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

TSC0492

Brand-Rex announce distribution of EPV Solution from RiT Technologies

Easy to install, affordable infrastructure connectivity management for small and medium sized networks now available from Brand-Rex.

Brand-Rex, leading manufacturer of copper and fibre structured cabling systems, today announced the launch of the EPV Cable Management Solution from RiT Technologies.

Providing real-time, connectivity monitoring of a network infrastructure, from the communications room to remote sites, the EPV appliance based cable monitoring system is aimed at large as well as small to medium sized organisations.

“EPV takes a new, easy implementation, approach to real-time connectivity management,” says Ian Wilkie, Business & Marketing Director, Brand-Rex. “We are delighted to build on our 10 year partnership with RiT, viewing EPV as an extension to our existing copper, fibre and intelligent infrastructure management solutions that will allow us to offer accessible and affordable infrastructure management monitoring to both new and existing clients.”

Aimed at organisations who want the functionality of a traditional enterprise monitoring system without the complexity yet with no compromise on fundamental sophisticated features as well as the peace of mind of knowing how well their network is performing, the EPV is a standalone solution that requires no additional software or servers. Based on RiT’s advanced infrastructure management technologies, once installed EPV continuously collects information within the network patch panels and communication racks. Any change in connectivity is immediately detected, prompting the system to send notifications and email alerts to designated staff. All network connectivity information, including notifications and alerts, are easily accessed using a user-friendly, permission based GUI from a web browser, making EPV the ideal solution for monitoring and managing connectivity across the network at both local and remote sites.

“We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with Brand-Rex through its adoption of our EPV solution to complement its cabling infrastructure technologies,” says Zvi Braun, Senior Director – Product and Project Management, RiT Technologies. “EPV is an innovative product that brings a new concept to market: infrastructure management that can be deployed on a ‘plug-n-play’ basis without investment in new servers or software. EPV can be easily upgraded to a full-featured intelligent infrastructure management (IIM) solution, enabling customers to grow as required from initial installations to large-scale deployments.”

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

About RiT Technologies

RiT is a leading provider of intelligent solutions for infrastructure management, asset management, environment and security, and network utilization. RiT Enterprise solutions address datacenters, communication rooms and workspace environments, ensuring maximum utilization, reliability, decreased downtime, physical security, automated deployment, asset tracking, and troubleshooting. RiT Environment and Security solutions enable companies to effectively control their datacenters, communications rooms and remote physical sites and facilities in real-time, comprehensively and accurately. RiT Carrier solutions provide carriers with the full array of network mapping, testing and bandwidth qualification capabilities needed for access network installation and service provisioning. RiT’s field-tested solutions are delivering value in thousands of installations for top-tier enterprises and operators throughout the world.

For more information, please visit our website: www.rittech.com

BRX0304

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

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

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

Siemon adds Category 6 UTP to the Z-MAX Range of Systems

Siemon has launched a new category 6 unshielded (UTP) version of the Z-MAX range of end-to-end network cabling systems. Based on Siemon’s 10Gb/s capable Z-MAX 6A platform, the new category 6 UTP combines exceptional performance margins with 60 second termination time.

The new category 6 Z-MAX system employs the same fast and simple, termination process as the Z-MAX 6A. Using Siemon’s patent-pending Z-TOOL, outlets can be terminated in less than 60 seconds from start to finish, including cable preparation.

Overwhelming positive feedback on the Z-MAX 6A and speed of termination has driven requests and demand for a category 6 version of Z-MAX, says Bob Carlson, Siemon’s VP of Global Marketing. “We listen to our customers and respond accordingly,” says Bob. “The market for category 6 is still ripe and this is a logical extension of Siemon’s breakthrough MAX product line.”

In addition to the Z-TOOL, the new category 6 Z-MAX outlet utilises the Z-MAX 6A’s patent-pending linear termination module. The linear termination module allows conductors to be laced quickly and naturally into position without crossing pairs. Maintaining and protecting cable pair geometry optimises transmission performance and consistency while removing a significant noise source present in all other RJ-45 outlets.

Utilising Siemon’s Premium 6 UTP cable, the Z-MAX 6 outlet’s unique design provides extended category 6 performance margins and transmission headroom. Additionally, the outlet’s enhanced noise resistance enables ultra-high density patching, allowing Z-MAX 6 modular patch panels to support up to 48 ports in just 1U of rack or cabinet space.

Available in both flat and angled configurations, the Z-MAX 6 patch panels feature a unique modular Quick-Snap panel design, which allows Z-MAX 6 panel outlets and pre-terminated trunking cable assemblies to be quickly snapped into place to speed initial deployment and subsequent moves, adds and changes. Combined with 48-port, 1U patching, Z-MAX 6′s Quick-Snap design and pre-terminated trunking cable compatibility provides rapid deployment, superior flexibility and ultra-high density in mission-critical data centre infrastructures.

To further enhance flexibility and user-friendliness, all Z-MAX work area outlets feature an exclusive hybrid flat/angled design that allows either flat or angled mounting orientations with the same outlet. Newly enhanced high visibility printed icons provide a complete colour-coded identification system.

