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"Heard On The Street" Column |
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John Moritz and Paul
Harvey gone in 2009, but not forgotten ADC Updates Financial
Outlook and Plans New Cost Reduction Initiatives Anixter International
Inc. Announces a $200 Million 5 Year Senior Note Offering by Anixter Inc. Belden Declares Regular
Quarterly Dividend Cisco lays off 250, more to
come CommScope shares sink after 4Q
report Danaher Announces Pricing
of Senior Notes Offering Dow Corning says it will
cut 800 jobs worldwide DuPont finance chief
doesn't see recovery in 2009 The current industry position for
next-gen standards The current industry position
for next-gen standards - Part 2 HCM Invests in New Cable
Manufacturing Equipment Intertek featured on
truTV special “Testing the Limits” Manufacturing sector
contracts again in Feb. Megladon® Announces New
Product Release of LGX Fiber Distribution Panels New Support for ADC Jacks
Make JackRapid The Most Versatile, Fastest Punchdown Tool Available NORTEL SLASHING 3,200 MORE
JOBS Good things happen when
GREEN meets SAFETY ACUTA’s April 19-22
Annual Conference BICSI U.S. South-Central Regional Meeting
was a hit. CABA New Research Papers
are now online and searchable What’s next? The NECA
(National Electrical Contractors Association) Annual Conference &
Exhibition Telecommunications
Project Management Association – News March 2009 The economy stinks and
everyone is asking “How low can the stock market go”. On days like we have
had recently, it helps to look at the silver lining. Here it is: The
farther stocks fall, the cheaper they get--and the higher the expected
long-term return becomes. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean we don't have
a long way to go on the downside. There were
four massive stock bubbles in the 20th Century: 1901, 1929, 1966, and
2000. During each of these bubble peaks, the S&P 500 neared or
exceeded 25X on professor Robert Shiller's cyclically adjusted P/E
ratio.* After the first three of these peaks, the S&P 500 PE did not
bottom until it hit 5X-8X. We're still in the middle of the last one. The most
recent bubble peak, 2000, was by far the most extreme we have ever
experienced. In 2000, the S&P 500 (by professor Shiller's measure)
exceeded 40X (it had never before exceeded 30X). With the S&P 5000 hitting
700 on 3-2-2009, the PE has now fallen back to 12X. Three major
bubbles are not enough historical precedent to confidently conclude where the
S&P 500 will bottom this time around, but it seems reasonable to conclude
that the trough will be in line with--or below--the preceeding lows (Given that
we just had the highest peak in history by a mile, it doesn't seem absurd to
think that we might be headed for the lowest trough in history by a mile.) Remember:
Things are always darkest just before it goes completely black. I am
certainly glad that I am in the communications and information infrastructure
business. I don’t wish I was in the automotive or real estate sectors. But that’s
just my opinion,
Frank Bisbee MARY FOURNIER OF TEKNOR APEX RECEIVES NORTHWIRE’S ‘WHALE’ AWARD FOR SPEEDY AND RELIABLE CUSTOMER SERVICE Mary
Fournier, the senior Teknor Apex Company representative in charge of customer
service for cable manufacturer Northwire, Inc., has received Northwire’s Whale
Award for outstanding service. Northwire
purchasing manager Rod Larson cited Fournier for her reliability in ensuring
that the Teknor Apex vinyl and thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) compounds required
by Northwire are in stock and ready to ship when the customer needs it, and for
her skill in working with freight carriers to arrange for on-time delivery.
“Consistently short lead times and on-time delivery greatly help us to serve
our customers in the marketplace,” Larson said in his presentation to Fournier.
“You have played a key role in enabling us to do so.” In
addition, Larson noted, Fournier now supports Northwire’s international
operations by providing the same fast and reliable service for shipments to the
company’s facility in Suzhou, China, where Teknor Apex also manufactures vinyl
compounds. The name of
the Northwire award refers to the “Whale” graphic that for several years was a
symbol for the company and is still used in honoring excellence. The symbol
commemorates an incident in the 1990s that received worldwide attention, as
Northwire power cable played a role in special de-icing equipment set up to
free three whales trapped in the Arctic ice. NORTHWIRE,
INC. is an industry leader in the design and manufacture of industrial-grade
technical cable. Custom design choices include paired, non-paired, triads,
various shielding and grounding options, special insulation options, and a
variety of conductor and jacket materials and colors. The company is
headquartered at 110 Prospect Way, Osceola, WI 54020 U.S.A. Tel:
1-715-294-2121. Email: cableinfo@northwire.com.
Visit www.northwire.com. Founded in
1924, TEKNOR APEX COMPANY is a privately held company with seven business units
and 2,000 employees. It is headquartered in Pawtucket, Rhode Island,
U.S.A., manufactures at 12 locations in the U.S. and overseas, and sells in 86
countries. Visit www.teknorapex.com. *************************** John Moritz and Paul Harvey gone in 2009, but not forgotten Each in
their own way made remarkable contributions to our world. John
Moritz – a champion for safety in the cabling world John was a
man of deep convictions and strong passions. Those of you who have seen
him working on various codes and standards issues through the years are
well-acquainted with both his fierce intellect and intense passion for what he
believed to be right. These characteristics were fundamental parts of
John’s personal life as well. His family was his number one
priority. John believed very strongly in doing the right thing just because
it was the right thing, even if everyone else around him disagreed or took
another path. I have heard from many of his colleagues that John’s
passion impacted them deeply and that they learned much from him in terms of
character and commitment. It is a comfort to know that John has touched
so many lives in the business world and that hopefully some of his principles
will live on in the actions and memories of those people. While we, his
family and friends, will miss him dearly, we truly believe that he is with us
in spirit and I know that includes this meeting as well as there are many
attendees here with whom John enjoyed very gratifying relationships and good
times. Thank you for honoring John’s memory with this moment of
silence. Please keep him in your hearts and minds as you move forward
with your work over the coming months and years so that his impact continues to
live on. JOHN
M.MORITZ, JR., 46 of Blue Bell, PA, died on January 17, 2009. Beloved husband
of Juliet M. (Pederson) Moritz. Son of Anna Marie (Cullerton) Acosta and John
Moritz, Sr. Step-son of Fred Acosta. Father of John C. Moritz, Elizabeth P.
Moritz, Jennifer L. Moritz. Step-father of Nicholas A. Gruninger USN, Bennett
J. Gruninger. Brother of Marianne P. Russo, Michael J. Moritz. Relatives and
friends are invited to his Memorial Service, Friday, Jan. 23rd at 7 P.M. at
Blue Bell Country Club, 1800 Tournament Dr., Blue Bell, PA. Reception prior
from 6:30 - 7 P.M. Please omit flowers, donations in John's name to John M.
Moritz, Jr. Scholarship Fund, c/o Wachovia Bank, 1375 Skippack Pike, Blue Bell,
PA 19422 or a remembrance story sent to the family, are appreciated. Arr. by
EMIL J. CIAVARELLI FAMILY FUNERAL HOMES, Ambler Paul
Harvey - an icon in media Broadcasting
pioneer Paul Harvey dies at age of 90 By RUPA
SHENOY, Associated Press Writer Rupa Shenoy, Associated Press Writer
Sun Mar 1, 8:16 am ET CHICAGO –
Paul Harvey, the news commentator and talk-radio pioneer whose staccato style
made him one of the nation’s most familiar voices, died Saturday in Arizona,
according to ABC Radio Networks. He was 90. Harvey died
surrounded by family at a hospital in Phoenix, where he had a winter home, said
Louis Adams, a spokesman for ABC Radio Networks, where Harvey worked for more
than 50 years. No cause of death was immediately available. Harvey had
been forced off the air for several months in 2001 because of a virus that
weakened a vocal cord. But he returned to work in Chicago and was still active
as he passed his 90th birthday. His death comes less than a year
after that of his wife and longtime producer, Lynne. “My father
and mother created from thin air what one day became radio and television
news,” Paul Harvey Jr. said in a statement. “So in the past year, an industry
has lost its godparents and today millions have lost a friend.” Known for
his resonant voice and trademark delivery of “The Rest of the Story,” Harvey
had been heard nationally since 1951, when he began his “News and Comment” for
ABC Radio Networks. He became a
heartland icon, delivering news and commentary with a distinctive Midwestern
flavor. “Stand by for news!” he told his listeners. He was credited with
inventing or popularizing terms such as “skyjacker,” “Reaganomics” and
“guesstimate.” “Paul
Harvey was one of the most gifted and beloved broadcasters in our nation’s
history,” ABC Radio Networks President Jim Robinson said in a statement. “We
will miss our dear friend tremendously and are grateful for the many years we
were so fortunate to have known him.” In 2005,
Harvey was one of 14 notables chosen as recipients of the presidential Medal of
Freedom. He also was an inductee in the Radio Hall of Fame, as was Lynne. Former
President George W. Bush remembered Harvey as a “friendly and familiar voice in
the lives of millions of Americans.” “His
commentary entertained, enlightened, and informed,” Bush said in a statement.
“Laura and I are pleased to have known this fine man, and our thoughts and prayers
are with his family.” Harvey
composed his twice-daily news commentaries from a downtown Chicago office near
Lake Michigan. Rising at
3:30 each morning, he ate a bowl of oatmeal, then combed the news wires and
spoke with editors across the country in search of succinct tales of American
life for his program. At the peak
of his career, Harvey reached more than 24 million listeners on more than 1,200
radio stations and charged $30,000 to give a speech. His syndicated column was
carried by 300 newspapers. His fans
identified with his plainspoken political commentary, but critics called him an
out-of-touch conservative. He was an early supporter of the late Sen. Joseph
McCarthy and a longtime backer of the Vietnam War. Perhaps
Harvey’s most famous broadcast came in 1970, when he abandoned that stance,
announcing his opposition to President Nixon’s expansion of the war and urging
him to get out completely. “Mr.
President, I love you ... but you’re wrong,” Harvey said, shocking his faithful
listeners and drawing a barrage of letters and phone calls, including one from
the White House. In 1976,
Harvey began broadcasting his anecdotal descriptions of the lives of famous
people. “The Rest of the Story” started chronologically, with the person’s
identity revealed at the end. The stories were an attempt to capture “the
heartbeats behind the headlines.” Much of the research and writing was done by
his son, Paul Jr. Harvey also
blended news with advertising, a line he said he crossed only for products he
trusted. In 2000, at
age 82, he signed a new 10-year contract with ABC Radio Networks. Harvey was
born Paul Harvey Aurandt in Tulsa, Okla. His father, a police officer, was
killed when he was a toddler. A high school teacher took note of his
distinctive voice and launched him on a broadcast career. While
working at St. Louis radio station KXOK, he met Washington University graduate
student Lynne Cooper. He proposed on their first date (she said “no”) and
always called her “Angel.” They were married in 1940 and had a son, Paul Jr. They worked
closely together on his shows, and he often credited his success to her
influence. She was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1997, seven years
after her husband was. She died in May 2008. www.paulharvey.com
or www.radiohof.org/news/paulharvey.html “And now
you know the rest of the story…” *************************** ADC Updates Financial Outlook and Plans New Cost Reduction Initiatives ADC
(NASDAQ: ADCT)(www.adc.com)
announced an update to its first quarter fiscal 2009 guidance as well as
additional plans to better align its cost structure with the current economic
outlook and market demand. The company is implementing a number of new cost
reduction initiatives across its operations to drive efficiencies and improve
profitability and cash flows. "In
response to the ongoing difficult macroeconomic conditions and slower market
demand, we are taking further cost reduction actions both to solidify our
competitive position as a leading provider of high-quality equipment to
fiber-based and wireless communications networks worldwide and improve our
overall financial performance," said Robert E. Switz, chairman, president
and CEO of ADC. "For the past three years we have been highly focused on
driving costs out of our operations. This effort is intensifying as we work to
achieve additional operating efficiencies in every area of the company. We also
remain committed to maintaining a strong financial position with ample
liquidity, allowing us to have operational and strategic flexibility in meeting
the current and long-term needs of our global customer base. Despite the
challenges we face in 2009, the unrelenting global demand for bandwidth will
continue to offer strategic opportunities for ADC in the fastest-growing
segments of our customers' networks." Updated
Guidance ADC
announced the following updated first quarter fiscal 2009 guidance:
ADC's
previous guidance provided on Dec. 9, 2008 estimated net sales of $255-290
million and GAAP diluted loss per share of $(0.05) - $(0.17), including
non-cash amortization expense of $(0.09) per share. The updated estimate does
not include the potential impairment charge discussed later in this
announcement. The reduced
revenue levels in the updated financial outlook primarily reflect the
challenging macroeconomic environment and declining customer spending within
the telecommunications industry. These factors have significantly impacted
results in all business segments and across a majority of our geographies. The updated
estimates are subject to the completion of ADC's actual financial results for
the first quarter that ended Jan. 30, 2009. ADC plans to announce its financial
results for the first quarter for fiscal year 2009 on March 3, 2009. Cost
Reduction Plans Based on
the company's current outlook for the macroeconomy and market demand, ADC is
improving the focus of its business operations by further reducing
discretionary spending and capital expenditures and introducing new general and
administrative process improvements. In addition, the company is implementing a
general hiring freeze and planning additional workforce reductions. ADC expects
to take a restructuring charge for some of these initiatives in the second quarter.
