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Welcome
Network Communications News (NCN) is the UK’s premier title for network infrastructure installers, integrators and end users. As an exclusive monthly title, the magazine’s broad based editorial content encompasses all aspects of the telecommunications sector. As well as all the latest industry news, standards information, best practice tips, application stories and products.
NCN is the number one arena for open industry debate encouraging opinions and comment from installers, end users, manufacturers, distributors, consultants, industry bodies and training organisations.Whether an individual is new to the industry or has been involved in it for many years, they will always find key industry information within the pages of NCN.
NCN deals directly with the needs and expectations of this dynamic and fast moving industry. It is dedicated to the expansion, professionalism and future development of the network infrastructure sector.
Breaking News…
Speakers added to Telecoms 09 seminar programme
More speakers have been added to the Telecoms 09 – The Network Infrastructure Event seminar programme.
Telecoms 09 – which is sponsored by The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) and Raritan – will take place at London’s Olympia 2 between 23rd-24th September.
The Telecoms 09 seminars are free to attend and will be hosted by NCN and The Telecommunications Infrastructure Advisory Board (TIA-B). Day One will address the theme of structure, survival and sustainability, while Day Two will focus on the developments in IT infrastructure technologies and feature a standards update by Mike Gilmore of e-Ready Building.
Other confirmed speakers include Carrie Higbie of Siemon, Ken Hodge of Brand-Rex, Rob Cardigan of Nexans, TC Tan of CommScope, Liam Newcombe of The British Computer Society, David Stefanowicz of ECA ITEC, Toby Abbott of the Hannover Trust, Mike Daly of CMA and Richard Clark of Raritan.
More seminar sessions will be announced leading up to the event itself, which aims to attract installers, consultants and end users of telecommunications infrastructure products and solutions.
NCN’s editor, Rob Shepherd, commented, ‘The Telecoms 09 seminar programme will feature some of the industry’s leading experts, talking about a range of hot topics including green IT, power optimisation, building management, VoIP and next generation IT infrastructure technology.’
NCN readers can register and find out more about Telecoms 09 by visiting www.telecomsshow.co.uk.
Neptuny included in Gartner report
Neptuny has announced that it has been included in Gartner’s Cool Vendors in IT Operations 2009 report.
Neptuny’s Caplan is a business aware capacity planning solution for large data centres and networks. Caplan provides capacity planning capability across the whole IT infrastructure, including physical and virtual servers, storage, databases, networks and facilities.
Neptuny’s CEO, Fabio Violante, commented, ‘We are both honored and proud to be among the Gartner Cool Vendors in IT Operations. Innovation and leading edge technology are key to us and in our opinion the inclusion of Neptuny in the report is a significant proof that we are achieving this. We believe the report also gives us additional reasons for focusing on increasing our ability to operate, expanding our operations and enlarging our partner network.’
Logicalis achieves Cisco unified communications designation
Logicalis has announced that it has achieved a Cisco Powered Designation for Unified Communications services by establishing the resources and procedures to deploy, manage and deliver Cisco Powered Business Communication and Cisco Powered Managed Unified Contact Centre services.
Tom Kelly, managing director of Logicalis UK, commented, ‘As businesses turn to managed services to secure operational continuity and stabilise IT expenditure, suppliers are under increasing competition to demonstrate their ability to deliver enterprise class services. The recognition from Cisco is a clear endorsement of our expertise and highlights in particular our international capabilities.’
A Cisco Powered Designation recognises a solution provider’s investment in the tools and processes necessary to provide high quality network based managed services.
‘Managed services allows companies to align IT and business goals, enabling them to focus scarce internal resources on their core competencies while servicing day to day IT infrastructure and operational needs through technology delivered as a service,’ said Jeff Spagnola, vice president of worldwide managed services for Cisco. ‘Logicalis has made an investment in obtaining the training, skills and knowledge necessary to play a pivotal role in meeting this increasing demand.’
Nimans announces acquisition of Rocom
Nimans has announced its £12.45m acquisition of Rocom from the ATC Group, which Nimans’ chairman, Julian Niman, has described as ‘the opportunity of a lifetime’.
Nimans’ commented, ‘The purchase of Rocom, which has its own long standing and respected pedigree, creates an unbeatable combination and powerful market leading proposition and we are all highly motivated by the potential. It is a new chapter in our history and the start of a momentous era for the telecommunications distribution industry.’ Both Nimans and Rocom will retain their branding and customer facing operations.
Nimans added, ‘This acquisition provides the perfect platform for sustained strategic growth for customers giving them access to the full product portfolio across Nimans and Rocom. It represents a real statement of intent and demonstrates our commitment to, and confidence in, the telecommunications distribution market. We are a financially secure company with the strength to expand and move further forward.’