The end-to-end Z-MAX 6 UTP channel is supported by Siemon’s category 6 MC patch cords and high-density BladePatch modular cords. Z-MAX 6 hybrid flat/angled outlets are compatible with all Siemon MAX series modular patch panels and faceplates.

To receive more information about Siemon’s end-to-end category 6 Z-MAX, and to access Z-MAX resources such as whitepapers, detailed specifications and termination videos, visit http://www.siemon.com/uk/e-catalog/ECAT_GI_page.aspx?GI_ID=wa_z-max-6-utp-outlets

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

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

TSC0378

Brand-Rex 10GPlus Zone Cable is certified by 3P Third Party Testing

Brand-Rex’s high performance Augmented Category 6 (10GPlus) Zone Cable has now been fully certified by 3P Third Party Testing, the independent testing laboratory.

3P’s certification confirms the Zone Cable’s status as one of the highest performing cables currently available, making it ideally suited for the most demanding applications, especially 10GBASE-T.

Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, 3P is one of the most respected testing laboratories serving the international cabling and electronics industries. 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.

“3P has tested our cable in accordance with the Category 6_A performance requirements of the IEC 61156-6 cable standard,” said Iain Ballingall, Brand-Rex’s Technical Director. “Its tests have confirmed all the specifications of the cable, in particular its excellent skew, crosstalk and EMC performances. ”

“This proves that the cable’s screening performance ensures the alien crosstalk values of any system employing this product will be >>10dB better than the specification requirements, assuming terminations are done correctly. And that not only means it will support 10GBASE-T but that the installer will not have to check the Alien crosstalk of the cabling system to prove system compliance. We do not know of any one else supplying this level of product with an equivalent level of certified approval.”

The cable’s construction also ensures it easily passes other performance requirements stipulated in the relevant standards (e.g. NEXT, PSNEXT, ELFEXT etc…) and provides headroom in the critical characteristics.

The 10GPlus Zone Cable is designed to provide high bandwidth performance for use in horizontal wiring in structured cabling installations, in data centres and storage area networks (SANs), and in shorter length backbones.

Suitable for use in the most challenging Data Centre environments, it is smaller and 30% lighter than conventional cables, and makes possible a 100% increase in the number of cables per cable tray. The 10GPlus Zone Cable is also more flexible and easier to install, and is suitable for channel lengths up to 70m.

The Zone Cable is one element in Brand-Rex’s 10GPLUS Cabling System, in which performance is guaranteed to meet ClassEA Channel limits, when 10GPLUS cables are used as part of the 10GPLUS installation.

Low Smoke and fume Zero Halogen (LSOH) cable jacket material is fitted as standard, and the Brand-Rex warranty is available when it forms part of a 10GPLUS installation.

As well as supporting 10GBASE-T the Zone Cable provides the perfect foundation for building high performance, reliable LANs for transmission of Class A, B, C, D, E and E_A applications as currently defined in ISO 11801 and EN 50173, including voice, broadband video and Power Over Ethernet.

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

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

BRX0285

Brand-Rex Voted Structured Cabling Provider of the Year for Second Year Running

Leading global cable and data solutions company Brand-Rex, has been voted Structured Cabling Provider of the Year 20010 in the Network Computing Awards. The award was voted for by readers of Network Computing Magazine from a shortlist of major structured cabling manufacturers.  The ceremony took place in the Guoman Tower Hotel in London on 4^th March 2010, following a final round of on-line voting to decide the winners.

On winning the award, Ian Wilkie, Business & Marketing Director at Brand-Rex said, “We are delighted to receive this award for the second year running.  Brand-Rex has worked tirelessly over the past two years to provide the best support to its customers during a very challenging economic period.  Whilst most suppliers have seen sales fall dramatically, Brand-Rex has increased its market share, cementing our position as the number one supplier in the UK market and a global leader.”

2009 was a successful year for Brand-Rex with the launch of many new and exciting products including the High Density Fibre System, designed for data centres and telecoms rooms and the unique Cat6Plus ½ U Patch Panel.  Brand-Rex was awarded many high profile contracts with the likes of Cable & Wireless, BT and Audi in a year which saw the company strengthen its sales force around the world to cope with increasing market share.

“Winning the Structured Cabling Provider of the Year award is testament to the commitment, hard work and dedication delivered by both Brand-Rex staff and our many loyal and supportive channel partners,” said Wilkie. “I would like to dedicate this award to them all.”

Network Computing magazine is read by 17,500 industry professionals who buy and use networking hardware, software and related services. The Network Computing Awards were launched to recognise the products, services and companies that have particularly impressed readers of the magazine.  2010 saw the 4th annual Network Computing Awards take place with more than 20,000  votes cast on-line.

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

BRX0283

Top of the Class Cabling for Educational Giant

Released: February 2010

In the world of education, Findel Education is the market leader. The company is Europe’s largest supplier of educational resources to schools and other academic institutions, as well as exporting all around the world.

Findel Education Ltd currently employs around 650 staff and operates a portfolio of leading brands including Hope Education, GLS and Davies Sports.  The extent of the company’s product range is comprehensive by any standard and it supports all curriculum subjects as well as supplying furniture, audio visual equipment and commodities such as stationery, which are in constant demand. This breadth and volume is served via both printed catalogue and a variety of e-procurement systems, not only Europe-wide but via an International Division to more than 150 countries and regions including the Middle East, Far East and Africa.

