Higbie forecasts for the future of data centres at DatacenterExpo in Düsseldorf

Infrastructure thought leader and data centre expert, Carrie Higbie of Siemon, is due to speak on the topic of the changing face of the data centre in light of new technologies at the forthcoming DatacenterExpo event in Düsseldorf on 17 September 2010. Her talk will focus on the impact of cloud computing, virtualisation, consolidation and higher bandwidth demand technologies on the data centre environment.

Explaining her topic, Carrie said, “Data centres are evolving due to new technologies. But how can you ensure your datacentre remains manageable? Careful planning is one answer: On 17 September in Düsseldorf I will explain cause and effect decisions throughout the data centre ecosystem. Layout and configurations will be included plus considerations for colo or hosted environments, solutions for colo providers and power and cooling – with a particular eye towards greening operations.”

DatacenterExpo will take place at the Düsseldorf Congress Centre on 16 to 17 September in Düsseldorf. Carrie Higbie speaks on the second day at 12:40pm.

The event is designed for the data centre and IT management community. It encompasses not only the conference programme, but also an exhibition which will showcase the industry’s newest technology and services.

According to the organisers, the event provides an excellent opportunity to talk to experts and listen to thought leaders from around the world.  They claim that the resources, knowledge and examples on offer can be immediately applied to help maximise performance, minimise cost and improve efficiency and scalability. 

Carrie Higbie MBA MSBA, is global director of data centre solutions and services for fibre and copper infrastructure specialist Siemon.  She has been involved in the computing and networking industries for over 25 years and participates with the IEEE, TIA, COMMON, ASHRAE, USGBC, WGBC, ISO, the Uptime Institute and various consortiums for standards acceptance. Carrie is Siemon’s liaison into the company’s participation into the Cisco Developer Program, APC’s BladeReady ™ Program and works with other electronics manufacturers and system integration companies.

Carrie has an extensive background in all aspects of networking and application development as a consultant, project manager, and Fortune 500 executive.  Carrie has taught at a collegiate level and she is now a popular speaker at industry events.   She has authored an impressive body of technical articles and whitepapers and her work is published around the world. 

About Siemon

Established in 1903, Siemon™ is an industry leader specialising in the manufacture and innovation of high quality, high-performance network cabling solutions. With global offices and partners throughout the world, Siemon offers the most comprehensive suite of copper (unshielded and shielded twisted-pair) and fibre cabling systems available and is one of only three network cabling infrastructure companies worldwide with true global partnership capabilities. With over 400 patents specific to structured cabling, Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and development of industry standards, underlining the company’s long-term commitment to its customers and the industry.

www.siemon.com/uk

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Brand-Rex Appoints Global Sales and Marketing Director

The Board of Directors of Brand Rex, the leading cable and data solutions company, has announced the appointment of Martin Gossling as Global Sales and Marketing Director (Communications Business). A business leader with a wealth of international experience and distinguished track record, Martin will be responsible for providing strategic direction and dynamic leadership to a global sales team, as Brand-Rex looks to drive its business forward.

“I am delighted to appoint Martin Gossling as Global Sales and Marketing Director (Communications Business) with immediate effect,” says Brand-Rex CEO, Paul Lines. “He brings with him a wealth of sales and marketing knowledge and considerable international experience.”

Having held senior management positions at world-class corporate and privately-funded organisations including Regeneris, Motorola, and Heraeus Silica & Metals Ltd., Martin has led at the forefront of technology and electronics innovation for more than 25 years. He has a First Class Honours Degree in Design & Technology from Loughborough University, and extensive experience at all stages of the product lifecycle – from design and components, through to commercial hardware and software products, after-sales service and support. Moreover, he has experience in contract law and contract development for business deals worth over US$500 million, and also won numerous awards for business development, sales, and team leadership – including Motorola’s ‘Teaming for Excellence Award’ and EMEA salesperson of the year – even managing the team that scooped a BAFTA in the ‘interactive music’ category for mobile music creation during his time as VP Global Sales at Tao Group.

“Brand-Rex is a great British company that has established a world-class portfolio of communications cabling products and solutions, backed by a proud history of innovation and project delivery on the global stage,” states Martin Gossling. “It has a very strong customer base and respected brand, and competes with the major corporations in today’s very challenging economic conditions. We will be even smarter, more dynamic and visible in winning new business, and I aim to build on our history of success, and reputation as a supplier of excellence to cement Brand-Rex’ position as a Tier-1 provider of both datacommunication and telecommunication solutions worldwide.”

The appointment of Martin Gossling, complements the selection of Alistair Black as Operations Director earlier this year, and reflects Brand-Rex’ determination to drive forward business growth. Ian Wilkie, formerly Business & Marketing Director, will take up the appointment of Supply Chain Director.

Brand-Rex has won a number of major international contracts this year, and was also recently confirmed as the UK leader in structured cabling for the second year running, by independent research firm BSRIA. This accolade was achieved following sales of over 1.1 million data outlets in 2009, which gave Brand-Rex an 18 percent share of the UK market – 3 percent higher than that of its closest rival.

ABOUT BRAND-REX

Brand-Rex Ltd is a global operation, designing, developing and manufacturing the most sophisticated, high performance copper and fibre cabling systems for communications and extreme environment applications. Headquartered in Scotland, the company is committed to being a trusted market leading provider of best-in-class communication infrastructure solutions that are truly ‘future proof’. For more information visit www.brand-rex.com

BRX0320

Brand-Rex signs as Silver Sponsor for Europe’s DataCentre Expo

Global cabling specialist Brand-Rex has confirmed as Silver Sponsor to DataCentre Expo, Europe’s largest single event for the data centre industry. Being held September 16-17 2010 in Düsseldorf, Germany, and organised by IM2 Events, DataCentre Expo will gather thousands of data centre professionals in one place for Europe’s premier annual expo and conference.

With the resurgence in data centre build-outs gathering pace, Brand-Rex will be demonstrating its latest advances in High Density Copper and Fibre Cabling Systems, which deliver superior bandwidth performance in horizontal wiring, data centres and storage area networks (SANs). Brand-Rex innovations on display at DataCentre Expo will include the 10GPlus Zone Cable, a 3P-approved solution that is 50 per cent smaller and 30 per cent lighter than conventional cables, and the company’s unique cable management systems, designed for use in high-density environments.

“Being Silver Sponsor at DataCentre Expo provides us with the perfect platform to demonstrate first-hand our expertise in meeting the connectivity challenges faced today by professionals tasked with operating or planning data centres or server rooms,” said Ken Hodge, Chief Engineer at Brand-Rex. “The reality of centralised server technology and high-speed computing power is a vast increase in cooling requirements, energy consumption, and cabling volumes. This calls for a fresh approach to cable design and management, and makes choice of cabling critical when specifying new data centre equipment.”

Brand-Rex 10GPlus Zone cable has been developed specifically for use in the most challenging data centre environments and provides clear advantages to installers and operators. Fully backwards compatible with all Cat6 (Class E) and Cat5e (Class D) products, 10GPlus Zone cable is a ClassEA performance product with an outside diameter of 5.4mm, making it the smallest and lightest cable on the market with such a high specification. By saving space in pathways and reducing the loads in cabling trays and racks, 10GPlus Zone cable improves airflow throughout the data centre, and also combines an industry-leading level of transmission with exceptional screening technology to eliminate alien crosstalk problems. This ensures optimal protection against any forms of electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Brand-Rex will also be showcasing its unique cable management systems, which transform cabinet installation layouts and greatly reduce the amount of floor space required in data centres and server rooms. The fibre system comprises frame, HDFC cabinet, cable/patch cord management and fibre cassettes, and accommodates up to 1,824 fibre ports in standard configuration. The cabinet also supports up to 912 Duplex LC connector ports when used in conjunction with the Brand-Rex fibre management panel and dual ½ U fibre cassettes. The latter are compatible with 17” and 19? frames, support LC or SC adaptors, and feature a unique and patent-pending mechanism allowing cassettes to pivot, slide and hinge within the HDFC cabinet, enabling technicians to dress and work on spliced fibres without removing the cassette, and without compromising live lines on adjacent cassettes.

