Why Small Businesses Need Structured Cabling – Part 1
Companies that have outdated cabling infrastructure will suffer from equipment unreliability and more network downtime. As a result, the efficiency and productivity of employees is reduced, decreasing a company’s ability to generate revenue. It may have been years since your organization installed its existing network cabling, and the cables are now unable to handle modern data demands.
Running point to point, conventional cabling directly connects hardware by utilizing jumpers or patches. Differing in approach, structured cabling deploys a series of trunks or patch panels that connect to hardware. These patch panels then link to another patch panel within the Main Distribution Area (MDA), the nerve center of a structured cabling system. MACs (moves, additions, and changes) at the MDA can be accomplished with ease by using short patch cords.
Although often overlooked by management, cabling can affect profitability. If your facility is still using obsolete point-to-point cabling, your team should install a modern structured cabling system as soon as possible. Similarly, prior to moving into a new building, an organization should ensure that a well-designed structured cabling system is installed beforehand.
Seven Key Benefits of Structured Cabling
The following will discuss seven key benefits after installing a structured cabling system or upgrading an existing one with newer cables that have greater capabilities.
1) Reduced Network Downtime – Network downtime results in a reduction in your staff’s productivity. Due to the greater reliability of structured network cabling, the probability of network downtime is reduced. Problems with cables are more easily traced. Since MACs are easier to implement, a problem can be addressed more efficiently and fixed faster.
2) Speedier Internet – The performance of older or outdated cables is often inadequate for companies that rely on processing great volumes of data. Cat6a is now the minimum recommended for new installations. Cat6a cables are capable of transmitting data up to 10Gbps for distances up to 100 meters/328 feet, a significant advantage over Cat5e.
3) Scalability – As mentioned above, MACs are easier in a structured cabling system. This means expanding your data center can be carried out faster and more efficiently. This capability gives an organization the ability to scale more readily and more nimbly when business conditions change.
Part 2 will discuss Promotes Safety, Future Proofing, Wireless Backup, and IoT Capable.
Founded in 1986, Progressive Office’s success has been a direct result of years of commitment to seeking cost-effective solutions. Working together, Progressive teams are committed to getting your data cabling, access control, and telecom systems installed and operating while minimizing disruption and downtime. Call our toll free number (800) 614-4560 today.
