Considering Fiber Optic Cabling? Here’s Why It’s Worth the Investment

Since its first introduction, fiber optic cabling has grown in popularity—and there is a reason why. While the cabling solution is certainly not cheap, there is a simple fact: It is worth the investment. In this post, we will describe all you need to know about fiber optic cabling and why your business should consider investing in the technology.

What is Fiber Optic Cabling?

It’s likely you have heard the term “fiber optic” but you might remain unclear on what it actually is. So here is the answer: As thin as a human hair, fiber optic is a solid glass strand that utilizes pulses of light that are emitted by an LED or some other source of laser light to carry information.

What are the Benefits of Fiber Optic Cabling?

A fiber optic cabling infrastructure presents many benefits to businesses—and can seriously boost productivity and allow your team to work easier because it is so fast. Additionally, consider the following perks of fiber optic cabling:

• Reliability: Stronger than copper, which is the traditional material used to enable Internet connectivity, fiber optic cabling uptime will not be impacted because of electrical interference or inclement weather. Fiber optics will allow your business to remain productive and keep your Internet connection up and running.

• Security: When you use copper cabling, it can be easy for a hacker to get into your company’s confidential documents and information. This isn’t the case with fiber optic cabling as the only way for a hacker to access your company’s Internet is to actually cut the fibers—and we mean physically. Of course, fiber optic cabling doesn’t necessarily completely get rid of the risk of a hack, but the chances of this occurring are significantly minimized.

• Cost Savings: Yes, fiber optic cabling presents higher costs upfront, but in the long run, it can present a savings to your company. As technology matures, the average cost associated with fiber optic Internet goes down. Plus, it also does not require as much maintenance as well as less networking hardware—which translates into savings.

• Bandwidth: Fiber optic cabling doesn’t have unlimited bandwidth—but it certainly has more than copper cabling. Plus, speed will not be impacted as it relates to high demand activities, such as file sharing, streaming video, or Web conferencing.

Fiber Optic Cabling Future Proofs Your Business

Here at Connectivity, we talk a lot about the importance of future proofing your business when investing in network cabling and other forms of infrastructure.  When you make an investment in fiber optics, our infrastructure will be able to support new technology, including the expansion of 5G. Fiber optics will enable your business to get more done—and now is the ideal time to consider this key upgrade.

For more information about fiber optic cabling and how it could benefit your business, reach out to the team at Connectivity. We are experts in fiber optics and will partner with you in the design and implementation of an infrastructure that helps you meet your goals and objectives. We invite you to contact us.

6 Tips for Partnering with a High-Quality Structured Cabling Installer

If you have made the decision that it is time to improve or upgrade your business’s structured cabling solution and infrastructure, then you may feel a bit overwhelmed by what to do next. How do you make the decision to partner with a contractor? What can you do to ensure you feel confident that they know what they are doing, and will design, install, maintain, and optimize your office’s infrastructure that enables your productivity and efficiency?

If these are your fears, we encourage you to relax. Here are the qualities you must seek out in a structured cabling installer. 

They Are Quick to Consult and Offer Recommendations

This first point might seem obvious, but it is frankly amazing how many contractors approach their clients with one-size-fits-all solutions that are standardized and lack customization. If you work with someone like this, you may realize that you have placed a band-aid of sorts on your existing system and are not prepared for the long haul.

We recommend that you partner with a company that will be proactive about learning about your existing challenges while also probing and inquiring about your future plans and goals. A quality structured cabling installer is going to be inquisitive and curious about your needs and will develop a solution made just for your business.

They Want Your Network to Be Future Proof

Jumping on that last point, a structured cabling installer who is reputable will want to help you achieve a return on your investment, and their goal will be to ensure that whatever cabling solution that is installed today is going to benefit you economically own the road. Seek to work with an installer who will build a foundation that will meet your needs right now, and will keep your business working without issue for 10 to 15 years.

They Only Work with Quality Network Hardware

A high-quality installer is only going to use high-quality equipment—and they will make sure you know this. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for—and if inferior network hardware is implemented, your applications will not run correctly, your network will not have the lifespan you need it to, and you will run into issues sooner rather than later. Ask any provider you are considering point blank about their commitment to quality and if they stand by their materials.

