(NYSE: WCC
- News)
is a publicly traded Fortune 500 holding company, headquartered in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, whose primary operating entity is WESCO Distribution, Inc. WESCO
Distribution is a leading distributor of electrical construction products and
electrical and industrial maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) supplies, and
is the nation's largest provider of integrated supply services. 2008 annual
sales were approximately $6.1 billion. The Company employs approximately 6,400
people, maintains relationships with over 23,000 suppliers, and serves more
than 115,000 customers worldwide. Major markets include commercial and
industrial firms, contractors, government agencies, educational institutions,
telecommunications businesses and utilities. WESCO operates seven fully
automated distribution centers and approximately 400 full-service branches in
***************************
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Discover what inspires you to create change.
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Let us know if you have any questions.
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Outreach Director, BuildingGreen, LLC
***************************
Ed Brown, The Writing Engineer — www.Writingengineer.com — Announces His Current Projects
In his August IBS column,
continues with his lighting theme, by looking at the pros and cons of different
approaches to daylight harvesting.
Also in the August issue of
Electrical Contractor, Ed will have the third in his series of feature articles
on practical problems with implementing renewable sources of electrical energy.
necplus, www.necplus.org,
is a Web-based subscription product offered by the National Fire Protection
Association, www.nfpa.org.
It was developed in response to the ongoing need to forward and support the
safe and practical use of the National Electrical Code® and to make electrical
safety information more immediately and widely available. necplus.org is the
most reliable online resource for NEC® and NFPA 70E® standards information and
education. It provides a searchable online database of the latest available
Codes, updated monthly with:
· The latest
relevant ROPs and ROCs
· Links to
related sections of the current UL White Book
· PDFs of
complex tables
· Staff notes,
illustrations, and detailed examples
· Monthly
feature articles giving in-depth and insightful information
· Code Topic of
the Month to keep you abreast of new requirements, industry trends, and best
practices
Ed Brown, Director = The
WRITING ENGINEER (ebeditor@writingengineer.com)
A leading independent professional writing service
WRITING, RESEARCH, EDITING & TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
tel: 212-924-0023
fax: 212-924-9599
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Electricians Juice Up Ann Arbor NJATC
First of two major union training events comes to town
By Mary Morgan
August 1, 2009
This logo appears on apparel for sale at this weekend's trade show for the National Training Institute for the National Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee (NJATC).
With about 2,000 people coming to town for a week-long electricians
training institute starting Aug. 1, the logistical prep for this event is
fairly intense. To watch just a small piece of that advance work, The Chronicle
swung by the University of Michigan Indoor Track Building on Friday, where
dozens of people were setting up for a massive two-day trade show that kicks
off the training program.
This is the 20th year for the National
Training Institute, put on by the National
Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee – you’ll see signs
around town referring to both NTI and NJATC. But it’s the first time that the
group has held its event in
We encountered a bit of economic impact on the trade show floor as well.
David Rozycki, a UM sophomore, got a job helping with the electricians training institute. Later in August, he'll help out with the plumbers and
pipefitters convention, also held on UM's campus.
On Friday, David Rozycki, who’ll be a sophomore at UM this fall, was
sitting on a stool next to the loading dock. That day he was a designated
gofer. On Saturday, he’ll be working the registration table, and during
the remainder of the week he’ll be part of the tech crew, making sure
projectors and other equipment are functional.
He’d heard about the job through a friend of a friend, and had interviewed
for it back in May. He’s one of dozens of staff from this area hired to drive shuttle vans,
act as wayfinders (standing at certain key locations and offering directions to
anyone who asks or looks lost), be a concierge at local hotels, and do any
number of other jobs that make the event run as smoothly as possible.
Security is another job that requires local workers. Southfield-based RSIG
Security is providing that service for NTI, and the guard on duty at the trade
show told us it wasn’t quite as demanding as a rock concert or sporting event.
Asking that we not use his name, he also revealed that he’d worked security
detail for the Rob Reiner movie “Flipped,” when it recently filmed in Ann
Arbor’s Virginia Park.
Further back in the cavernous space – transformed with blue carpeting,
patriotic bunting and more than 150 booths – we encountered UM sound engineer
Tim O’Farrell setting up the PA system for the show.
O’Farrell said that the system was fairly new and required a bit of
rewiring. When we noted that he was in the right place to be talking about
rewiring, he politely pointed out that there was, in fact, a difference between
electronics – his field – and the electrical industry that was putting on this
weekend’s trade show.
Tim O'Farrell sets up the PA system for the NTI/NJATC trade show
We might have been more informed about that distinction if we had read any
of the 200 or so books that Marty Riesberg and Jim Simpson were placing on
display at one of the booths near the center of the venue. Titles included
“Applied Codeology: Understanding the 2005 National Electrical Code,” “Sound
Reinforcement Handbook” and “NJATC Traffic Signal Technician Student Workbook.”
Simpson, NJATC’s assistant director of curriculum, urged us to return on
Saturday when the display looked better. But if we were interested in actually
buying one of the books, we’d be out of luck, he said. They weren’t for sale,
just for show.
People attending the training sessions might receive some of the books as
part of their class. Otherwise, you’d have to order them from NJATC’s official
distributor.
He also said that they’d been favorably impressed with
Another person who liked what he saw so far was Mark Cerulla, NJATC
comptroller. He was opening cardboard boxes filled with clothing – polo shirts,
T-shirts, caps, and such – all with the NJATC logo embroidered on them, which
will be on sale during the trade show. He said that though they’d traditionally
held the training at the
Michelle Spivey hangs shirts with the embroidered NJATC logo
Soon after our conversation with Cerulla as we were leaving the building,
someone walked past talking on his cell phone: “It looks like a heat sink –
it’s got fins on it!”
You can overhear more of this kind of codeology if you go to the Aug. 5
block party on
NTI runs through Friday, Aug. 7. The following day marks the start of the
next union event: the United Association (UA) of Journeymen
and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry, which will
also bring 2,000 or so people to
Denise Jenkins, assistant NTI coordinator, helps two trade show vendors check in
One of many signs you'll see around town related to the NTI/NJATC
This crate had been delivered to the loading dock of the Indoor Track Building
http://annarborchronicle.com/2009/08/01/electricians-juice-up-ann-arbor/
***************************
2009 NAED HR & Training Conference September 14-16 in St. Louis
Conference Equips HR and Training
Professionals with the Tools and Knowledge Needed to Become Key Players in
Helping Their Organization’s Bottom Line
***************************
AFL Telecommunications Achieves Major Milestone
Manufactures and
Ships 150,000thkm of Optical Ground Wire
Spartanburg,
South Carolina - July 6, 2009
AFL
Telecommunications reached a monumental milestone, manufacturing and
shipping its 150,000th kilometer of Optical Ground Wire (OPGW), making it the first company in the world to
achieve this noteworthy distinction. Since 1985 when the company first began
manufacturing OPGW at its
“Optical Ground Wire was
the product on which our company was founded nearly 25 years ago,” said Kurt
Dallas, Vice President and General Manager of AFL's Cable Systems. “Since
then, AFL's products and services have grown into all facets of
telecommunications. Our ability to succeed and excel in a global market
for two-and-a-half decades is a testament to our longevity and commitment to
quality. We owe a debt of gratitude to our utility customers throughout
KAMO Electric
Cooperatives, Inc. (KAMO Power) is the recipient of the 150,000th
cable kilometer. Headquartered in
“Having a robust and
reliable communications infrastructure is critical to operating a complex
electrical network in the most safe and efficient manner possible,” states
Walter Kenyon, Chief Technology Officer for KAMO Electric Cooperative, Inc.
“AFL's commitment to high quality products and services has played a key role
in our ability to monitor the electrical network on a second by second basis,
as well as provide the framework on which Smart Grid technologies will be
deployed today and in the future.”
AFL and KAMO are
celebrating this event prior to the installation of the cable. Starting at
AFL's facility in
Optical Ground Wire (OPGW)
is a dual-functioning cable that serves as the ground wire for power lines,
while providing a path for the transmission of voice, video or data signals by
incorporating optical fibers into the design of the cable. OPGW is placed at
the highest point on power utility structures, allowing for fast,
cost-effective installations with exceptional reliability.
About
AFL Telecommunications
AFL Telecommunications is an industry leader in providing fiber optic products,
engineering expertise and integrated services to the Electric Utility,
Broadband, Telco, OEM, Private Network and Wireless markets. It has operations
in the
***************************
It was great seeing many of
you at the BOMA International Conference last week in
-Insight from top industry
executives on marketplace realities and opportunities
-BOMA President Henry
Chamberlain’s annual State of the Industry address
-News on the inaugural
class of BOMA 360 Performance Building designees
-Winners of the annual
-Election of BOMA officers,
including 2009-2010 BOMA Chair James A. Peck, RPA, FMA
Read the full story here www.boma.org/NEWS/BOMAIN/Pages/default.aspx#063009z
Please feel free to contact
me if you have any question, would like to schedule a follow-up interview or
need a photo.
Regards,
Laura Horsley
Director of Communications
and
Building Owners & Managers Association (BOMA) International
1101 15th St., NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005
lhorsley@boma.org
Industry Gathers to Map a
Road to Recovery at BOMA Conference
BOMA members throughout the
commercial real estate industry gathered in
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Sunday
General Session Highlights
Mayor John
Nutter Welcomes BOMA to
Philadelphia Mayor John
Nutter helped kick off the BOMA
International Conference by welcoming BOMA members to the city of
brotherly "and sisterly" love and thanking BOMA for its leadership in
Panelists Discuss Marketplace
Realities and Opportunities
Panelists participating in
the "Searching for Value in all the Right Places" Sunday General
Session, sponsored by Yardi/SiteStuff, pulled no punches about the stress the
credit crisis has had on commercial real estate. Perry Schonfeld, principal
with LBA Realty LLC, noted that a "lack of clarity and confidence" in
the economy is holding back potential deals. Panelists agreed that asset
management will be key as the industry works toward recovery and is more
important than ever to stakeholders. Chip Akridge, chairman of Akridge,
stressed the importance of keeping clients happy, telling attendees "We have
to stay close to clients and find out what they need. This is where it will be
won or lost."