Specific restructuring charges and employee reductions have not yet been
finalized and will be reported separately at a later date. Bank
Line of Credit As of
January 30, 2009, ADC has terminated its $200 million bank line of credit. This
facility had no outstanding balances and, as a result of the current economic
environment, had become increasingly costly to maintain. "We
did not borrow funds under this bank line of credit and, based on the fact that
it was increasingly unlikely that we would be able to utilize the credit
facility under current terms of the agreement, we determined that the expense
of maintaining it could be eliminated," said James G. Mathews, ADC's chief
financial officer. "ADC maintains a strong balance sheet and cash position
that continues to leave us well positioned to navigate through this challenging
environment. After using approximately $90 million to buy back our common stock
during the first quarter of fiscal 2009, we presently expect to end the quarter
with over $500 million in cash." Goodwill
Impairment Analysis ADC also
reported that it is currently conducting an interim goodwill impairment
analysis to determine if it is necessary to record an impairment charge to
reduce the book value of its goodwill and other long-lived assets related to
one or more of its operating segments. The company has undertaken this analysis
based on a combination of factors, including the current economic environment
and adverse market conditions that have resulted in a sustained decline in ADC's
stock price as of Jan. 30, 2009. ADC presently expects that the results of this
analysis will result in a significant non-cash impairment charge in its first
quarter financial results that are scheduled to be reported on March 3, 2009. March 3,
2009 Conference Call and Webcast for First Fiscal Quarter 2009 Financial
Results ADC will
discuss its first quarter results during a conference call currently scheduled
for March 3, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. The conference call can be
accessed by domestic callers at (800) 399-7506 and by international callers at
(706) 634-2489 or on the Internet at www.adc.com/investor,
by clicking on Webcasts. About
ADC ADC
provides the connections for wireline, wireless, cable, broadcast, and
enterprise networks around the world. ADC's innovative network infrastructure
equipment and professional services enable high-speed Internet, data, video,
and voice services to residential, business and mobile subscribers. ADC
(NASDAQ: ADCT) has sales into more than 130 countries. Learn more about ADC at www.adc.com.
*************************** Anixter International Inc. Announces a $200 Million 5 Year Senior Note Offering by Anixter Inc. Anixter International Inc. (NYSE: AXE - News),
a leading global distributor of communications and security products,
electrical and electronic wire & cable, fasteners and other small parts,
(March 2, 2009) announced that through its wholly owned subsidiary, Anixter
Inc., it is offering $200 million of senior notes due 2014. Anixter International Inc. fully and
unconditionally guarantees the notes, which are unsecured obligations of
Anixter Inc. The proceeds will be used to pay down short term borrowings and
for general corporate purposes. The offering will be made under
Anixter Inc.'s existing effective shelf registration statement. Copies of the
prospectus and prospectus supplement may be obtained from Anixter International
Inc., 2301 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview, Illinois 60026, Attn: Treasurer. This
press release shall not constitute an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale
of these securities in any jurisdiction to any person where such offer or sale
would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities
laws of any such jurisdiction. About Anixter Anixter International is the world's
leading distributor of communications and security products, electrical and
electronic wire & cable, fasteners and other small parts. The company adds
value to the distribution process by providing its customers access to 1)
innovative inventory management programs, 2) more than 425,000 products and
over $1 billion in inventory, 3) 237 warehouses with more than 6.5 million
square feet of space, and 4) locations in 271 cities in 52 countries. Founded
in 1957 and headquartered near Chicago, Anixter trades on The New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol AXE. www.anixter.com *************************** Belden Declares Regular Quarterly Dividend The
Board of Directors of Belden (NYSE: BDC - News)
declared a regular quarterly dividend of five cents per share payable on April
2, 2009 to all shareholders of record as of March 16, 2009. The Company has
also established May 20, 2009 as the date for its annual meeting of
shareholders. About
Belden Sending
All the Right Signals -- from industrial automation to data centers, from
broadcast studios to aerospace, from cutting-edge wireless communications to
consumer electronics, Belden people are committed to delivering the best signal
transmission solutions in the world. Belden associates work in copper cable,
fiber, wireless technology, connectors, switches and active components to bring
voice, video and data to your mission- critical application. With 2008 revenue
of $2.0 billion, Belden has manufacturing capability in North America, Europe
and Asia. To obtain additional information contact Investor Relations at
314-854-8054, or visit our website at http://www.belden.com. *************************** Cisco lays off 250, more to come Cisco
Systems, which previously had been distinct among large network equipment
vendors for not initiating job cuts as part of broader cost cuts, finally did
lay off 250 employees this week. The company, according to The Wall Street
Journal, plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs, but Cisco CEO John Chambers has
insisted that Cisco will not be rocked by broader job cuts affecting a large
percentage of its workforce. The company had 64,000 employees as of January,
and late last year announced a hiring freeze and $1 billion in cost cuts. For
more: Related articles *************************** CommScope shares sink after 4Q report CommScope
shares fall after 4th-qtr and 1Q revenue outlooks miss analyst expectations CommScope
Inc. shares plummeted Friday after the network infrastructure maker's
fourth-quarter revenue missed analyst views and also predicted first-quarter
revenue far below Wall Street expectations. Shares of
the Hickory, N.C.-based company fell $4.34, or 32.9 percent, to $8.83. For the
quarter that ended Dec. 31, CommScope fell to a loss of $342.4 million, or
$4.86 per share, compared with a profit of $37.6 percent, or 51 cents per
share, in the year-ago quarter. The company
said the loss was due mostly to $397.1 million in non-cash impairment charges,
which included $359.5 million in goodwill and intangible asset charges, $17.7
million in amortization charges and $8.8 million in restructuring charges. When
excluding items such as these, CommScope earned $43.6 million, or 55 cents per
share, which is a penny greater than what analysts polled by Thomson Financial
expected. Revenue
rose 86 percent to $861.8 million, helped mainly by the company's late-2007
purchase of communications equipment maker Andrew Corp. Analysts
polled by Thomson Reuters expected a profit of 54 cents on $866.6 million in
revenue. For the
full year, the company reported a loss of $228.5 million, or $3.29 per share,
compared with a profit of $204.8 million, or $2.78 per share, in 2007. Adjusted
earnings totaled $264.8 million, or $3.31 per share in 2008. CommScope's
revenue totaled $4.02 billion in 2008, more than double the $1.93 billion it
reported the year before. For the
current quarter, the company predicted a loss, with revenue of between $720
million and $770 million. Analysts expect a profit of 46 cents per share, with
higher revenue of $822.9 million. CommScope added that it expects better
results in the second and third quarters, which are seasonally strong for the
company. In a client
note, Stifel Nicolaus & Co. analyst Jeffrey Beach cut his price target by
$7 to $33. He lowered his 2009 earnings forecast to $2.24 per share from $3.20,
saying half of that cut is in the company's first quarter. "The
1Q guidance is so weak that forecasting the rebound in 2Q and beyond is
difficult, in our view," he said. *************************** Danaher Announces Pricing of Senior Notes Offering Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR - News)
announced Thursday February 26, 2009 that it has priced a public offering of
$750 million of its 5.40% senior notes due 2019. Danaher expects to receive net
proceeds, after expenses, of approximately $744 million. Danaher intends to use
the net proceeds from this offering to repay all or a portion of Danaher's
outstanding commercial paper and for other general corporate purposes. The
offering is expected to close on March 5, 2009. Banc of America Securities LLC,
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co. are acting as joint
book-running managers. The offering is being made pursuant
to an effective registration statement filed by Danaher Corporation with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on July 14, 2006. The offering of the senior notes may
be made only by means of a prospectus. A copy of the prospectus and prospectus
supplement relating to the senior notes can be obtained from Banc of America
Securities LLC's Prospectus Department at 100 West 33rd Street New York, NY
10001, telephone 1-800-294-1322, email dg.prospectus_distribution@bofasecurities.com;
from Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. at Harborside Financial Center, 100 Plaza
One, Floor 2, Jersey City, NY, 07311-3988. Attn: Prospectus Department,
telephone 1-800-503-4611, email prospectusrequest@list.db.com;
and from Goldman, Sachs & Co.'s Prospectus Department at 85 Broad Street,
New York, NY 10004, telephone: 1-866-471-2526, facsimile: 1-212-902-9316,
email: prospectus-ny@ny.email.gs.com. Danaher Corporation is a leading
manufacturer of Professional Instrumentation, Medical Technologies, Industrial
Technologies and Tools and Components. *************************** Dow Corning says it will cut 800 jobs worldwide Dow Corning
Corp. says it will eliminate 800 jobs, about 8 percent of its global work force
-- Dow
Corning Corp. says it will cut 800 jobs, or about 8 percent of its
10,000-member global work force, because of the poor economy. The
company, a joint venture between Midland-based Dow Chemical Co. and Corning,
N.Y.-based Corning Inc., will eliminate the jobs during the first half of 2009
through a combination of voluntary retirement programs and involuntary layoffs. The Midland
Daily News says only voluntary separations will be considered at Dow Corning
locations in the United Kingdom and at its Hemlock Semiconductor Corp. joint
venture in Saginaw County. Dow Corning
spokesman Jarrod Erpelding told The Bay City Times that it isn't known how many
of the company's 3,500 Michigan employees will be affected. About 1,300 work at
its corporate headquarters in Bay County's Williams Township and factory in
Auburn combined. *************************** DuPont finance chief doesn't see recovery in 2009 DuPont
CFO doesn't see recovery in 2009, says stimulus package could boost sales DuPont
likely won't bounce back from the economic slump this year, though it stands to
benefit from a stimulus package under debate in Congress, the chemical maker's
chief financial officer said Tuesday. "We're
not immune from this recession," Jeffery Keefer said at the Barclays
Industrial conference in Miami. "We do not expect recovery in 2009." The
Wilmington, Del.-based company, also known as EI DuPont de Nemours & Co.,
said last month it swung to a fourth-quarter loss as sales and volumes fell
sharply. Part
of the loss was due to a restructuring plan, including more than 2,500 layoffs,
announced late last year. Others in the sector, including Huntsman Corp., Dow
Chemical Co., Rohm & Haas Co. and Ashland, have also announced layoffs in
recent months in an attempt to cut costs. DuPont
earned $2 billion, or $2.20 per share, in 2008, down from $2.9 billion, or
$3.22 per share, in 2007. For
2009, the company expects to earn $2 to $2.50 per share. Analysts polled by
Thomson Reuters expect, on average, earnings of $2.05 per share for the year. DuPont
is now working to conserve and generate cash, and maintain its balance sheet,
Keefer said. The
company will slash capital spending and expenses this year, and focus on
high-growth areas, including its agricultural and alternative energy
businesses, he said. Construction
products -- including its pavement materials and Tyvek home wrap -- could see
an uptick in sales if the final version of a stimulus package currently under
debate in Congress is approved, Keefer said. "We're
well positioned to go through this economic recession," he said. The
company will return excess cash to shareholders "unless we have compelling
growth opportunities," he said. "We
understand the dividend is the corner of our valuation," Keefer said. The
dividend has been paid consecutively for more than 400 quarters, http://www.crocodyl.org/wiki/dupont www.dupont.com
*************************** The current industry position for next-gen standards By pwylie While optimism for a late 2009 finalization of the 10G
EPON standard abounds, the actual deployment of the technology likely will take
much longer, due to several considerations. Alcatel-Lucent is a co-author of the IEEE standard for
10G EPON currently being developed, and it has a significant role in developing
the 10G GPON standard too, according to Marcus Weldon, CTO for Alcatel-Lucent's
wireline network division. Weldon said significant deployments of 10G PON
technologies, both GPON and EPON, likely won't occur in live networks until
2011. He said that even once 10G EPON has been standardized and products have
been developed around the standard, uptake could be limited by the success of
current deployments of 2.5G GPON. "We don't see any urgent need in the market for 10G
technology," Weldon said. "Currently with 2.5G GPON, the upstream and
downstream speeds at capacity are more than sufficient for customers' needs,
and very few deployments actually have the take rate to be at full capacity,
meaning speeds are usually greater for individual users anyway. The biggest
play I see for 10G EPON currently is high-density areas where it allows for
more nodes per PON through greater splitting capacity for multi-dwelling
units." Scott Wilkinson, VP of marketing for Hitachi, is also
less than optimistic about the market opportunity for 10G EPON. "There are problems with both flavors of IEEE standardized
10G EPON currently available," Wilkinson said. "First, the 10G
downstream/1G upstream does not offer enough bandwidth upstream; and the 10G
downstream/10G upstream is prohibitively expensive, because it requires a pricy
core chip set." He echoed Weldon's comments about successful GPON
deployments keeping future demand for 10G low. "Right now, GPON provides plenty of bandwidth, a lot
more than people use or need," Wilkinson said. "Many carriers are
deploying GPON right now, and they'll be able to upgrade to 10G EPON when it
becomes available without changing outside points of deployment." Wilkinson expects some limited 10G EPON deployments,
mainly to enterprise customers, some time early next year, with commercial
deployments beginning in late 2010. He was quick to add though that the
commercial viability of 10G EPON has yet to be demonstrated. "It will be two to three years before we see any
significant residential 10G EPON deployments in the U.S.," Wilkinson said. Julie Kunstler, VP business development for Teknovus,
said her company is well underway with development of 10G EPON chip sets.