Meanwhile, the Brand-Rex High Density Copper Cabling System offers exceptional storage density, with a capacity of up to 1,728 patch ports in a 900mm x 1000mm footprint. The cabinet is half the normal depth of traditional products, allowing it to be installed back-to-back, effectively doubling patching density, or alternatively saving on valuable floor space. Combined with the Brand-Rex tool-free jack and the V12 angled panel, the system eliminates the need for horizontal cable management, resulting in additional space to logically manage high volumes of patch cords.

“As an industry-leading provider of high-speed and high-density solutions, Brand-Rex has created connectivity systems that clearly benefit both the end user/operator and the installer/maintainer,” Ken continued. “Our miniaturised cabling solutions have been developed specifically for use in data centres and feature smaller diameters, improved flexibility and lower weight, not only reducing the space required in pathways for direct savings in energy costs, but also making them ideal for use in high-density cross-connects and other areas of cable congestion – as found in the SANs. At the same time, our High Density Cabling systems deliver an open construction for effortless cross patching, easy installation and maintenance, and simple, clear and repeatable access.” 

Ken will also be speaking at the DataCentre Expo event. A Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering Technology, Ken has been involved in the industry since 1982, researching, designing and developing optical fibre and high frequency cabling for LAN and Telecom networking. He is actively involved in BSI, IEC and CENELEC activities in International Standardisation in the cabling sector.

ABOUT BRAND-REX

Brand-Rex Ltd is a global operation, designing, developing and manufacturing the most sophisticated, high performance copper and fibre cabling systems for communications and extreme environment applications. Headquartered in Scotland, the company is committed to being a trusted market leading provider of best-in-class communication infrastructure solutions that are truly ‘future proof’. For more information visit www.brand-rex.com

BRX0314

Brand-Rex High Speed Infrastructure Underpins TelecityGroup’s State-of-the-art Data Centre in Paris

Robust, 10Gb copper and fibre infrastructure from Brand-Rex chosen for innovative, energy efficient Condorcet data centre

Brand-Rex today announced that it was the chosen supplier for the high speed copper and fibre infrastructure underpinning TelecityGroup’s new Paris data centre, Condorcet.  Designed and built to be one of Europe’s most technically advanced and energy efficient data centres in Europe, Condorcet uses innovative design throughout to maximise energy efficiency.

“Condorcet is a prestigious and forward looking project that will lead the way for data centres in the future,” says Paul Lines, CEO, Brand-Rex. “We are delighted to be chosen for our ability to contribute to the technical merits of the building and demonstrate our commitment to quality, reliability and competitiveness as well as the stringent environmental standards set by Telecity Group.”

The innovative design of Condorcet includes a Climate Change Arboretum that will be used by the French National Institute for Agricultural Research to investigate which species from around the world will be most adaptable to the predicted climate in 50 years time. The giant greenhouse is heated using the waste energy from the data centre. Energy efficiency has been designed into every part of the building including a white roof to mitigate solar gain and free cooling to reduce energy consumption. These innovations will provide a significant reduction in power consumption compared to a traditional data centre, equivalent to an annual reduction of 28 million kWh, or 2,500 tonnes of CO₂ each year. The Condorcet data centre has already been awarded ‘Best European Colocation Facility’ at the 2010 Data Centre Europe Awards in recognition for its innovation both in terms of design and operational quality, and as one of the most technically advanced and energy efficient data centres in Europe.

With 10Gb Ethernet mandatory throughout the data centre Nicolas Buono, Director of Operations, TelecityGroup France, underlines that Brand-Rex was chosen as the preferred supplier for the high performance and excellence of its products and its ability to offer both fibre and copper systems. “Brand-Rex also differentiated itself from the competition by designing a product for us that directly addressed the special connectivity needs of the Condorcet data centre in terms of rack size and weight,” says Nicolas Buono.. “Brand-Rex products are well designed, highly reliable and are straightforward to install which makes life on site easier.”

Brand-Rex low smoke, low halogen 10Gb Zone Copper cabling with its reduced diameter of only 5.4mm was another winning factor in the technical proposal. The reduced size and weight of the Brand-Rex cabling allowed TelecityGroup to fit more cables in each of the cabling trays. The infrastructure design of Condorcet uses horizontal cable runs from comms rooms situated above customer racks. Keeping floor spaces clear of cables significantly improves air flow to racks and offers additional security as the cabling links between customer’s racks and the Telecity racks cannot be touched.

The Brand-Rex V12 angled panel has been used throughout for its ability to route cables easily without the need for additional horizontal cable management. The tool-free RJ45 jack also made installation faster and simpler.

“Condorcet is a showcase data centre site that leads the way in energy and performance efficiency and we are delighted that a Brand-Rex infrastructure was chosen for its performance, flexibility and reliability,” says Lines. “Our integrated fibre and copper infrastructure has contributed to Condorcet’s ability to demonstrate the best environmental practice in Europe.”

ABOUT BRAND-REX

Brand-Rex Ltd is a global operation, designing, developing and manufacturing the most sophisticated, high performance copper and fibre cabling systems for communications and extreme environment applications. Headquartered in Scotland, the company is committed to being a trusted market leading provider of best-in-class communication infrastructure solutions that are truly ‘future proof’. For more information visit www.brand-rex.com

BRX0267

Aquantia sets new bar for 10GBASE-T with the industry’s highest performance 40nm PHY

Aquantia, the leading developer of mainstream 10GBASE-T PHY solutions, announced today that it has achieved a performance breakthrough with its 40nm generation product platform, demonstrating 120 metre reach on a category 6A cabling system in a data centre environment.  The company’s full portfolio of the industry’s highest performing PHY chips includes quad, dual and single-port configurations.

Robust cable reach, with margin above the standard 100 metre mark is important for accelerated adoption of 10GBASE-T technology.  Whilst others have set the 100 metre reach as their goal, Aquantia’s solutions have established a new bar in performance.  Additional margin enhances the end user experience and mainstreams the design for system OEMs.  End users benefit from the additional margin, as it allows for variability in connectors, cable bends, etc.  It also helps system OEMs to simplify their design and lowers their cost by allowing for generic magnetic, fewer PCB layers and overall enhanced reliability.

Aquantia partnered with Siemon to test its flagship 40nm 10GBASE-T PHYs across the wide range of copper cables typically deployed in enterprise and data centres.  The tests were performed on cable configurations extending beyond the IEEE 802.3an standard of 55m on category 6 and 100m on category 6A and 7, pushing the envelope to the maximum insertion loss defined by TIA standards.  The tests demonstrated the Aquantia 40nm 10GBASE-T PHY running error-free performance over a 120 metre Siemon Z-MAX® category 6A channel; the maximum distance achieved so far in the industry for 10 Gigabit Ethernet on copper.

“For Aquantia to extend the transmission distance of high performance category 6A cabling to 120 metres is the ultimate evidence of the robustness and superiority of its 10GBASE-T architecture and its successful implementation in 40nm,” says John Siemon, chief technology officer at Siemon.  “This is a further confirmation of the maturity of the 10GBASE-T industry and the lead taken by Aquantia as an outperforming silicon supplier.  We are excited about working with Aquantia.  Instead of shortening the distance over copper cabling in the data centre and falling short of industry standard requirements, we are extending it, while offering end users greater design flexibility,” says Siemon.

Aquantia’s 40nm devices build upon its disruptive, patent protected, Mixed-Mode Signal Processing architecture, which has the characteristics of both simplifying the Analog Front End (AFE) and reducing the size and complexity of the digital section of the chip by performing advanced signal processing in analog.  The net result is lower power consumption and lower cost, compared to competitive approaches.  Ramin Shirani, Aquantia vice president of engineering, said “The superior linearity of our AFE along with our MMSP architecture are the cornerstones of our product offering and the reasons for this latest achievement.  We are already working to break our own record as we have done in previous generations.”