With such impressive scope it’s not surprising that Findel Education recently outgrew its traditional home in a historic cotton mill in Hyde near Manchester. This site, although inspiring, was largely outdated and restrictive, so as the company continued to grow it was clear that a new site would be needed to allow expansion and to harness the benefits of a modern work environment.  A brand new three storey head office building was planned and, with it, an IT infrastructure to empower Findel Education’s future growth.

When it came to selecting the right IT infrastructure to support the business John Duxbury, IT Technical Operations Manager, had to take an extensive list of requirements into account as the new building was going to become the company’s central hub for many years to come.

For support and advice in IT related matters, John turned to 4Net Technologies, the company’s long standing voice application specialist, who had helped Findel Education manage its integration and migration to a common platform after the acquisition of a number of businesses in the education market. 4Net, in turn, brought IT cabling partner NETcare Europe Limited in to advise on physical layer requirements. “We sat down with NETcare and 4Net Technologies and discussed in detail our requirements as well as future plans and upgrades,” explained John.

“From the outset we recognised that VoIP was the preferred solution and with future requirements for a higher bandwidth network we would need to propose a 10Gb/s cabling solution,” comments Steve McMurrough, operations director of NETcare Europe.

“Our preferred cabling choice is Siemon. We have a long standing business relationship with Siemon and have installed Siemon systems in a number of projects before. We are especially experienced at installing the company’s 10Gb/s solutions, including category 6A and category 7A/TERA.”

1700 category 6A F/UTP outlets, category 6A F/UTP cable and Siemon’s 10G XGLO OM3 24 core multimode fibre optic cable, jumpers and panels were installed in the new building in Hyde. Due to NETcare’s experience with Siemon product the project could be realised within the very short time frame of three months.

Photo can be found here:

http://fs.turtleconsulting.co.uk/PICS/TSC0406%20Findel_Ed.jpg

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

TSC0406

£2,395 Cash Back Rebate from Fluke Networks

Released: January 2010

Fluke Networks, leading manufacturer of network cabling test equipment, is teaming up with network infrastructure experts Siemon to launch a new initiative named ‘The Best Solution’.  This promotion offers all UK network installers the chance to claim up to £2,395 cash back rebate when acquiring a Fluke Networks DTX CableAnalyzer™ Series configuration.

Running from January to April 30, 2010, the opportunity is open to all industry professionals.  To qualify for the maximum £2,395 reward, installers will need to purchase, in a single order, £10,000 or more in value of Siemon’s Z-MAX category 6A cabling products and/or any other qualifying copper or fibre infrastructure products from Siemon. This is being marketed exclusively through Fluke Networks’ UK distribution partner, CablelinesPronet Ltd, who stock the qualifying Siemon Z-MAX range.

The DTX CableAnalyzer^TM is a future-proof platform that improves every aspect of the testing and certification process. It reduces total certification time and costs by up to 35 per cent per year, claims Fluke. The DTX is the only tester with a Permanent Link Adapter (DTX-PLA002S) with truly centered plug, required for standards compliant certification and an  unprecedented measurement repeatability at very low cost. It is this DTX-PLA002S that guarantees “false” passes do not occur, ultimately saving installers costly callbacks.

“For many UK integrators, installing Category 6A is now a daily reality,” commented Graeme Stoker, Siemon’s EMEA marketing manager.  “The unique Siemon Z-MAX Category 6A cabling system offers our installers the highest performance margins across all critical transmission parameters; a 60 second or less termination time, 48 category 6A ports in a standard 1U 19″ patch panel and exceptional termination speed and  reliability via Siemon’s Z-TOOL.”  

Stoker goes on to point out, “Testing remains a critical element of any high performing network installation, and we very much support Fluke Networks in driving this message forward through ‘The Best Solution’ of the DTX tester and Z-MAX cabling system. ”

Robert Luijten, EMEA marketing manager for Fluke Networks explains, “’The Best Solution’ is a very simple idea and one which we know will be of interest to many installers, as it should help them migrate existing test equipment up to the high performing DTX CableAnalyser^TM Series.  ‘The Best Solution’, makes this transition even more attractive and we are delighted to be working with Siemon and CablelinesPronet to deliver this offer to market”.

For more information and to receive your Fluke DTX rebate application form, please visit http://www.flukenetworks.com/SiemonBestSolution

Photos can be found here:

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http://fs.turtleconsulting.co.uk/PICS/TSC0399%20Fluke_Best_Solution_ZMAX.jpg

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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

TSC0399

Networks Centre Promoted

Released: January 2010

Networks Centre has been promoted by Brand-Rex.

Already a successful distributor for Brand-Rex Fibre Cabling Systems; three years of constant success, dedication and commitment combined with unparalleled sales growth has led Brand-Rex (now recognised as the UK’s leading structured cabling systems manufacturer) to start the new year by promoting Networks Centre to be one of its small elite group of Premier Distribution Partners.

