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Rod Bader has been busy. The technical solutions analyst with Calgarybased WestJet, has overseen the construction of four buildings - in Hamilton, Edmonton, Toronto and Calgary - for the discount airline company.
Although the cabling infrastructure, which ties together computer networks and phone systems in each building and integrates them with the company's voice and data backbone, represents less than one per cent of the cost of each project, the company could not function without voice and data systems. That's why "price is not always the mitigating factor" when it comes to selecting the cable installation company, says Bader.
When selecting cable installation firms, Bader has a long checklist. He looks for:
* A proven track record in a variety of installation situations
* The ability to deliver voice, data and IP cabling solutions, from the network jacks into the patch panels in the voice and data closets
* An excellent knowledge of cabling products and standards * Test results verifying that all systems have met specifications and are fully operational
* Guarantees, warranties and solid support infrastructure
* Cable manufacturer training and certification.
Bader also hires installers with an eye on the future. The industry is rapidly evolving and Bader expects installers to build in migration paths that allow for the removal of old cable and the installation of new cable with minimal or zero disruption...