Aquantia is currently sampling its full portfolio of 40nm 10GBASE-T PHYs, ranging from quad to single port configurations:

• AQ 1401 quad-port 10GBASE-T, for high density top of rack (ToR) and chassis-based switches
• AQ 1202: dual-port 10GBASE-T, for emerging LAN-on-motherboard server applications and stand-up NICs, CNAs and HBAs
• AQ 1103: single-port 10GBASE-T for single-port high end PC applications and X2 modules

Aquantia CEO and president, Faraj Aalaei states, “We are seeing great market momentum for 10GBASE-T with switch and server OEMs, following our recent achievements in the 40nm generation. A strong track record in innovation, expertise and a constant search for the highest performance are the drivers behind this success.”

Go to www.aquantia.com/news_videos.php for footage of recent Interop discussions on 10GE in the data centre, as well as additional footage on 10GBASE-T data centre trends, and follow Aquantia on Twitter for ongoing updates on 10Gigabit Ethernet connectivity in the data centre.

About Aquantia

With it’s 10GBASE-T silicon products for mainstream high-speed connectivity, Aquantia meets business needs for efficiency, lower total cost of ownership (TCO), productivity and easy-to-use network infrastructure. The company’s versatile technology platform is based on advanced signal processing, while fully leveraging the maturity of Ethernet and offering the universal appeal of the RJ-45. Aquantia ICs connect multi-core data centres, applications-optimised workgroup computing and virtual server networks with one flexible low cost and standards based architecture. Aquantia is a venture-backed private company. For more information, visit www.aquantia.com.

About Siemon

Established in 1903, Siemon™ is an industry leader specialising in the manufacture and innovation of high quality, high-performance network cabling solutions. With global offices and partners throughout the world, Siemon offers the most comprehensive suite of copper (unshielded and shielded twisted-pair) and fibre cabling systems available and is one of only three network cabling infrastructure companies worldwide with true global partnership capabilities. With over 400 patents specific to structured cabling, Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and development of industry standards, underlining the company’s long-term commitment to its customers and the industry.

www.siemon.com/uk

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Siemon’s Z-MAX 6A achieves ISO/IEC 11801 category 6A component compliance

Independent, third party testing confirms that Siemon’s Z-MAX 6A achieves both component compliance and full channel compliance with the published version of ISO/IEC 11801.

The Z-MAX 6A shielded connector exceeds all category 6_A component performance parameters specified by newly published amendment 2 of ISO/IEC 11801, 2^nd ed. and IEC 60603-7-51 for category 6_A connecting hardware.  Performed by Intertek, an industry-recognized testing facility, the testing assessed NEXT loss, return loss, insertion loss, FEXT loss, TCL, TCTL, DC resistance, DC resistance unbalance, PSANEXT loss, and PSAFEXT loss performance.  The Z-MAX 6A shielded connecting hardware showed performance headroom across all tested parameters.

In addition to component compliance, independent third party testing conducted by UL verifies that Siemon’s Z-MAX 6A shielded end-to-end system exceeds category 6A/class E_A channel requirements specified by ANSI/TIA-568-C.2 and amendment 1 of ISO/IEC 11801 2^nd ed. The complete Z-MAX 6A shielded channel consists of Z-MAX 6A outlets, Siemon category 6A shielded cable and Z-MAX 6A patch panels, as well as Z-MAX 6A patch cords, which feature a design integrating a precisely tuned printed circuit board into every plug, for enhanced signal integrity and unparalleled end-to-end system performance.

The Z-MAX 6A shielded connector’s high performance is driven by an exclusive, patent-pending linear termination module that eliminates split and crossed pairs. The linear Z-MAX termination module allows conductors to be laced quickly into position without pair crosses, thereby maintaining and protecting cable pair geometry for optimised transmission.

The Z-MAX 6A shielded outlet also features exclusive diagonally-oriented IDC contact technology. This unique diagonal configuration maximises distance between contacts within side-stacked outlets, compared with traditional rectangular contact layouts. Maximising pair-to-pair separation between adjacent outlets minimises alien crosstalk. The enhanced noise resistance in shielded Z-MAX systems enables ultra-high density patching, accommodating up to 48 ports within 1U (one rack mount space).

The innovative combination of Z-MAX linear termination module and outlet is also at the heart of the system’s best-in-class termination time. Using the simple, patent-pending Z-TOOL™, Z-MAX 6A shielded outlets can be terminated in as little as 60 seconds from start to finish, including cable preparation. To further enhance flexibility and user-friendliness, Z-MAX work area outlets feature an exclusive hybrid design that allows both flat and angled mounting orientations with the same outlet. Enhanced high visibility printed icons provide a complete colour-coded identification system.

Z-MAX 6A is supported by multiple work area faceplates and surface mount options in addition to a full suite of Siemon data centre cabinet, rack and cable management products.

Follow Siemon on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/siemoncabling

Join Siemon on Facebook: http://www.siemon.com/go/facebook

About Siemon

Established in 1903, Siemon™ is an industry leader specialising in the manufacture and innovation of high quality, high-performance network cabling solutions. With global offices and partners throughout the world, Siemon offers the most comprehensive suite of copper (unshielded and shielded twisted-pair) and fibre cabling systems available and is one of only three network cabling infrastructure companies worldwide with true global partnership capabilities. With over 400 active patents specific to structured cabling, Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and development of industry standards, underlining the company’s long-term commitment to its customers and the industry.

www.siemon.com/uk

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New Managing Director appointed for Brand-Rex Germany

International cabling specialist Brand-Rex has appointed Joerg Schimke as its new managing director for Germany.

Joerg brings more than 30 years experience in the cabling industry to Brand-Rex, which will be instrumental in strengthening the company’s position in Germany, the second largest structured cabling market globally.

Brand-Rex CEO Paul Lines comments: “With Joerg at the helm of Brand-Rex Germany we are well placed to increase our share of this important structured cabling market.”

After completing degrees in electrical engineering and information technology, Joerg began his career at KWO Kabel AG, the predecessor of BICC Kabel GmbH, in Berlin. Following positions in sales and marketing at Alcatel and Nexans he became the sales manager at Corning, Germany in 2001. After overseeing sales in a number of European markets, Joerg was promoted to sales director Central Europe at Corning where he was instrumental in implementing a new strategy to develop and maintain relationships with end-users as well as distribution partners.

Brand-Rex is a new challenge for the seasoned cabling professional. “My passion is business development. I’m constantly trying to find ways to access new markets and find new customers. Brand-Rex has a challenging new strategy for Europe and I’m hoping to contribute to a successful implementation,” Joerg Schimke comments on taking up his new post.

Customer relationship management and distribution partnerships are at the forefront of Joerg’s plans for improving Brand-Rex’s future in the German market. “Our responsibility doesn’t end with handing over the product to the distributor. We need to actively engage with our distribution partners and reach out to our end customers in order to guarantee customer satisfaction. The Brand-Rex name carries a lot of brand value and we need to make sure this doesn’t change,” Joerg states.

Based in Gummersbach, staff at Brand-Rex Germany provide sales and technical support to Brand-Rex customers all over Germany. Their main focus is the further development of the German market and the introduction of new high performance solutions such as the U-MediaPlus and 10GPlus-Systems.

ABOUT BRAND-REX

Brand-Rex Ltd is a global operation, designing, developing and manufacturing the most sophisticated, high performance copper and fibre cabling systems for communications and extreme environment applications. Headquartered in Scotland, the company is committed to being a trusted market leading provider of best-in-class communication infrastructure solutions that are truly ‘future proof’. For more information visit www.brand-rex.com

 BRX0312

Siemon Network Cabling Systems Support IBM’s Enterprise Modular Data Centre (EMDC) Solution

Siemon has announced that its network cabling solutions can now be implemented as a part of IBM’s enhanced Enterprise Modular Data Centre (EMDC) programme.  EMDC is a large data centre design concept which uses pre-engineered design strategies, allowing customers to meet unpredictable business and IT demands.   By building to a design that allows customers to increase density and footprint as required, clients can scale their data centres when needed without disruption to existing operations.

