Technology has been continuously developed over the many decades it’s been installed in the office. If a business hasn’t been upgrading with the times, they can quickly find themselves with an outdated system. What then follows is an expensive process in order to bring things up to date. Instead of facing high costs, it’s much easier (and business-savvy) to future-proof your system in the first place.
Key Considerations
There are many elements of a network that have to be considered when it comes to upgrades. Future expansions of the business need to be thought about whenever you go through an office move or you’re redesigning your system.
As such, you need to think about:
- Cable types
- Routing and organisation
- Cable termination
- Testing and performance
- Maintenance and upgrades
Cable Types
There are many different types of cable you can choose for your network. Proper research needs to happen before you decide on which bandwidth you need, as well as compatibility with existing hardware.
Additionally, the future scalability of the system and your business should help drive your decision. For example, Category 5e cables are perfect for data rates up to 1Gbps, whereas Category 6a cables can handle 10Gbps. If you choose less able cables, you might then need to upgrade again in future if you expand.
Comwire can talk you through the various wiring options available, and discuss your requirements at length.
Routing and Organisation
Without proper cable organisation, you won’t have an efficient network infrastructure. Good routing, labelling and management practices should be followed to reduce signal interference and allow for better troubleshooting and maintenance.
When it comes to maintaining your network, a structured cabling system allows for better performance and simplifies future expansion efforts. You can even make modifications much easier by providing a clear framework for adding or replacing cables without having to unplug existing connections.
Our experienced engineers will allow for the proper organisation of wiring; it’s as much their system as it is yours.
Cable Termination
The ends of wires need to be connected to devices or components within the network. Having high quality cable termination and components is essential for maintaining signal integrity and to prevent data loss. Naturally, cables need to be fully tested after they have been terminated. This measures length, signal loss and crosstalk, and many other parameters, to make sure it complies with industry standards.
Appropriate connectors also need to be used if any network is to be future-proofed. Registered Jack, or RJ, connectors are widely used because they’re compatible with ethernet cables and provide a secure connection without diminishing signal strength. Proper cable termination allows for seamless communication and connectivity between devices.
As a team of industry professionals, Comwire has worked with a wide range of devices and cables across the years. We’ve got the experience to handle any installation you might need, no matter how complicated.
Testing and Performance
You wouldn’t rely on something before you’ve tested it first, and that’s the exact logic that comes with implementing a network solution. Rigorous testing from our technicians allows for the proper detection of problems and the necessary adjustments to make it right. Improper installation can prevent future expansions, facilitating avoidable problems like signal degradation.
By choosing the right installer to handle your network infrastructure, you can prevent disruption and downtime in the future when it comes to any upgrades or expansions you might need. While the system should be tested first, optimum performance should be available at all times.
All of our engineers are trained and kept up to date with industry standards. This means you can be sure that your network infrastructure will work for you through the years.
Maintenance and Upgrades
No business should shy away from routine inspections, equipment replacements and software updates. These are designed to help identify potential issues, and have them rectified before they become much larger problems. Regular maintenance can help prevent unexpected downtime and pricey repairs.
Similarly, outdated or faulty equipment should be replaced when necessary. Older components can struggle with the latest technology, and may not even support it. There might also need to be additional bandwidth due to increased demand, so switches, routers and other devices will need to be upgraded.
We offer a support and maintenance service that’s available 24/7. This gives you the peace of mind that any unexpected issues can be covered, no matter the time of day.
Future-Proofing Beyond Cabling
The architecture of a network is just as important as the physical wiring. This should always allow room for potential scaling at a later date. If you really want to get up to date, you can look into software-defined networking to really get into all the data available for your system.
If you’re serious about making sure your network infrastructure is always ready for the future, get in contact with Comwire today. Our specialist technicians and electricians are always on hand to provide the service you require.