Kunstler expects chips to ship in late 2009. Kunstler sees high demand for 10G
EPON technology, but she said the driving factors are very different for developing
and developed nations. In Japan, for instance, Kunstler said the majority of
demand for 10G EPON has been due to large amounts of bandwidth needed to run
high-end video applications. She said numerous vendors and carriers are testing
the standard for future deployment to meet their ever-growing bandwidth needs. In China, on the other hand, carriers want 10G EPON for
the density it would enable in high-occupancy buildings in China's rapidly
growing urban areas. Since existing infrastructure is poor in most parts of the
country, Kunstler said carriers are looking at newer technologies for network
overhaul, rather than building on top of existing systems as carriers have done
in developed markets like the U.S. and Japan. She also noted that Teknovus has
EPON deployments in every Chinese province save one, and it will migrate some
existing networks to the 10G standard once it is finalized. While Kunstler said she sees demand rising in both
sectors for 10G EPON, she said increased demand will really drive adoption,
because it will make the technology more affordable through scale. Source URL: *************************** Published on FierceTelecom (http://www.fiercetelecom.com)
The current industry position for next-gen standards - Part 2 By pwylie Weldon agreed that Asian markets, and specifically Japan,
are the ones poised to see the largest deployments of 10G EPON in the near
future. He said some of the desire to move to 10G EPON there has been somewhat
driven by carriers wanting to stay on the EPON standard, but also to upgrade
from 1G EPON. Weldon said he had heard discussions that 1G EPON was maxed out
in a technological sense, which Weldon said were driven more by perception
rather than actual use cases. Weldon said Alcatel-Lucent will leverage its strong
market position in broadband access to experiment and test 10G EPON and GPON,
as well as WDM-PON. As far as the standard that U.S. companies were likely to
adopt for next-gen optical networking, Wilkinson said the ITU standard would
likely gain more traction. He cited the telecom industry's familiarity and
investment in the ITU and the robustness of the ITU standard as reasons U.S.
companies would likely go with ITU over the IEEE standard. Wilkinson likes the
ITU standard because of its standard of 10G downstream and 2.5G upstream, which
he said gives a more cost-effective and useful offering for present conditions
and demand. Kunstler expects the U.S. cable players to consider 10G
EPON as a viable alternative to DOCSIS technology in an effort to compete with
Verizon's FiOS by offering faster individual downstream capabilities. She said
10G EPON's speed could help cable companies grab a larger share of the
enterprise market, where they have traditionally lagged far behind
telecommunications companies. She also thinks that instead of deploying current
industry-leading optical networking technology, such as GPON, carriers will
wait until 10G EPON is available to upgrade their networks. While Kunstler is bullish on 10G EPON deployments, she
thinks other next-gen optical networking technologies are not going to be as
well received. For instance, Kunstler thinks that WDM-PON's lack of standards
will keep it from ever becoming a mass-market technology. WDM-PON's main advocate seems to be LG-Nortel, the joint
venture between the companies in the wireline space. Nortel's acquisition of
Novera in Aug. 2008 primed the joint venture's focus on WDM-PON. While everyone quoted in this article agreed that WDM-PON
was several years away from meaningful deployment (Weldon said no earlier than
2012), LG-Nortel has said [1] they are in WDM-PON trials with more than
10 operators globally. LG-Nortel says that the WDM-PON could be standardized and
cost-effective as early as 2011, but sets 2013 as the late end of its schedule.
It said fiber needs to be deployed more widely and applications requiring more
bandwidth must continue to expand for the market for WDM-PON to form. Source URL: Links: *************************** GE shares hit 16-yr low following dividend cut GE shares tumble to 16-yr low days after company slashes dividend for 1st time in decades Shares of
General Electric Corp. slid to a 16-year low Monday after the industrial
conglomerate cut its quarterly dividend for the first time in decades. On Friday,
the Fairfield, Conn.-based company said it will pay shareholders a dividend of
10 cents beginning in the third quarter, down from the company's prior dividend
of 31 cents. The
dividend cut, allowing GE to save $9 billion annually, had been long predicted
by Wall Street and was the company's first since 1938. The move follows a
similar cut announced by Dow Chemical Co. last month. In a note
to investors Sunday, analyst Jeffrey T. Sprague of Citi Investment Research
wrote that the cut was "deeper than generally expected, but it makes sense
to cut deep while the ax is out to hopefully avoid the need for another round. "While
this move is a reputational blow to GE and an income hit to long-suffering
shareholders, it had to be done," he added. The analyst maintained a
"Hold" rating on the stock. Shares of
GE slid 80 cents, or 9.4 percent, to $7.71 in midday trading Monday. Earlier in
the day, GE stock hit a low of $7.51. The shares last sank below that level in
April 1993. *************************** HCM Invests in New Cable Manufacturing Equipment Hitachi
Cable Manchester (HCM) continues to be a leader in the development of new and
innovative copper and fiber optic communication cables.
HCM
continues to invest in the latest cable manufacturing technology. Even during tough economic times, HCM has
chosen to install four new Triple Torsion Twisters. The twisters, which were installed February
16, will not only increase manufacturing capacity, but will produce twisted
pairs at a speed three-times faster than previous models. The twisters are used in the manufacture of
high-performance Category 6 cables.
While many manufactures are choosing to forgo upgrades to their
facilities, HCM has determined that the new twisters will better position HCM
in the market once demand is back on the rise.
The new twisters are also more energy efficient than previous
models. About HCM HCM,
located in Manchester, NH manufacturers a complete line of copper and fiber
optic cables for the communication industry.
Over 3,300 different cable products are manufactured at this
facility. In addition to Category 6A
cables, products include Category 6 and 5e cables, outdoor Category 5e and 6
cables, indoor and outdoor fiber optic cables, armored fiber optic cables as
well as plenum-rated indoor/outdoor fiber optic cables. To learn
more about HCM products and where you can purchase them, please contact HCM
toll free at 800-772-0116 or visit the HCM website at www.hcm.hitachi.com *************************** Intertek featured on truTV special “Testing the Limits” truTV
and Intertek take viewers into the world of smash-and-burn product testing; new
television special premiering Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 11PM EST. Intertek (LSE: ITRK), a leading provider of quality and
safety solutions announced today that its laboratories will be featured in a
new television special titled, Testing the Limits, premiering on the
truTV network, Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 11 PM EST. Testing the Limits
demonstrates the “bang, crash, boom” testing that a product must endure before
it ever makes it on a shelf and into the hands of the consumer. The show,
filmed at three Intertek laboratories across the US, is chronicled by two
Intertek engineers as they take viewers on an exclusive, behind the scenes
journey into the world of product safety and performance testing. Testing
the Limits gives the public a never-before-seen look into the exciting
world of product testing. But it’s all “just another day” for Intertek, as
pushing products to their failure point is what the company has done for
clients for over 100 years. “We are excited to work
with truTV to elevate the awareness of product safety to the masses in a unique
and entertaining way,” said Gregg Tiemann, Chief Executive, Intertek Commercial
& Electrical Products. “Our company is known for creating innovative
approaches in the industry, and using TV to spotlight the importance of product
safety, in a bold way, aligns with the way we operate our business.” Intertek opened
its doors to truTV for this unique special to bring the unknown and unheralded
world of product testing to the consumers.