To bring this vision of large modular, plug and play data centres to the market, Siemon will work collaboratively with IBM and its global ecosystem of the world’s leading data centre physical infrastructure providers. End-to-end Siemon network cabling systems that complement IBM’s EMDC solution include high-performance Z-MAX™ category 6A and TERA® category 7A twisted pair copper, plus 10, 40 and 100-Gigabit-ready fibre optic cabling, the MapIT™ G2 Intelligent Infrastructure Management System and super density VersaPOD data centre cabinets.  

Siemon’s full network cabling infrastructure solution set, as well as their expert support network and global footprint, fully aligns with IBM’s vision that data centres can be constructed in a flexible way with the ability to scale on-demand. This, they claim, can significantly reduce initial capital and operating costs.  In addition to Siemon’s network cabling and data centre infrastructure capabilities, the IBM EMDC collaboration includes existing and new partners in power, cooling, monitoring and management, working with data centre architecture and engineering to help clients design, build and operate modular data centres.

“More than 60 per cent of CIOs around the world are expecting significant change brought by soaring data volumes, increasingly complex analyses and ever larger populations of users.  The struggle to respond to changing IT requirements to fit business demands is outdating a classic approach to building large, monolithic data centres which have to last 20 or more years.” said Steven Sams, vice president, Global Site and Facilities Services.  “By working with Siemon to deliver innovative data centre infrastructure, IBM enhances its global ability to lead data centre innovation and meet changing requirements with a very flexible plug and play approach – allowing data centre capabilities to be added – and paid for – when and where they are needed.”

As part of a supplier agreement between IBM and Siemon and based on IBM client requirements, EMDC solutions may be deployed with Siemon’s high-performance cabling systems, including the IBM-branded FTS I-Line.  Launched globally as part of IBM’s Fibre Transport System (FTS), the IBM FTS I-Line is a specialised offering of high-performance plug and play pre-terminated fibre cabling, developed specifically under Siemon’s strict quality guidelines. Constructed of laser optimised multimode and singlemode fibre optic cable and components, the IBM FTS I-Line provides IBM’s global customers with future-proof support of critical data centre links including 10 Gb/s, as well as future 40 and 100 Gb/s applications. Utilised within the EDMC, the IBM FTS I-Line offers a highly flexible and scalable cabling infrastructure, capable of supporting a wide range of vendor equipment configurations with simple plug and play implementation.

IBM’s EMDC may also be supported by Siemon’s high-performance twisted pair copper cabling solutions, including end-to-end shielded and UTP copper cabling systems, ranging from category 5e to 10Gb/s category 6A and to the highest performing fully shielded category 7A TERA system.   Global access to Siemon’s comprehensive line of copper cabling systems allows IBM to ensure that its EMDC solutions are outfitted with the a high quality, high performance cabling infrastructure to help maximise their clients’ return on investment and deliver best in class products to supports their clients’ requirements, anywhere in the world.

To learn about Siemon’s comprehensive line of copper and fibre optic network cabling solutions, visit: www.siemon.com

Follow Siemon on Twitter: http://twitter.com/siemoncabling/
Join Siemon on Facebook: http://www.siemon.com/go/facebook

IBM’s Enterprise Modular Data Centre is one member of the IBM data centre family ® of solutions to drive greater advancements in energy efficiencies by making data centres more flexible in matching IT needs to capital and operating costs. 

Notes to Editors

About Siemon

Established in 1903, Siemon™ is an industry leader specialising in the manufacture and innovation of high quality, high-performance network cabling solutions. With global offices and partners throughout the world, Siemon offers the most comprehensive suite of copper (unshielded and shielded twisted-pair) and fibre cabling systems available and is one of only three network cabling infrastructure companies worldwide with true global partnership capabilities. With over 400 active patents specific to structured cabling, Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and development of industry standards, underlining the company’s long-term commitment to its customers and the industry.

www.siemon.com/uk

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Fifth Olympic project win makes Brand-Rex the de-facto Olympic structured cabling supplier: Westfield Stratford City Olympic Shopping Complex

Dimension Data wins bid to install robust, converged technology infrastructure from Brand-Rex at Westfield Stratford City  - The Prestigious New Olympic Shopping Complex

24 June 2010: Brand-Rex today announced that Dimension Data (www.dimensiondata.com) has been awarded the contract to supply and install a Brand-Rex high speed data and communications infrastructure for Westfield’s new £1.45bn Olympic Shopping Centre development: Westfield Stratford City. The prestigious gateway to the London 2012 Olympics, the 1.9 million sq ft development will be Europe’s largest urban shopping mall. It is anticipated that 70 per cent of all visitors to the London Olympic Games will pass through the centre.

Westfiled Stratford City project is the fifth major Olympics-related structured cabling project that British based, Brand-Rex has won, with its high performance copper and fibre infrastructure products. this now confirms Brand-Rex as the de-facto supplier of choice for Olympics projects.

“This is a prestigious and exciting win for Dimension Data and Brand-Rex,” says Paul Lines, CEO Brand-Rex. “To be confirmed  as the ideal infrastructure solution to underpin the complex technology required in a project this size, together with four other major Olympics projects that will all be part of the world stage in 2012, demonstrates the quality, reliability and competitiveness of our infrastructure products. Our dedicated Olympics Team together with our leading installation partners are on track to secure the majority of the Olympics business.”

The innovative design of the shopping centre complex creates different retail zones spread over three levels and includes a beautifully designed 24 hour lifestyle street to create interest and functionality. Costing £1.45 billion the centre also connects the two transportation hubs of Stratford Regional Station and Stratford International Station. As one of the most environmentally efficient retail centres in the UK, Westfield Stratford City has been designed to achieve excellence in sustainability with some of the most stringent guidelines imposed on its construction and on-going management, and this extends to the high performance structured cabling installation.

The technological infrastructure required to support a project of this size is enormous and complex. “There will be technology in use throughout the building,” says Kari Baden, MD at Dimension Data. CCTV, Access Control, BMS, WiFi, car parking to electronic tills, High Definition Digital Signage, Footfall – and even identity tags to prevent children getting lost! This is going to be a hardworking completely utilised, fully integrated network and needs a robust, high performance infrastructure to support it.”

Underpinning the infrastructure is a primary and secondary optical fibre structured cabling backbone that connects every telecommunications room to the primary equipment rooms as well as linking in external services from telecoms providers, mobile carriers and satellite equipment.

The Brand-Rex air blown fibre solution Blolite+ was chosen specifically for the project due to its flexibility and scalability, allowing additional connectivity for further services and devices in the future without disruption. The unique Blolite+ system uses compressed air to blow specially coated optical fibres into pre-installed plastic tubes, microducts, providing a flexible and cost effective method of installing optical fibre with unlimited future-proofing potential.

With two mirrored data centres and 77 separate comms rooms this is a challenging project. Each of the comms rooms will be pre-manufactured, provisioned and tested off-site by Dimension Data before being craned into position at the appropriate point in the build process. Weighing over one ton each, and measuring 6m x 1m x 2.1m high, they contain three fully equipped comms cabinets together with the necessary structured cabling, air conditioning, power and lighting in a protected unit that is IP55 rated to prevent access of dust and water.

Brand-Rex 10GPlus Cat6a structured cabling capable of delivering speeds of 10 Gb/sec will be used together with the Blolite+ fibre optic backbones to deliver the fixed infrastructure to the whole of the shopping complex and commercial areas. In addition, the Brand-Rex infrastructure will support a 700 access node wireless network giving public access within the shopping complex. “This is a showcase site for London and we are delighted that Brand-Rex products were chosen for their reliability, performance and flexibility,” says Lines. “Blolite+ optical fibre together with10GPlus copper cabling provides a high performance, cost effective and robust solution for all today’s integrated communication needs.”

About Brand-Rex 10GPlus:

10GPlus is the ultimate performance Augmented Category 6/Class EA structured cabling system from Brand-Rex. This industry leading, high quality solution offers superior performance and user friendly installation features allowing simple and speedy deployment of high speed cabling infrastructure. Designed to fully support 10GBASE-T applications, 10GPlus offers IT managers a solution that will support their needs both today and in the future.

