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Wiring for 2011
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Business New Haven
9/17/2001
By: Susan Cornell
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Today even small companies need to think like their bigger 'technology' cousins in assessing R.E. needs
These days, even the smallest business might be classified as a “technology company” thanks to the Internet and a myriad of other advancements. The simpleton these days may have HVAC temperature control systems with separate cooling zones, physical security features, including state-of-the-art smoke detection and fire suppression systems, motion sensors, and 24-7 secured access, as well as video camera surveillance and security breach alarms.
Jackie Lightfield, president of Blowtorch Technologies, an interactive design agency, finds that “Small companies today have more demands placed on them than previously. So, technology helps them meet those demands in terms of service and sales. Technology goes a long way in reducing operating costs.”
Explains Lightfield, “Especially small businesses with small staffs can better service their customers, whether having a computer at the store or communications through a Web site and e-mail.” Lightfield points out that even businesses such as wineries or bed-and-breakfast establishments are now “technology” companies.
“Even a winery that doesn't sell on the Internet gets a lot of inquiries on how to get to the vineyard - all handled through the Web site,” Lightfield says. “And a small business can get more consistent reservations that keep the business growing rather than answering the telephones.”
According to Lightfield, Blowtorch helps clients with “setup of computers, networks, providing software to automate, designing Web sites and coordinating with hosting.”
Laura Woznitski, project manager for Lyme Properties, which has assumed management of New Haven's Science Park, believes that “All companies or most companies are technology companies, because most people use the computer. Most employers have a server room with air handling requirements. And there seems to be more integration between PBX systems and local area networks that result in a specialized area on premise. Then, there's battery backups for an orderly shutdown and alarms for facilities people.”
Observes the president of OR&L Construction, Todd Renz: “In general companies need many more phone lines [than previously] and they want a 'fast connection.' The larger ones certainly want fiber optics.”
Says Litchfield Builders Inc. president Kevin Ahern: “When starting up a new business, it's no more, 'Put in the phone lines and you're good to go.' It's different than it used to be because of the oncoming of the Internet. Everybody's business is affected.” Adds Ahern, “You are going to wire for anticipated ten-year usage - a wiring plan for the future.”
“Technology is not an option - it's a given,” Ahern says. “It's part of the cost of doing business, not a luxury. Even large-scale residential projects are adding such items as generators and hard-wired smoke detectors. Doctors' offices are seeing more of that - they may have a piece of equipment that [costs] a million dollars, so they need it.”
B.G.I. Commercial Realty's Gerald Guralnick acknowledges that he thinks from the perspective of an economist. “We can't generalize or lump small businesses together,” he says. Instead one must make “subdivisions based on [each small business'] needs.”
For example, Guralnick says, “There are small companies that have traditional style needs, and some that feed larger companies. Real estate is able to do what it needs to do provided the dollars are there. The real issue is to define requirements and work out the deal for real estate, not technology. The owners are capable of doing those things [adding such features as state-of-the-art security systems, etc.].”
Of course, Guralnik adds, “Newer buildings tend to be more capable because of their infrastructure, while older buildings are not - but are priced accordingly.”
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