An integrated connectivity solution is the foundation for any "smart" building`s intelligence.
Steve Pinkney, CEO for supplier of connectivity and cable maintenance, CCI Holdings, believes rapid technological advances - such as the convergence of voice, data and building automation systems - have made it possible to develop a single, integrated solution to manage the entire technology infrastructure in a building.
Known as "intelligent" or "smart" building, this type of solution is nothing new overseas, but locally we are only now starting to wake up to its many potential benefits, such as substantial savings on the cost of facilities management.
And while the single integrated building management solution bandwagon is busy gathering speed locally, one thing remains clear: the foundation of any "smart" building`s intelligence lies in a single, integrated connectivity solution.
The business benefits of the intelligent building concept are there for the taking, as the technology to provide an integrated connectivity solution is readily available at an affordable cost. An intelligent building requires a connectivity solution that can handle voice, data, video and multimedia traffic plus building automation applications such as access control, fire detection, security, lighting, CCTV, environmental control and elevators/escalators across common set of cables.
And, in order to optimise benefits such as flexibility and problem-free expansion, the infrastructure should ideally be designed and incorporated at the construction phase.
We need to be clear on what is meant by "intelligent" building. There are various formal definitions of this concept, but it is generally agreed that an "intelligent" building is one that provides a productive and cost-effective environment through the optimisation of its four basic elements - structure, systems, services and management - and the interrelationship between them.
Intelligent buildings offer a single solution for a broad range of business applications, such as e-mail, intra/internet access, file transfers, video conferencing and more. And should the business environment dictate modifications to the present office layout (for example a new project team needing to establish common working areas) the design`s flexibility means devices currently attached to the building-network can be swiftly moved and reconnected with minimal effort, disruption and cost.
The use of a single cabling solution for various applications further lightens the load on the IT service provider significantly, as it is now easy, from a PC, to troubleshoot, rapidly identify and correct problems or send out the appropriate repair personnel. Structured cabling also eliminates the inconvenience (and possible cost) of dealing with multiple vendors, who typically use their own cabling systems with different sorts of cable.
Local property developers are increasingly seeing the marketing advantage in providing tenants with intelligent infrastructure. Architects have also taken note and are designing infrastructure into buildings that cater for this type of connectivity.
Monex`s R300 million Ratanga Junction theme park and surrounding Century City site near Cape Town is a case in point. The requirement was to integrate a wide area of systems from many different vendors, including time and attendance, access control, electric payment/point of sale, physical security, food and beverage and the systems that monitor and maintain the (in)famous "Cobra" as well as the various other rides, into a single flexible solution that could accommodate future changes.
The decision was made to install the cabling infrastructure during construction of the park and CCI Technology Holdings, contracted to manage and install the R1 million cabling project, had to complete the installation while the building contractors worked to meet a fast-track development deadline.
Among the key features of this infrastructure is an integrated telephone/data system that enables any data point (physically the wall outlet) to be used as either a telephone or PC connection.
In cases where it is not possible or desirable to install structured cabling during construction, infrastructure can be "retrofitted" after completion of the building with equal or better success. A case in point is DataFusion Systems, a unit within the R800 million JSE-listed Spescom Electronics group.
Relocating to an existing (through newly-built) office complex in Stellenbosch-based Tempo Park, DataFusion commissioned CCI to provide an 800-point structured cabling infrastructure with fully integrated voice/data services. This solution pivoted on RIT Technologies` structured premise wiring system for commercial buildings, SMART-Giga cabling systems.
While some organisations choose to integrate all of the electronic elements within their environment, including voice, data/video and building management, others may have an initial requirement for only some services, such as voice and data. The integrated cabling solution caters for this approach while providing a cost-effective expansion route, enabling systems such as electrical power, safety and security to be integrated at a future date.
In one of the prime examples of intelligent building technology overseas - the Ecole de Technologie Superieure (ETS) in Montreal, Canada - the single connectivity solution allows personnel to use a PC in their own work area to tap into their own advanced infrastructure to not only access and process information, but also adjust the heating, turn the air-conditioning on or off and monitor the security surveillance system. If staff members move to another part of the building, the services available to their offices can be duplicated electronically in the new location.
In essence, an intelligent building is one that combines innovations - technological or not - with skilful management to maximise return on investment. And this makes good business sense to developers, building owners and tenants alike.
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