About Brand-Rex Blolite+

Blolite+ is the ideal solution for backbone cabling systems providing a flexible and scalable infrastructure that allows for future expansion. Installed networks can be simply reconfigured, expanded or changed without disruption to existing services and minimum interference with the original installation. Repairs are fast and simple, damaged ducts can be replaced and new fibre blown in using compressed air. Blolite+ offers significant savings in lifecycle costs when compared to conventional fibre optic cabling solutions and has been designed to fully support today’s integrated communication requirements.

ABOUT BRAND-REX

Brand-Rex Ltd is a global operation, designing, developing and manufacturing the most sophisticated, high performance copper and fibre cabling systems for communications and extreme environment applications. Headquartered in Scotland, the company is committed to being a trusted market leading provider of best-in-class communication infrastructure solutions that are truly ‘future proof’. For more information visit www.brand-rex.com

BRX0294

Siemon declares American operations carbon negative by over 330 per cent

Siemon, a worldwide leader in IT network infrastructure, today announced that its US and Canada operations have achieved carbon negativity.  The company says that its carbon reductions and offsets exceed actual emissions by over 330 per cent. 

Siemon reached the carbon negative benchmark through an aggressive programme of environmental improvement initiatives, including the development of more energy-efficient and sustainable manufacturing processes, zero-landfill recycling, increased reliance on renewable energy sources such as solar power and carbon offsets based on extensive forestland conservation efforts. Siemon is the first and only network cabling manufacturer to achieve this notable green milestone.

The announcement is based on an extensive audit that identified Siemon’s 2009 US and Canada-based carbon emission sources and calculated their total carbon footprint utilising publicly available US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data. The scope of the study focused on facility-level emissions within organisational boundaries as specified by ISO 14064-1 and included electricity and fossil fuel usage-related CO2 output at Siemon’s US-based global headquarters and manufacturing facility as well as the effects of the facility’s waste management programmes.  The audit also compiled fuel consumption for the company’s US and Canada auto fleet and air travel.

Siemon’s 2009 carbon reduction and sustainability programmes were also analysed using EPA data.   According to the calculations, Branch Hill Farms, a 3000 acre tree farm established and operated by the Siemon Company board of directors, as well as 900 metric tons of waste recycled at Siemon in 2009 and the company’s clean solar energy system, further reduced yearly carbon output by a combined 16,330 metric tons.  

Balanced against the approximately 4880 metric tons of CO2 emissions, the combined 16,330 metric tons of carbon reductions and offsets noted above brings Siemon’s total US and Canada carbon footprint figures to negative 11,450 metric tons – a carbon reduction over 3.3 times larger than the company’s actual carbon output.

“Just about every enterprise – especially manufacturers like Siemon – will produce carbon, but our success proves that there are economical and effective ways to offset the impact of those emissions,” explained Carl Siemon, the company’s CEO. 

According to Carl Siemon, his company’s approach was twofold: Siemon adheres to longstanding continual improvement policies that drive efficient manufacturing and business processes.  A more efficient use of energy and materials is not only sound business practice, but also makes the company a more environmentally sustainable operation.  Confident that carbon emissions were being reduced at the source, Siemon developed ways to cut further through better waste management, alternative fuels and offsets.  As Siemon continues to improve internal operations and processes, they are also working proactively with suppliers and partners to identify areas where mutual improvements to upstream and downstream impact can be made.

“We didn’t set out to be carbon negative,” Carl Siemon explained.  “We just want to be as efficient and environmentally responsible as possible. Being carbon negative is the natural result of over 50 years of progressive environmental stewardship.”

For more information on Siemon’s environmental initiatives, including an overview of their carbon footprint analysis, visit www.siemon.com/green.

About Siemon

Established in 1903, Siemon™ is an industry leader specialising in the manufacture and innovation of high quality, high-performance network cabling solutions. With global offices and partners throughout the world, Siemon offers the most comprehensive suite of copper (unshielded and shielded twisted-pair) and fibre cabling systems available and is one of only three network cabling infrastructure companies worldwide with true global partnership capabilities. With over 400 active patents specific to structured cabling, Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and development of industry standards, underlining the company’s long-term commitment to its customers and the industry.

www.siemon.com/uk

TSC0431

Siemon announces new ConvergeIT infrastructure for green intelligent building infrastructures

Siemon has launched a new ConvergeIT intelligent building cabling programme.  ConvergeIT combines Siemon’s well-known network infrastructure expertise and technical and installation support capabilities with its comprehensive structured cabling product line, to provide a straightforward process for the implementation of a converged, IP-based intelligent building cabling system. The programme has been developed to help architects, design-build firms, building owners and contractors plan and deploy efficient IT cabling infrastructure for support of green intelligent buildings

Growing in global popularity, the intelligent or “smart” building concept combines multiple data, low voltage and building automation applications onto one centrally managed network.  These converged systems can include voice/data, video surveillance, access control, digital signage, audio/video, fire alarms, energy management, HVAC and more.  According to a study conducted by the Continental Automated Building Association (CABA), properly planned intelligent buildings can cut energy costs by up to 70 per cent¹ and the US EPA states that these smart platforms can enhance building asset value by two to three² times initial investment.

Siemon’s ConvergeIT programme takes the intelligent building approach a step further, supporting the facility’s various low-voltage applications on a single IP-based structured cabling system, rather than on separate and often proprietary cabling plants. “IT structured cabling is the ideal solution for a converged intelligent building cabling infrastructure,” explained Robert Carlson, Siemon’s vice president of global marketing.  “It provides the flexibility and performance to support multiple critical building systems at the highest reliability levels.” 

The efficient ConvergeIT approach to smart buildings also offers strong cost reduction and simplified system management benefits, says Siemon. By eliminating multiple proprietary cabling types in favour of a single structured cabling plant, material and labour costs can be cut significantly.  According to CABA, overall intelligent system cabling material costs can be reduced by up to 33 per cent¹.  This consolidation of infrastructure can also drive up to 40 per cent savings in pathway material costs³.  Because the structured cabling plant can be deployed by a single IT contractor as opposed to the multiple specialised installation groups often required with proprietary systems, ConvergeIT can reduce overall low-voltage building cabling and pathway installation labour costs by 28 per cent³ or more, claims Siemon.

“ConvergeIT also drives a greener, more sustainable smart building,” adds Carlson. “The energy savings enabled by power management systems like automated HVAC and lighting controls, as well as cable and pathway material reductions, not only save money, but are key elements of green building initiatives such as the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification system.”

According to Siemon, beyond reduced deployment costs and sustainability improvements, ConvergeIT can cut ongoing maintenance and management costs. Converged IP-based cabling can cut intelligent system-related move, add and change costs by 20 per cent versus multiple systems¹.  The centralised smart cabling plant approach can also reduce the reliance on multiple specialised installers in favour of a single IT cabling contractor, saving up to 15 per cent in service contract costs¹. 

This operational efficiency extends to facility maintenance and IT personnel. The simplified system management capabilities of IP-based intelligent building cabling allows critical information to be more easily shared between building systems and enables staff to access system information from anywhere on the network.  This can help minimise staff resource requirements, whilst simultaneously reducing response time to minimise costly business disruptions.

To learn more about Siemon’s ConvergeIT intelligent building cabling programme, please visit www.siemon.com/convergeit.  This online resource centre provides information on ConvergeIT technical support and design resources, as well assistance in locating a highly-trained Siemon Certified Installer to deploy a ConvergeIT system. 

References:
1 – Bright Green Buildings: Convergence of Green and Intelligent Buildings, CABA, 2008
2 – EPA EnergyStar
3 – ConvergeIT: Enabling Intelligent, Green Buildings, Siemon

About Siemon

Established in 1903, Siemon™ is an industry leader specialising in the manufacture and innovation of high quality, high-performance network cabling solutions. With global offices and partners throughout the world, Siemon offers the most comprehensive suite of copper (unshielded and shielded twisted-pair) and fibre cabling systems available and is one of only three network cabling infrastructure companies worldwide with true global partnership capabilities. With over 400 active patents specific to structured cabling, Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and development of industry standards, underlining the company’s long-term commitment to its customers and the industry.

www.siemon.com/uk

Brand-Rex Becomes an Investor in Excellence

Brand-Rex has joined an elite band of businesses to have achieved Investor in Excellence status, one of Europe’s highest quality standards. 