Nimans also highlighted the many channel benefits which will be generated following the purchase of Rocom, which now creates a combined business with a turnover approaching £100m and 400 staff. No other distributor will have the depth and diversity of stock at their disposal. He concluded, ‘As there will be less direct competition between the companies we can fully focus on channel development, rather than “shifting: the channel where customers can get caught between the two with trapped loyalties. We can concentrate fully on helping dealers develop their businesses further. The best of breed qualities of both companies will work together for everyone’s benefit. For ourselves, suppliers and customers alike this represents a tremendous opportunity.’
Blue Helix sales recognised by 3M
Blue Helix beat all records for its sale of 3M products in the UK and Ireland in 2008 – and the diversified technology company has formally recognised Blue Helix’s achievement.
Colin Ryall, managing director of Blue Helix, visited 3M’s head office in Bracknell, Berkshire, to receive a commemorative award from Robert Nichols, communications business director for 3M.
Ryall said, ‘3M is a company that many people are aware of for familiar products such as Post-it Notes and Scotch Tape. In the communications market, however, they are the sixth largest supplier of networking solutions in Europe. 3M’s products include the company’s portfolio of Volition cabling systems, which offers customers an end to end solution with a 25 year warranty.’
Presenting the award, Robert Nichols said that the companies’ joint success was due to the combination of the superior quality of 3M’s fibre and copper product portfolio supported by the market leading service offered by Blue Helix.
Extreme Networks announces TCO initiative
Extreme Networks has announced a groundbreaking new initiative for businesses looking to improve the total cost of ownership (TCO) of their networks. By reducing costs through innovation, Extreme Networks is able to reduce costs associated with acquisition, support, and power consumption whilst maximising network uptime and reliability of enterprise networks.
The global slowdown has cut IT budgets in nearly all organisations whilst they are trying to maximise customer retention and business profitability. The decrease in budgets has created a plateau where end users are demanding more from fewer network resources. This means that organisations are increasingly looking for innovative solutions that will deliver reliable services at an attractive price point resulting in a lower TCO.
‘The current economic climate has presented businesses with a set of new challenges,’ said Extreme Networks’ technical director for UK and Ireland, Paul O’Kelly. ‘Organisations will overcome these challenges by thoroughly reviewing their underlying communications infrastructure and identifying areas where they can make significant savings by innovating.’
With businesses trying to reduce costs associated with IT spending and looking for the best available reliability and TCO, it is imperative that they choose solutions that meet the needs of 21st century users. Extreme Networks provide organisations with a solution that offers 99.999 per cent network availability, reduced power consumption as well as automated closed loop security that can be acquired at a lower cost when compared to other alternatives on the market. This combined with lower power consumption and high level automation capabilities results in reduced resources being required to deploy and troubleshoot the network, all of which drives a lower TCO.
‘Businesses are continually looking for savings on their IT budget, whilst delivering more services and improved performance to the end users,’ added O’Kelly. ‘We are delighted that we are able to offer a solution to the market that can significantly reduce CAPEX and OPEX costs. The credit crunch shouldn’t be an obstacle for end users to achieve long-term cost savings through upgrading their networks now.’
Further expansion for CNet Training
Despite the current economic slowdown CNet’s communications training business is booming and the company has just announced intensions to expand its UK headquarters in Suffolk.
The expansion adds a further two classrooms, increasing daily training capacity to nearly 100 delegates at any one time, a larger practical suite, providing more opportunity for real scenario simulation suites and an improved delegate breakout area.
Andrew Stevens, CNet Training’s managing director, commented, ‘We are very pleased that our business is doing so well during this time of uncertainty and with the addition of further major contracts recently won, we are pleased that it looks set to continue. We train over 2,500 delegates every year within everything from data and fibre installation and security through to the very latest data centre design and project management it is therefore vital that we continue to focus on our facilities to make constant improvements to our training environment.’
Dates and venue for The IT Directors’ Forum announced
The dates and venue for The IT Directors’ Forum have been announced. The event is a strategic business forum which is held on board P&O’s ship, MV Arcadia, sailing from Southampton on 17th June and returning 20th June.
The event offers access to senior IT decision makers in a professional business environment. For many companies, it is the most cost effective route to new business. The Forum offers buyers and decision makers a hugely time efficient two days during which they follow their own personal itinerary compiled from decisions they have made prior to getting on board.
Typically, 50 per cent of delegate’s time will be spent in conference and the remainder is a mix of meetings with suppliers of their choice and formal and informal networking. The event is free of charge to invited delegates but strictly by invitation only.
This year’s conference programme covers all the major issues affecting IT directors in the present climate. Sessions will feature Ed Gibson, chief cyber security advisor for Microsoft, Dinah McLeod, head of sustainability practice at BT Global Services, Gerry Pennell, CIO for the London 2012 Olympic Games, Tania Howarth, CIO of Birdseye plus many more speakers. Topics will range from IT security to virtualisation and from cloud computing to open source.
