BICSI Link Workshops focus on data centers, security, and wireless networks

BICSI (www.bicsi.org) has lined up a total of 42 presentations, most of which focus on the topics of data-center infrastructure administration, security, and wireless networking, for its first-ever BICSI Link Workshops to be held June 25 through 28. The workshops, along with an exhibition, will be held at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers in Chicago, IL.

Unlike BICSI's winter and fall conferences, which comprise several days of plenary sessions, the Link Workshops will be divided into four separate tracks on Monday, June 26 and Tuesday, June 27. The topics of data centers, security, and wireless each have a dedicated track; the fourth track is entitled "Diverse business management discussions" and covers a wide range of topics.

"A recent survey shows that BICSI conference attendees design and install ITS [information-transport system] infrastructure for multiple building systems: 92% for voice and data, 61% for wireless, and 47% for security and surveillance," said Georgette Palmer Smith, CMM, BICSI's director of meetings and conferences. "At the Link Workshops, we are focusing on topics that are important and relevant to ITS professionals. Our goal is to allow attendees to create their own specialized educational experience, which will be both enjoyable and beneficial."

Individual session titles in the data-center track include: "Formulating user expectations into design documents," "Data center design for this millennium," "Thermal management-cabinets," "Data center structured wiring," "Data center hot spots," "Data center building blocks," "Data center design considerations," "Data center from conception to operation," "Optical fiber, data center and storage applications," "Data center fire safety standards," "Scalable data center solutions," "ITIL/Data center fitness," and "Maximizing data center space."

Similarly, the security track offers a host of topics and issues and includes the following session titles: "Security management," "Analog vs. IP security," "IP video surveillance," "Understanding and sizing DVRs for security applications," "Network security," "Digital signage overview," "Protecting your IT infrastructure," and "Access control basics."

The wireless networking track includes: "The right wireless selection," "Air-the next network connect," "Wired in the wireless network," "Wireless network site analysis," "Selecting the ideal wireless technology," "In-building Wi-Fi today," "Free space optics applications," and "Pulling security out of thin air."

The fourth track covering diverse business management issues includes the following presentations: "Understanding how to apply the National Electrical Code," "Premises cabling in K-12," "ANSI/TIA/EIA-606A," "Anything OSP," "Project management," "Securing an SBA loan," "Healthcare project infrastructure design considerations," and "VoIP start to finish."

Additionally, a June 25 opening general session includes a keynote from Terry Jones, creator of Travelocity.com, and a presentation entitled "Which way to VoIP?" A June 28 closing general session includes presentations entitled "Powering critical assets," and "Reducing hidden hazards," as well as a closing speaker.

Attendees are allowed to either follow a single track throughout the workshops or create their own education scheduling by attending different presentations from different tracks. Attendance at the workshops is good for 15 continuing education credits toward BICSI's Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD) designation, and 8 credits toward each of the following BICSI designations: NTS Specialty, OSP Specialty, WD Specialty, ITS Installer 2, and ITS Technician.

More detailed information on the BICSI Link Workshops is available at BICSI's Web site, and can be accessed by clicking here.