Other panelists included
William P. Hankowsky, chairman, president & CEO of Liberty Property Trust
and T. Patrick Duncan, chairman & CEO, USAA Real Estate Company. The
session was moderated by Andrew C. Florance, president and CEO of CoStar Group.
Monday
General Session Highlights
Dr. Fareed
Zakaria Offers Insight on New Global Marketplace
During the Monday General
Session sponsored by ThyssenKrupp Elevator, renowned economist Dr. Fareed
Zakaria discussed the political, economic and technology transformations that
have redefined the global marketplace. Dr.Zakaria also told attendees that the
recovery will not be shaped by the predictions of academics, but by the 300
million unpredictable responses from individuals across the country.
During his annual State of
the Industry address at the Monday General Session, BOMA President Henry
Chamberlain discussed the good, the bad and the ugly playing out across the
marketplace in response to the capital credit crisis. While vacancy rates are now
close to 16 percent and look to be headed to 20 percent, the billions in
capital waiting on the sidelines could spur recovery once we push beyond this
difficult cycle. Chamberlain emphasized the role of property management as the
best practices value creator in the industry.
Read the
State of the Industry Address
Inaugural
Class of BOMA 360 Performance Buildings Recognized
Also during the Monday
General Session, BOMA Vice Chair Ray Mackey announced the first class of BOMA
360 Performance Buildings. "With this recognition these designees are
sending a message to their owners, tenants and prospective tenants that they
are optimizing building performance at every level,"said Mackey.
Read more about the BOMA 360 Performance Program Buildings
A Night to Remember at the
TOBY Awards
During the annual
Middle Atlantic Region –
Louis J. Mantia, BOMA/
Southern Region – Sally
Elliott, BOMA/Atlanta
Southwest Region – Karrie
S. McCampbell, Dallas/BOMA and
James A. Peck, RPA, FMA,
was formally sworn in as 2009–2010 BOMA International Chair during the
ceremony. In his acceptance speech, Peck told BOMA members "We have had
many challenges in recent months and more may be on the horizon, but I´m
confident that BOMA is uniquely positioned to strengthen all of our careers
through our programs, education and advocacy."
Financing
Structures, Operating Trends and Healthcare Reform top MOB Topics
Prior to the BOMA International Conference,
nearly 450 healthcare real estate professionals (hospital executives,
healthcare owners and managers, lenders, investors, developers) attended BOMA´s
annual Medical Office
Buildings and Healthcare Facilities (MOB) Conference in Philadelphia.
Thought leaders from healthcare real estate companies and hospital systems
addressed key issues before the industry, such as the financial wherewithal of
health systems, whether the "recession–proof" label many have given
healthcare real estate is valid, "clinic" models for ambulatory care,
emerging hospital–employed physician models, CMS reimbursements and the effects
of potential healthcare reform under a new Administration and Congress.
Renowned Wharton School of
Business Economist and Keynote speaker Dr. Peter Linneman told attendees that
healthcare was the only sector of the economy, besides the government, not
shrinking, and that the "stimulus"effect of spending the trillions of
dollars waiting on the sideline could be stunning.
Look for a full recap of
the MOB Conference in upcoming BOMA publications, including The BOMA Magazine.
The Value
BOMA Members Come for—
BOMA members packed into
the 40–plus
The Office Building Show was bustling with commercial real
estate professionals looking for the cutting–edge, cost effective products and
services to ensure that their buildings stand out. The best minds, best
products and best services were on all on display on the tradeshow floor,
including the latest in energy efficient solutions at the popular BOMA Green
Pavilion and ENERGY STAR® Showcase.
BOMA/Philadelphia helped
attendees connect with history and so much more during the Welcome Party at
the
Board of
Governors Meeting Highlights
BOMA Vice President of
The Board of Governors also
voted to adopt the following five new policy positions on:
Voluntary Greenhouse Gas
Emission Reduction
Commercial Real Estate
Credit Crisis
Real Estate Mortgage
Investment Conduits, or REMIC rules
BOMA International´s newest
officers and executive committee members were approved during the Board of
Governors.
New Officers include:
Vice Chair – Boyd R.
Zoccola, Hokanson Companies, Inc., BOMA/Indianapolis
Secretary/Treasurer - Kent
Gibson, CPM, Zions Securities Corporation, BOMA/Utah
New Executive Committee
members include:
Angelo J. Grima, Grubb
& Ellis Management Services, Inc., BOMA/
Karrie S. McCampbell, CPM,
Transwestern, BOMA/Dallas
Laura T. Ragans, RPA,
Manulife Financial, BOMA/Orlando
Perry Schonfeld, MBA, CPA,
LBA Realty, BOMA/Orange County
David M. Stucky, City of
Look for a full wrap–up of
the Board of Governors´ Meeting in upcoming BOMA publications.
***************************
BuildingGreen Launches LEEDuser
New
Website Provides Expert Help for LEED 2009
BRATTLEBORO, VT (July 8,
2009) - Responding to the need for comprehensive help with the new LEED rating
systems that's based on real-world experience, BuildingGreen, LLC, publishers
of the widely respected Environmental Building News and GreenSpec Directory,
have created LEEDuser with support of the U.S. Green Building Council.
This new website, at www.LEEDuser.com, provides credit-by-credit guidance for
teams working on LEED certification. Included are clear descriptions of credit
requirements, tips to streamline LEED submissions, online calculators, and
online user forums related to specific credits. LEEDuser facilitates LEED
certification for projects using the five recently launched LEED 2009 rating
systems: New Construction, Core & Shell, Schools, Commercial Interiors, and
Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance.
"Our goal with LEEDuser is to demystify LEED while supporting projects in
achieving the highest possible environmental goals," said BuildingGreen
President and long-time LEED faculty member Nadav Malin, LEED AP. LEEDuser
achieves those goals with diagrams illustrating key aspects of each
prerequisite and credit, an extensive checklist of insider tips, and
suggestions to help with project certification. It also provides the official
LEED credit language in an accessible online format, and a documentation
toolkit with templates, calculators, and samples of typical completed LEED
submittals.
"A lot has changed with LEED 2009," said Malin. "LEEDuser will
substantially simplify the submission process, saving time and avoiding
confusion." BuildingGreen is creating LEEDuser with the consultants at YRG
Sustainability and host of other LEED experts and topic-area specialists. The
creators of LEEDuser have experience on hundreds of design teams for LEED-certified
buildings, as LEED trainers, and as LEED certification reviewers.
LEEDuser is available now in beta release with free registration at www.LEEDuser.com.
It already covers the credits that users have found most challenging, and it
will continue to expand throughout the summer. Beginning in October 2009 the
website will be available by subscription.
Jerelyn Wilson
802-257-7300 ext. 102
jerelyn@buildinggreen.com For more
information, visit www.LEEDuser.com.
***************************
Perhaps you should rethink that threat when you see how
many bombs could potentially come to your city. Check out the nuke-o-meter and plug in your city to find
out approximately how much of a threat there is for your city.
Try
Now put in some of the east and west coast cities. It’s
funny how
If you read some of the extremists from both sides, you get
a range of comments. For example:
New
There are also people on the conservative side saying
we better take heed of this type of attack.
In an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) attack, the damage to
power lines, supervisory control and data acqui¬sition control systems (for
utility systems infrastructure) and commercial computers would very likely be permanent
due to fused power lines and lost data.
This would require replacing the entire electric system in
the affected area.
One esti¬mate warns that the likely costs from the
detonation of an EMP weapon over the
Building a better electronic infrastructure should be one
of the priorities from the federal stimulus package in order to leave some
residual benefits for future generations.
I love the naïve people who put up some nuclear-free zone
sign as if that’s going to protect them from reality. That’s like putting on
some aluminum foil over your head and thinking that will protect you from
radiation.
How Vulnerable Are You From an Attack?
In the era of EMP bombs, you don’t need a sophisticated
launch platform and control system that can provide pinpoint accuracy from
several thousand miles away. All it has to do is detonate in the atmosphere
above the Earth.
An EMP bomb can be launched offshore from a ship or
submarine. All it has to do is reach about 100 to 150 miles in the atmosphere,
detonate and fry all the unprotected circuits and electronics that are in a
thousand-mile radius (or more).
One bomb can devastate much more territory without turning
the landscape into toast. Think of it as a giant umbrella over the Earth making
vulnerable everything underneath the blast that has unprotected circuits.
That being said, the probability of an EMP attack is more
likely than an all-out nuclear attack especially from someone like Kim Jong Il
who likes playing the game of chicken. Getting to a point off either coast is
not beyond the realm of possibility for countries that at first glance would
not even be viewed as a threat.
This type of devastation may not even come from an attack
of a rogue nation. It could just be part of the weather.
The strongest geomagnetic storm on record is the Carrington
event of Aug. to Sept. 1859, which is named after British astronomer Richard
Carrington who witnessed the instigating solar flare with his unaided eye while
he was projecting an image of the sun on a white screen.
Geomagnetic activity triggered by the explosion electrified
telegraph lines. It shocked technicians and set their telegraph papers on fire.
The Northern Lights spread as far south as
“A contemporary repetition of the Carrington event would
cause … extensive social and economic disruptions,” the report warns. Power
outages would be accompanied by radio blackouts and satellite malfunctions.
Telecommunications, GPS navigation, banking and finance and transportation
would all be affected.