They Are Happy to Provide Customer Testimonials

Any structured cabling installer who is on the up-and-up with their customers and prospects is going to be more than happy to offer reviews. Make sure customer testimonials are showcased on a BBB page or on their website, and if you cannot find any to reference, ask them to provide this information to you. Consider it a red flag if the installer is unable to offer this up or who refuses to.

They Provide a Fair and Detailed Quote for Services

When your business is provided with a quote for an installer’s services, ensure it aligns in price with the other companies you are considering. If one is significantly lower than the others, we would not necessarily consider that a great thing and would encourage you not to go with the cheapest option in this case. Additionally, make sure all services are detailed and itemized. There should be no hidden costs.

They Offer Up Standards and Certifications

Cabling installers who are trustworthy and reputable will be quick to show that they consistently regard state and local building codes and also confirm that their systems meet standards and certifications.  Like customer reviews, a high-quality cabling installer will not keep this a secret.

Choose Connectivity for Structured Cabling System Installation

Here at Connectivity, we are committed to offering the best in service, installation, and support for all network cabling systems we work on and beyond. We would welcome the opportunity to speak with you, answer your questions, and learn about your concerns as it is our passion to be a true partner to the businesses that put their trust in us. Reach out to us today to learn more about our approach and why we are a leader in networking cabling solutions. Contact us at your earliest convenience.

Understanding Smart Hands: Your Network Environment & Needs

When considering the differences between structured cabling companies, it’s important to know that many only install cabling and network infrastructure. However, sometimes customers end up having ancillary needs that do not involve installing, terminating, or testing cabling. And it is with this in mind that Connectivity has provided techs with “Smart Hands” for over a decade.

Smart Hands vs. Remote Hands

Firstly, let’s discuss the differences between Smart Hands and Remote Hands. This is usually an issue that pertains to data center operations; however, it is also an issue for many companies that do not directly employ on-site IT technicians or utilize third-party remote management, aka “Remote Hands.”

Ultimately, having technicians that have Smart Hands can be cost effective for customers who have internal remote IT teams and/or third-party remote IT teams. Technicians with Smart Hands can assist with a variety of tasks including:

·         Hardware

·         Firmware

·         Software updates

·         New network equipment installation (modems, firewalls, routers, switches, servers, PCs, phones)

·         Network and equipment troubleshooting assistance

Smart Hands, in turn, encompasses more than just installing new equipment and ensuring sound connections. Rather, Smart Hands technicians also assist with network configuration including:

·         Assistance consoling into a switch to upload new scripting

·         Firewall/sonic-wall configurations

·         PBX and VoIP phone programming

·         VMS and access control configuration

·         Camera programming and configuration

·         UPS set up and testing

Smart Hands technicians must have an intimate understanding of OSI network Layer 2 and Layer 3 applications as well as knowledge of varied hardware, software, and firmware functions alongside basic troubleshooting skills related to multiple systems platforms and manufacturers equipment.

How Does This Bring Value to Customers?

The answer here is simple: Smart Hands techs can assist with IT issues at a fraction of the cost of bringing in internal IT employees who do not work on site. This approach allows for immediate, local deployment of technicians to a site for troubleshooting and to address network issues and upgrades instead of scheduling remote IT employees to travel or come to the site at some later date.  Additionally, Smart Hands technicians have a superior understanding of OSI Layer 1 network applications. This, in turn, allows them to better assist remote IT teams by verifying basic cabling infrastructure functionality and connectivity prior to diving into more complicated, time consuming, and costly troubleshooting at OSI Layer 2 and Layer 3 network applications.

Connectivity Can Help

Of course, our team would love to speak with you about how Smart Hands can improve your business and its functionality. We also invite you to check out this link to access a quick explanation and overview of Smart Hands and how they can save you time and money related to your company’s IT solutions.  Reach out to Connectivity today!

The Connectivity Difference: The Programs & Services That Benefit You

When it comes to structured network cabling, infrastructure, and other strategic services, we recognize that there are many vendors that you could possibly choose from. So, with that in mind, we want to offer you a bit of an overview into how we work—and hopefully differentiate ourselves from our vast competition.

A Single Point of Contact

Here at Connectivity Network Cabling, we believe in offering our customers a single point of contact for their entire project lifecycle. Ultimately, we do not have the same project lifecycle structure that most other LV contractors subscribe to; rather, we believe in a different approach.

