The NetClear structured cabling solution, an alliance between Ortronics/Legrand (www.ortronics.com) and Berk-Tek (www.nexans.com), now includes security and surveillance applications designed to operate over Internet protocol (IP), including the ability to run data, video and Power over Ethernet over the same cable.
The companies say NetClear ESS (Electronic Safety and Security) is built to assure scalability and performance for all types of networks and technologies. By including security applications as part of the NetClear suite of copper and fiber-optic end-to-end structured cabling systems, the companies say NetClear ESS will offer solutions for analog, hybrid, and IP camera installations, and can be configured specifically for camera type, distance, and required bandwidth.
“Physical CCTV networks were previously implemented over proprietary operating systems using multiple cable types-coaxial cable for video, twisted-pair for data, and electrical wire for power,” explains Berk-Tek marketing director Todd Harpel. “Through IP convergence, previously disparate disciplines, including data, video, and power, are now being connected together over one standardized structured cabling network to allow the sharing of resources, which provides a higher level of network efficiency while increasing the network’s return on investment.”
The NetClear partners plan to offer full-day seminars, on-site training classes, and webinars for security integrators and cable installers. Training will focus on the basics of structured cabling systems as well as the range of installation scenarios for voice and data, CCTV, access control, and building automation.Short runs…
MAYVILLE, WI-Among several recent acquisition and business expansion announcements in the cabling industry, rack and cabinet maker Mayville Products Corp. (www.mayvilleproducts.com) has acquired EMI Security Products business from APW Ltd., which has provided CCTV camera housings to the security marketplace since 1985. While the acquisition became official March 9, since Mayville Products has already been managing sales and customer service for the EMI line, the transition is expected to be seamless to customers.
In other business transactions:
• Network infrastructure products provider CommScope (www.commscope.com) plans to acquire substantial assets of Signal Vision Inc., whose products include digital passives, indoor amplifiers, and addressable taps for the broadband radio frequency subscriber market. “The addition provides CommScope with a more integrated suite of products for the last mile in broadband networks,” says Jim Hughes, executive vice president of broadband sales and marketing.
• Coleman Cable (www.colemancable.com) plans to acquire all the equity interests in Copperfield LLC, one of the largest private fabricators and insulators of copper electrical wire and cable in the U.S. Copperfield sells its wire and cable products to industrial distributors and OEMs in electrical, RV, transportation, and appliance markets.
• Open platform IP video surveillance software developer Milestone Systems (www.milestonesys.com) has expanded its European presence by opening an office in Bayern, Germany. In addition, Stefan Teuber, previously of Sanyo, has been named sales manager for the new region, while Martin Kaufmann has been named as channel marketing manager to support the growth of the Copenhagen-based company’s international partner network.
SAN JUAN, PR-With a goal to deliver “the greatest technological breakthroughs in our industry in a professional and constructive atmosphere,” the inaugural Caribbean Telecommunications Conference (www.ctc.bz) will be June 6-8 at the Puerto Rico Convention Center. The conference and exhibits will address such topics as cable management, power and cooling needs, grounding/bonding, standards, fiber-optic installation, and 10-Gbit systems. Conference attendees will earn continuing education credits toward BICSI credentials.
WASHINGTON, DC-A study sponsored by the Fiber To The Home Council (www.ftthcouncil.org) and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA; www.tiaonline.org) finds that the number of U.S. homes receiving video, Internet, and voice services over fiber-optic connections has doubled over the past year. The report says that 1.34 million homes are now connected via end-to-end fiber, with FTTH now passing 7.9 million homes. Further, the study shows that FTTH is being installed by a wide range of contractors. “In fact, small rural telephone companies are actually leading the way in terms of penetration-with three percent of their combined customer base now connected via fiber-to-the-home,” says Mike Render of RVA Market Research (www.rvallc.com), author of the study. Adds Grant Seiffert, TIA president, “This study reinforces a major trend in our industry, namely investment in new fiber, new IP technology, and new wireless infrastructure to provide state-of-the-art services.”