Some problems would correct themselves with the fading of
the storm. Radio and GPS transmissions could come back online fairly quickly.
Other problems would be lasting. A burnt-out multi-ton transformer, for
instance, can take weeks or months to repair.
The total economic impact in the first year alone could
reach $2 trillion. This could be some 20 times greater than the costs of a
Hurricane Katrina or, to use a timelier example, a few TARPs.
Wake Up
There is a time for fear mongering and a time to wake up to
the facts. Now is the time to wake up to the facts. The media should be
covering EMP bombs rather than the latest political sex scandal.
In all disaster recovery plans for both municipalities and
corporations, are there any provisions for EMP protection? There should be
because EMP bombs were a threat in the Cold War. If you are at a company or
municipality, that might be a question to bring up at the next executive
meeting.
Disaster recovery or business continuity plans (unless
mandated by regulations like the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) usually are not as viable
as you might think. One thing that was clearly evident after Sept. 11, 2001 is
that most companies at the
For most organizations, the first thing they have to do is
dust off their disaster recovery plan or their emergency response plans in the
case of municipalities. In some cases, chances are they have not been updated
or even tested.
Carlinism: The people who disregard real threats are the
same people wandering around after a disaster they thought could never happen
and asking what someone else can do for them.
Watch James
Carlini’s interview with the Illinois Channel Network on broadband
connectivity and economic development that’s currently being broadcast to more
than 1.4 million homes. Check out Carlini’s blog at CarlinisComments.com.
Follow daily Carlinisms at Twitter.
James Carlini is an adjunct professor at Northwestern University. He is also
president of Carlini & Associates. Carlini can be
reached at james.carlini@sbcglobal.net
or 773-370-1888.
***************************
Does Polystyrene Insulation Belong In A Green Building?
Environmental
Building News Says "No"
CONTACT:
Jerelyn Wilson
802-257-7300 ext. 102
jerelyn@buildinggreen.com
BRATTLEBORO, VT, August 3, 2009 - In an August 2009 feature article entitled,
"Polystyrene Insulation: Does It Belong in a Green Building?,"
Environmental Building News executive editor Alex Wilson says there's enough
health and environmental evidence to suggest that the answer is "No."
Wilson describes various problems with polystyrene insulation, including the
hazards of a flame retardant used in it, and recommends that alternatives be
used when doing so will not compromise a building's energy performance.
"All insulation materials are green on one level,"
Second, all polystyrene building insulation-both extruded (XPS) and expanded
(EPS)-contains the brominated flame retardant HBCD, which European agencies
have labeled both a persistent organic pollutant and a persistent
bioaccumulative toxin. Despite significant effort, industry has so far been
unable to find a substitute flame retardant that will impart fire-resistant
properties without adding toxicity risks.
"Polystyrene is the least green of common insulation materials,"
One solution to the HBCD flame retardant concern would be for manufacturers to
offer XPS and EPS for below-grade applications that do not contain any flame
retardant. "A lot of people assume that all polystyrene insulation has to
be flame-retardant-treated," says
Another option is to substitute safer insulation materials for XPS or EPS. The
article addresses both above-grade and below-grade options. "Rigid mineral
wool performs very well on exterior foundation walls, and it is being used
beneath concrete slabs in Europe," says
"Polystyrene Insulation: Does it Belong in a
***************************
The Hanley Foundation To Present First Annual Hanley Award And $50,000 Grant To A Pioneering Architect, Author, Educator And Visionary
Edward Mazria Receives the 2009 Hanley Award for
Vision and Leadership in Sustainable Housing
Washington, D.C. July 15,
2009—Santa Fe, N.M., architect and champion of building energy efficiency
Edward Mazria, AIA was named this year’s winner of The Hanley Award for Vision
and Leadership in Sustainable Housing. Mazria was selected from among 18
distinguished nominees by a panel of judges that comprised Michael J. Hanley,
president of The Hanley Foundation; Frank Anton, CEO of Hanley Wood; Steven
Winter, FAIA, president of Steven Winter Associates; Allison Ewing, AIA,
principal of Hays + Ewing Design Studio; and Sarah Susanka, FAIA, principal of
Susanka Studios.
Mazria will receive the award and its $50,000 grant at The USGBC Hanley Award
Dinner ceremony November 12 during USGBC’s Greenbuild International Conference
and Expo in
The judges had their work cut out for them as all 18 of the nominees submitted
for the award by the nominating committee have made significant contributions
to advancing sustainability in the industry—whether through the homes they’ve
designed and built, their work in research and development, or their efforts to
share information through writings and educational outreach.
Mazria’s career and contributions span all of these. From his early
award-winning architectural work in the 1970s laying the foundation for siting,
energy efficiency, and passive solar design to his groundbreaking The Passive
Solar Energy Book published in 1979, the concepts, details, and principles
developed by Mazria are unmistakable in today’s modern high-performance homes.
Over the years, Mazria’s architectural work has attracted international
attention and his outreach has grown as well. He’s taught architecture at a
number of institutions, including the
Throughout his career, he’s never lost sight of his decades-long mission to
improve the environmental performance of our buildings through increased
environmental awareness and innovations in design and construction.
It is this crucial concern and critical need that motivated Mazria to suspend
his architectural practice in 2002 and form Architecture 2030 (architecture2030.org),
a non-profit environmental research and education organization based in
The organization gets its name from its goal—leading the building sector to
reach net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2030—and Mazria has laid out a
timeline for measuring progress that has been adopted within a wide range of
federal and state legislations, and among industry and environmental circles as
well.
“Edward Mazria has had a powerful impact on sustainable housing for more than
35 years,” said Michael J. Hanley, president of The Hanley Foundation and
creator of The Hanley Award. “He has influenced innovative advances in
design and technology through his creative architecture, energetic teaching and
groundbreaking writing. His current mission with Architecture 2030 brings his
vision and leadership to a new level. We are thrilled to name Edward Mazria as
the first recipient of The Hanley Award.”
The Hanley Award is sponsored by The Hanley Foundation, EcoHome magazine and
Hanley Wood. To learn more about the award program and the people involved,
visit the EcoHome Web site (ecohomemagazine.com). To
learn more about the 2009 Residential Summit and register for the event, visit
the Greenbuild Web site (greenbuildexpo.org/residential-summit).
About Hanley Wood
Hanley Wood, LLC, is the premier media and information company serving housing
and construction. Through four operating divisions, the company produces
award-winning magazines and Web sites, marquee trade shows and events, rich
data, and custom marketing solutions. The company also is
Founded in 1976, Hanley Wood is one of the ten largest B-to-B media companies
in the
About The Hanley Foundation
The Hanley Foundation supports people and programs working to improve
education, health care, the environment, and housing, as well as a variety of
humanitarian issues. The Washington, D.C.-based Foundation was created in 1999
by Michael J. Hanley, co-founder and retired CEO of Hanley Wood, LLC.
About EcoHome
EcoHome magazine, along with its Web site and weekly e-newsletters, reaches
hundreds of thousands of builders, remodelers, architects, and green building
specialists with clear and credible information about green building products,
outstanding projects, expert advice on building science and construction
systems, and up-to-date news about important research, programs and
regulations, and rapidly evolving trends. Last year EcoHome magazine won five
national journalism awards, including the 2009 Jesse H. Neal Award for best new
publication, and ecohomemagazine.com won min’s national Best of the Web Award
for best new Web site (www.ecohomemagazine.com).
About Greenbuild
The U.S. Green Building Council’s Greenbuild International Conference &
Expo convenes the industry’s largest gathering of representatives from all
sectors of the green building movement. Three days of extensive
educational programming, workshops, a vast exhibition floor and ample
networking events provide unrivaled opportunities to learn about the latest
technological innovations, explore new products, and exchange ideas with other
professionals. Greenbuild 2009 will be held on Nov. 11-13, 2009, in
***************************
General Cable Corp. Has Acquired Gepco International Inc. and Affiliate Isotec Inc.
suppliers of
cabling products for the broadcast and entertainment industries.
Based in suburban
Gepco offers a complete line of professional broadcast, entertainment and
audio-visual cable; cable assemblies in both standard and custom
configurations; interconnect and cable-related accessories; and a full line of
optical fiber solutions, General Cable said in a statement announcing the deal.
“With the acquisition of Gepco International and Isotec’s specialty
electronic cable business, General Cable expects to significantly expand its
share of this important
Gary Geppert, the Gepco’s founder, has agreed to stay with the company.
Gepco cabling solutions are a critical component to the broadcast industry’s
continuing innovation in broadcast technologies such as the next-generation
super or ultra-high definition video, the company said.
Highland Heights-based General Cable (NYSE: BGC) develops, manufactures,
and distributes copper, aluminum and fiber optic wire and cable products for
the global energy, industrial and communications markets.
***************************
And, what are its
advantages?
The purpose of this paper
is to clearly and fully explain why network infrastructure solutions, marketed
under a branded name and consisting of either one or two manufacturers’
products, exist in the market today.
This paper will also help illustrate why open architecture, a standards
based network solution approach, is a viable alternative with numerous
advantages to branded solutions. We at
Hitachi Cable Manchester believe that a well-informed customer will be less
inclined to be influenced by marketing hype and more likely to make sound
decisions based on fact.
A little history first…
To better understand what open
architecture is all about, we must first review the history of local area
networks and how they have developed over the years.
Commercially available
local area networks, LANs, had their origin in 1977 with the advent of
ARCnet. John Murphy of Datapoint
Corporation developed ARCnet, short for Attached Resource Computer
network. This network provided a data
rate of 2.5 Mbit/s, supported up to 255 nodes and operated over common coaxial
cable.
