|
|
|
How To Wire Your Company for the Information Age
With technology changing at such a rapid pace, the average computer user or business owner will have difficulty keeping up with it and knowing what kind of wiring/cabling system is needed.
|
Business New Haven
11/22/1999
By: Linda G. Mele
|
Unless you're a computer professional, you probably don't know what type of wiring is needed for the computer system and accessories you have or will be installing in your business. Known as "structured cabling," this wiring is the foundation of any information system and, according to experts, as systems become more complex and the need to access information faster and make it available to more simultaneous users becomes more critical, the more flexible the cabling system needs to be.
With technology changing at such a rapid pace, the average computer user or business owner will have difficulty keeping up with it and knowing what kind of wiring/cabling system is needed for their operation. Ideally, cabling systems need to support an array of applications and last for the life of the system.
But many companies have wiring sufficient to handle only the systems they currently have installed. Those who suppose that they'll deal with new wiring and cabling if and when it's needed may be jeopardizing their company's ability to easily integrate new technologies as they become available.
The bottom line is that when systems fail or need to be shut down, employees cannot do their jobs and customers cannot be served. This not only causes a loss of profit and productivity, it can reflects adversely on the company.
So, what do you do when you don't know what you need? First, make a list of what you want your current system to do and what you would like it to do in the immediate and mid-term future. Are you considering upgrading your equipment? Do you want to install a network so that more than one employee can access the same information at the same time and communicate with one another? If you have more than one site, should you be considering connecting all locations?
Is there an expansion in the works that may require additional systems or peripherals and accessories? Or does every computer in your system need Internet access?
A thorough analysis of your current system and plans for the future will help you determine what you need in terms of an overall wiring/cabling system. You might want to have your computer vendor assist you with this and help you compile a list of questions you should ask when you interview several cable/wiring experts.
When choosing which companies to interview, get referrals from your computer vendor and other business owners. Spending time at this point to narrow your choice down to the top two or three candidates will save more time in the long run.
Spend whatever time is necessary to discuss your current and future needs with each prospective vendor so they can properly prepare a detailed, written proposal. If your needs don't or won't include hooking up dozens of computers and a host of peripherals, the cable/wiring vendors need to know this, just as they need to know that by next year you plan to expand your business and will be installing at least 50 new computers.
Based on the information you supply, each company will make a recommendation, so it's important to make sure each company has the same information. Ask for references and check them out while the companies are preparing proposals. References should include customers, vendors and financial institutions. You should also ask their customers how well the vendor deals with service calls and repairs.
When the proposals come back, discuss the details with those in-house
personnel who handle your information system and your computer vendor.
Set up interviews with each company after you compare the recommendations of each proposal, and make a list of questions you want answered, especially if one company recommends something that the others don't.
Remember, cost shouldn't be the only factor in your final decision. Often the cheapest initial proposal can be costlier down the line.
–
|
Go FirstGo PreviousGo
NextGo LastGo
to Index
|
|