Each year Intertek conducts millions of product tests and inspections
across thousands of product categories throughout its network of more than
1,000 labs. The company’s ETL Listed Mark is the safety certification of choice
for thousands of global manufacturers – from medical devices and automotive
products to HVAC units, lighting products, industrial machinery, and much more
– and can be found on millions of products sold across North America every
year. Visit www.etl.com or www.trutv.com for
more information! *************************** Manufacturing sector contracts again in February A private measure of the nation's
manufacturing sector contracted for the 13th straight month in February, but at
a slower pace than expected. The reading suggested to some
economists that the decline of the ailing factory sector could be bottoming
out, though they expect a recovery is still far in the future. The Institute for Supply Management,
a trade group of purchasing executives, said Monday its manufacturing index
actually rose to 35.8 from 35.6 in January. Analysts had expected a drop to
33.8, and a reading below 50 indicates the sector is shrinking. The index, which is based on a
survey of members of the Tempe, Ariz.-based group, has fallen steadily since
August as the economy has deteriorated, hitting a 28-year low of 32.9 in
December. "Survey respondents appear
generally pessimistic about recovery in 2009," said Norbert Ore, chairman
of the group's survey committee. "Some express hope that the stimulus
package will help their industry." The new report showed manufacturers
cutting jobs at a rapid pace while new orders fell. The employment index fell
to 26.1 in February, a new record low, from 29.9 the previous month. New orders
dipped to 33.1 from 33.2. The production index increased for
the second straight month, to 36.3, from 32.1 in January. None of the 18 industries covered by
the survey -- including wood products, primary metals, electrical equipment,
transportation equipment and machinery -- reported growth. "While the index continues to
show the manufacturing sector to be in a steep decline, the steady readings of
the last two months suggest the decline is not accelerating," David
Resler, chief economist at Nomura Securities International, wrote in a note to
clients. Separately, the Commerce Department
said Monday that construction spending dropped 3.3 percent in January, the
fourth straight monthly decline. Wall Street economists surveyed by Thomson
Reuters expected a 1.5 percent drop. Residential construction fell 2.9 percent
and nonresidential activity dropped 4.3 percent, the biggest decline since
January 1994. The department also said that
consumer spending rose in January after falling for a record six straight
months, pushed higher by purchases of food and other nondurable items. Consumer
spending rose 0.6 percent, even better than the 0.4 percent gain that
economists expected, though the rebound was viewed mostly as a blip and not a
sign of extended recovery. President Barack Obama last month
signed into law a $787 billion stimulus package in spending and tax cuts, but
U.S. manufacturers are getting hammered by a global recession that is sharply
cutting demand for domestic products and sinking American exports. General Motors Corp. last week
reported an annual loss of $30.9 billion. The Detroit automaker, which shed
10,000 jobs in February alone, has said it may need up to $30 billion from the
government to keep it afloat. Thousands more job cuts were
announced last month by a variety of manufacturers, including Goodyear Tire
& Rubber Co., welding products manufacturer Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc.,
flash memory maker Spansion Inc. and makeup company Estee Lauder Cos. *************************** Megladon® Announces New Product Release of LGX Fiber Distribution Panels Megladon issued a new product release of standard LGX
Fiber Distribution Panels to compliment its HLC® SCRATCHGUARD™ patch cords and
trunk cables. Also in the new product
line is a full suite of cable management products including fanning panels,
storage and combination shelves. By incorporating HLC SCRATCHGUARD patch cords and
trunk cables into the distribution product line, Megladon is able to deliver
the most robust turnkey solutions of any company in the marketplace. These solutions can be shipped pre-tested and
pre-populated for installation time-savings and increased network
performance. Megladon has experience in
making complex fiber networks simple, and the versatile LGX Fiber Distribution
System products create value within our customer’s networks. “The addition of fiber distribution products is
exciting and allows Megladon to diversify our product portfolio. Being
able to offer turnkey solutions with our HLC cables assemblies increases our
value to the marketplace”, stated Why is the ScratchGuard™ technology a big value in
this new product? This patented new technology really delivers Durability and
Dependability. For example we found out that the ScratchGuard technology has
already made a big impact on portable fiber optic testing performance.
Incredible but true: Test results showed that over 1000 insertions of the
Megladon Scratch Guard™ Fiber Optic test cables used on the Fluke Networks
amazing DTX CableAnalyzer™ showed virtually no degradation or scratching. www.megladonmfg.com www.flukenetworks.com Richard Brammer, Special Projects Manager for
Communication Planning Corporation (a communications contractor based in
Jacksonville, FL), told us that this new product has added a significant boost
to the value of CPC’s solutions package. “We really save time and deliver a
better installation with the Megladon LGX Fiber Distribution System products.
Any reconfiguration is easier for field technicians.” The Megladon product line supports the
technician with terminations, connections, splices and convenient access within
fiber optic networks. www.communicationplanning.com
Megladon Manufacturing Group Ltd., a subsidiary of TyRex
Group Ltd.®, is recognized as a leader in the fiber optic marketplace. Founded
in 1997, Megladon made it their mission to provide customers with fiber optic
products that far exceed industry standards. As technology innovators, Megladon
created the HLC (Hardened Lens Contact) termination, which has changed the
market and taken it to the next level. For additional information on Megladon
and their patented processes please visit the company’s website at www.megladonmfg.com or respond by email to scratchguard@megladonmfg.com. *************************** New Support for ADC Jacks Make JackRapid The Most Versatile, Fastest Punchdown Tool Available Support for
more jacks, redesigned ergonomic handle help installers complete punchdowns 8
times faster than single punch tools, with less effort and at lower cost Fluke
Networks today announced new interchangeable blade heads for the JackRapid™
termination tool that support ADC TrueNet® KM8 and Copper Ten® style cable
jacks. JackRapid now supports the vast
majority of jack styles commonly used by cable installers. The
groundbreaking JackRapid™ termination tool lets technicians install jacks up to
8 times faster than with traditional punchdown tools. Users can terminate and trim all eight wires
in a jack at once with one easy squeeze, reducing the time spent on the job and
saving labor costs. JackRapid's
new ergonomically designed handle requires less effort when performing the
punchdown process, reducing hand fatigue and allowing more jacks to be punched
down faster. The handle also includes a
built-in wire jacket stripper. With
JackRapid's jacket stripper and the ability to precisely trim all 8 wires
without separate snips, installers need fewer tools at the job site. The built-in stripper and consistent
punchdown action also combine to improve the overall quality level of the job
while time to completion goes down. In an
installation of 1000 jacks, a standard single-wire punchdown tool may require
29 labor hours at an average project cost of approximately $1,445 USD. The same installation job utilizing JackRapid
requires 10 hours at an average project cost of approximately $500 USD. Compared to the traditional single-wire
punchdown tools, JackRapid can cut installation time and cost by 2/3. JackRapid’s
patented design features an interchangeable termination head that holds the
jack in place. Different style heads
accommodate jack styles from most popular manufacturers. The termination head uses a wall-friendly
design to that makes close-to-wall installations far easier than with other
types of tools. JackRapid
increases accuracy and reliability.
Fewer reworks are needed, which increases client confidence and further
time savings for the installer. JackRapid is also safer, reducing the risk that
technicians will punch into the palms of their hands or through drywall when
terminating jacks. Product
Availability The
JackRapid™ Termination Tool with punchdown capability for the C6a CopperTen®
UTP RJ45 jack and the C6 TrueNet® KM8 UTP RJ45 jack for category 6 and is
available for immediate delivery through Fluke Networks’ sales channels
worldwide. Interchangeable blade heads
and replacement ergonomic handles are also available separately. For a full list of blade heads and jack
compatibility visit http://www.flukenetworks.com/JackRapid. About Fluke
Networks Fluke
Networks provides innovative solutions for the testing, monitoring and analysis
of enterprise and telecommunications networks and the installation and
certification of the fiber and copper forming the foundation for those
networks. The company's comprehensive line of Network SuperVision solutions™
provide network installers, owners, and maintainers with superior vision,
combining speed, accuracy and ease of use to optimize network performance.
Headquartered in Everett, Washington, the company distributes its products in more
than 50 countries. More information can be found by visiting Fluke Networks’
Web site at www.flukenetworks.com or by calling (800) 283-5853. *************************** NORTEL SLASHING 3,200 MORE JOBS Nortel Networks, which filed for bankruptcy
protection last month, said today it will eliminate another 3,200 jobs in the
coming months as it re-organizes. The company currently employs about 30,000
people around the world, a number which itself is less than one-third of what
the company's total payroll was back in the late 1990s. Nortel will not pay severance to
the employees who lose their jobs, an Associated Press story says.
Neither will the company be paying management bonuses for 2008, after the
Nortel board approved a management recommendation to eliminate the
bonuses. Nortel has been busy since filing for bankruptcy protection, agreeing
late last week to sell its Alteon application delivery systems unit to Radware. *************************** Good things happen when GREEN meets SAFETY Increasing
we are seeing cabling specs and designs in the USA calling for the use of LSZH
RoHS (Low Smoke Zero Halogen + RoHS compliant) in place of traditional
non-plenum cable constructions. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is guiding the way
to better and safer practices. Most of the major cable
manufacturers product lines include RoHS compliant LSZH (Low-Smoke
Zero-Halogen) cables that they market in Europe and the UK. Restriction
of Hazardous Substances Directive or RoHS) was adopted in
February 2003 by the European Union. Note: the RoHS directive is not a requirement in the US
codes. RoHS compliant cables are a
voluntary decision by the US consumer. EUREKA: new
cabling design recommended = LSZH RoHS For a safer design, specify Low Smoke Zero Halogen + RoHS
compliant cables for all non-plenum cable applications. This is particularly
important in HOMES, HOSPITALS and SCHOOLS. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a
non profit organization that certifies sustainable businesses, homes,
hospitals, schools, and neighborhoods. USGBC is dedicated to expanding green
building practices and education, and its LEED® (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™. www.usgbc.org The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED) Green Building Rating System is a voluntary,
consensus-based national rating system for developing high-performance, sustainable
buildings. LEED addresses all building types and emphasizes state-of-the-art
strategies in five areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy
efficiency, materials and resources selection, and indoor environmental
quality. Brendan
Owens, Director-Vice President, LEED Technical Development USGBC Non-profit organization
dedicated to sustainable building design and construction and developers of the
LEED building rating system. (www.usgbc.org),
stated that the goal of MR Credit 4:1: PBT Source Reduction: Dioxins and
Halogenated Compounds, is to “ Reduce the release of persistent bioaccumlative
toxic chemicals (PBT’S) associated with the life cycle of building materials.” The LEED Green Building Rating System ™,
which is run by the USGBC, is a voluntary program. Under it, project credits can be earned to
qualify for LEED certification. The
USGBC is not the only “green” building body, but it is a prominent on, with
nearly 14,000 member organizations, including nonprofit associations,
architects, facility manager, engineers, interior designers, construction
managers, lenders and others. It is
interesting to note, that the Canadian and U.S. Military departments avoid the
use of CMP cable, opting for safe alternatives, such as the EU - European
standard low-smoke, zero-halogen (LSZH) cabling. All the major domestic
manufacturers are making LSZH cable. It’s the standard across Europe. It’s
accepted by stringent military specs here but isn’t suitable for installation
in our buildings? http://www.ecmag.com/index.cfm?fa=article&articleID=8609
The PVC
& FRPVC jackets and the FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene – known by the
trade names of Dupont Teflon® FEP & Daikin - America Neoflon® FEP)
insulation used in CMP Plenum cable are some of the most common materials used
in cabling constructions in the USA. All
of these materials are Halogenated. Not
only are Halogenated materials under scrutiny but also the use of heavy metals
(such as Lead & Cadmium) in the PVC compounds. The RoHS
Directive stands for "the restriction of the use of certain
hazardous substances in electrical and electronic
equipment". This Directive bans the placing on the EU market of
new electrical and electronic equipment containing more than agreed levels of
lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and
polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants. What’s
next? We applaud
the efforts of the US Green Building Council to pursue safer and more
environmentally friendly solutions for the home and workplace. We can expect
lots of “selective voodoo science” to emerge as arguments against the halogen
reduction. The chemical companies have deep pockets and lots of “friends”. http://www.crocodyl.org/wiki/dupont
CABLE MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR
HEALTH As if there
weren’t enough dire health warnings bombarding us daily, here's another - some
cabling may be hazardous to your health. What is plenum cable? Safer or cheaper
than conduit? For more than 40 years, building
construction utilized "return-air plenum" design for the heating and
air conditioning systems. In typical commercial real
estate construction, "Plenum" is the technical term for the space
above a suspended ceiling or below raised floor when it is used to return air
from ventilated spaces such as offices to heating and air conditioning
equipment. In the USA, Plenum cable
installed in building return-air plenum spaces for voice and data circuits is
filled with hidden dangers and often represent both environmental and health
dangers. In the early 1970's New York
City approved the use of plenum rated cable under Local Law 5. The National
Electrical Code (NEC) recognized plenum
cable in 1978 (CMP listed). This
offering gained quick acceptance because of reduced costs. The installed cost of plenum rated cable was
substantially lower (usually more than 50%) than the cost of cable and metal
conduit. In 1978 virtually all plenum
cables were insulated and jacketed with DuPont® Teflon FEP (Fluorinated
Ethylene Propylene). Competitive
pressures and high market demand spawned numerous other constructions using
materials that could also meet the test requirements for the NEC code (CMP
listing). TECHNO – TIP What is the most commonly installed PLENUM DATACOM CABLE? The most commonly installed horizontal cable in the plenum is:
4 PR 24 AWG CMP
UTP CAT 5e (or 6) - PLENUM CABLE. A typical
plenum cable for data or voice transmission has two main components: (I) a
cable core made up of insulated copper wires twisted in pairs and (II) a
jacket. The industry standard cable is 4-pair UTP, with four twisted pairs of
insulated wire, with "U" meaning "unshielded" and
"TP" meaning "twisted pair". FEP
(Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene) is the most common insulation. FEP is a stable and fire resistant material.