At the same time,
In 1979, Metcalfe left
Xerox to promote the development and universal acceptance of Ethernet. In 1983, the Institute for Electronic and
Electrical Engineers (IEEE) released the Ethernet standard known as 802.3.
Early versions of Ethernet ran on various cable types. It wasn’t until 1990 that twisted-pair cable
was selected for Ethernet.
As Ethernet continued to grow in popularity, the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the Telecommunications Industry
Association (TIA) and the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) collaborated
to develop a wiring standard that would accommodate Ethernet and provide the
manufacturers of cable and connectivity a benchmark to achieve in regards to
construction, performance and testing of their products. It was believed that if all manufacturers
built their products in accordance with the standard, one could safely assume
that any jack, when mated to any cable, would provide the level of performance
indicated in the standard. This
approach, referred to as open architecture, would grant end users the
flexibility to choose from a variety of manufacturers and design a local area
network that would meet their specific needs.
Compliance to the standard would ensure that the final product would
perform as required. In 1991,
ANSI/TIA/EIA released the standard known as ANSI/TIA/EIA-568 Commercial
Building Telecommunications Cabling Standard.
The international cabling standard ISO/IEC-11801 is based on
ANSI/TIA/EIA 568.
As the importance of networks became more and more
obvious in the daily operation of most businesses, network performance also
became important. Network electronics
were proliferating and performance levels were quickly rising. As new, more powerful software came to
market, throughput demands began to rapidly increase. More advanced versions of
Ethernet were being introduced to the market, including 100Base-T which
increased data rates 10-fold over the previous Ethernet version. Forward
thinking end users also wanted to be prepared for the next generation of
electronics so installing the best available infrastructure components seemed
like a wise thing to do. To that end,
manufacturers began to make infrastructure products that surpassed the
performance requirements of the standards at that time. They also wanted to out perform their
competitors.
To keep pace with market
trends and to ensure that network infrastructures would be compatible with the
latest network electronics, ANSI/TIA/EIA released 568-A in 1995. This standard was superceded by
ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B in 2001, and again just recently in February 2009 with the
release of ANSI/TIA-568-C. For the purposes of this paper, we will refer to the
current complete standard, 568-B, since not all sections of draft C have been
released to date. By regularly updating
the 568 standard, ANSI/TIA offers manufacturers an up-to-date benchmark to
which they can build products and also provide consumers a quantifiable
measuring stick in the form of test parameters with which they can compare
products and thus make educated decisions regarding their network
infrastructure purchases.
Once there were standards
to build cable and connectivity to, manufacturers had to find a way to
differentiate themselves from the competition.
One way was for a company to offer a complete solution, or closed
solution. This one company could provide
the jacks, cables, patch cords, racks, etc.
Another option was for a manufacturer to join forces with another
manufacturer of a piece of the network infrastructure puzzle and jointly market
their products. Typically, connectivity
manufacturers partnered with cable manufacturers. These partnerships are also considered
closed solutions.
The ANSI/TIA-568 standards
also helped perpetuate packaged infrastructure solutions by stipulating
performance requirements not only for the individual components, but for the
installed end-to-end solution as well. The
standards include performance requirements for the permanent link, which
consists of the cable with connective hardware at each end. There are also channel requirements that add
patch cords to each end of the permanent link. Since permanent link and channel
requirements are established in the standards, manufacturers know how their
products need to perform not just by themselves, but also when used in
conjunction with other infrastructure components. The obvious reason for this is to ensure the
solution will support the applications intended to run over them. The channel
and permanent link requirements are also very important to the manufacturers of
hand-held testing devices since these manufacturers program their field testers
to test to the requirements in the standard.
Field-testing, which is
simply the testing of the finished product at the owners site, ensures that the
products are installed properly and that they will meet the performance
requirements established in the appropriate standard. With passing test results, the owner can be
confident that the solution will support the applications that are appropriate
for that solution, such as gigabit Ethernet over Category 6 or 10 gigabit
Ethernet over Category 6A.
Closed Solutions Vs. Open
Architecture
In network infrastructure,
the term open architecture refers to the practice of using virtually any
combination of standards-compliant connective hardware in the design of the
network. The standard, ANSI/TIA-568-B
dictates the performance requirements of the network components to ensure that
they will accommodate the application that the end user wishes to operate
through them. By employing the open
architecture philosophy, the end user has the freedom to choose the products
that best meet their specific needs and remain confident that together they
will perform as intended. Just like a
standard light bulb will fit into any lamp and work when you flip the switch,
so will the network perform when you use components that meet or exceed the standards. This would appear to be the ideal
situation. There is a wide selection of
quality products available and if they all work together, then the customer/end
user has virtually unlimited options when it comes to designing their network.
HCM,
Of course there are also different levels of quality
and performance to choose from in the market place. Certainly a wise choice, especially when it
comes to cable for the infrastructure, is to select a company that offers
guaranteed performance, a substantial warranty, such as a lifetime warranty, and
has the personnel both internally and externally to properly support the
customer. If an issue arises, it’s good
to have quick and easy access to the manufacturer. Other items that can contribute to confidence
in a product’s selection are if it is manufactured in the
Closed solutions, ones in
which a specific cable and connectivity manufacturer are used, typically market
the advantages that their solution offers over a standards-based solution. There are a number of these solutions on the
market. If standards-based solutions are
the way to go, then why are there so many closed solutions? There are a number of reasons why this is the
case.
The manufacturers in the
closed solution may share sales representatives. Since many manufacturers use contracted sales
representatives, if the sales representative sells the two lines in the
solution, as well as other related product lines, the sales representative
should be able to achieve a higher level of success. This can also help grow the relationship with
the distributor. When manufacturers
collaborate on a solution and promote some aspects of it, performance,
warranty, etc. they hope to differentiate themselves from the competitors and
increase sales. In actuality, the goal
of the joint solution is to leverage the name recognition/market presence of
both companies in a quest to gain market share.
This may sound a bit nefarious, but in actuality, it’s a very typical business
arrangement. A benefit to the end user
may be the fact that when they have questions on multiple infrastructure
components, they may only have to deal with one company or one individual. Another perceived advantage may be the
offering of an enhanced warranty.
Seldom, however, is there any financial advantage to choosing a closed
solution over an open one. We’ll discuss
this in greater detail further on.
Collaborative relationships
between companies are not new, however.
Intel, the highest regarded processor manufacturing in the world,
partners with computer manufacturers, such as Dell, one of the best know
computer lines, to help better promote their own brand name and as a result,
they assist in the sale of more Dell computers.
More Dell computers sold, more Intel processors sold. Hitachi Cable Manchester does the same by
promoting the fact that its fiber optic cables include optical fiber
manufactured by
Performance
Is performance of the network infrastructure
important? You bet it is. Studies have indicated that approximately 50%
of network problems are related to the network infrastructure. In the infrastructure, the cable is typically
the most expensive component in the solution and it is certainly the most
difficult to remove and replace. In
fact, in many branded solutions where multiple options exist, if one were to
compare the lower performing option to the higher performing option, they would
find that only the cable has changed.
All other components remain the same.
The cable can also be a limiting factor when it comes to how well the
network will perform. A poor quality
cable can impede the transmission and reception of data packets. The data will most likely get there, but the
data throughput will not be optimum.
With many end users, especially those that deal with financial
transactions and medical records, poor network performance could be costly in a
number of respects. Only choose
well-known cables verified by a known third party such as Underwriters
Laboratories (UL). Also, keep in mind
that the network is only as good as its weakest link. So, any gains that could be achieved with
high quality cable and connectivity could be negated by use of inexpensive
patch cords.
When selecting an
infrastructure, such as Category 5e, Category 6 or Category 6A, one should also
consider the lifespan of the network. A
network infrastructure should be able to accommodate today’s applications as
well as those soon to be released. By
not choosing the appropriate category level, you could find that you have
limited the future performance of the entire network. It may not seem to be a big deal now, but
five years down the road when the latest network electronics come out, it would
be a shame to learn that the infrastructure installed can’t accommodate
it. The thought of replacing the
infrastructure with a new one may not sound too appealing to those in the
finance department.
Regarding electrical performance, closed solutions
will typically identify some perceived advantage that their solution offers
over another. In reality, there may not
be any discernable performance advantage provided by that closed solution over
an open architecture based solution. The
fact is that performance beyond the parameters of a particular standard, such
as ANSI/TIA-568-B.2-1 (Category 6), may not actually aid in the performance of
the network. The applications for which
a particular category were intended to carry, such as gigabit Ethernet over
Category 6 cable, will perform within the performance range stipulated in the
Category 6 standard. The standards were
written to provide performance above what is needed to support the applications
running on them. Leading connectivity
and cable manufacturers will build and test their cables to the appropriate TIA
standard. So, if the listed performance
of a cable or jack exceeds the standards, and the components have been
independently verified by a reputable third party, such as UL, then it will
support the application. If an end user,
however, desires enhanced products for a specific application or for a
particular installation, then those specific needs should and can be
addressed. Additional performance, often
referred to as “headroom”, may be desirable due to a harsh or unusual
installation environment.
The manufacturers in the
closed solutions offer higher performing products than other companies. Right?
In fact, recent HCM testing has shown that when some HCM cable products
were mated to connectivity from the better-known solutions, the performance
actually exceeded the published test data of the closed solution. However, it must also be pointed out that the
same cable, installed in a different environment by different technicians,
could result in different test results.
The installation environment can play a significant role in product
performance. So, before the
infrastructure is installed, how can you be certain that you going to get what
the marketing literature says you will get?
Therein lies the challenge. Some
end-users request what is called a “bake off”.
This is when cable and connectivity manufacturers are invited to the
customer’s location to set up mock network links and test them. By inviting a short list of manufacturers to
this challenge, the end user can directly verify what type of performance they
are likely to get. Manufacturers that
shy away from this opportunity may be the ones to avoid. Of course, when you
start with high performance components, you are more likely to end up with a
high performance solution.