The company’s Speciality division in Leigh, Lancashire, is now one of just 200 European businesses to be awarded the accolade, which demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement.

The Investor in Excellence standard has been designed to encourage organisations of any size, and from any sector, to work towards a common standard that reflects quality and excellence.

The company received its award from North of England Excellence, which was presented to Brand-Rex by local MP Andy Burnham.

The standard is built around the EFQM (European Foundation of Quality Management) Excellence Model, which is widely used throughout Europe as a framework for improving organisations.

Brand-Rex has used the model as its main business improvement tool for the last decade, working alongside quality specialists North of England Excellence. And last year they won the North of England Excellence Quality Award in the category Private Company Less Than 250 Employees.  In 2008 the company won a special award for Corporate Social Responsibility.

Brand-Rex’s speciality division manufactures high performance electrical cables for the aerospace, automotive and rail industries.  General Manager Steve Tickle explains: “Many of our products are designed to operate in extreme environments, and across a range of industries where high quality must be a given. Achieving an accreditation like this reassures all our customers that we’re a company that always puts quality first.

“This strong emphasis on quality is another reason why the company as a whole has performed so strongly in recent years. It’s helped us to win contracts both in new sectors and in new international markets.”

Among the key benefits of working towards the standard, says Tickle, is that it helps to embed continuous improvement into an organisation, while it is also a natural progression on from other quality standards such as ISO TS 16949, AS9100 and ISO 9001:2000, all of which Brand-Rex has already achieved.

And Tickle adds: “Attainment of the Investor in Excellence standard from North of England Excellence has been an excellent achievement for Brand-Rex.  All our staff deserve a well earned pat on the back for their efforts in helping the company to attain this Blue Riband standard.”

ABOUT BRAND-REX

Brand-Rex Ltd is a global operation, designing, developing and manufacturing the most sophisticated, high performance copper and fibre cabling systems for communications and extreme environment applications. Headquartered in Scotland, the company is committed to being a trusted market leading provider of best-in-class communication infrastructure solutions that are truly ‘future proof’. For more information visit www.brand-rex.com

BRX0305

Siemon Strengthens Middle East Team

Siemon, the network infrastructure specialist, has appointed Prem Rodrigues, RCDD, to its Middle East operation.  Rodrigues takes the newly created role of business development manager for the Middle East and will work across the region from Siemon’s base in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi.

Prior to joining Siemon, Rodrigues worked for Syscom Emirates LLC (a subsidiary of M’sharie, which is wholly owned by Dubai Investments).  Syscom specialises in turnkey networking, ICT and physical security installations and Rodrigues was a senior sales manager for them, leading all project teams through the presale and design phases of client contracts.

Rodrigues has previously worked in various project vertical markets, such as healthcare, finance, commercial/residential, government/military and leisure. Based on his design work on major projects he secured BICSI  RCDD in 2007

As business development manager for Siemon, Rodrigues will focus on developing channel partners and VAR relationships in the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Libya, Yemen, Syria and Iraq.  He will also provide support to leading ICT consultants, specifiers and end user clients, working on infrastructure and network planning.  This will range from multi-million dollar data centre builds to office structured cabling, both for upgrade and new installation.

Appointing Prem Rodrigues, regional director Rob Tansley commented; “Prem is highly technically qualified and has a wealth of experience of delivering successful IT projects in the region.  His understanding of the region and network of contacts means that he will rapidly prove an asset to Siemon as we continue to invest in developing our business in the Middle East.”

Rodrigues is enthusiastic about his new role; “Siemon stands for quality and the company is a world leader in both technical innovation and green operation. Being part of such a highly esteemed organisation makes me both proud and driven to achieve.”

 Rodrigues is married and currently lives in Dubai.  When away from the networking arena, he indulges a passion for music, movies and confesses a developing love of golf.

Photo: available by e-mail from direland@turtleconsulting.com

About Siemon

Established in 1903, Siemon™ is an industry leader specialising in the manufacture and innovation of high quality, high-performance network cabling solutions. With global offices and partners throughout the world, Siemon offers the most comprehensive suite of copper (unshielded and shielded twisted-pair) and fibre cabling systems available and is one of only three network cabling infrastructure companies worldwide with true global partnership capabilities. With over 400 active patents specific to structured cabling, Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and development of industry standards, underlining the company’s long-term commitment to its customers and the industry.

www.siemon.co.uk

TSC0450

Higbie talk on fibre futures at FIA Summer Seminar

Infrastructure thought leader and data centre expert, Carrie Higbie of Siemon, is due to speak on the topic of the changing face of fibre in the data centre for higher speed communications – at the forthcoming FIA Summer Seminar on 9 June 2010.  Her talk will focus on the impact of 40/100GbE and offer predictions on how it will change fibre plans in the data centre.

Explaining her topic, Carrie said, “With 40/100GbE on the horizon, two strand field terminated fibre will be going away for multimode fibre.  So what does this mean for a data centre?  It surely means that designs are more critical than ever and also that planning new equipment will affect more than one budget.  In fact, I’ll explain why the varied budgets in data centres may soon be a thing of the past.  My talk for the FIA is billed as ‘reviewing the impact of MPO connectivity’ and in it I will explain how the changing face of fibre will impact data centre plans.”

The seminar will be held on 9-10 June in Oxford and is open to all FIA members and their guests.  The schedule of seminars starts with a cabling standards update by FIA technical director, Mike Gilmore and the programme includes a discussion on links to national standards, plus legislative updates.  Carrie Higbie speaks on the first day at 2.45pm.

The seminar and networking forum is described as a celebratory event, marking the year in which Charles Kao was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics for his work in the world of fibre optics.  The event encompasses not only the seminar, but also a mini-exhibition and formal dinner.

According to the FIA, the event provides an excellent opportunity to update knowledge, meet with FIA members and talk to the FIA directors.

Carrie Higbie MBA MSBA, is global director of data centre solutions and services for fibre and copper infrastructure specialist Siemon.  She has been involved in the computing and networking industries for over 25 years and participates with the IEEE, TIA and various consortiums for standards acceptance.  She has an extensive background in all aspects of networking and application development as a consultant, project manager, and Fortune 500 executive.  Carrie has taught at a collegiate level and she is now a popular speaker at industry events.   She has authored an impressive body of technical articles and whitepapers and her work is published around the world. 

About Siemon                                        

Established in 1903, Siemon™ is an industry leader specialising in the manufacture and innovation of high quality, high-performance network cabling solutions. With global offices and partners throughout the world, Siemon offers the most comprehensive suite of copper (unshielded and shielded twisted-pair) and fibre cabling systems available and is one of only three network cabling infrastructure companies worldwide with true global partnership capabilities. With over 400 active patents specific to structured cabling, Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and development of industry standards, underlining the company’s long-term commitment to its customers and the industry.

www.siemon.com/uk

TSC0395

New distribution partner

Brand-Rex, the UK’s market leader in the manufacturer and supply of  high performance copper and fibre cabling systems for communication systems, has appointed specialist communications company Webro as a distribution partner offering the full range of Brand-Rex products.

Established in 1980, Webro is a major supplier of composite and bespoke communication cables and connectors to a wide range of industries including rail networks, automotive, fire alarm, security, tv and satellite as well as large scale commercial installations.

Announcing the partnership, Ian Wilkie, Brand-Rex Business & Marketing Director said, “I am delighted that a company with the pedigree and experience of Webro has become one of our distribution partners today. Brand-Rex has a long commitment to supporting the work of its channel, and is looking forward to partnering with the enthusiastic sales and engineering teams at Webro as they take Brand-Rex products in new directions.”