The jacketing material for plenum cables has usually been FRPVC (Fire Resistant
Polyvinyl Chloride) or PVC for non-plenum.
Both plenum & non-plenum PVC jackets have been compounded with
stabilizers and plasticizers. For many years, these additives often contained
LEAD and some harmful phthalates. Significant amounts of hazardous plasticizers (such as DEHP - a phthalate) can be released, leading to persistent
contamination of the house dust or ambient air. Today,
we have new choices that are free of heavy metals and harmful phthalates. . NOW AVAILABLE: LEAD-FREE CABLES In response
to growing demand, almost all cable manufacturers have introduced RoHS
compliant LEAD-FREE cables that are NEC (National Electrical Code) approved for
use in the return air plenum. The best way to get the LEAD out is not
to put it in Many PVC products have been
stabilized using LEAD compounds. LEAD
compounds are controlled by regulations that cover workplace exposure, water
and air pollution, and water disposal. There are increasing demands on a global
scale for alternatives to heavy metals like LEAD. Many cables
contain high levels of LEAD in the PVC jackets.
The good news is the companies that supply compounded PVC materials have
developed alternative LEAD-FREE PVC compounds, and they are available at no
additional cost
There is no reason to continue
purchasing and installing cables that contain LEAD. http://www.turi.org/business/wire_and_cable.htm In The
Pharmaceutical Basis of Therapeutics, (the "bible" of chemical
therapeutics in medicine), LEAD (Pb) is defined in Latin as, "materia non
grata," or, an absolutely unwelcome compound, of absolutely no value and
causing great harm to human health. Physicians and observers of industrial
disease have sensed the danger of LEAD for generations, but never quite
understood the low-dose risk. LEAD has
long been recognized as a harmful environmental pollutant. There are many ways
in which humans are exposed to LEAD: through air, drinking water, food,
contaminated soil, deteriorating paint, and dust. Airborne LEAD enters the body
when an individual breathes or swallows LEAD particles or dust. Before it was
known how harmful LEAD could be, it was used in paint, gasoline, water pipes,
and many other products. Low levels
of LEAD can cause adverse health effects on the central nervous system, kidney,
and blood cells. Blood LEAD levels as low as 10 micrograms per deciliter can
impair mental and physical development. EPA's Integrated Risk
Information System (IRIS) profile on LEAD and LEAD Compounds -http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0277.htm Flexible
PVC can harm Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) On average,
we spend about 90 percent of our time indoors, where pollutant levels are often
higher than those outside. Indoor pollution is estimated to cause thousands of
cancer deaths and hundreds of thousands of respiratory health problems each
year. " www.epa.gov/iaq/hbhp/index.html (Healthy Buildings, Healthy People: A Vision
for the 21st Century) PVC products can release heavy metals
into the building environment. Metal stabilizers, particularly LEAD, cadmium,
and organotins, can be released from PVC products. Significant quantities of
LEAD have been found to be released from PVC window blinds into air and from
PVC pipes into water. Toxicological effects of these substances include
neurological, development, and reproductive damage. Installed
return-air plenum approved UTP cable, which contains LEAD, may have an
impact on IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) and IEQ (Indoor Environmental Quality) in
the building. LEAD dust is a known health hazard for building occupants. LEAD
Dust may be released from some PVC products as they deteriorate over time and
through exposure to heat or sunlight. http://www.greenaction.org/healthybuildings/documents/hb_health_hazards.pdf
OLDER PVC COMPOUNDS Stabilizers
are added to the PVC compound to help slow down the degradation of the PVC
polymer. Stabilizers found in PVC may
include LEAD and other potentially toxic heavy metals. Both the stabilizers and the plasticizers (to
make the material more flexible) additives are not chemically bound in the
PVC. They can be released over time
resulting in a range of potential exposures
and raising risks from endocrine disruption, to asthma; and even from
LEAD poisoning to cancer. A new
analysis by the Environmental Working Group
(www.ewg.org) found many studies in
the peer reviewed literature that showed toxic effects at doses below those
considered to cause no effects by regulators.
Dr. Christina Thayer of EWG says, " Traditional testing misses
important toxic effects at very low doses." http://www.ewg.org/reports/leadastray/exec.html
For more
Info: Environmental Impacts of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Building Materials - A
briefing paper for the Healthy Building Network by Joe Thornton, Ph.D. http://healthybuilding.net/pvc/ThorntonPVCSummary.html Installing cabling that contains LEAD
and other health hazards is an avoidable health risk. In response
to growing concerns over LEAD, the vinyl industry developed a LEAD-FREE PVC
stabilizer compound. It was introduced
to the manufacturers on a trial basis.
Subsequently, this safer compound was improved and offered to the cable
manufacturers on a widespread basis.
Today, you have a choice. There
are LEAD-FREE cables readily available. PVC disposal IS A WORLD
WIDE PROBLEM When PVC is
incinerated in medical waste and garbage waste disposal furnaces, it is among
the largest single sources of dioxin in those burners. The United States Department of Environmental
Protection (EPA) suggests that there is NO SAFE level of dioxin exposure. Extremely toxic heavy metals in PVC, such as
LEAD, cadmium, and chromium, are also released from the stacks and end up in
the ash of these incinerators. Virtually all of the products made of PVC have safer
substitutes available, making the risks posed by PVC completely unnecessary and
unacceptable. Currently,
cabling may be removed and disposed of in normal construction & demolition
(C&D) waste disposal methods. In the
near future, the cables that contain LEAD and other heavy metals may be
reclassified to require special handling as HAZMAT (Hazardous Materials). The general disposal costs of HAZMAT are
higher than normal C&D disposal.
Toxicity is a major concern in decomposition and disposal. PVC is extremely difficult to
recycle. Very little
PVC is recycled, and this situation is unlikely to change in the foreseeable
future. Because each PVC product contains a unique mix of additives,
post-consumer recycling of mixed PVC products is difficult and cannot yield
vinyl products with equivalent qualities to the original. Even in Europe, where
PVC recycling is more advanced than in the United States, less than 3 percent
of post-consumer PVC is recycled, and most of this is merely “downcycled” into
other products which means there is no net reduction in the production of
virgin PVC. By 2020, only 9 percent of all post-consumer PVC waste in Europe is
expected to be recycled, with a maximum potential of no more than 18 percent. http://www.healthybuilding.net/pvc/ThorntonPVCSummary.html PVC containing LEAD cannot be readily RECYCLED The
multitudes of additives required to make PVC useful make large-scale post
consumer recycling nearly impossible and interfere with the recycling of other
plastics. The LEAD cannot be removed in a cost efficient recycling process at
this time. In 1999 almost 600 Million pounds of PVC was used in wire
and cable applications. Many communities and numerous countries are assessing costs
to the full life cycle of products.
Products that contain materials which present costly challenges in safe
disposal or recycling, may be front end loaded on price. Changing the material selection to
"green" products may have big dividends in cost avoidance
downstream. PVC in cabling is cheap and
plentiful. Downstream problems and
life-cycle costs for PVC may be very expensive and widespread. Buying a safer tomorrow - Green
Procurement Designing for the future will include choices in
materials and components that can be reused or recycled. The materials that you choose to
include in your building will make a significant contribution to its overall
impact on the indoor environment. Avoiding unnecessary indoor air pollution
sources is the most obvious method to improve indoor air quality. There is
strong support to design low-polluting buildings and recommendations on
low-polluting building materials. Advocate safe, energy-efficient, and
long-lasting products and services. Things that last and are useful are the
greatest hedge against waste and are better than reuse or recycling. Most
consumers are unaware of the toxic materials in the products they rely on for
word processing, data management, and access to the Internet like the LEAD that
may be present in your PVC jacketing data communications cabling. Many companies are “going Green”. Purchasing
agents are looking to safer alternatives.
Requesting LEAD-Free data communications cabling is one way to ensure a
safer purchase.
What is Green Purchasing? It’s considering the environmental impacts of
a product when you make purchases. These products should have a lesser or
reduced effect on human health and the environmental when compared to competing
products that serve the same purpose. Avoiding
stabilizers, containing LEAD, in flexible PVC cabling materials and using
safer, nontoxic materials may be the best way to eliminate potential downstream
hazards and liability. LEAD phase out is coming The
European Commission is considering a proposal to restrict the use of LEAD in
electronics and electrical equipment: "Member States shall ensure that
new electrical and electronic equipment put on the market after 1 January 2006
do not contain LEAD...." Major
corporations, particularly those in Japan, are setting phase out dates for
LEAD. Sony has already implemented the use of LEAD-Free solder in most printed wiring board soldering processes, and
has set a target of 2005 year-end to be using LEAD-Free solder in all products. LEAD, when dissolved by acid rain, may pollute groundwater and other parts of the environment. Sony is forging ahead with the reduction and
elimination of PVC, which may release toxic substances when burned, from
products. Sony has already developed and commercialized PVC Free headphone
cords. PVC has also been eliminated from the POP (Point of Purchase)
advertising for electronics products handled by Sony Marketing of Japan. http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/Environment/publication/en_koukoku_0130.html ABANDONED
CABLE - A SAFETY HAZARD This
accumulation of abandoned cable is particularly evident in commercial real
estate due to continual tenant turnover.
Some plenum spaces have begun to look like an explosion of multi-colored
spaghetti. The plenum space in some older multi-tenant buildings have become so
packed with active and abandoned cables that there is no room to install new
without removing old. A tour of the telephone and cable rooms will give you
preview of the volume cable that is installed.
After years
of discussions and proposals, the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)
voted and approved a change into the National Electrical Code - NEC 2002. The
NEC 2008 Code Book requires that abandoned cable be removed for both copper and
fiber. [Note: there are approximately
4,200 different Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) that may adopt all or
part of the NEC 2008] The
abandoned cable is anything but a goldmine.