This means that Networks Centre www.networkscentre.com will now distribute the full Brand-Rex range of copper and fibre structured cabling systems and are now able to offer a complete one-stop service for installers and integrators.

In announcing the promotion, Brand-Rex Business and Marketing Director Ian Wilkie said,  ”I’m delighted to announce the appointment of Networks Centre to become one of our Premier Distribution Partners today.  Brand-Rex has placed Customer Service at the heart of its business strategy in recent years because we believe that this gives us a massive differentiation in the market.

“We’re very pleased that Networks Centre share the same vision as Brand-Rex  -  their business approach is very much one of  customer focus and responsiveness.  The fact that they have exhibited such impressive sales growth is testament to the effectiveness of this strategy.

Wilkie continued by saying that with loyal distribution partners such as Networks Centre, Brand-Rex will continue to offer a service unmatched by most in the industry.

On receiving the news of their promotion, Networks Centre Managing Director Duncan Lindsay said, “We are delighted. Through our customer-centred business model, Networks Centre has grown substantially over the past three years and has become a significant distributor in the IT and Telecoms sectors. We are committed to ensuring we provide our customers with leading edge products and systems to meet the needs of their customers. The new appointment will ensure we continue to do so.

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

BRX0276

Siemon Launches New Super Dense Angled Panel with 48 Ports in 1U

Released: January 2010

Siemon has launched an angled version of the high performance Z-MAX modular patch panel. Designed to support both the shielded and UTP versions of Siemon’s 10 Gb/s Z-MAX 6A network cabling, these new panels meet or exceed all 10GBASE-T and category 6A/class E_A performance requirements.

Available in ultra high-density 48 port 1U and 24 port 1U versions, the new angled configuration allows patch cords to be routed directly into vertical cable managers, eliminating the need for additional horizontal cable managers and saving valuable rack space.  This not only provides increased density, but also offers more aesthetically pleasing patch cord management.

Like the flat versions of the  Z-MAX patch panel, Siemon’s new angled panels feature a unique modular Quick-Snap panel design, which allows Z-MAX category 6A panel outlets to be quickly snapped into place or removed to speed initial deployment and subsequent moves, adds and changes.  Designed specifically for the Z-MAX panels, Z-MAX panel outlets utilise the same best-in-class termination process as Z-MAX hybrid flat/angled outlets. Using the simple, patent-pending Z-TOOL™, both shielded and unshielded Z-MAX panel outlets can be terminated in as little as 60 seconds from start to finish, including cable preparation. The terminated outlets can then be easily snapped into the panel.

The angled Z-MAX panels’ Quick Snap design also makes them ideal for use with Siemon’s factory pre-terminated Z-MAX trunking cable assemblies.  Equipped with Z-MAX category 6A UTP or category 6A Shielded panel outlets, Siemon trunks are custom configured specifically to the customer need, allowing permanent links within data centres, or other environments with pre-determined lengths, to be quickly deployed. This exact-fit approach, combined with the Z-MAX Quick Snap panel design, significantly reduces installation time – up to 75 per cent compared to individually field-terminated channels.  By consolidating multiple cabling channels, Siemon trunking cable assemblies also improve cable management and pathway space utilisation in raised floor or overhead cable trays as well as eliminating on site scrap which makes for a greener installation.  All scrap from the factory termination process is 100 per cent recycled as part of Siemon’s zero-landfill commitment to the environment.

These durable panels are constructed of lightweight, high strength steel with industrial black finish, scratch/fade resistant port marking and user-friendly integrated cable management.  Port identification is enhanced through the Z-MAX panel’s high visibility magnifying labeling system.

Z-MAX 6A shielded panels feature Siemon’s integrated Quick Ground™ technology, which automatically grounds Z-MAX 6A shielded modules to the panel upon insertion, eliminating additional outlet grounding steps.  Both Z-MAX shielded and unshielded panels are available as complete kits including patch panel, Z-MAX panel outlets and all necessary accessories. Empty panels are also available for use with Z-MAX pre-terminated trunking cable assemblies.

Siemon’s Z-MAX 6A line includes complete end-to-end category 6A/class E_A systems in both shielded and unshielded configurations.  The full Z-MAX 6A channel consists of Z-MAX 6A outlets, Siemon category 6A cable and Z-MAX 6A patch panels, as well as patent pending Z-MAX 6A patch cords that feature a precisely tuned printed circuit board (PCB) into every plug for enhanced signal and unparalleled end-to-end system performance.

Photos: can be found here;

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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

TSC0404

ADC KRONE Offers Structured Cabling Catalogue Online

Released: January 2010

• Launches Online Searchable Resource 
• Features Several Unique Applications  
• Makes It an Easy, One-Stop Reference for Customers 

ADC KRONE (NASDAQ: ADCT; www.adckrone.com) today announced that the new electronic version of its industry-leading structured cabling catalogue can be found online at www.adc-products.com or within the main www.adckrone.com website.  The online resource features several unique applications that now make it an easy, one-stop reference for installers and consultants looking for information on ADC KRONE’s comprehensive product portfolio.  

Features include a powerful customised search engine that allows clients to find products by keyword, product type or product code. In addition, the information is displayed more clearly, with well-defined links to each range of products.