With the focus on high quality products and excellent service, Webro and Brand-Rex make an ideal partnership. Already established as the largest provider of coaxial cable in the UK, Webro currently supplies enough cable to reach the moon and back each year. With the addition of the Brand-Rex fibre and copper product ranges, Webro will be able to offer a wide choice of infrastructure solutions to the diverse markets it operates in.

On receiving the news, Webro’s managing director, Roger Webster said “We are delighted to be partnered with the UK’s number one in the structured cabling market. The partnership with Brand-Rex will help Webro push forward into new markets, helping both companies secure new business partners. I am very excited about the developments to come and with the help of our strong team, I am sure that business will continue to grow.”

ABOUT BRAND-REX

Brand-Rex Ltd is a global operation, designing, developing and manufacturing the most sophisticated, high performance copper and fibre cabling systems for communications and extreme environment applications. Headquartered in Scotland, the company is committed to being a trusted market leading provider of best-in-class communication infrastructure solutions that are truly ‘future proof’. For more information visit www.brand-rex.com

BRX0303

Alistair Black Takes New Operational Role at Brand-Rex

Brand-Rex has appointed Alistair Black as their new Operations Director with a specific remit to ensure the structured cabling specialist achieves its ambitious manufacturing improvement objectives and continues to offer excellent levels of customer service.  

Alistair’s wide ranging career includes five years in the Scotch Whisky industry and over ten years with Japanese manufacturing company Minebea, where he held board-level positions in its European and American subsidiaries. Amongst his responsibilities, Alistair ran Minebea’s European and US Power Electronics operations, and gained extensive experience in World–Class manufacturing techniques at the company’s factories throughout Asia.

In 2004 he established Business Base, providing financial management, strategic analysis, lean thinking and operational improvement support to manufacturing companies throughout the UK.

Key successes included leading a Lean Transformation project for a major UK defence contractor, as well as supporting a specialist manufacturing group through a value for money audit that resulted in a significant new business win.

And it is these skills, and experience of the global manufacturing sector, that Brand-Rex CEO Paul Lines was keen to bring to the business.  “I am delighted to welcome Alistair to Brand-Rex. His appointment is evidence of our continued commitment to improve operational excellence, Alistair’s extensive operational experience will be invaluable to Brand-Rex as we continue our development,” comments Lines.

 Alistair explains: “In order to remain competitive, it’s essential that we constantly challenge the way we do things within manufacturing. As a relative newcomer to the cable industry I have had the opportunity of looking at our operations with a fresh pair of eyes, and this has allowed me to develop a new set of goals for our Glenrothes site.”

Further improvements will be made to cut waste and scrap from all areas of the business, and there will be even greater efforts to minimise the company’s environmental impact, by cutting energy consumption and water use.

Brand-Rex is also developing closer working relationships with suppliers  and equipment manufacturers as a way of improving the way in which the company operates, explains Alistair.

“This will allow us to benchmark ourselves against other cable manufacturers, gain access to the latest manufacturing and process developments and draw upon the expert knowledge they have in specific fields.”

The changes will ensure that Brand-Rex maintains its reputation for offering an unprecedented level of customer care, while greater efficiency will also help Brand-Rex improve lead-times and maintain its competitive price structure, says Alistair.

And he adds: “Everyone throughout a business needs to understand the commercial consequences of what they do. Different teams are already working well together across all areas of Brand-Rex – my job is to make them work even closer, and to develop a greater understanding of the commercial impact of the decisions they make.”

45 year-old Alistair, who is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, lives in Perthshire with his wife Gillian and two daughters.

ABOUT BRAND-REX

Brand-Rex Ltd is a global operation, designing, developing and manufacturing the most sophisticated, high performance copper and fibre cabling systems for communications and extreme environment applications. Headquartered in Scotland, the company is committed to being a trusted market leading provider of best-in-class communication infrastructure solutions that are truly ‘future proof’. For more information visit www.brand-rex.com

BRX0299

Siemon Launches Online Educational Resource Centre on Shielded Network Cabling

Siemon, a globally recognised leader in network cabling solutions, has launched a new online resource centre, dedicated to helping IT networking and data centre professionals get clear facts on shielded network cabling.  This includes systems such as category 6A F/UTP and category 7A S/FTP and outlines the benefits of shielded twisted-pair copper cabling.

Focusing on key network infrastructure issues such as 10Gb/s performance requirements, noise resistance, installation considerations, cost savings and future-proofing, http://www.siemon.com/uk/learning/shielded/ provides an easily navigated portal to Siemon’s library of in-depth resources. From a simple, one-page list of key shielded cabling benefits, advantages and myths, users can access instructional videos, whitepapers, customer case studies and an array of other materials.

Key topics covered in the shielded cabling resource centre include considerations such as market drivers, performance headroom, electromagnetic interference and security.  Practical information is provided on termination speed, installation practices, grounding and bonding and alien crosstalk resistance.  Subjects such as PoE and PoE Plus heat generation issues are also covered and cable sharing for high density work areas.

 “Shielded cabling suffers from a legacy reputation of being difficult to install and hence the market adoption has not been as rapid as the considerable benefits of this cabling should justify,” said Graeme Stoker, marketing manager for Siemon in EMEA.  “This type of misconception is challenged by the clear and informative materials contained in this new online resource centre.  From technical written papers to short instructional videos and customer case studies, there is a wealth of information here, readily available for all IT professionals.”

 To explore these and other Siemon resources, visit http://www.siemon.com/uk/learning/shielded/

Photo: supporting images are available by e-mail from direland@turtleconsulting.com

About Siemon

Established in 1903, Siemon™ is an industry leader specialising in the manufacture and innovation of high quality, high-performance network cabling solutions. With global offices and partners throughout the world, Siemon offers the most comprehensive suite of copper (unshielded and shielded twisted-pair) and fibre cabling systems available and is one of only three network cabling infrastructure companies worldwide with true global partnership capabilities. With over 400 active patents specific to structured cabling, Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and development of industry standards, underlining the company’s long-term commitment to its customers and the industry.

www.siemon.com/uk

TSC0441

Brand-Rex U/UTP Cat6A cable delivers Permanent Link to 3P-Certified 10 Gigabit Ethernet Performance

Brand-Rex’s premium grade 10GPlus U/UTP Augmented Category 6/Class EA cabling system has received an ‘Attestation of Conformity’ from independent testing laboratory, 3P Third Party Testing. 3P’s certificate of conformity verifies that Brand-Rex’s 10GPlus Augmented Cat 6 U/UTP cable and components provide the performance required to support any current and future Class EA application, including   10GBASE-T. 

The permanent link test model sets a crucial baseline by assuring that installed cabling meets the performance and interoperability requirements specified by international standards. Comprising Brand-Rex’s 3P-approved Augmented Cat 6 U/UTP cable, and 3P-approved tool-free RJ45 Snap-In-Jack, the UTP permanent link is now also certified by 3P as compliant with the Class EA requirements of amendment 2, 2^nd Edition ISO/IEC 11801, and Category 6A requirements of ANSI/TIA-568-C.2. This assures that the system is ready to support IEEE 802.3an, the IEEE standard for 10GBASE-T. 3P is one of the most respected testing laboratories serving the international cabling and electronics industries. Based in Denmark, it has been working with the performance of data cabling since the 1980s, and carries out certification testing on all elements of communication systems, from cables and connecting hardware to patch cords, permanent links and channels. 

“It is vital that owners and installers be confident that their structured cabling installations are compliant with the exacting requirements of international standards,” states Ken Hodge, R&D manager at Brand-Rex. “The attestation of conformity awarded by 3P Third Party Testing confirms that Brand-Rex’s Augmented Cat 6 U/UTP cable and cabling not only meets and exceeds the performance requirements in EIA/TIA for Augmented Category 6, but also meets and exceeds requirements in ISO/IEC for Class EA. This certification provides owners and installers with assured system performance when deploying Brand-Rex Augmented Cat 6 U/UTP cable and components.” 