Firstly, instead of a Precon/sales team member reaching out and making initial contact and then handing the customer off to the design team and then to estimator before connecting with operations, Connectivity’s Project Managers serve as the initial point of contact, the design team, and the estimator, and they manage and oversee the entire project lifecycle from start to finish.  And ultimately, there is a huge benefit to our customers with this model.

By having one point of contact, the risk of losing information or experiencing miscommunication is minimized and prevented.  As there are not “multiple cooks in the kitchen” per se, there is improved accountability, which leads to project success.  The Project Manager serves as a proverbial “Quarterback” from start to finish, preventing scope gaps and producing more accurate, complete, and comprehensive designs, estimates, and installations.

Unique Program Offerings

Because our team ultimately places value in building and sustaining long-term relationships, we have developed two specific programs to offer to customers who place their trust and confidence in us.

• Primary Vendor Program: While we don’t mind bidding against competitors, we would much rather become your primary vendor. What this means is that Connectivity will guarantee your organization ongoing and consistent high-quality services and installations every time you contact us. This program prevents you from having to “shop around” and wait for multiple bids to compare prices and services. Plus, it gives you consistency knowing you always have a reliable vendor to turn to that knows and understands your needs, installation standards, and goals. With the Primary Vendor Program, we will work with you to design, budget, and execute your projects while guaranteeing the best possible pricing on materials, devices, equipment, and labor. 

• Proactive Services Program: This program is offered in conjunction with all of our services and installations. The program includes:

o   A monthly evaluation of the layer 1 cabling infrastructure

o   Basic monthly maintenance on all Connectivity-provided cabling, equipment, and devices

o   Updated device layouts/patch panel port mapping/as-builts

o   Peace of mind knowing that your systems will work when you need them to

We would love to discuss the difference it can make to your organization when you decide to partner with Connectivity Network Cabling.  Give us a call today and let’s start talking!

The Culture of Connectivity: Dedicated to Integrity & Excellence

In today’s business world, there is a lot of buzz about what it means to build a positive company culture—as well as one article after another that outlines best practices and tips. However, here at Connectivity Network Cabling we believe there is a big distinction between discussing culture in a general sense and having what it takes to actually make a positive culture a reality. Ultimately, we have spent considerable time and effort to ensure that Connectivity is a great place to work. We do this so that our customers and vendors feel confident knowing that they have a trusted partner and are aligned with a company that has a solid foundation built on integrity, safety, honesty and openness, teamwork, and service.

Our Values

Firstly, we believe in building long lasting relationships with our employees, customers, and vendors. Relationships are at the heart of everything we do, and we would not have the business and team that we have today if this was not considered a priority. We are committed to building lasting relationships at all levels and believe in open and honest communication. Employees, in turn, are encouraged to hold one another accountable and are invited to bring their concerns, ideas, and feedback to company leaders and executives. We think that when information flows and silos are eliminated, realizing job satisfaction and creating a happy work environment are that much more likely.

How Our Culture Affects Your Project

It is easy to think that company culture is something internal—that it doesn’t really impact external parties, but this is just not true. 

At Connectivity, our internal processes, company procedures, and guiding principles deliver:

• Project success by offering our customers a single point of contact for the project lifecycle. We listen to what you want, what your goals are, and deliver on what we promise.

• Vendor partnerships that deliver fair and honest pricing on all of our materials and equipment.

• Continuing education and training that helps our employees meet industry standards and adhere with NEC/NFPA codes.

• A safety-first approach—all lead technicians and project managers are OSHA 30 certified.

• Design and installation based off the customer’s intent for the system while adhering to budgetary requirements.

• Work performed by W2 employees—we do not use sub-contractors or temporary labor services…ever.

Finally, we are big believers in work/life balance and recognize that each of our employees has an identity that extends well past what they do when they are on the job. We are committed to working with our employees and customers to build dynamic and fluid schedules that allow projects to remain on track while also enabling employees the personal time they need to achieve other goals, handle personal responsibilities, and have a happy and fulfilling life.

Our culture is key to everything we do—and has truly been proven to deliver project success.  We would love to speak with you about how you could benefit by partnering with Connectivity on your next structured cabling, fiber optics, or IT support service project. Reach out to our team and let’s start a conversation right now!