C ustomers want low-voltage systems that run the gamut from building controls and occupancy sensors to internet of things (IoT) wireless technology and mobile apps that manage whole buildings or homes. For some electrical...
Every jail, prison and correctional facility depends on technology to keep personnel, visitors and prisoners safe. The contractors and integrators that install or maintain those systems operate in a highly specialized niche....
A new generation of building automation technology, as well as new open standards, are prompting contractors to upgrade the wiring and hardware for each facilities’ intelligence. The changes in standards and trend toward IP...
The digital transaction system known as Blockchain is a nascent technology that may be getting an outsized share of hype. Right now, it is confined to usage with cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin. However, analysts, energy...
Construction modeling using 3-d laser scanners is becoming common on large construction sites, such as data centers, and electrical contractors can expect to see more of these devices—and more requests for them—on projects of...
Neon lighting—a technology nearly as old as electricity—has had its surges and slumps over the past century, but it’s now enjoying a new and potentially lasting boost. The gas was discovered first in 1898, and, for some time,...
Automation systems have served a variety of benefits to five-star hotels over the past decade. Recently, moderately priced hotels have adopted the technology. Intelligent systems offer the ability to lower costs with smart...
The fiber optic industry is going through growing pains. As nationwide connectivity projects such as Google Fiber have accelerated the deployment of connected cities, the realities of running cable throughout America’s...
Maintenance and renovation services don’t get much more complex, challenging or fluid than in data centers. As cloud-based computing pervades, data centers are becoming more plentiful, the data they collect and manage is...
The evolution of intelligent building system technology has triggered shifting roles for contractors and integrators, and the choices they make in their own specializations over the coming years can mean the difference...
For data centers that still use copper, Category 8 (Cat 8) cabling promises to quadruple speed to 40 gigabits. Cat 8 could operate at a bandwidth frequency of 2 gigahertz. This increased capacity doesn’t mean copper will...
Utility companies have driven smart-meter installation in homes. Now, touting the amount of useful data smart meters can provide, utilities and building owners are setting their sights on commercial and industrial buildings...
Building automation systems (BASs) offer new opportunities for system maintenance, data management and cyber security. Electrical and integrated systems contractors are finding their way into this niche to provide long-term...
Cell phone makers, developers and some chip manufacturers have been preparing for a boom in near-field communication (NFC) technology adoption that seems on the cusp of turning most people’s phones into tools for payments,...
A limited number of low-voltage contractors specialize in the installation of sprinkler systems power and controls. For them, it provides a regular source of revenue that most contractors have bypassed. There are reasons many...
Residential end-user expectation is fueling automation expansion not only in the homes of the wealthy but also in middle class developments where residents expect to be able to manage the operation of their homes with their...
Most contractors and integrators leave the subsequent maintenance plan in the hands of the facility’s owners and managers once a building automation, fire alarm or other low-voltage-based system is in place. However, a few...
The drive for networked building controls aimed at lowering energy costs and boosting efficiency is changing the market for providers. Business is growing as companies become installers and service providers in this industry....
Cameras aimed at customers moving through store aisles can provide a lot more than security. Retailers have become technically savvy and hungry for data about their customers’ behavior and habits, which is information that,...
Today, Most building automation installations are retrofits, positioned with an eye to reducing energy consumption and the overall costs of operating existing facilities. With that in mind, building managers and owners have...