A print preview feature means that details of all ADC KRONE products are also available as standalone data sheets. These sheets can be printed and simply inserted directly into tender documents without downloading them in PDF format.

“Putting our catalogue on-line makes sense in so many ways because it offers an enhanced customer experience by making it easier for them to find full details about the products they are interested in,” said Mike Williams, enterprise marketing manager for ADC KRONE. “It also means we can keep it updated and ensure that our customers always have access to the latest technical information. Another benefit is that by reducing the printing and distribution of our large 400-page catalogue, we can minimise costs and our carbon foot print.”

Learn more at www.adckrone.com/en  

About ADC KRONE

ADC serves its customers as ADC KRONE in the Europe/Middle East/Africa, Asia-Pacific regions of the world. ADC KRONE provides the network infrastructure equipment and services needed to deliver voice, video, Internet and data communications around the world. Wireline, wireless, cable, enterprise, and broadcast network operators rely on ADC offerings to deliver bandwidth intensive, high-speed services to residential, business and mobile subscribers. ADC (NASDAQ: ADCT) has sales into more than 130 countries. Learn more about ADC KRONE at www.adckrone.com.

AK1463

Cable&Wireless Places Three Year Fibre Contract with Brand-Rex

Released: December 2009

One of the world’s leading international communications companies, Cable&Wireless Worldwide has awarded a new contract to Brand-Rex. Under the terms of the contract, Brand-Rex will supply Cable&Wireless with optical fibre in the UK and Ireland for the next three years.

During the past five years, Brand-Rex supplied fibre cable to the telecommunications operator, THUS. Last year, Cable&Wireless acquired THUS and took the decision to consolidate all its fibre requirements to ensure that the expanded business was able to benefit from the most competitive fibre cable supplier.

Roger Dashwood, Category Manager for Cable&Wireless Worldwide said, ““Brand-Rex was able to demonstrate an ability to support our demand from its UK manufactured and held stock and also to provide short manufacturing lead times. This gives us flexibility in our optical fibre supply and enables us to provide excellent levels of service delivery and support for our customers.”

Ian Wilkie, Business and Marketing Director for Brand-Rex, added: “We are very proud to have secured such a prestigious contract from a world leading player in the telecommunications market.  Our focus was to understand the specific needs of Cable&Wireless and its customers, which allowed us to propose a service model that we believed was best suited to meeting their business needs.”

“Our UK cable factory supplies copper and fibre communications cables to customers throughout the world and has been doing so for almost 40 years. As a UK based fibre cable manufacturer we can offer Cable&Wireless far shorter lead times than companies located in other countries. It means we can accommodate rush orders, and can switch output as the customer requires, even up to the very moment of manufacture.

“Such levels of service ultimately depend on the commitment and dedication of the whole Brand-Rex team, and as a result of that, we are proud to have won this important contract.”

To support this new contract, Brand-Rex has invested in new plant at its Glenrothes factory to expand the capabilities of this already impressive and modern facility.

All the fibre used within these cables meets Cable&Wireless’ Standards and Specifications necessary to deliver mission critical communications.

ABOUT CABLE AND WIRELESS

Cable and Wireless plc is one of the world’s leading international communications companies. It operates through two standalone business units – Worldwide and CWI.

The Worldwide business (formerly Europe, Asia & US) specialises in offering high quality communications services such as IP, data, voice and hosting to large enterprise, reseller and carrier customers. It operates globally, with core markets in UK, Asia and EMEA, and provides connectivity in 153 countries.

CWI is an owner and operator of leading regional telecoms businesses. Headquartered in London, it operates businesses through four regional operations the Caribbean, Panama, Macau and Monaco & Islands delivering world class service and efficiency. CWI is a full-service telecommunications provider offering mobile, broadband, and domestic and international fixed line services, as well as enterprise and managed service solutions.

For more information about Cable&Wireless, go to http://www.cw.com 

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  

BRX0249

New Siemon video shows how the latest IIM system increases network density, improves security and reduces power consumption

Released: December 2009

Siemon, the network infrastructure experts, have launched a short video to highlight how the company’s next-generation Intelligent Infrastructure Management (IIM) system, MapIT G2, addresses today’s most critical IT and network concerns: downtime, network security, density and power consumption.

The video serves both as an introduction to IIM systems and also shows the benefits that MapIT G2 can provide in network density and power consumption.

Using a live installation, Siemon’s technical sales support manger for IIM systems, Alberto Zucchinali, demonstrates how a combination of smart patch panels and cords, analysers and software delivers enhanced visibility of a network infrastructure. Delivering hierarchical views from cabinet to work area, to floor layouts including type and physical location of every device (e.g. PCs, servers, laptops, printers, etc) connected to the network, MapIT G2 provides IT managers with real-time network documentation and helps to maximise the utilisation of network assets.

Alberto goes on to show how MapIT G2 helps with network security. Any patching changes, removal and adding of devices in the network – whether authorised or unauthorised – will automatically trigger an e-mail alert to the IT manager. This ultimately leads to increased end-point security as well as reduced downtime, as system errors can be located instantaneously and be rectified within a matter of seconds.

