Electical Contractor

You’ve probably heard it. You might have even said it. “Wireless will be the death knell for structured cabling.”

With the increased mobility of both people and assets, today’s security needs are different than they were a decade ago. Mobile communications keep people connected to their data and security systems in real-time, while physical security devices are using wireless technology to operate.

The captain of Road Prison 36 in “Cool Hand Luke,” played by Strother Martin, said the line that appears as the title of this article. Here, it leads to a discussion on the art and science of designing an effective communications system.

The commercial construction market, in general, remains anemic, with one exception: data centers. Not only are we all buying more data-transmitting smart-phones, tablets, web-connected televisions—and, yes, even PCs—we also are moving data from our own hard drives to remote “cloud” servers.

The November Integrated Building Systems column covered the basic business and planning requirements for systems integration. Now, let’s kick it up a notch and review connectivity infrastructure. (Note: part 1 is here.)

Casinos are in the process of transitioning their analog security and gaming surveillance systems into digital despite the economic downturn. A large percentage of gaming facilities, from Las Vegas to Atlantic City, N.J., will upgrade their systems in the coming year.

The demand for security and active life safety systems is growing because there is an expectation of safety in public places, and the new technology is less expensive than doing the job with “feet on the street.”

Various school shootings and natural disasters have thrust mass notification systems (MNS) into the spotlight. Such tragedies have pointed out the need to further examine systems and how they can be enhanced.

Changes in the data center market provide opportunities for contractors. Most involve construction and relocation projects and come as a result of the increasing power data centers demand.