Unlabeled and undocumented inactive cable is almost impossible to re-use
without a substantial investment in a cable management program. Often the
removal of the inactive cable is the least expensive method to comply with the
NEC code requirements. NEC 2008 - requirement for removal of
abandoned cable The
National Electrical Code (NEC) contains the
pertinent mandatory Codes. These Codes
are rules intended to ensure the safety during installation, use and/or
disposal of materials, components, fixtures, and systems. The Codes ensure minimum construction
quality and ensure safety of life, health and property. The safety provision to
require the removal of abandoned cable was the first major change to cabling
requirements in the National Electrical Code in more than 20 years. In 1978, NFPA
(National Fire Protection Association) made an exception to NFPA 90A - Standard
for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems, which
requires any materials installed in a plenum space to be “non-combustible”. The exception, which allowed
cables tested and rated as CMP to be installed in the return air plenum, was
drafted more than 30 years ago. In the
1970's, no cables were available which could meet the requirements of
non-combustible. www.nfpa.org
The NEC is revised on a three-year cycle. The next revision of the NEC will be in
2011. The NEC code (when recognized and
accepted) is enforced by the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction), which
includes state, local, county and city code authorities. Each AHJ can adopt the NEC
code in whole or partially. Some cities may elect to adopt the entire or partial
current NEC code on a timetable not included in the attached schedule. The
current NEC 2008 requires
that accessible "abandoned" cable be removed for both copper and
fiber. The
accumulation of miles and miles of cabling left in the ceilings and walls of
facilities has become a major concern for life safety. In a
Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) presentation at the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act (RCRA) National Conference (January 16, 2002), TURI
conservatively estimated that there is over 45 billion feet of
plenum cable in place. Cables that are
abandoned in ceilings, riser systems, and air handling systems are a source for
fueling fire, smoke and sublethal toxic fumes that can incapacitate. The buildup of layers upon layers of cabling
has become a major concern to life and safety over the past 10 years. RCRA is the
Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act, which was enacted by Congress in 1976. RCRA's primary
goals are to protect human health and the environment from the potential
hazards of waste disposal, to conserve energy and natural resources, to reduce
the amount of waste generated, and to ensure that wastes are managed in an
environmentally sound manner. In 1984, Congress enacted the Hazardous and Solid
Waste Amendments (HSWA) which significantly expanded the scope and requirements
of RCRA. http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/ca/backgnd.htm#1 www.turi.org The
definition of abandoned cable, as found in paragraphs 800.2 and 770.2 of the NEC 2002 Book,
states "....Installed communications cable that is not terminated at
both ends at a connector or other equipment and not identified "For Future
Use" with a tag." Admittedly,
this definition of abandoned cable in the NEC is somewhat vague. There is a concerted effort in the NFPA to
draft a set of clearer definitions for this portion of the NEC 2002. The definition clarity problem associated
with the NEC 2002 - removal of abandoned cable - does not make the code
invalid. Hopefully, the local
authorities will use good judgment and
discretion in the application and enforcement of this code when accepted by the
AHJ. For copper cable, paragraph 800.52(B) of the NEC Code
states "...The accessible portion of abandoned communications cables
shall not be permitted to remain.." Additionally, paragraph 800.52(1) states that abandoned cables in
vertical runs shall not be permitted to remain. Article
770 states the same requirements for optical fiber risers and horizontal
cables. the incapacitation factor The FEP
insulating materials used in most CMP plenum approved cable are subject to heat
decomposition and the emission of sublethal toxic fumes. Some of the fumes can
incapacitate (by blinding and choking) building occupants. Current and proposed
testing makes no provision to recognize toxicity or emissions that are
essentially colorless (i.e., hydrogen fluoride, which converts to hydrofluoric
acid upon contact with any moisture). http://www.tuberose.com/Teflon.html FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene) [known by the trade names
DuPont® Teflon FEP and Daikin-America® Neoflon FEP] materials are normally stable. But,
when they burn or are heated, the halogens separate and become highly reactive
- forming toxic and highly corrosive gases that can significantly damage
organic, inorganic and metallic materials. Hydrogen fluoride is one of the
gases produced from heat decomposition of FEP. Hydrogen
fluoride vapor causes severe irritation and deep-seated burns of the eye and
eyelids if it comes in contact with the eyes. If the chemical is not removed
immediately, permanent visual defects or blindness may result. Hydrofluoric
acid is a severe irritant to the nose, throat, and lungs. Severe exposure
causes rapid inflammation and congestion of the lungs. Death may occur from
breathing this chemical. http://www.wireville.com/news/Cabling%20Can%20Blind%20You.html
There are
major areas of concern that remain un-addressed in the NEC 2008 (National
Electrical Code). As the building industry is besieged with litigation
revolving around the mold toxicity issue, we asked the question: "Does the
testing process for fire safety measure the TOXICITY of the cables when
overheated or burned?" The answer is shockingly "NO". Most of the
cabling industry participants understand the meaning of terms like: fire, smoke
and fuel load. The testing for the current code measures only flame spread, and
smoke index. The testing does not measure heat decomposition, thermal toxicity,
toxic gases or the incapacitation factor. Many safety
experts feel that the NFPA revision of the scope that defines the safety issues
should include sublethal toxicity and the incapacitation factor. If the testing
does not recognize these other areas, then the full safety factor is not
included. As a simple example: imagine chaining your legs to a large anchor and
dropping to the bottom of the pool. The chain and anchor won't kill you,
drowning will. Communications
infrastructure (cabling & connectors) is focused on two major areas -
performance and safety. Typically, performance is placed in the arena of
standards (EIA/TIA) and safety is related to codes (NFPA/NEC). Most of the
information provided by the manufacturers deals with performance and
interoperability. The information about safety is usually described in
relationship to meeting certain codes. Remarkably,
fire safety performance SUSTAINABILITY is not measured. Who wants a product
that is safe today and useless tomorrow? You should know how long these
products maintain their fire safety performance. This important aspect of
safety is also completely absent from the criteria of the current of the NEC
(2008) and the proposed criteria of the upcoming NEC (2011). Cables that
are listed and approved for use in air spaces (CMP - UL 262 ) should be tested
and monitored to determine if the safety performance falls below the minimum
code threshold. Fire safety equipment such as sprinkler systems and
extinguishers are periodically monitored to assure performance that meets a
code requirement. Fire safety performance is required over time. Currently the
cable fire safety performance is only tested once. During the past
several decades, you may have seen the effect of product “toxicity” on various
industries and the victims. No one can ignore the echoing repercussions from
tobacco, asbestos, and lead. The finger pointing and lawsuits continue to be
prominent in the news. One common area of the litigation over these products
seems to be the failure to warn the buyers/users about the dangers. In the
commercial real estate world, cable removal is a hot topic. Most building
owners can work with existing tenants to comply with the NEC 2008 mandate for
the removal of abandoned cable. The tenants may minimize the downstream costs
associated with cable removal by maintaining proper labeling and keeping good
cable management records. By working with the building owners the new tenant
might accept your cabling infrastructure. The old tenant and the new tenant
will both save money. SAFETY The tragedy
at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, has burned an image into
almost everybody's conscious thoughts.
Safety in the commercial and office building environment is a renewed
priority. Modern
office buildings use open, concealed spaces for return-air plenum as well as
pathways for data and communications cabling. Ceiling cavity plenums
(the space between the
top of the finished ceiling and the underside of the floor or roof above) or raised
floor plenums (the space between the top
of the finished floor and the underside of the raised floor) are spaces used to return environmental air and often contain
large amounts of data and communications cabling, sometimes several
generations. Because of the volume of
airflow in these spaces, they are particularly vulnerable to the spread of
toxic gasses yet are virtually free of
detection systems. Investigation reports have shown that toxic gasses in these
concealed (plenum) spaces can travel rapidly, be very difficult to locate and remove from the
building. We should
select materials that have low smoke generation characteristics, and reduced
toxicity (how harmful the smoke is to human beings). Smoke and toxic fumes from wires and
cables installed in air handling spaces should be minimized. US codes only address two (2) of these
criteria. The NEC (National Electrical
Code) is silent when it comes to toxicity.
If there is
a fire, heating and air conditioning ducts could become conduits for hydrogen
fluoride and other gases, which can cause fatalities. Halogen in the insulation and the jacketing
of CMP cables helps prevent the cables from catching fire, but if the cable
jackets overheat, the fumes may drive up the death toll. important note: Many cable
manufacturers have added RoHS compliant, LEAD-FREE cables to their product
lines. Remember to request: RoHS compliant LEAD-FREE cables. CABLING CATEGORIES CAT 5e LEAD-FREE
Non-Plenum CAT 6 LEAD-FREE
Non-Plenum CAT 5e LEAD-FREE Plenum (CMP) CAT 6 LEAD-FREE-Plenum CAT 5e+ LEAD-FREE
Non-Plenum CAT 6+ LEAD-FREE
Non-Plenum CAT 5e+ LEAD-FREE Plenum (CMP) CAT 6+ LEAD-FREE-Plenum (CMP) BIBLIOGRAPHY The
Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) - Technical report No. 51 -
‘Environmental, Health and Safety Issues in the Coated Wire and Cable Industry’
www.turi.org/PDF/Wire_Cable_TechReport.pdf
The
Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) Environmental
Challenges in the Coated Wire and Cable Industry Meeting Summary, June 2002 http://www.turi.org/business/wire_and_cable/wc_summary_20020606.pdf EPA
Issues Powerful Indictment Of Chemical in Teflon http://www.ewg.org/policymemo/20021113/20030328.php West
Virginia Department of Environmental Protection - News Release on Teflon
Pollutant http://www.dep.state.wv.us/Docs/2931c8.nov.pdf State
DEP Underestimates Health Hazards of Teflon-Related Chemical West
Virginia DEP and related news Releases on Teflon Pollutant Environmental
Working Group (EWG) e-clips http://www.ewg.org/news/eclips.php?reportid=127 “Environmental
Impacts of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Building
Materials’ A briefing paper for the Healthy Building Network by Joe Thornton,
Ph.D. http://healthybuilding.net/pvc/ThorntonPVCSummary.html US Environmental Protection
Agency-Technology Transfer Network Air Toxics
- LEAD COMPOUNDS http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/LEAD.html PVC - A
Primary Contributor to the U.S. Dioxin
Burden Pat
Costner, Charlie Cray, Gail Martin, Bonnie Rice, David Santillo and Ruth
Stringer http://www.mindfully.org/Plastic/PVC-Primary-Contributor-Dioxin.htm The LEAD Education and Abatement Design Group http://www.LEAD.org.au/fs-index.html
Green by Design -
Daniel Williams, AIA http://sustainable.state.fl.us/fdi/edesign/news/9704/grnbydes.htm Comments on the Commissions Green paper on environmental issues of PVC http://www.ecocouncil.dk/engelsk_websted/arkiv/2000/001128_green.html United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- ‘LEAD and Human Health’ http://www.epa.gov/superfund/programs/LEAD/health.htm
The Alliance For A Clean Environment
'PVC The Poison Plastic - There are
SAFER ALTERNATIVES
' http://www.acereport.org/pvc2.html
"What
is Extended Product Responsibility? " By David Haskell Grassroots
Recycling Network Healthy Building Network http://www.healthybuilding.net/pvc/
ASTDR -
Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry -ToxFAQ’s ™ for LEAD http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts13.html
NFPA's
Research Foundation examines how quickly smoke incapacitates
http://www.nfpa.org/PressRoom/NewsReleases/ResearchFoundationStudy/researchfoundationstudy.asp International
Study of the Sublethal Effects of Fire Smoke on Survivability and Health - Phase I final Report
http://fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/fire01/PDF/f01080.pdf Combustion
atmosphere toxicity of materials intended for internal cables - white paper by
Borealis
http://www.borealisgroup.com/public/pdf/customer_centre/0202toxicity_FROCC.pdf
Hydrofluoric
Acid MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) by DuPont
http://msds.dupont.com/msds/pdfs/EN/PEN_09004a2f801b4efc.pdf
Occupational Health Guideline for
Fluorine http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pdfs/0289.pdf http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pdfs/0334.pdf Hydrofluoric Acid MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) by DuPont
http://msds.dupont.com/msds/pdfs/EN/PEN_09004a2f801b4efc.pdf
UL limited
combustible cable testing program revised:
http://www.ul.com/wiretalk/v11n3/testing.html Link to
article on critical cabling safety issues: http://www.wireville.com/news/Cabling%20Can%20Kill%20You.html
ACUTA ACUTA’s April 19-22 Annual Conference Addresses
Technology Successes, Challenges Speakers
representing 28 different colleges and universities will bring their expertise
and insight to this year’s Annual Conference of ACUTA, the Association for
Information Communications Technology Professionals in Higher Education, April
19-22 in Atlanta. In addition
to the many campus professionals sharing their knowledge, successes, and
challenges in educational sessions, the conference will feature an extensive
lineup of industry expert speakers. Topics range from wireless implementations
to unified communications and convergence, green computing and networking to
emergency alert systems, and from project management and leadership to
addressing funding challenges. Keynote
speaker for the event will be Miles O’Brien, former chief technology and
environmental correspondent for CNN. “This
year’s Annual Conference sessions are designed not only to address emerging
technologies and technology strategies, but also to provide expert guidance on
how our members can increase their performance and that of their staffs,” said This is the
38th Annual Conference for ACUTA, the only international association dedicated
to serving the needs of higher education information communications technology
professionals. Representing nearly 2,000 individuals at some 780 institutions,
ACUTA’s core mission is the sharing of technology and management information,
and its Annual Conference is its largest event of the year. The 2009 conference
is the first ACUTA annual gathering held outside the summer months, as the
organization moved the conference earlier in the year in an effort to make it
more convenient for more members to attend. ACUTA’s
Annual Conference runs concurrently with its 13th annual Forum for Strategic
Leadership in Communications Technology, a two-day assembly of senior
attendees, with intensive sessions taught by higher education leaders and
expert consultants. The forum’s focus this year is on the challenges presented
in a time of great financial and technical change and technology’s role in
addressing those challenges. The Annual
Conference also features an exhibit hall with companies showcasing the latest
campus-focused technology products and services. During the event, at the Hyatt
Regency in Atlanta, ACUTA will announce the winners of its annual leadership
and institutional excellence awards. More information about the Annual
Conference and the Strategic Leadership Forum can be found at www.acuta.org. About ACUTA Contacts:
Pat Scott, ACUTA,
Kevin Tanzillo, Dux PR, 903-865-1078 or kevin@duxpr.com BICSI BICSI U.S. South-CentralRegional Meeting was a hit BICSI
U.S. South-Central Regional Meeting (February
26th in Houston, TX) was a real value for the attendees. Networking
plus lunch and learn (CEUs included) was the order of the day. These
regional meetings bring the value of the big conferences at a fraction of the
cost and a big reduction in travel time. We tip our hat to Michael Collins and
the other regional directors for their contributed time and successful efforts. U.S.