Another key advantage demonstrated in the video is density. Compared to competing systems in the market, Siemon’s MapIT G2  provides up to 80 per cent higher density. A single MapIT G2 Master Control Panel can monitor up to 2880 patching ports – older systems use up 6U space to do the same. This advantage, in combination with reduced equipment depth, helps to free up critical space in the data centre.

“IIM systems can be viewed as complex”, comments Graeme Stoker, marketing manager at Siemon. “We believe that a live demonstration of the system in the form of a short minute video is the best way to fully convey the capabilities and the benefits this solution can bring to an organisation.  Seeing is believing”, he concludes.

Photos: can be found here:

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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

 TSC0359

Brand-Rex Ends Agreement with UK Distributor Mayflex

Released: December 2009

UK’s Leading Manufacturer of Structured Cabling Systems Reviews Partner Base as part of Growth Strategy

Following our unparalleled success in market share growth over recent years Brand-Rex, now recognised within the industry as the leading player in the UK market, has decided to end its distribution agreement with Mayflex.

This decision will not affect most Brand-Rex installation partners who will continue to source all of their needs through existing long established and highly supportive distribution partners.  Brand-Rex will continue to service its Value Added Resellers directly from its large UK logistics hub. 

This announcement to terminate the Mayflex agreement follows a strategic review of the Brand-Rex UK partner network as the company seeks to capitalise further on its success in growing its UK market share.  Brand-Rex Business & Marketing Director Ian Wilkie, said today “Brand-Rex has enjoyed a hugely successful two years in the UK, growing our market share during an extremely tough period in which many of our competitors have lost ground.

 “As we at Brand-Rex developed and reviewed our business growth strategy we highlighted the need for supportive partnerships that are motivated by mutual benefits. The relationship with Mayflex has changed during recent years and we now have different and sometimes conflicting objectives.  In view of this, we believe this relationship has reached a natural conclusion, allowing us both to move on and focus on our own business needs.” 

Wilkie explains that the company’s significant growth in market share to become the UK leading brand is the result of extraordinary levels of customer service, “Brand-Rex has placed Customer Service at the heart of its business strategy in recent years and we believe that, along with our other loyal distribution partners, we are able to offer a service unmatched by most in the industry.”

As part of its unrivalled customer service approach, Brand-Rex is already personally contacting every one of its customers formerly supplied through Mayflex and arranging meetings with them.  This will ensure that the most appropriate purchasing channel is identified to support them, ensuring total continuity of supply.  “Customers who source their Brand-Rex products through channels other than Mayflex will not be affected in any way,” says Wilkie, “they will continue to get the high quality of supply and service they expect from Brand-Rex.”

In explaining the decision to bring to an end the Mayflex relationship, Wilkie states “Mayflex has been an important partner to Brand-Rex for many years in the UK.  Likewise, the association with Brand-Rex allowed Mayflex to develop the successful structured cabling distribution business it has today.”

In concluding, Wilkie states,  “We believe this move will reassure our customers that Brand-Rex remains committed to a channel strategy that is dedicated to providing them with the highest level of service and support and where second-best simply isn’t an option.”

Brand-Rex is now the number one structured cabling supplier in the UK market and is in the top three in many other countries in Europe.

Photo: can be found here: http://fs.turtleconsulting.co.uk/PICS/BRX0273%20Mayflex%20cancelled_Ian_Wilkie.jpg

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

BRX0273

Siemon network cabling supports IBM’s Portable Modular Data Centre (PMDC)

Released: December 2009

Network infrastructure specialist Siemon announces that its products can be implemented within IBM’s Portable Modular Data Centre (PMDC), being displayed at the Gartner Data Center Conference in early December at Ceasar’s Palace in Las Vegas.  Siemon products include high-performance category 6A and 7A twisted pair copper cabling systems, MapIT G2 intelligent infrastructure management (IIM) as well as 10, 40 and 100-Gigabit-ready, plug and play fibre optic cabling systems.

IBM’s PMDC is a high-density containerised data centre solution that allows IBM clients to quickly and easily create or expand existing data centre floor space without major construction or building retrofit. Designed to be both compact and extremely energy-efficient, the PMDC approach can potentially reduce operating costs and carbon footprint.

To enhance rapid and efficient deployment, IBM’s PMDCs are delivered as pre designed modular units that can include power, cooling, fire detection and suppression, access control and more.  Designed to provide an open IT infrastructure, the PMDC containers offer complete, equipment-ready racks and cabling systems, supporting a wide array of equipment vendors, types, configurations and mounting styles. 

“In a global economy, many organisations are finding they require remote or mobile data centres for installation in a wide variety of locations around the world,” said Steve Sams, IBM vice president, Global Site and Facilities Services. “By working with Siemon to deliver innovative products, IBM has been able to provide clients with a flexible and efficient data centre solution, closer to clients, manufacturing sites and remote operations.”