Third-party Verified
Another item to consider is
whether the electrical performance marketed by a solution or a component
thereof is the result of testing by a known third-party or if it is generated
by the manufacturers. Some manufacturers
use the term “compliant” in regards to electrical performance. Though this may be acceptable for some
components of the infrastructure, it may not be for others. What this typically
indicates is that the cable’s electrical performance was tested by the
manufacturer, itself. Again,
“compliant” electrical performance may be acceptable for some, but the
credibility of the manufacturer and the performance level of the product(s)
should come into question. Verification
occurs when a third-party does the electrical testing of the cable then
provides the manufacturer documentation of the results. These third parties, such as UL, will permit
the customer, such as a cable manufacturer, to print the verification on the
cable jacket. For example, the print
legend on HCM’s Category 6A Supra 10G cable reads, “Verified (UL) Category 6A
TIA/EIA 568-B.2-10” which indicates it was tested and verified by UL to the
Category 6A standard. Verified product
performance is more desirable than performance that is compliant to a standard.
There is also a tendency in
the network infrastructure industry to provide exceptional performance data for
a particular product or solution and characterize that data as typical or average. These titles allow the manufacturers
virtually limitless wiggle-room. Without
a solid, guaranteed level of performance, they have very little to be
accountable for. And, since handheld
testers used by installers to test the infrastructure are preset to test to the
limits of the applicable standard, performance outside of the test parameters
can’t be verified. For example, if a
Category 6 solution promotes a particular level of performance at 300 MHz, it
can’t easily be verified since the field tester will only test to the maximum
frequency of the Category 6 standard, which is 250 MHz. So, the claim can’t be validated.
Listed is another term that
is sometimes confused with verified.
Being listed with a testing lab means the cable has been tested for
safety purposes. National Electrical
Code (NFPA-70) is concerned with basically two elements of a communications cable
construction, flammability and voltage carrying capacity. The cable must carry 300 volts and be printed
with the appropriate flammability designation, such as CMR or CMP. Testing by an NEC approved third part is
required in order to obtain the listing and therefore be allowed to print the
flammability rating on the cable.
Electrical inspectors at construction sites look for these markings on
cable jackets. If the cable has no
marking or the wrong marking, it may have to be pulled out. The NEC is not concerned with how well the
cables will accommodate gigabit Ethernet.
So, regarding performance, you’re on your own with a cable that is only
listed and not verified.
As a note, compliance to
some standards or initiatives, such as the Reduction of Hazardous Substances
(RoHS) initiative is generally acceptable if documentation from the
manufacturer can be provided to substantiate the claim.
Warranty
Every end user wants to be
certain that the products they have chosen will be backed by a meaningful warranty. Most closed solutions offer a warranty
carried by one of the companies in the solution, usually the connectivity
manufacturer, and it covers the entire solution. The length of these warranties may be 15 or
25 years. Some even offer a lifetime warranty.
These warranties are only available through a certified installer. So, in order to receive a warranty, the
installation must be performed by an installer that has been certified by the
solution manufacturer(s). This ensures
that the work is done in an acceptable manner.
This is, unquestionably, a good practice. Also, as part of their certification process,
some companies offer training programs that can be quite informative. In addition to installers, some manufacturers
will allow distributors, engineers and end users to participate in those
training programs. A few of these
companies have even had their training programs accredited by trade
organizations, such as BICSI (Building Industry Consultant Services
International), and can offer credits for attending their training. It goes without saying that manufacturers
that promote the sharing of information and offer training programs are likely
to be more responsive to customer inquires and assist them when necessary. Companies without those tools and personnel
may not be as accommodating.
In regards to the warranty holder, it is still
unclear why the connectivity manufacturers were the first to hold the
warranties. In a typical
infrastructure, the majority of the cost is associated with the cable. To analogize, it would be as if Goodyear Tire
should hold the warranty on the automobile on which their tires are
installed. The tires can represent a
substantial percent of the cost of the vehicle, but as the owner, wouldn’t you
want the entity with the most at stake to hold the warranty?
The closed solution
warranties can be comprehensive, but they can also be very restrictive. Virtually all closed solution warranties
restrict future moves, adds and changes to the network in ways that are not
always in the best interest of the end user.
For example, representatives from some of the closed solution companies
have been known to threaten end-users by telling them that if they integrate
non-solution products into their solution, they could place the warranty for
the entire infrastructure in jeopardy.
One could argue that this restriction helps keep inferior products and
or installers from interacting with the warranted products. It can also help exclude competition and
ensure that the end user only buys solution products.
HCM believes the customer
should have the freedom to choose the products that it desires. That is why HCM offers a lifetime warranty on
solutions that include its cables and connectivity from over 20 different connectivity
manufacturers including, Hubbell, Ortronics, Leviton, SMP and Hellerman
Tyton. HCM has worked with these
manufacturers over the years and is confident in their products’ performance
and the performance of a solution that includes their connectivity and HCM
cables. And, when the solution is
installed by an HCM certified installer, HCM will provide a Lifetime warranty
on the entire solution. That’s longer
than many closed solution warranties. When a warranty of that length is offered
by one of the largest and most stabile companies in the world, it’s worth
taking note of. Another feature of an HCM warranty that makes it unique in the
industry is the fact that the warranty is transferable. By simply transferring owner information and
providing updated test results, HCM will extend the existing warranty to the
new owner. This feature provides significant value to those seeking to sell a
facility and building owners who may need to replace a departing tenant.
Value
All marketing claims aside, the best infrastructure
solution for the end user should be the one that offers the best value. Value is determined by looking at all aspects
of the potential solutions, such as length and content of warranty,
availability of materials, quality of certified installers, customer service
reputation, product quality, product origin and, ultimately, price. Today, more than ever, companies are looking
at a greater number of options before coming to a decision. Many companies who would have defaulted to,
“buy what we used last time” are now altering their procurement habits.
Companies are doing considerable research into their purchases to ensure they
are actually getting what they paid for, especially if the option they are
looking at is more costly than the others.
And, this change is welcome by HCM.
Does HCM offer an advantage over the closed solutions on the
market? We believe so. Closed systems can cost more because
competition is blocked out. Without
competition, there’s no need to provide better pricing. There’s no need for
anyone to sharpen his or her pencil. If
a closed solution is specified for a project and only the products from those
specified manufacturers can be used, is there any incentive for them to offer
aggressive or even competitive pricing?
They don’t have to. They know
they have the job. Open architecture
invites all qualified parties to come to the table and show what they can do
for the customer. When this happens, the
one who wins is the end user. The result
will be more options to choose from, more price points, and perhaps, even the
discovery of a product that offers a better value than those previously being
considered.
And, HCM is all about
value. All HCM cables are
***************************
House Passage of Energy and Climate Legislation Creates New Opportunities for Green Building
July 1, 2009 (Washington,
DC) – The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) commends the House of
Representatives for passing landmark energy and climate legislation Friday that
includes several significant provisions to incentivize and accelerate the
benefits of green building across the country.
“From programs that would generate billions of dollars to spur and scale green
retrofitting of our existing building stock to inclusion of the GREEN Act,
which would create new opportunities for green affordable housing, this bill
recognizes that green building is a major part of the solution to our economic
and energy challenges,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding
Chair, USGBC. “With this federal commitment, green building can help
propel the new green economy by creating enormous energy and cost savings for
millions of Americans while accelerating unprecedented job creation.”
The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 includes several initiatives
or provisions supported by or developed in consultation with USGBC, including:
• The Retrofit for Energy and Environmental Performance (REEP) program,
which supports the creation of retrofitting initiatives throughout the country
for residential and nonresidential buildings that may offer a variety of
incentives, including credit enhancements, interest rate subsidies, and initial
capital for public revolving loan funds.
• The GREEN (Green
Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods) Act (H.R. 2336), which provides
incentives to lenders and financial institutions to provide lower interest
loans and other benefits to consumers who build, buy or remodel their homes in
ways that improve energy efficiency. The bill also increases energy efficiency
standards for Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) owned and
assisted housing.
• The Building Energy
Performance Labeling Program, which directs the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) to create model building energy performance labels for new construction,
establishing a meaningful and consistent basis for evaluating the energy
performance of residential and commercial buildings.
• EPA’s WaterSense
program, which receives permanent authorization to designate products as water
efficient, as well as funding for state incentive programs for use of
water-efficient products.
• Extension of power
purchasing authority for federal agencies, which allows the federal government
to enter contracts for the purchase of renewable power for a period of up to 20
years.
Green building is critical
to the nation’s future economy, energy security, and environment – buildings
account for 40% of
To view USGBC’s summary of
the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, visit http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=6070.
About the
The Washington, D.C.-based
U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future
for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. With a
community comprising 78 local affiliates, more than 20,000 member companies and
organizations, and more than 100,000 LEED Accredited Professionals, USGBC is
the driving force of an industry that is projected to soar to $60 billion by
2010. The USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and
environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials
and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.
***************************
Attention All High Rollers: Visit IDEAL BICSI Booth
to Win a New LanTEK II Cable Certifier
-- IDEAL invites BICSI Fall Conference attendees to challenge the one-armed bandit for chance to bring home $8,000 jackpot --
SYCAMORE, IL, July 31, 2009
-- BICSI attendees this year will not need to leave the show floor for the
casino experience. That's because IDEAL's BICSI booth will feature an
authentic
Fittingly, the BICSI Fall Conference and Exhibition will be held at the
The Grand Prize is a 1000
MHz LanTEK II cable certifier. This remarkable new tool performs nine second
Cat 5e and 14 second Cat 6 tests with full performance data plus 10 Gigabit
Alien Crosstalk testing that's more than 4x faster than other systems. The
patented universal adapter systems lets you certify most cabling with
off-the-shelf patch cords saving time and money by eliminating the need for
proprietary permanent link adapters.
