The importance of structured cabling for business phone systems

Structured cabling is the backbone of your communications network. Given the nature of commerce today – with its emphasis on connectivity, real-time communications, and the integration of data streams from diverse sources – the wires and connectors binding office hardware, audio-visual equipment, and telephones together are as much a part of corporate infrastructure as the devices themselves. That’s just one of the reasons why increasing numbers of businesses are turning to structured cabling solutions.

Here are several other factors that make structured cabling such an important part of today’s business telecommunication landscape.

Less Clutter

Structured cabling provides a standardised and logically organised system for installing and managing the lines comprising your telecommunications and IT infrastructure. System configurations are intelligently constructed with discrete runs from a central hub dedicated to specific data types or functions.

And with high-quality fibre optic cables, it’s possible for individual runs to be longer and continuous – which allows for flexibility of layout and reduces the number of repeaters or data hubs required. The result is a less cluttered working environment, which reduces complexity and increases productivity and efficiency.

Making Logical Connections

Though configurations will vary on a case by case basis (influenced by office architecture, industry, and company-specific applications), a structured cabling system will typically feature wiring provisions for voice communications, video, server rooms, racks, and data cabinets.

Properly designed and implemented, the system will create logical separations between these functions, with dedicated sockets and connectors for each. Swapping components in or out is a straightforward and easy to understand process, which may be accomplished by your staff without recourse to IT or technical support.

Easier Maintenance

Having designated branches from a central hub makes it easier to isolate the source of any problems which may arise, making management and maintenance of the system a pain-free process. This in turn reduces the management burden on your IT staff, who are free to devoted their energies to the operation and growth of your business.

Faster Transmission Speeds

With the pressure on all enterprises to provide rapid completion of transactions, instantaneous customer service, and the real or near real-time management of resources and information, it’s essential for business systems to shift data along at the fastest possible rate.

Today’s structured cabling systems typically deploy with Category 5e cable (which supports data speeds of up to 100 mbps) or the faster Category 6A (with transmission speeds of up to 10-Gigabits per second). Rates like these are more than adequate for contemporary business communications, and with fibre optic cabling allowing for extended runs, there’s a minimum of noise, static, or data losses which might compromise phone conversations or corrupt essential data.

Providing For Growth

With a structured cabling system, a single unified platform supports all of your data needs, and your infrastructure may be managed from one location. Designated sockets enable workers to connect new devices to the network quickly and easily. This allows for greater flexibility, as for instance when you take on more staff or new equipment. Alterations to your network configuration or moves within the office are also made much simpler.

Structured cabling’s high bandwidth capacity ensures that not only will you have the network speed and availability that you require now, but also room to grow as your business expands or diversifies, and new technologies become available. And with high-quality cables in place, you’ve a hedge against future expenditures for replacement or maintenance.

At LG Networks we help businesses with telecommunications – internet, data cabling, phone systems and mobiles. We simplify technology using plain English, with one point of contact for all services.

If you’d like to benefit from our years of experience just give us a call to discuss your options.