Electical Contractor

A Contractor's Guide to RFID

| September 2006

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Systems

Which installation fits your needs? Internet protocol (IP) continues to drive business, bringing new terms to the industry. “Real-time IP” is one term that isn’t necessarily new, but continues to cause electrical contractors quite a bit of confusion.

Kellie K. Speed

| September 2006

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Systems

What it can do for your bottom line

VoIP Lockdown

LANs Contractors Can Install

| September 2006

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Systems

A secure connection is needed for voice over Internet protocol success

March 2006

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Systems

In today’s technologically advanced society, nearly every new commercial building has found a way to incorporate the computer revolution into its design.

Climbing the Contractor Technology Ladder

| March 2006

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Systems

Many technologies changed or developed in 2005 and will continue to develop through 2006. A company’s infrastructure, software, security and communication methods depend on a professionally installed and managed bottom layer of the contractor technology ladder (CTL).

Simplifying the Process

| November 2005

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Systems

Virtual private LAN service (VPLS) connects local area networks (LANs) over the Internet and makes each private LAN act like a single Ethernet LAN. This is a seamless way to keep remote and branch locations connected-something practical in today's global marketplace.

The ITS-Trained Worker

| October 2005

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Systems

How important are information transport systems skills for the data-communications contractor? Being a professional data-communications (or low-voltage) contractor includes many components.

In the Zone

| October 2005

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Systems

It is not a new cabling and wiring installation technique, but it has certainly come of age. Zone cabling is a little like the old multiplexed circuits of the early high-end burglar alarm systems (think New York jewelry stores) with a much more modern twist.

A Likely Pair

The Glitches Behind the Service

| September 2005

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Your Business

Combining technologies has allowed many systems to become part of the mainstream. One of the latest of these opportunities, is the conglomeration of power over Ethernet (PoE) with radio frequency identification (RFID).

VoIP for the Home or Home Office

| July 2005

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Systems

The debate Between wireless and wired networks continues, but the dialogue is changing. Though wireless has been an overly hyped technology, it is a significant service option to both consumers and businesses.

Communication System Requirements

| June 2005

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Residential

It has been predicted that the voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) market is in the early stages of dramatic growth, but VoIP needs a compelling reason for use if its proponents expect the technology to have a lasting effect. For the home, the major advantage appears to be reduced phone cost.

Jim Hayes

| March 2005

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Systems

Contractors and installers generally are concerned with cabling, not networks. Installing and testing cabling to standards such as TIA-568 is the heart of their voice/data/video work. Cabling standards writers are primarily concerned with performance and interoperability.

Pervasive Networking

Wireless LAN Solutions: The explosion extends to the integrated building

| March 2005

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Your Business

For an easy-to-understand overview of pervasive networking, we turned to Chris Nicoll, director of strategic marketing for Lucent Technologies: “In a broader sense, we see pervasive networking as the ability to communicate and access the same types of services-anytime, anywhere.

Quintessential Integration

| January 2005

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Systems

FOR SECURITY, COMMUNICATIONS, CONTROLS and other information technology functions, wireless is one of the fastest-emerging growth markets. In the business environment, wireless networking has to be safe and secure because sensitive data, personnel records and other information are at stake.

Fiber Outlook, 2005

Jim Hayes

| January 2005

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Systems

Every year, fiber optics gains more converts and more market share. And each year, many of its proponents predict the demise of copper wiring. Don't believe it-not yet.

Banks Get Ready to Upgrade

| January 2005

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Systems

Watch out world, it's finally here. The state of integration is progressing at a furious pace.

Claire Swedberg

| December 2004

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Systems

Looking at the growth and changes in banking security, few industry watchers can pinpoint what direction technology is headed.

Voice Data Products Show Maturation

Wireless LANs: The New Attention-Getter

| November 2004

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Systems

It's an extension of capabilities that rules Straight from the show floor at the recent American Society for Industry Security (ASIS) convention in Dallas is this revelation: new isn't the buzzword for voice/data/video, security and life safety products-a maturation or extension of current capabili