The second-prize winner
will receive an IDEAL SignalTEK multimedia qualification tester valued at
$995.00. SIGNALTEK™ is a reliable, feature-rich, handheld copper cable tester
with a user-friendly graphical interface. It offers true Gigabit performance
testing by transmitting 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet packets and measuring errors
on the link in accordance with the IEEE 802.3ab Gigabit Ethernet standard.
The third-place drawing
winner will receive is an IDEAL DataCom tool kit complete with a comprehensive
selection of professional-grade IDEAL tools and testers.
Dan Payerle, Business Unit
Manager of the IDEAL Test Division will play pit boss for the BICSI Show:
"One quick spin of the reels will be all it takes for a BICSI attendee to
go home with the data communication's industry premier cable certifier, the
LanTEK II. This unprecedented opportunity to win is open to all attendees
to play. The IDEAL team is looking forward to the most exciting BICSI
ever."
For more information, contact IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC.,
Follow IDEAL on twitter @ideal_sycamore
ABOUT IDEAL INDUSTRIES,
INC.
IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. has been serving the electrical industry since 1916.
IDEAL is one of the world's leading manufacturers of professional quality tools
and supplies serving installation professionals in the construction,
maintenance, data communications and original equipment manufacturing
industries.
***************************
INITIAL DETAILS IN PLACE FOR SCTE CANADIAN SUMMIT 2010
AUG. 4, 2009 (
Bruce Marshall, technical
director with Mountain Cablevision Ltd., will serve as the program chair for
the 2010 event. Marshall, who has been an SCTE member since 1991, is the
president of the SCTE Ontario Chapter.
The second annual SCTE
Canadian Summit will explore engineering issues specific to the Canadian market
and will be geared toward Canadian engineering professionals who want to focus
on the exchange of technical information for today and tomorrow. Attendees will
be able to expand their knowledge during two productive days of exhibits,
technical breakout sessions, general sessions, and networking opportunities.
SCTE Canadian Summit 2009,
conducted in early February, attracted more than 600 attendees and featured an
exhibit hall that had sold out weeks in advance. The event also featured the
presentation of the inaugural Young Canadian Engineering Professional of the
Year Award, which will be bestowed at the 2010
Registration for the 2010
event will be available soon in the Event Calendar section of www.scte.org,
along with sponsorship and advertising opportunities.
The Society of Cable
Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) is a non-profit professional association
that provides technical leadership for the telecommunications industry and
serves its members through professional development, standards, certification
and information. SCTE currently has approximately 13,000 members from the
***************************
Megladon Announces Improved Reliability on Apex Offset Measurements for APC HLC® SCRATCHGUARD™ Fiber Assembly Product Line
Incorporation of Norland
Interferometric technology is latest improvement in validating Reference Grade
APC fiber connectors.
Historically,
interferometers have only been able to measure the apex offset of APC
connectors within +/-10um of accuracy.
Due to the nature of the “floating ferrule” and ferrule movement found
in the SC APC connectors, it has been difficult to get good reproducibility and
accurate results when taking these measurements. The fiber industry has to date not given the
issue much attention, but as our dependency on APC cables increases, it is
necessary to address how this issue can deteriorate performance.
“APC connectors should
provide exceptional back reflection performance, but if the geometry is at the
edge of the specification, high bandwidth transmission will suffer,” says
Daniel Hogberg, Product Group Supervisor for Megladon Mfg. “It is necessary to accurately measure APC
connectors to ensure that cables are being manufactured to the appropriate
specification, and then to optimize performance.”
Not all interferometers
have been able to “master the measurement” and establish a solid point of
reference. “At Norland Products, we have
spent many hours developing our CC6000 interferometric system to help us overcome
this difficulty,” says Neal Wagman, Sales Manager for Norland Products. “Our development has enabled us to measure
the SC/APC connector quickly, accurately, and very inexpensively.”
Norland Product’s SC APC
mount allows for exceptional control in measuring SC APC connectors, and has
allowed Megladon to implement tighter controls within it’s manufacturing
process. The new process has enabled
measurements with +/-5um of accuracy, and helps Megladon continue setting new
standards in back reflection performance and building the best performing APC
connectors in the marketplace with HLC technology.
About Megladon
Manufacturing Group, Ltd
Megladon Manufacturing
Group, Ltd., a subsidiary of TyRex Group Ltd. ®, is recognized as a leader in
the fiber optic marketplace. Founded in 1997, Megladon made it their mission to
provide customers with fiber optic products that far exceed industry standards.
As technology innovators, Megladon created the HLC (Hardened Lens Contact)
termination, which has changed the market and taken it to the next level. For
additional information on Megladon and their patented processes please visit
the company’s website at www.megladonmfg.com
or respond by email to scratchguard@megladonmfg.com. For more information concerning Norland Products Interferometric portfolio, please contact Neal Wagman at nwagman@norlandprod.com or www.norlandproducts.com.
***************************
NAED’s TED Magazine Honored with Two 2009 Tabbie
Awards
TED Recognized with Bronze Award and Honorable Mention in International
Publications Contest
This competition, sponsored annually by the Trade, Association and Business
Publications International (TABPI), recognized TED magazine with a bronze award
for the January 2008 edition in the front cover/photograph category, and with
an honorable mention for the February 2008 edition in the best single issue
category.
Online versions of TED’s winning entries are currently featured on the TABPI
website at www.tabpi.org.
The Tabbies recognize excellence in trade, association, and business
publications and expose editors to similar b2b magazines and their local
practices across the globe. The 2009 Tabbie Awards featured just shy of 500
entries, with nominations coming from the
TED magazine is the primary source of information for the electrical
distribution channel across
NAED
is the trade association for the $70+ billion electrical distribution industry.
Through networking, education, research, and benchmarking, NAED helps
electrical distributors increase profitability and improve the channel. NAED’s
membership represents approximately 4,400 locations internationally.
***************************
Exhibitor Update
July 2009
Important Info:
Ever Popular Golf Challenge
Supporter
We have only three (3)
spots left for one of our most popular attendee promotions during the NECA
Show. Each year, NECA Show participants
look forward to walking the exhibit hall and visiting the booths so they can enter
for a chance to play Virtual Golf, and try for a Hole in One! The Closest-to-the-Pin
wins prizes, and so do many others.
A "Golf Supporter" is an exhibitor
who wants to receive a lot of additional traffic, and the opportunity to talk
with potential new customers, all for $1,000. ONLY THREE (3) SPOTS LEFT, so call Julie today at 770-632-0044 or exhibitsales@necanet.org. The deadline is almost here! The Cost / Value ratio is tremendous.
ONLY two (2) Ads Left for
Trade Show Map
Put your company brand in
the hands of thousands of attendees. Everyone uses the
[http://www.necaconvention.org/why/?fa=sponsorship] NECA Show map as a quick
reference guide. It is filled with useful information both on and off the show
floor. Each sponsor receives company name and logo on the map. The separate
pocket-sized map gives the most up-to-date floor plans, program-at-a-glance
& exhibitor list. Registration will hand out The Trade Show Map with the
Official Show Guide. Additional maps will available around the hall and
information booth area.
Inside cover ad - $5,000
Business card Size ad -
$1250
Don’t wait any longer –
Contact Julie today at 770-632-0044 or
exhibitsales@necanet.org. The printing deadline is almost here!
New & Featured Product
Room
Several of you have started
sending in your New & Featured Product Room forms and we appreciate your
prompt attention to this great opportunity, but many of you haven’t done it
yet! This is a great way to get advance exposure
on [http://www.necaconvention.org/] www.necaconvention.org NOW, as electrical
contractors are registering for the NECA Convention & Show.
And…since this area opens
one hour before the NECA Show each day, it is a great way for our attendees to
plan their daily “must-see” list as they walk around the show. Don’t miss this
very affordable opportunity to showcase your innovation solutions. It’s easy to
enter more than one
product. The form is located in the NECA Exhibitor Manual. http://www.necaconvention.org/exhibitors/?fa=manual
Have a Question? Looking
for Something?
You will probably find the
answer in your NECA Exhibitor Service Manual. http://www.necaconvention.org/exhibitors/?fa=manual We tried to think of all your questions in advance. We may have missed one or two, but we tried to put some thought into helping you
save some time and money,
so take a moment to look through this document.
Exhibitor Discount Tickets
Available for NECA Opening & Closing Events
The Pacific Northwest
“
http://www.necaconvention.org/convention/?fa=opening
Guests will enter into an
eco-friendly landscape of leafy greens, tumbled river rocks and verdant mosses
all captured in clear glass adding just the right touch of sparkle. In addition
to the illuminated, bright green frosted martini bar, this beckoning oasis will
feature coffee and wine/brew tasting stations. There will also be a large
selection of sumptuous hors d’oeuvres. Dance the night away with the West
Coast’s finest R&B rock musicians, the Freddie Pink Band. http://www.freddypink.com/FreddyPink/Freddy_Pink_.html
This is a great way to network with the electrical industries most important
customers. Don’t miss out on a great evening.