South-Central Region Director One
of the educational presentations at this meeting included the inside scoop of a
new technology that will revolutionize how we connect fiber optic cabling. Extending the Lifecycle
of Fiber Optic Cables Power Point Presentation …will be on www.megladonmfg.com Fiber Optic
cable lifecycle is a challenge within fiber optic networks because of the
inherent fragile characteristics of fiber optic cables. Fiber performance is drastically reduced when
there are scratches or contamination present on the fiber, and also over the
course or multiple matings and improper installations. This
presentation outlined these characteristics by focusing on how they are caused,
how they deteriorate performance, and how they can be prevented. Industry
best practices can contribute to extending the lifespan of the fiber optic
cables, but are limited in their ability to actually safeguard fiber cables
from damage. An introduction to
Megladon Mfg. SCRATCHGAURD™ technology shows how existing technology can help strengthen
optical networks through more robust connector technology. By John
Culbert, President – Megladon Mfg. johnc@megladonmfg.com BICSI Region Meetings are the perfect setting for
personalized networking with industry professionals in your local area. Offered
throughout the year, these one-day meetings also provide up to four continuing
education credits (CECs). Click here to
download the Region Meeting Sponsor Application. Breakfast
Clubs – [ Download
Breakfast Club guidelines ]
BICSI Breakfast Clubs fill you in on what's happening in your area and frequently
offer unique technical presentations and vendor exhibits. These informal
meetings are increasingly popular as they offer brief, informative morning
gatherings that provide CECs and allow you time to head to the office and
continue your day. Upcoming
Region Events Southeast
Region Meeting Sunday - April 19, 8:30 AM - 11:45
AM Steal My
Project Management Office Brett
Coryell (Emory University) This
session has everything, and we mean everything, you need to set up a fully functioning
project management office Sunday -
April 19, 8:30 AM - 11:45 AM Wireless
Trends Sunday -
April 19, 1:15 PM - 4:30 PM Financial
Models to Support Converged Technologies Sunday -
April 19, 1:15 PM - 4:30 PM Infrastructure
Needed to Support IPTV Walt
Magnussen (Texas A & M University) a Chris
Norton (- Texas A & M University) This
seminar offers a description of the infrastructure required to support IPTV
(multicast). The instructors recently installed an IPTV head end at the Texas
A&M University ITEC. The plan is that the programming is being evaluated
for Internet2-wide distribution. Monday -
April 20, 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Corporate
Presentation: Replacing Legacy Voicemail Solutions with Unified Communications Monday -
April 20, 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM ROI for
VoIP? Yep, We Struggled Faye
Snowden (University of the Pacific) After
funding to implement VoIP for the Stockton campus was approved and the
deployment completed, an eye was turned to Pacific’s Dugoni School of Dentistry.
Should a currently functioning switch be replaced? Should perfectly working
handsets be replaced? Telecom together with Dugoni began work on the
traditional ROI. See how Pacific moved from the traditional ROI to a cost
comparison which allowed them to understand the costs of staying with the
current system versus moving to VoIP. Monday -
April 20, 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM ACUTA 101 Mary Lou
Emmons (Indiana University) Chair of
ACUTA’s Membership Committee, the presenter will take you through the
conference events and the organization's history and objectives and leave you
with resources that can be useful when you return home. Monday -
April 20, 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Campus
Experiences with Recent Environmental Emergencies Brian
Nichols (Louisiana State University and A & M College) Mark Zuber
(Kirkwood Community College) The
panelists represent campuses that experienced natural disasters over the past
year. They will discuss what was done to deal with the emergencies and lessons
learned along the way. Monday -
April 20, 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM How to
Deploy Identity Management without Busting the Budget Brad
Alexander (- Wellesley College) Higher
education institutions have unique requirements of identity management
solutions and the capabilities of commercial off the shelf software packages
are typically pushed to their limits. The presenters will discuss the
challenges involved and will present some of the key findings and
recommendations culled from working with a number of institutions, including
Wellesley College. Monday -
April 20, 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM Corporate
Presentation: Converged Network Solutions Enhance Campus Communications Monday -
April 20, 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM ACUTA
Organizational Collaborations with Internet2 and ITERA James Gantt
(- Murray State University) As a part
of a strategic initiative, ACUTA has established collaborative relationships
with Internet2 and ITERA. These two organizations represent the higher
education research community and the faculty that teach telecommunications
classes on our campuses. This session will consist of a moderated panel
discussion with members of the two associations as they describe what their
associations do and how ACUTA members can take advantage of these relationships.
Monday -
April 20, 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM DMCA –
Policy and Enforcement on a Campus Environment Brian
Nichols (Louisiana State University and A & M College). Terry Doub
(- Louisiana State University and A & M College) The RIAA is
cracking down on college campuses more today than ever before. Additionally,
new peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing mandates outlined in the reauthorized
Higher Education Act (HEA) are making it harder for universities to remove
themselves from the line of fire. In this session, you’ll learn what the issues
are surrounding illegal file-sharing and the new legislation affecting DMCA
policy. Monday -
April 20, 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM Campus
Cabling and Termination Solutions Monday -
April 20, 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM The Road to
Unified Communications at UCLA Janice
Bundy (UCLA) Bundy will
discuss UCLA’s RFP and award process, their implementation plan, and their
communications strategy to transition 17,000 MSM voice mail subscribers to the
AVST system. Monday -
April 20, 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM Corporate
Presentation: Dual-Band Mobile and Hosted Services Monday -
April 20, 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM Bringing
Effective Operational Leadership to IT Carol Gray
(University of Southern California) The
presenter will teach attendees to become better leaders and communicators with
emphasis on improving their overall leadership abilities. Monday -
April 20, 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM Designing
and Deploying 802.11n Wireless on a College Campus Sandra E
Roberts (Wellesley College) Most
schools have now deployed 802.11a/b/g wireless technology in some manner on
campus; Wellesley College has taken the plunge into a campus-wide design and
deployment of an 802.11n network Monday -
April 20, 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM Siemens
User Group User Group
Leader: John Stier, Stony Brook University, john.stier@stonybrook.edu Monday -
April 20, 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM Users'
Perspectives on Unified Communications Mark
Reynolds (University of New Mexico. Serge
Razafindrakoto (Louisiana State Univ and A & M College). Carolyn
Trail ( Roanoke College) Representatives
of three universities will discuss their experiences with unified
communications. Why are they doing it? Pros and cons? ROI? What is UC bringing
to the table? How will they market it? Will it improve productivity? Monday -
April 20, 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM Aastra User
Group User Group
Leader: Diane McNamara, Union College, mcnamard@union.edu Monday -
April 20, 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM NEC User
Group User Group
Leader: Hardy Kail, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio,
kail@uthscsa.edu Tuesday -
April 21, 8:00 AM - 9:15 AM Where is
Telecom in the Convergence Sea Change? Bill
Clebsch (Stanford University) Tony
Mordosky (- Rowan University) This lively
discussion about the big ideas in information communications technologies will
make you think. The panelists will banter about their views on convergence,
telecommunications, and other technologies that are transforming higher
education. Tuesday -
April 21, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Corporate
Presentation: Are You Totally Prepared? Tuesday -
April 21, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Illinois
Network Upgrade Project Beth Scheid
(University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) Paul Lucas
(- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) It took
five years to secure campus funding to upgrade legacy Cat 3 buildings to a Cat
6 infrastructure, with a 100 Mbps connection to each desktop and a 1 Gbps
connection to each building. The presenters will discuss how they prioritized
their work, partnered with other campus units, contained costs, and dealt with
pressures to increase the scope of the work as technologies evolved. Tuesday -
April 21, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Pinnacle
User Group User Group
Leader: Mark Herro, Texas A&M University, mherro@tamu.edu Tuesday -
April 21, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Polycom
User Group User Group
Leader: Donna White, Georgetown University, whitedb@georgetown.edu Tuesday -
April 21, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM AVST User
Group User Group
Leader: Scott Claverie, California State University, Chico,
sclaverie@csuchico.edu Tuesday -
April 21, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM How to Go
Green Bill
Clebsch ( Stanford University) Joyce
Dickerson (Stanford University) This
session will focus on sustainability and green computing in higher education,
using Stanford’s efforts as an example of what is possible. The presenters will
provide an overview of the topic, focusing on how sustainability needs to be an
integral part of IT engagement and planning for campus initiatives, from new buildings
to new system implementation to broader initiatives driving towards an
environmentally sustainable world. Tuesday -
April 21, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Design and
Deployment of a Campus-Wide VoIP System Kevin
Sebolt (Franciscan University of Steubenville) In 2005,
Franciscan University made a strategic decision to embrace the convergence of
voice and data on a single network with results that continue to pay dividends.
By August 2006, the University had successfully deployed 1,800 VoIP stations
(for administration AND students) Tuesday -
April 21, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Financial
Models: Different Approaches to the Same Result Angel
Wingate (Duke University) David Mixon
(Sr. Business Manager – Duke University) Brett
Coryell (Deputy CIO – Emory University) Susan
Crochet (IT Human & Financial Resources Officer- Louisiana State
University) Michael
Palladino (- University of Pennsylvania) The
panelists will focus on their IT funding models, how they determine the costs
that need to be recovered and the amounts to be charged, how their budgets are
structured, and their visions for the future of IT funding over the next 3-5
years. The audience will have an opportunity to participate in the discussion. Tuesday -
April 21, 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM Corporate
Presentation: Delivering Next-Generation Telephony Applications Tuesday -
April 21, 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM Slippery
Rock Intros RFID Payment System for Mobiles Henry
Magusiak (Systems Engineer, IT – Slippery Rock University) Beverly Lumley
(Slippery Rock University) Contactless
technology came to the students at Slippery Rock University with the
replacement of its ID cards with cards based on an RFID system that includes a
13.56MHz contactless token to affix to a cell phone, PDA or other portable
device. The complementary tag can be used to pay at vending and laundry
machines; check out library books; buy meals; receive financial aid, tuition
reimbursements, or refunds; or make contributions to the university. Tuesday -
April 21, 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM Where Have
All the Women Gone? Were They Ever Here? Marilyn
Drury (- University of Northern Iowa) Attracting
and retaining women in higher education IT and providing them with
opportunities to move into leadership roles provides individuals and
organizations with an expanded pool of talent and skills along with new
perspectives. This session will share recent research findings from women
leading higher education IT organizations. This session will provide fresh
ideas as to how your organization or institution might attract and retain women
in IT positions. Tuesday -
April 21, 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM Going Green: Mobile University Tuesday -
April 21, 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM IT Funding
from the CIO Perspective Carolyn
Lightfoot (Lee College); As Interim Dean of Administrative Services Lightfoot
oversees an annual budget of more than $5M for the operation of Administrative
Services. As John K.