Anne Chambers of Richmond Events, organiser of the IT Directors Forum, said, ‘The IT Directors’ Forum places senior level IT decision makers and IT solution providers together for pre-agreed, pre-scheduled business development meetings. Our unique approach also provides attendees with an inspiring and provocative conference programme and unlimited access to industry leaders.’
For more information email Anne Chambers at achambers@richmondevents.com.
Marshall-Tufflex named as Senate’s top supplier
Senate Electrical has named Marshall-Tufflex as its Supplier of the Year.
Senate Electrical’s Supplier of the Year award asks the company’s directors, branch managers and head office staff to score supply companies in a range of areas, including product quality, sales support and delivery performance. From more than 130 suppliers, Marshall-Tufflex gained the highest overall score.
It is the second year running that Marshall-Tufflex has taken the award. Marshall-Tufflex’s sales director, Martin Green, said, ‘Winning last year was a real honour, so to be awarded Supplier of the Year again is an achievement of which we are most proud.’
Top four copper solutions providers stay the same in BSRIA report
The latest BSRIA report has been published and has found the top four copper solutions providers are still CommScope, Brand-Rex, ADC Krone and Excel.
BSRIA is a consultancy, test, instrumentation and research organisation, which provides specialist services in construction, building services and facilities management. It issues its report on the structured cabling market every year at this time.
The period of time sales value was measured over was for the 1st January 2008 to the 31st December 2008. Excel held nine per cent of the total market, hot on the heels of ADC Krone, Brand-Rex and Systimax in third, second and first respectively.
Brand-Rex grew its market share by 2.4 per cent in 2008, despite the fact that the UK market for structured cabling fell by some eight per cent, forcing most suppliers to report declining sales. The report also highlighted how Brand-Rex had significantly increased its share of the shielded market. The company’s annual sales in 2008 of more than £20m in the UK represent a year on year increase of almost 10 per cent.
Andrew Percival, managing director of Excel Networking Solutions, said, ‘BSRIA is a highly regarded global research organisation, their independent reports are a key tool in measuring our market presence and development. Whilst we are always looking to improve given market conditions, from the mid point of 2008 with falling prices and available volume in the market, we are delighted to record a hat trick of fourth positions.’
Ian Wilkie, business and marketing director at Brand-Rex, commented, ‘To grow so much in these difficult economic times is something that everyone at our company, our distributors and installers should be proud of. This success is all down to a mixture of hard work, high quality, reliable products and going that extra mile to make sure our clients receive a solution that really delivers beyond their needs.’
Siemon white paper compares copper and fibre in the data centre
Siemon has published a new white paper and video that compare the cost and performance of copper and fibre optic cabling in the data centre. The paper is authored by Carrie Higbie and, together with an accompanying video, is available for free download.
According to Siemon, Comparing Copper and Fibre Options in the Data Centre has been developed to help network professionals select future proof and cost effective network cabling for mission critical data centre infrastructure.
Based on the well known fact that most data centre designs encompass a mixture of both copper and fibre cabling infrastructure, this Siemon paper discusses the common options and configurations available to data centre professionals. Higbie details the merits of each solution on the basis of initial and lifecycle costs, including such subjects as power consumption and system performance. These factors are combined with application-specific needs such as channel length and system latency to provide actionable advice on data centre cabling choices.
‘With the topic of power consumption high on the agenda of many IT managers today, the discussion about whether copper or fibre is the right solution for the data centre has turned much more into an argument lately. As we at Siemon manufacture both copper and fibre systems, we have decided to develop a white paper that explains the benefits of both solutions, as they both have their rightful place in the data centre environment,’ said Carrie Higbie, Siemon’s global director of data centre solutions and services.
To download an electronic copy of Siemon’s Comparing Copper and Fibre Options in the Data Centre visit www.siemon.com/go/cvf.
Brand-Rex to host series of seminars
Brand-Rex is staging a series of international seminars, with experts on hand to explain the latest industry trends as well as discuss specific products and solutions.
The seminars have been devised to give companies in the data communications industry a better understanding of new cabling technology, knowledge that could also give them a boost during difficult financial times.
Expert speakers will also discuss technical issues, offering a new and detailed analysis of optical fibre solutions, 10GBase-T technology, and new installation rules. The sessions will cover best practice too, as well as offering advice on the planning and installation of data cabling, and details about which cabling solutions are best suited to which installation.
The day long events, which are free, include informal breakouts sessions too, with the chance to discuss best practice and future applications with industry experts, as well as network with other IT professionals.
The seminars take place in London on the 2nd June, Manchester on the 4th June, Brand-Rex HQ in Glenrothes on the 9th June, Milan on the 11th June, Paris on the 16th June and Lisbon on the 1st July.
Ken Hodge, Brand-Rex’s R&D manager, said, ‘The technology behind data communications is constantly changing and making sure that you’re up to speed with these changes is a crucial way of giving your business a competitive advantage. And that’s true whether you’re an installer specifying a solution or an infrastructure manager looking to renew or upgrade an existing system.’
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