Progressive Office Cabling
Written by Stu Kushner

Why Smart Offices Use Zone Cabling Architecture – Part 2

As discussed in Part 1, zone cabling architecture is capable of supporting both existing and future solutions in smart offices. Part 2 will discuss Keeping Pace with Newer Technologies and Change Supported by Infrastructure.

Keeping Pace with Newer Technologies

PoE (Power over Ethernet) has been used to supply electricity to hubs inside wiring closets, and it is expanding to Wi-Fi access points and security video cameras. By utilizing Cat6a or greater cables for the replacement of older cabling, building management enables their infrastructure for supporting PoE. Moreover, LED lighting is increasingly utilizing PoE.

Clearly the strongest trend in workplaces, mobility has been empowered by rapidly increasing throughput speeds over the past 10 years. Today’s WiFi access points provide multi-gigabit speed accelerating this movement. As mentioned above, some organizations will need to install new cabling of at least Cat6a, which is now the minimum standard to meet this demand.

By using the best practices of structured cabling, network infrastructure will be better planned and built, making expansion and future proofing easier. Implementing zone cabling architecture can help achieve the above.

Change Supported by Infrastructure

Office workers are increasingly becoming technologically sophisticated, and thus more demanding when it comes to the IT devices and solutions they use. Companies must continually ensure they are keeping pace with the evolving requirements of their employees.

Similarly, buildings must continually improve their access to both wired and wireless solutions. This may require retrofits of cabling that will cause some disruption and significant costs. However, the benefits from an upgrade mentioned previously – simplifying infrastructure, easing maintenance, and lowering expenses – will continue throughout the service life of the installation.

Zone cabling architecture involves the division of office floor space into areas of equal size. By deploying consolidation points within the ceiling of each area, an office will be able to offer convenient connections to the network infrastructure’s core. In this way, zone cabling architecture helps a building or facility meet the connectivity requirements of workers both now and in the future.

Progressive Office Cabling

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 cables installed and operating while minimizing disruption and downtime. Call our toll free number (800) 614-4560 today.

About Stu Kushner

Stu Kushner earned an Engineering Degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. From there he worked at Boeing Commercial Aircraft, Hexcel Corporation and Case-Rixon as a computer design engineer and systems manager. He now works as the marketing director and project manager here at Progressive Office since its founding in 1986.