Unified networking key for building transformation
Digital transformation is fueled by the evolution of the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence that creates a platform for any and every business to leverage data in a way that allows them to make faster, strategic decisions while increasing efficiency, reducing errors and improving the overall customer and employee experience.
With more devices and sensors than ever connected to IP-based networks and communicating via common protocols, systems and applications of all types can share and analyse information to drive strategic reasoning and response at both the human and machine level, enabling businesses to achieve real digital transformation.
Too many network infrastructures are underutilised, and the industry as a whole need to realise the potential of converging and powering multiple low-voltage devices and systems on a single unified structured cabling system that supports common communication protocols and enables sharing information from one system to another.
Those that continue to deploy disparate platforms are preventing themselves from transforming both their buildings and their business. Only those that embrace data-driven reasoning and response across a range of machines, applications and systems are truly prepared for a successful digital and business transformation.
A dream transformation project is one that starts early in the planning stages and where all stakeholders—from the business and building owner, and the system integrators and vendors, to those designing and deploying the systems—are of the same mindset. The mindset is that the building must be designed in a way that supports the convergence and integration of building systems while delivering the performance and bandwidth to support emerging and future IoT and AI technologies that will ultimately enable true digital transformation.
A key part of this mindset involves the unanimous belief that investing in the right underlying network infrastructure is an absolute.
Twisted-pair copper cabling systems create the foundation for connecting and enabling communication to and from all types of low-voltage devices and sensors. Most of these devices are now powered using DC power also transmitted over copper cabling via power over Ethernet PoE technology, eliminating the need for expensive, laborious AC power connections. At the same time, bandwidth needs continue to grow, and applications like audio-visual over IP and the latest Wi-Fi 6 require 10 Gigabit per second speeds.
As the sheer amount of information being generated continues to grow, an underlying fibre infrastructure that is both dynamic and scalable is required to transmit, store and process all of this Big Data. The increasing number of fibre links within data centres are under immense pressure to handle extreme data volumes.
Key takeaways
- Too many network infrastructures are underutilised, and the industry needs to realise potential of converging low-voltage systems.
- A key part of the mindset involves the belief that investing in the right underlying network infrastructure is an absolute.
- A dream transformation project is one that starts early in the planning stages and where all stakeholders are of the same mindset.
- The mindset is that the building must be designed in a way that supports convergence and integration of building systems.
- The increasing number of fibre links within data centres are under pressure to handle extreme data volumes.
Migrating to a unified networking platform is essential to build transformative building integration solutions explains Valerie Maguire, at Siemon.