Prepare to be dazzled with
a custom performance by Cirque Dreams is the grand finale for NECA 2009
http://www.necaconvention.org/convention/?fa=closing
will be held Tuesday, September 15, beginning at 8:00p.m. at McCaw Hall. This
energetic show incorporates creative and original artistry with some of the
finest music, costumes, choreography, and special effects ever
produced. Cirque Productions has produced some of the
most original, inventive and theatrical and acrobatic stage shows for audiences
worldwide, including the new “Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy”, most recently the first
show of its kind ever to perform on Broadway and now touring the
The Discount Ticket Form can be found in your Exhibitor Service Manual. http://www.necaconvention.org/exhibitors/?fa=manual
As always, if we can be of
service, let us know. We look forward to seeing you in
Contact Julie Duda
Exhibit Sales Manager
770-632-0044
***************************
Leviton Launches CAT 6A Component-Rated Connector
New connectors offer
industry-leading performance without sacrificing density
July 7, 2009 –
Leviton
developed proprietary internal technologies to achieve greater performance: the
new connector uses patent-pending triple-stage compensation to enhance
permanent link and channel performance, and features a patented Cone of Silence®
and metalized body which effectively eliminates alien crosstalk (AXT) between
connectors in patching and work area applications. The connector adds these
improvements without increasing size.
“The
benefit of using Leviton’s CAT 6A connectors is twofold”, explains Keith
Kosanovich, RCDD, Leviton's senior product manager for copper systems. “We have
designed and engineered a connector that achieves industry-leading CAT 6A
performance without sacrificing density. This translates into real cost savings
in required floor space for rack and cabinet applications.”
The
eXtreme CAT 6A QuickPort connector is an integral component of Leviton’s
complete CAT 6A component-rated system, which includes CAT 6A QuickPort and
110-style Patch Panels, 110-style wiring blocks, and CAT 6A SlimLine patch
cords. This advanced system provides guaranteed channel margins over the TIA
standard in both short distances typically found in data center applications,
and longer distances common in traditional enterprise applications to the work
area. Category 6A components are fully backward compatible with all previous categories,
including Category 6 and Category 5e, providing a smooth migration path to
future high-speed applications such as 10GBASE-T.
Leviton’s CAT 6A QuickPort
Connectors are available through the company’s reseller network. More
information is available online at www.leviton.com/CAT6a.
About Leviton Network
Solutions
Leviton Network Solutions
was created 20 years ago to meet the growing need for telecommunications and
high-speed data technologies. Today, the division is dedicated to producing
complete network infrastructure systems for the enterprise, data center,
government, health care, education, and residential markets. Copper, fiber, and
power solutions include structured cabling systems, enclosures, PDUs and much
more. All Leviton products are engineered to exacting standards and offer
guaranteed performance. For more information, visit Leviton.com.
***************************
New Minuteman Product Provides Remote Power Management
Benefits include
reduction in system downtime, elimination of expensive service calls and ‘green’ functionality
Dallas, TX – July 23, 2009
– Para Systems, Inc. today announced the availability of a new two-outlet IP-addressable
device that allows users to remotely manage power from literally anywhere in the world. The
Minuteman RPM 1521 is designed to eliminate many costly service calls that result
in a technician simply rebooting equipment that is locked up. A simple to use interface
allows users to send a command via a web browser to cycle power off and on, thus reducing
downtime and providing a fast resolution to equipment lock-ups.
Designed for use with
security systems, telephone/VoIP systems, plus servers and network peripherals, the RPM 1521
allows each receptacle to be independently monitored and managed, including
scheduled shut-downs and reboots. In addition, each receptacle provides protection from
surges and spikes that can damage equipment. The secure browser interface manages
user privileges via password protection to prevent unauthorized access to the RPM’s control
menu.
The “auto-ping” feature
monitors and auto-detects the availability of attached equipment. If no response is detected,
the RPM 1521 will notify administrators that an attached device is non-responsive. The user
can configure the system to send an SMS text message, broadcast an email, and/or
send an SNMP trap notification should the RPM detect a noresponse condition. It can also be
programmed to perform an automatic reboot when equipment has failed and
send the automatic notifications that a power event has occurred.
“As we all know, equipment
gets locked up for various reasons and requires a simple reboot,” stated Bill Allen,
director of marketing for Para Systems. “At a cost of less than $200, the RPM 1521 can
quickly pay for itself when attached devices need to be rebooted and you don’t have to send
a technician to a remote location to merely cycle power off and then on.”
This new product offering
from Minuteman is especially useful for remote offices where IT managers or technical
personnel are not on staff, as well as hard-to-reach locations where equipment is mounted above
ceilings, on light poles, or on towers outside a facility.
“One of the more unique
features of the RPM 1521 is that it offers ‘green’ functionality by utilizing the scheduling
feature to initiate ‘power down’ and ‘power restore’ commands at pre-scheduled times, thus
saving wasted energy during periods when equipment is not being used,” added Mr.
Allen. “That’s yet another way this inexpensive, highly useful device can easily pay for itself.”
The RPM 1521 is currently
available for shipment and can be used in conjunction with several models of
Minuteman’s line of uninterruptible power supplies that provide complete protection from all power
problems, including battery backup during power outages. All Minuteman RPMs and UPSs are
covered under their comprehensive three-year warranty.
Minuteman products are sold
through distributors, VARs and on-line resellers. For more information, visit www.minutemanups.com.
About Para Systems, Inc.
Para Systems, Inc.,
based in
***************************
SEBC/Green Building Show Offers Complete Track of Green Education
Complimentary Media
Registration
“SEBC/Green Building Show
is a unique opportunity for builders and green building professionals to hear
from green building experts covering the gamut of what anyone would need to
know to succeed in this rapidly growing segment of the industry,” said Arlene
Stewart, a Gainesville, FL-based energy consultant and chair of the Florida
Home Builders Association’s Green Building Council. “In addition, our
exhibitors are displaying a wide array of green building and energy-efficient
products.”
Among the line-up of green
speakers are Drew Smith of TwoTrails, a nationally recognized green home
consultant and certifier; Jennifer L. Languell, Ph. D., President of Trifecta
Construction Solutions and the Florida Green Building Coalition; and Steve
Easley of Steve Easley and Associates.
Smith will explain the
three major new-home certifications and the factors that determine which one is
best based on each individual builder’s market, goals, and budget. Languell
will cover two topics – a Primer on How to Avoid Greenwashing and Where the
Green Jobs Will Grow in Homebuilding – while Easley will speak on Building
Storm-Resistant Homes as well as Controlling Mold and Moisture in New Homes.
Cindy Hall of Cap Stone
Industries will present Green Building 101 as lead-in to Green-specific
seminars on such subjects as Marketing Certified Green Developments; Turning
Green into Gold (Green marketing); Setting Yourself Apart Through the National
Green Standard; Bright Ideas to Build On (sustainable technology through the
design and construction of energy-monitored homes); The New Energy Code and How
It Will Impact Home Building; Green Landscaping and Water Efficiency; Efficient
Lot Design, Preparation, and Development; and Indoor Air Quality.
SEBC also presents the
two-day Green Building for Building Professional (July 29-30) course and the
full-day Business Management for Building Professional course (July 31), which
together qualify participants for the business-building Certified Green
Professional (CGP) professional designation.
Details and online
registration are available at www.sebcshow.com.
MEDIA REGISTRATION: Media
registration is complimentary for working members of the press. Email your
media registration request to
***************************
IDEAL Tester Identifies Voltage Conditions That Damage Sensitive IT Equipment
IDEAL Voltage Performance Monitor plugs into branch circuit at the point of equipment connection to detect damaging voltage sags, swells, impulses and Total Harmonic Distortion
SYCAMORE, IL, July 15, 2009
-- While all electronic equipment is designed to handle varying voltage
within a specified range, voltage events become a concern when they exceed
designed tolerances. The Voltage
Performance Monitor (VPM) from IDEAL
quickly and accurately identifies voltage events and harmonics that cause IT
equipment damage or failures.
"Our VPM tells the technician if problematic voltage events on the circuit
are occurring and logs the time, duration, and severity of the event,"
explained Dave Skowronski, Product Manager for IDEAL. "It gives
technicians the power to quickly determine if an equipment problem is related
to voltage and if a circuit is safe for new or existing equipment, such as
computers, copy machines, or servers. It also lets a technician easily verify
the need for a UPS installation or a surge protective device, as well as
confirm the protection provided by such equipment."
Because the VPM plugs directly into a circuit at the point of equipment
connection, it will "see" exactly what the equipment sees. Logging
only those events that exceed designed tolerances, including voltage sags,
swells, impulses and excessive Total Harmonic Distortion, the VPM determines if
equipment failure is related to a specific voltage event. Time and severity of
events are displayed on its bright OLCD screen that inverts when it is
necessary to plug-in upside down. Up to 512 events can be stored in the unit's
internal memory for review by category or chronological order.
International Standards
The VPM comes pre-loaded with tolerance settings based on 15 internationally
recognized standards including ITIC, CBEMA, SEMI and ANSI. Users simply select
the appropriate standard for the application and the VPM logs those events
while ignoring the rest. Technicians can also set their own custom thresholds
to meet specific needs.
Sources of Voltage Problems
The source of 85% of all voltage events originates within a facility. Voltage
events can be caused by inadequate supply, undersized wiring, an overloaded
circuit, and frequently by other equipment turning "on" or
"off" on the same circuit. Voltage quality also changes every time a
new piece of equipment is installed in a facility or in a neighboring facility.
In addition, voltage events are caused by environmental changes, such as
lightning storms, high winds, flooding, physical damage, or utility operations.
Price and Availability
The IDEAL Voltage Performance Monitor (Catalog #61-830) is immediately
available with an MSRP of $475 (
For more information, contact IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC.,
IDEAL also offers technicians a 16-minute video overview of the VPM online.
Click here
to view.
Email request to dan@oconnellpr.com
ABOUT IDEAL INDUSTRIES,
INC.
IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. has been serving the electrical industry since 1916.
IDEAL is one of the world's leading manufacturers of professional quality tools
and supplies serving installation professionals in the construction,
maintenance, data communications and original equipment manufacturing
industries.