As part of a supplier agreement between IBM and Siemon, PDMCs can be delivered with Siemon cabling already installed and ready to connect.   Based on IBM client requirements, these pre-installed cabling infrastructures may include any of Siemon’s high-performance cabling systems, including the IBM-branded FTS I-Line.  Launched globally as part of IBM’s Fiber 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 PDMC, 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 PMDC may also be delivered with Siemon’s high-performance twisted pair copper cabling systems, including end-to-end shielded and UTP copper cabling ranging from category 5e to 10Gb/s category 6A, 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 PMDC solutions are outfitted with 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.

For more information on IBM’s PMDC solution visit: www.ibm.com  

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

Photo can be found here: http://fs.turtleconsulting.co.uk/PICS/TSC0384%20IBM.jpg

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

TSC0384

Siemon adds end of row zero-U patching to its super dense VersaPOD

Released: November 2009

Siemon has launched new end of row zero-U patching and cable management options to its high density VersaPOD data centre cabinet system.   Previously available as a copper and fibre patching solution that utilised the vertical space between two bayed VersaPOD cabinets, this new product set brings the same high-density, zero-U capabilities to end of row and stand-alone cabinets.

The end of row vertical panels mount between the VersaPOD cabinet’s corner posts and side panels, allowing 4 standard 1U patch panels or fibre enclosures to be mounted vertically.  These panels may be mounted on both ends and in the front and rear of the cabinet, providing an additional 16U of mounting space to a stand-alone cabinet, without consuming horizontal mounting space.

“Combining VersaPOD’s 24U of zero-U vertical patching space between bayed cabinets with the new end of row capabilities frees up 40 horizontal mounting spaces for every two cabinets,” claims Siemon’s marketing manager Graeme Stoker. “Ultimately, fewer cabinets are needed, saving cabinet cost and valuable data centre floor space.”

Cable management and patching in the VersaPOD are located in dedicated zero-U spaces that eliminate cable obstructions in equipment mounting areas for improved cold aisle, hot aisle air flow and thermal management.

Vertical zero-U panels also provide ideal patching proximity to active equipment, minimizing patch cord runs and slack congestion.  This cord and cable management benefit may be further enhanced by optional cable management fingers that can be mounted alongside each zero-U panel to facilitate routing of copper patch cords or fibre jumpers between patching fields. Zero-U vertical patching areas can also be used to mount PDU’s to service the equipment mounted in the adjacent 45U of horizontal mounting space.

In addition to mounting patch panels and fibre enclosures, VersaPOD’s end of row options include new thermal management blanking panels.  These panels seal the air gap between the cabinet corner posts and side panels, enhancing the VersaPOD’s hot aisle/cold aisle isolation capabilities.  Along with provisions for roof mounted cooling fans, brush guards and grommets for cable access points and highly perforated front and rear doors, the VersaPOD has been designed to maximize data centre thermal management efficiency.

VersaPOD’s design offers full accessibility to the zero-U vertical space from the front and rear of each bayed unit. Dual hinged front doors open from both the left and right and are easily removed.  Split rear doors operate on a quad hinge design, allowing each split door to be independently opened in either direction, or removed.   All doors and side panels are lockable to prevent unauthorized access to critical equipment connections.

For more information in Siemon’s VersaPOD, as well as other Siemon network cabling and connectivity innovations, visit www.siemon.com/uk/versapod.

Photos: can be found here:

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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

TSC0377

UCLan pilots Siemon VersaPOD

Released: November 2009

Hot on the heels of its new TERA® category 7 network installation, The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is piloting Siemon’s VersaPOD system for its new data centre.   These bayed cabinets were chosen for their exceptional density whilst providing thermal efficiency.  Six are now being installed as a pilot project with a view to their adoption as the standard for the entire University requirement.

With over 32,000 students, 500 undergraduate and 180 postgraduate courses, UCLan has some very large scale needs.  To complement the two existing data centres a third one was built. This will support specialist projects including the NASA Solar Dynamic Observatory, which is due to be launched in December 2009, and will give researchers at UCLan access to 2TB (TeraBytes) of data every day.  UCLan will be hosting this project outside of the USA and Belgium for the wider European community. A new High Performance Computing System is also included in the new data centre which will provide additional research resources.

The new data centre is being housed in the Darwin Building, a teaching block on UCLan’s impressive campus.  Space is at a premium, as the dual purpose room houses both the data centre and the high performance computing equipment required for a new academic study.  The Siemon VersaPOD was assessed and found to offer the necessary flexibility, density and energy efficiency.

“We selected the VersaPOD for several reasons, centred around its provision of density. Thermal efficiency was a major consideration and the segregation of passive and active equipment in the VersaPOD allows targeted cooling.   Using this system has allowed us to condense the footprint of floor space required and so fit the new data centre into the restricted area available,” explains Frank Wadmore, Networks and Telecoms Manager at UCLan.  “We are impressed with the flexibility and accessibility of the VersaPOD; and with space and green issues uppermost on UCLan’s green agenda, the VersaPOD system goes some way to addressing current and future needs.”

Siemon claim that in a typical data centre, the number of cabinets required can be reduced by 20 per cent with VersaPOD, saving valuable floor space.  Tony Robinson, global accounts manager at Siemon explains; “Integrated zero-U vertical patch panels (VPPs) support both copper and fibre patching, supplying up to 288 copper ports or 864 fibre ports in the front and/or rear vertical gap between two bayed cabinets without taking up horizontal mounting space.   By freeing up horizontal space, greater active equipment density is possible.”