Mullin (Georgia Institute of Technology) William
Gruszka (CIO - Southern Polytechnic State University) . Ric Simmons
(Louisiana State Univ and A & M College) This
session will focus on the current structure of each school’s IT budget and how
is it funded; their proposals for funding over the next 2 years; their
expectations of success; and their visions for the future of IT funding over
the next 3-5 years and beyond. The audience will have an opportunity to
participate in the discussion. Tuesday -
April 21, 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM Corporate
Presentation: UC Migration Done Right- Avoid the Pain Tuesday -
April 21, 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM Legislative
and Regulatory Issues Overview Tuesday -
April 21, 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM Cisco User
Group User Group
Leader: Wendell Barbour, Longwood University, barbourwa@longwood.edu Tuesday -
April 21, 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM Looking
Back on Massive Wiring Upgrades Tuesday -
April 21, 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM Connecting
Your Campus Wirelessly Kevin
Roberts (CIO – Abilene Christian University) Kayvon
Beykpour, Aaron Wasserman, Ben Cunningham, and Pablo Jablonski (Team Stanford
University) Mobility
solutions are becoming more prevalent in higher education, both in and out of
the classroom. They will discuss their unique needs, factors they considered,
challenges they overcame, opportunities the solutions provided, and the growth
potential. They will also discuss how the solutions have enhanced the
educational process and the student life experience. Tuesday -
April 21, 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM T-Metrics
User Group User Group
Leader: Dave Wirth, Princeton University, dwirth@princeton.edu Tuesday -
April 21, 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM Verizon
Business User Group User Group
Leader: Deb Duncan, Texas A & M University, djduncan@tamu.edu Wednesday -
April 22, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM FERPA Reta
Pikowsky (Georgia Institute of Technology. We’ve all
heard of FERPA. But do you really know what it is? The presenter will discuss
FERPA and some things IT professionals need to know when considering how we
transport information on and off the campus. Wednesday -
April 22, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Navigating through the 'TDM to VoIP' PBX
Minefield Wednesday -
April 22, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Corporate
Presentation: Network Security Myths and Secrets Wednesday -
April 22, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Marist
College Implements Clean Access Christine
Mulvey (Marist College) Eric Kenny (Marist College) Implementing
a new Network Access Control system can be a long process fraught with
challenges. Marist College had a set of requirements that no single vendor
supported completely. With a little ingenuity and touch of home-grown code,
they implemented Cisco's Clean Access campus-wide. The presenter will outline
their requirements, vendor selection, limitations they overcame, notification
methods, manpower needs, and deployment of a full-blown NAC. Wednesday -
April 22, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Project
Management: Can you Walk the Walk? Melanie
Leggett (Texas A & M University) Walt Magnussen (Director for
Telecommunications – Texas A & M University) Project
management is not practiced as often as it could or should be. While there is a
cost in implementing a good project management plan, the cost of not doing so
is projects that are not delivered on time and under budget. The presenters
will review the PMP certification process and will demonstrate how project
management has enhanced efficiency and timely completion of projects, not to
mention the increased camaraderie at their institution. Wednesday -
April 22, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Corporate
Presentation: Productivity Powered by the Human Voice Elwyn Hull
(University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center) Wednesday -
April 22, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Implementing a Mobile UC Solution Wednesday -
April 22, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Geekwork
and Bean Counters Jerry W.
Smith (Director, Office of Information Services - Pittsburg State University) This
session will consider how the mindset and approach to work differs between
technical and administrative staff Wednesday -
April 22, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Leveraging Existing Copper Networks to Meet
Campus Safety Requirements Wednesday -
April 22, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Cyber Threats & Identity Theft Terence B.
Fisher (Supervisory Special Agent of the Atlanta, Georgia Cyber Squad – FBI) Wednesday -
April 22, 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM Corporate Presentation: 3G Wireless Solutions Wednesday -
April 22, 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM Managing
your Institution's Wireless Bubbles Andy Hulsey
(Director Telecommunications - University of Central Florida) Institutions
could benefit by considering radio communications spectrum management that
includes WiFi and beyond. Licensed radio frequencies are a precious commodity
and need management. Wednesday -
April 22, 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM How Shared PC Computing can Change Teaching Wednesday -
April 22, 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM Limitations
of Third-Party EAS over Cellular Text Messaging Patrick
Traynor (Assistant Professor in the School of Computer Science - Georgia
Institute of Technology Emergency
alert systems - This talk will focus on the limitations of
cellular networks as the basis of emergency information disseminators. Wednesday -
April 22, 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM Gaining Buy-In and Support for Technology
Initiatives Wednesday -
April 22, 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM Re-FRESH
Your Perspective, Re-charge Your Batteries and Re-plenish Your Spirit Kirk
Weisler (Chief Morale Officer) Recognized internationally for his demystifying
approach to building effective teams and creating great culture with what he
calls “Culture Building," Kirk travels around the world speaking with IT
and support professionals on things they can do without permission, and without
a budget to grow themselves, their people, and create an outrageously cool
cultures in the process. Kirk began his personal cultural revolution and
leadership training programs in the low morale, low pay, high turnover world of
outsourced call centers Now he shares his evangelical message around the
world…encouraging, inspiring and inviting them to create the culture they want,
to take ownership of their environment and to stop having “a job” and start
having a life! Chief
Morale Officer Kirk Weisler will inspire you to wrap up the FRESH IDEAS you
gained at the Conference and return to work invigorated. Whether you
are a strategic visionary, a technology guru, a problem solver, or a worker
bee, you should take time to replenish yourself to keep your leadership spirit
fresh and your perspective positive. At this closing session, Kirk will show
you how to: Abilene
Christian University) Duke
University) Emory
University) Franciscan
University of Steubenville) Georgia
Institute of Technology Indiana
University) Kirkwood
Community College) Lee College
Louisiana
State University and A & M College) Marist
College) Murray
State University) Pittsburg
State University) Roanoke
College) Rowan
University) Slippery
Rock University) Southern
Polytechnic State University) . Stanford
University) Texas A
& M University UCLA) University
of Central Florida) University
of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) University
of New Mexico. University
of Northern Iowa) University
of Pennsylvania) University
of Southern California) University
of Texas Southwestern Medical Center) University
of the Pacific) Wellesley
College) CABA CABA New Research Papers are now online and searchable Networking
science is the foundation of the 21st century. If you were
arrested for being informed and knowledgeable, would there be enough evidence
to convict you? CABA - the Continental Automated Buildings
Association has New "Research Papers" that are now online and
searchable. Join today. www.caba.org CABA continues to provide timely research and information on integrated systems
and home/building automation. We are pleased to announce that one
hundred and fifty four (154) research papers were added in
2008! Below are some of the latest research papers that have recently
been placed in the CABA Research Library at: http://www.caba.org/Content/Documents/Document.ashx?DocId=32711.
Only CABA members have access to the full CABA Research
Library! Individual contacts within CABA members will now have their
own username (their personal email address) and password. Therefore, if
any contact would like to be added to your account, they need to email either
Rawlson O'Neil King (king@caba.org)
or Susan Martin (martin@caba.org)
with their full contact information and we will gladly set them up. The
registration won't be instantaneous, but should be completed within one or
two business days. Logging into the system will allow CABA
members to access private member sections and will also
provide registered users with the opportunity to access new,
integrated online discussion forums. If you ever forget your password,
enter your email address in the top right hand section of the
CABA web site (http://www.caba.org) and
select "Forgot password" and an email will be sent on how to
change it.
CABA SmartBrief
This online news publication from the Continental Automated Buildings
Association delivers leading news and research about integrated
systems and automated homes/buildings industry information to your
inbox each day. If you haven't already, you can view a recent issue
and sign up at: http://www.smartbrief.com/caba.
It only takes a minute to subscribe and it's free. You may also want to circulate it to others
in your organization or your customers. CABA members are encouraged to send
there breaking news stories and video clips so they can be added to the
SmartBrief. CABA Research Library: (IS-2009-24) UPnP
Technology - The Simple, Seamless Home Network This brochure from
the UPnP Implementers Corporation is a promotional piece for UPnP. It
provides an overview of the UPnP Forum and the UPnP Implementers Corporation,
and announces that UPnP has been approved as an ISO/IEC standard. A very
brief overview of the UPnP networking and control method is included. This summary from
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory describes AutoDR. AutoDR is a demand
response system for buildings that delivers data about a supply event requiring
energy reduction. Energy management systems in building query a utility
server for event notices. They then manage local energy consuming
equipment, such as air-conditioning equipment and lighting in response.
The objective is to shed load so the utility can tailor the demand to the
available supply of electricity. http://www.caba.org/Content/Documents/Document.ashx?DocId=36373 http://www.caba.org/Content/Documents/Document.ashx?DocId=36374 This guide from the ZigBee Alliance is a
promotional magazine for ZigBee. It includes ads from ZigBee suppliers
and summaries of market potential for ZigBee products. Applications of
ZigBee for energy conservation and energy management are described. (IS-2009-01) 10 Best Practices for Online
Merchandising http://www.caba.org/Content/Documents/Document.ashx?DocId=32704 NECA What’s next? The NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association) Annual Conference & Exhibition Mark your calendars for NECA’s
Annual Conference & Exhibition. NECA Convention and Trade Show - Sep
13, 2009 - Sep 15, 2009 in Seattle, WA. This event rivals BICSI and has a host
of different buyers with very substantial budgets. The Electrical Contractor is
definitely in the IBS business. -66% of
electrical contractors did work in Communications/Systems Connectivity, and
almost 6 in 10 worked in CII Automation & Controls in 2007. -57% do
Structured Wiring / Cabling work -46% of
the electrical contractor’s revenue now comes from their involvement in Design/
Build projects. Industry Experts will discuss the
latest solutions for the Integrated Building Systems including: Power –
Communications – Control -Security - Life Safety systems plus wireless backbone
infrastructure. Change is happening in their world. www.necanet.org
"NECA provides
solutions and educational assistance for nearly all the issues that Electrical
Contractors face. Foundation research and NECA's educational programs at
the convention and show are addressing our existing problems and working diligently
on paving the way for future growth in our industry.” ”Milspec
Industries exhibits at 20+ shows a year and we find that NECA does a fantastic
job of reaching all segments of the electrical industry.” Plan to attend the 2009 NECA
Convention and NECA Show in the Emerald City on September 12–15, 2009.
Bring your key staff with you. Budget to bring your key people and educate your
staff in today’s electrical industry. NECA promises to give you the educational
tools that you need to effectively compete in this work environment. September 12-15, 2009 - Washington
State Convention & Trade Center - Seattle We fight poverty the old fashioned way. We work hard and deliver the
products and services that you need. TPMA Telecommunications Project Management Association – News March 2009 Change
is coming! Surviving in tight financial times requires a willingness to change.
TPMA has a new Website, newsletter format, new classes and new class options.
We are adding new internet classes and new ways to share information. All of
our programs are being updated to conform with the new (December 2008) PMBOK
4th. edition which has been recognized by ANSI as the standard for Project
Management. We will soon offer test preparation programs focused on the Project
Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management
Institute (PMI). Customers demand professional project managers who can bring their jobs
in; on time, meeting budget and exceeding stakeholder expectation. They have no
margin for error. Your Project Management team should develop a “typical project” binder. It should include:
Your Sales Team should understand the plan, and be selling it as a value
added to current and potential customers. You should be selling the plans to your upper management (the value
added you bring)! Remember: Perception is reality! Upcoming Telecommunications Project Manager (TPM) Classes
For more information visit our Website at www.telpm.org |