***************************
You will see a Recognize
Good link below. This is a collaboration between Tyrex Group (John Bosch) and the
Regards,
John M Culbert
President & Partner
Megladon Manufacturing
Group, Ltd
Office: 512-615-4687
Cell:
512-845-0858
www.megladonmfg.com
TyRex Group, Ltd.
Founding Sponsor
***************************
SBA Offers $10 Million Surety Bond Guarantee
Aids Recovery in
Construction and Service Sectors
Currently, under a related
provision of the Recovery Act that was implemented in March, SBA can provide
bond guarantees up to $5 million through September 2010 on all public and
private contracts and subcontracts. SBA partners with the surety industry
to help small businesses that would otherwise be unable to obtain bonding in
the traditional commercial marketplace. Under the partnership, SBA
provides a guarantee to the participating surety company of between 70 and 90
percent of the bond amount.
"Raising the surety
bond limit is a critical step in making sure small businesses in the
construction and service sector have access to federal contracting
opportunities that will help drive economic recovery," SBA Administrator Karen
Mills said. "These changes support small and emerging businesses nationwide,
particularly construction contractors who have seen their markets hurt by a
poor economy and lagging construction."
Additional program
enhancements published in the rule include:
a new small business size
standard for this program;
authorization for SBA to
exercise discretion in deciding bond liability issues;
and,
a definition of "Order"
issued under an Indefinite Delivery Contract.
The new size standard
(which will be in effect until Sept. 30, 2010) temporarily replaces the current
size standard for the surety bond guarantee program. It states that a business
is small if the business, combined with its affiliates, does not exceed the
size standard designated for the primary industry of the business combined with
its affiliates.
The North American Industry
Classification System (NAICS) Codes contained in 13 CFR Part 121establishes size
standards for all industries. www.sba.gov/contractingopportunities/owners/basics/GC_SMALL_BUSINESS.html (Note: URL may display on more than one line on your computer screen)
Through its Bond Guarantee
program, SBA will also help by guaranteeing bid, payment and performance bonds
to protect the project owner against financial loss if a contractor defaults or
fails to perform.
Finally, the rule adds a
definition for an "Order" issued under an Indefinite Delivery
Contract to clarify that SBA bond guarantees apply to individual orders, as
well as contracts.
SBA assistance in locating
a participating surety company or agent, and completing application forms, is
available online. For more information on SBA's Surety Bond Guarantee
Program, including Surety Office contacts, go online to http://www.sba.gov/osg/
, or call 1-800-U ASK SBA.
***************************
Siemon Video Highlights Innovative Z-MAX™ 6A Termination Process
The Fastest Category 6A Termination in the Cabling Industry
Available online at www.siemon.com, the real-time video shows a Z-MAX 6A outlet terminated in under 60 seconds
July 2009 - Siemon, the
network infrastructure specialist, has launched a brief online video
demonstrating their innovative Z-MAX™ 6A outlet termination process – the
fastest category 6A termination in the cabling industry
The new video shows the
entire termination of a Z-MAX 6A outlet in real time - including twisted-pair
cable preparation, conductor lacing and actual termination with the one-step
Z-TOOL™, and takes just under one minute. Both category 6A shielded and unshielded configurations achieve this
sub-60 second termination benchmark.
In addition to the
user-friendly, fast and reliable termination process, the Z-MAX 6A system
offers best-in-class performance margins across all critical cabling
performance parameters, exceeding all standards requirements for category 6A and for support of 10GBASE-T.
“Moreover, 60 seconds is
considerably faster than termination times for other category 6A solutions on
the market, so much so that some may assume a level of marketing hype. This
real time video eliminates any doubt.”
The real time video is
available online at http://www.siemon.com/go/zmax/video
For greater technical
detail, Siemon has also created a detailed, step-by-step Z-MAX instructional
video: http://www.siemon.com/us/zmax/zmax_termination-process.asp
About Siemon
Established in 1903, Siemon
is an industry leader specializing in the manufacture and innovation of high
quality, high-performance network cabling solutions. Headquartered in
Connecticut, USA, with global offices, manufacturing and service partners
throughout the world, Siemon offers the most comprehensive suite of copper
(unshielded and shielded twisted-pair) category 5e,
category 6 (Class E), category 6A (Class EA)
and category 7/7A
(Class F/FA), and multimode and singlemode optical fiber cabling systems
available. With over 400 active patents specific to structured cabling, from patch cords
to patch panels,
Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and development of industry standards,
underlining the company's long-term commitment to its customers and the
industry.
***************************
The Future of Grid Interoperability Unfolds at Grid-Interop
Since 2007, Grid-Interop
has been a key annual event focused on Smart Grid interoperability standards,
technologies and issues.
The Annual Forum for Grid
Interoperability
Organized in partnership
with NIST and the GridWise Architecture Council, Grid-Interop is a must-attend
forum for all those involved with interoperability of the broadest range of
Smart Grid devices and systems.
Call For
Papers Open to August 15, 2009
From the launch of the NIST
Smart Grid Panel to speakers from leading SDOs, Grid-Interop's three day packed
agenda will inform and engage attendees on the future roadmap of an
interoperable grid.
Mark Your Calendars
November 17-19, 2009
Why You Should Attend
Learn about the NIST
Roadmap for interoperability
Meet with key Smart Grid
standards experts
Understand the full picture
of Smart Grid end-to-end interoperability
Be part of the annual
gathering on Smart Grid interoperability
Be involved to create the
implementation of Smart Grid standards
A three-day Forum for
Device & system
architects
Business systems designers
Electricity consumer groups
Utility and T&D
planners
Integrators, application
& service providers
Technology & service
providers
Environmental groups
Press, analysts &
observers
Contact Clasma Events
for Sponsorship Opportunities
***************************
Magazine Includes McCormick Among ’50 Hottest’ in Construction Technology
Constructech magazine considered
some 200 companies for inclusion in its “Constructech 50 Hottest for 2009”
award program. McCormick Systems is honored to be among the winners for the
second time in three years.
While in previous years,
companies were judged based on the success and growth found solely in the past
year, winners of the Constructech 50 Hottest wee evaluated on a continued and
dominant presence in the marketplace.
“With deep roots in the
electrical contracting industry, the leadership in place at McCormick Systems
continues to guide the company in the right direction, building on a strong
technology base and forging critical partnerships valuable for its customers,”
said Constructech’s editors.
Added Todd McCormick, the
company’s president: “It’s an honor to be included in the Constructech IT
Playbook, with our company named along with other elite enterprises. It
presents a challenge, too, as we want to stay there.”
“Our plan is to work hard
to listen to our customers and keep on top of state-of-the-art technology.
We’ll continue to try to match computer technology capabilities with the
functionality, speed, and productivity enhancements that Electrical and ABS
contractors and estimators need.”
About McCormick Systems
Privately owned McCormick
Systems (
More information: www.mccormicksys.com or 800-444-4890.
***************************
Electrical Contractor Magazine Is An Award Winner And A Great Publication
2009 Awards
Overall
* 2009 Snap Excel Award,
Silver, Magazines—General Excellence for Best Writing, Graphic Design and
Overall Packaging, Circulation of 50,000 to 100,000
Design
* 2009 Snap Excel Award,
Gold, Media Kit—Judged on Organization, Clarity and Graphic Design
* 2009 Snap Excel Award,
Silver, Magazines—Redesign, Security + Life Safety Systems
2008 Awards
Design
* 2008 Tabbies Award,
Silver, Front Cover Illustration, Electrical Contractor, April 2007
* 2008 Snap Excel Awards,
Magazine Cover Photo Illustration, Electrical Contractor, January 2008
* 2008 Snap Excel Awards,
Magazines—Redesign, Circulation More Than 50,000 Electrical Contractor
* 2008 Folio “
2007 Awards
Design
* 2007 Apex Awards for
Publication Excellence Magazine Design and Layout, Electrical Contractor, March
2007
* 2007 Apex Awards for
Publication Excellence Magazine Cover, Electrical Contractor, January 2006
* 2007 Folio “
* 2007 Folio “
Previous Awards
* 2005 Snap Excel Award,
Gold, Magazine Cover Photo Illustration, Electrical Contractor, April 2004
* 2002 Folio “Ozzie” Award,
Silver, B-to-B, Circulation over 35,000, Best Redesign
***************************
The Freelance Technology Writer And Editor
We found an excellent
example of a freelance writer who specializes in Technology. Perry Greenbaum is
an industry veteran. He has been working as a freelance technology writer and
editor since 1996. He has written more than 350 articles, and edited thousands
of manuscripts and other technical publications, chiefly for trade publications
and technical media.
Perry Greenbaum has the
background to go with the experience. He holds degrees in both engineering and
journalism. Many editors that we spoke with have commented about Perry’s skill
set. They pointed out that such a combination, although somewhat rare, proves
an advantage for writing about technology, business and how the two intersect.
Perry Greenbaum told us, “I
tend to write articles by doing thorough background research on the subject
before doing telephone interviews. I take pride in accuracy, fact-checking and
quoting people that I interview precisely and fairly. In many ways, I am an
old-fashioned journalist working in the Internet age.”
Perry lives with his wife
and three children in
Perry J. Greenbaum
Freelance Technology Writer &
Tel: 514.305-1135
Perry J. Greenbaum: Brief Bio
I have been working as a freelance technology writer and editor since
1996. Since then I have written more than 350 articles, and edited thousands of
manuscripts and other technical publications, chiefly for trade publications
and technical media. I hold degrees in engineering and in journalism. Many
editors have pointed out that such a combination, although somewhat rare,
proves an advantage for writing about technology, business and how the two
intersect. I tend to write articles by doing thorough background research on
the subject before doing telephone interviews. I take pride in accuracy,
fact-checking and quoting people that I interview precisely and fairly. In many
ways, I am an old-fashioned journalist working in the Internet age. I live with
my wife and three children in
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