Designed to support 10 Gigabit Ethernet in horizontal and backbone applications, Brand-Rex’s Cat 6 U/UTP cable employs a ‘Reuleaux Triangle’ design to overcome Alien Crosstalk and to ensure that the cable diameter remains as small as possible to optimise on containment requirements. It forms part of Brand-Rex’s industry-leading 10GPlus range, which is further enhanced by a family of innovative connectivity products, including the tool-free RJ45 Snap-In-Jack and ‘Zone’ Cable. The tool-free RJ45 Snap-In-Jack has been shown to halve installation times, whilst the 10GPlus Zone Cable is a high performance Augmented Category 6 solution designed for use in challenging data centre environments. Smaller and 30% lighter than conventional cables, Zone Cable makes possible a 100% increase in the number of cables per cable tray, and was recently fully certified by 3P Third Party Testing as one of the highest performing cables currently available. 

“In addition to the certificate of performance at permanent link level, the Brand-Rex Augmented Cat 6 U/UTP cable, tool-free RJ45 Snap-In-Jack, and Zone Cable are approved by 3P Third Party Testing,” continues Hodge. “This gives Brand-Rex’s 10GPlus system unparalleled levels of certification, underscored by the fact that the most variable component in the link, the cable, is manufactured under controlled conditions by Brand-Rex at its state-of-the-art facilities in Glenrothes (Scotland) under the ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard, and ISO 9001:2008 Quality management systems factory control.” 

ABOUT BRAND-REX Brand-Rex Ltd is a global operation, designing, developing and manufacturing the most sophisticated, high performance copper and fibre cabling systems for communications and extreme environment applications. Headquartered in Scotland, the company is committed to being a trusted market leading provider of best-in-class communication infrastructure solutions that are truly ‘future proof’. For more information visit www.brand-rex.com

BRX0296

Brand-Rex confirmed as UK’s Number One in the UK Market for the Second Year Running

For the second consecutive year, structured cabling specialist Brand-Rex is reported to be the highest volume supplier in the UK market according to the latest report by market analysts BSRIA.

With 1.139 million structured cabling outlets shipped in 2009, Brand-Rex beat the number two player’s volume of 995,349 by an astounding 143,744 outlets putting Brand-Rex 14.4% ahead in volume of product shipped.

And, despite the recession, Brand-Rex output was up on its 2008 record of 1.119 million structured cabling outlets shipped.

The BSRIA figures show that Brand-Rex is top in volume shipments for Shielded solutions as well as for conventional UTP unshielded with 20.9 percent of the shielded market (the number two player in shielded has 19.4%) and Brand-Rex has 17.2% of the unshielded market compared to its closest rival in UTP which has only 16.9 percent.

Interestingly the number two companies in each of these sectors are different – each one specialising in either shielded or unshielded – rather than comprehensively covering users’ varying needs. As Brand-Rex Business Director Ian Wilkie comments, “We don’t need to try to sway customers’ choices based on only manufacturing one solution or the other. With Brand-Rex, they know they can trust us to advise the correct technical and economic solution for their needs rather than trying to sell them on the incorrect solution just in order to get their business.”

Because there is no other company with significant volume in both sectors, Brand-Rex leads the combined market with a volume share of  17.5% compared to the overall number two which has only 15.3%.

Major innovations in 2009 included the launch of 10GPlus Zone Cable, which is specifically designed for use in challenging Data Centre environments. It has also received certification from leading global testing laboratory 3P, which officially recognised the kit as one of the highest performing cables on the market.

As well as topping the market and beating the recession, 2009 also saw the launch of the new Brand-Rex High Density Fibre Cabinet (HDFC) Solution, which combines high density frames, cabinets, management panels with integrated fibre cassettes, cables and patch cord management. The cabinet’s key benefit is that by better organising the patching fields, the system reduces the floor space required for managing a high volume of optical connectivity.

The success has also been built on a number of key project wins over the last 12 months including a major contract supplying BT Operate with a  range of custom built, high density patching frames for both copper and fibre cabling. The frames are helping BT to achieve around 30 per cent more cabling capacity in its data centres, with an increase in footprint of only 5 per cent. 

BT Operate is currently implementing a major seven year programme to transform all its data centres, with the Brand-Rex frames are set to play a central role.

Brand-Rex has also continued to work closely with its network of installers, many of which took advantage of the Brand Breaks loyalty scheme. The programme rewards companies that meet sales targets with a choice of foreign holidays.

And Brand-Rex capped off a remarkable 12 months when they were voted structured cabling provider of the year for the second year running at the Network Commuting Awards. 

Ian Wilkie, Business Director at Brand-Rex said: “We have once again increased our market share despite the difficult trading conditions, reinforcing our position as the leading UK supplier and a major player in global markets too.

“As ever, the loyalty and commitment of our customers, along with the hard work and dedication of our staff, have been crucial in helping us buck the current trend and record continued growth.”

ABOUT BRAND-REX

Brand-Rex Ltd is a global operation, designing, developing and manufacturing the most sophisticated, high performance copper and fibre cabling systems for communications and extreme environment applications. Headquartered in Scotland, the company is committed to being a trusted market leading provider of best-in-class communication infrastructure solutions that are truly ‘future proof’. For more information visit www.brand-rex.com

BRX0269

New Siemon Whitepaper Compares Point-to-Point and Structured Cabling Options in the Data Centre

Leading networking infrastructure company Siemon has published a comprehensive new white paper addressing one of the hottest topics in the data centre market:  “Data Centre Cabling Considerations: Point-to-Point vs Structured Cabling.” This new paper is authored by respected data centre infrastructure expert Carrie Higbie and is available for download at http://siemon.com/uk/white_papers/09-06-18-data-center-point-to-point-vs-structured-cabling.asp

Direct connection cabling configurations, also known as “point-to-point” (ie; switches to servers, servers to storage, server to server, etc.) have a fairly long history in the data centre and although they have been largely out of favour for some time, some active equipment manufacturers have recently advocated a comeback.  This is due in large part to recent developments in Top of Rack and End of Row switching, which promise to reduce cabling in the data centre by up to 70 per cent, according to the manufacturers. While this may seem attractive at first, these savings are not always realised and can be negated by additional equipment requirements, increased power and repeatedly higher annual maintenance costs.     

Before making any data centre cabling decision, IT network and data centre professionals should understand all of the options. This whitepaper was developed to provide important information on the pros and cons of both structured cabling and point-to-point options from the perspective of varied disciplines and departments within the data centre environment.  The analysis includes: when and where each is the best fit and, ultimately, how a well implemented combination of the two is the best and most cost-effective solution to provide maximum data centre flexibility, scalability, performance and future-proofing.  To download a complimentary copy of “Data Centre Cabling Considerations: Point-to-Point vs. Structured Cabling”, visit http://siemon.com/uk/white_papers/09-06-18-data-center-point-to-point-vs-structured-cabling.asp

About the Whitepaper Author

Carrie Higbie has been involved in the computing and networking industries for 25+ years. Carrie currently works with Siemon™ as the global director of data centre solutions and services. She participates with the IEEE, TIA and various consortiums for standards acceptance. She has extensive background in all aspects of networking and application development as a consultant, project manager, and Fortune 500 executive and has taught at a collegiate level.  She speaks at industry events and has published several articles and whitepapers globally.  Carrie holds an MBA and MSBA.  Carrie is an expert in TechTarget’s Searchnetworking, SearchEnterpriseVoice and SearchDataCenters forums and is on the board of advisors.  She writes a weekly column on a variety of topics.  She is the President of the BladeSystems Alliance. 

About Siemon

Established in 1903, Siemon™ is an industry leader specialising in the manufacture and innovation of high quality, high-performance network cabling solutions. With global offices and partners throughout the world, Siemon offers the most comprehensive suite of copper (unshielded and shielded twisted-pair) and fibre cabling systems available and is one of only three network cabling infrastructure companies worldwide with true global partnership capabilities. With over 400 active patents specific to structured cabling, Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and development of industry standards, underlining the company’s long-term commitment to its customers and the industry.

www.siemon.com/uk

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