UCLan has invested £60 million in developing its facilities and is constantly looking at ways to improve and standardise on its IT infrastructure with technologies that facilitate a more cost effective use of resources.  As Frank Wadmore concludes: “It’s in our nature to take risks and be in the vanguard, especially in IT. We were early adopters of Siemon TERA’s (category 7) cable sharing capability and with VersaPOD we are again seizing the opportunity to use the latest and best equipment to serve the University’s growing needs.  Academic demands move swiftly and we provision for a dynamic future in everything we do.”

Photo: can be found here; http://fs.turtleconsulting.co.uk/PICS/TSC0345%20VPod%20for%20UCLan.jpg

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

 TSC0345

Siemon’s Z-MAX cabling infrastructure supports the future of Medical Teaching at St Andrews University

Released: October 2009

Installation speed of new Z-MAX category 6A cabling system secures prestigious IT project with St Andrews

Network infrastructure specialists Siemon have secured the first contract to supply their newly launched category 6A Z-MAX cabling solution for a brand new Medical School at the University of St Andrews.       

Z-MAX will be implemented at the prestigious new £45 million School of Medicine and Science in the heart of the University’s science campus. The new school will lead collaborative research in areas of cancer, health psychology and infectious disease and will foster new interdisciplinary teamwork with scientists of other disciplines at St Andrews.

The shielded configuration of the RJ45 based category 6A Z-MAX cabling infrastructure is set to deliver 10 Gigabit Ethernet channel performance from the telecoms room to all classroom desk positions, medical research and lab facilities as well as administration offices. It will support the advanced multimedia-based teaching requirements of the medical school, in addition to high speed wired and wireless connectivity.

Siemon Certified Installer XTREME Business Solutions will be implementing  3100 category 6A ZMAX shielded outlets in the horizontal, 300 inter-cabinet links, 1500 category 6A ZMAX shielded  patch cords and 180 kilometres of 500MHz category 6A F/UTP cable.

Reflecting on the choice of Siemon’s ZMAX for this significant undertaking, Ian McDonald, Technical and Infrastructure Services Manager at St Andrews, explains “A timely completion of the new Medical School is of paramount importance to us to ensure that the school can admit its first students in September 2010. To achieve this we specified tight project timescales for all contracting parties involved. When it comes to the cabling, Z-MAX has demonstrated significantly reduced installation times which will aid with fast completion and in addition will save us costs.”

Adding to this Cameron Murray, contracts director at XTREME Business Solutions explains: “St Andrews was looking for a high performance, future-proof solution able to support 10Gb/s Ethernet which Siemon are renowned for. We were competing head-to-head with other high quality 10G solutions, but the speed of installation that Siemon’s Z-MAX provides gave us the competitive edge and secured us this prestigious project.”

According to Siemon, Z-MAX offers a fast, easy and very reliable termination process, supporting termination times of just under 60 seconds per outlet.

“When it comes to cable preparation time and ease of installation Siemon’s category 6A Z-MAX solution is miles ahead of any other category 6A solution available in the market today. The trouble-free install process guarantees substantial time savings that translate into labour cost savings which in return will benefit any end user. Z-MAX certainly dispels any long established concerns about shielded solutions being difficult to terminate and install” Cameron concludes.

Siemon cabling solutions have supported St Andrews’ campus for a number of years, with widespread use of Siemon’s System 6 solution in the University’s Administration, Arts and Sciences departments as well as student residences and the company is proud to be part of yet another project; probably the most important in the history of St Andrews, set to support future advancements in the field of medicine. 

Photo: can be found here: http://fs.turtleconsulting.co.uk/PICS/TSC0346_Z-MAX_St_Andrews_new_Medical_School_artist_impression.JPG

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 

About St Andrews

Founded in 1413, St Andrews is Scotland’s first university and the third oldest in the English speaking world. The University is divided into four Faculties serving a total student population of over 7,258 in the academic year 2008-2009. Medicine has been taught in St Andrews for nearly 600 years and in Medical Research Multidisciplinary collaboration is a key to research success in the 21st century.

The construction of the new medical school landmarks one of the most ambitious projects in international medical teaching and research designed to interdisciplinary collaboration with the University’s top rated science faculty, acknowledging the growing international consensus that the most significant advances in medical and biomedical research will result from unrestricted collaboration between medicine and the sciences. The building includes dedicated areas for medical research, biology teaching, chemistry teaching and photonics research.

About XTREME Business Solutions

Xtreme Business Solutions design, supply, install and certify a comprehensive range of technical IT solutions to meet the demands for rapid and robust network infrastructures, based around a client’s individual requirements. The company’s network solutions are drawn from industry leading organisations and manufacturers, offering clients a choice of high performance and cost effective solutions designed to meet their brief. In addition to building reliable and robust network infrastructures, XBS also believes in building long-term working relationships with both its clients and suppliers. This close working collaboration ensures continuity of product and service quality, delivered in a timely and financially prudent manner. XBS creates Voice & Data solutions from start to finish, with a tradition in excellence and a future of great promise.    

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