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Jim Graham, Technology Integration Specialist

Glumac has been keeping a secret, even from their own engineers! While "TI" is short for "Tenant Improvement", it can also mean "Technology Integration". Glumac has a whole team dedicated to Technology Integration. For many years, Glumac has been providing core building systems engineering for "the big three", M, E & P, also known as Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing engineering. However, as in the rest of the world, engineering changes, and technology seems to keep touching every phase of what we do. So, being the progressive firm that we are, we added "TI" to the MEP!

So you ask, "What exactly is Technology Integration?" and more importantly, "Why do we need such a thing!" Before we answer that, let us ask a rather rudimentary question. Would you build a high-rise without an architect, or a house without a plan? Of course not! With that in mind, combined with the ever-increasing amount of technology in the world, wouldn't technology be something that needs to be designed or engineered as well? We think so! And Glumac would be happy to help you with this facet of your project.

So let's take a look at what technology integration is, in the eyes of the Technology Integration department anyway. Technology Integration is the "system" or end product that is created when a project is completed. For example, you may look at a building and see four walls, a roof and a bunch of windows, but that "building" is actually made up of a bunch of individual systems and components that make it functional. As the Internet is simply a bunch of computers connected together, it's huge, but that's all it is! Likewise, technology within a building is comprised of many things tied together and communicating with each other. A simple example is a fire alarm system, which when activated, sets off an alarm at a guard station, notifies the fire department, and recalls the elevators. Today, much of this information is carried over computer networks and data cables that need to be designed to meet the needs of today and the demands of tomorrow. Planning is a basic concept, but a crucial one in today's technology rich environments.

Technology runs over computer networks and the Internet, running everything from voice over IP phone systems, to carrying video conference calls around the world and providing instantaneous feedback from remote cameras, sensors and probes. The list goes on and on, and the bottom line is, you need someone who understands the technology and how to integrate all these systems to create a better building, a smarter building, and an intelligent building! For many years Glumac has been designing data centers and infrastructure cable plants (networks) for our customers, and it's been a pretty good secret, but we're letting the cat out of the bag on this one. Technology integration is the culmination of all of our disciplines (MEP) combined with networking and all the low-voltage control systems that exist today. From card reader access systems to video surveillance to building management systems, Glumac has the know-how and expertise to build a better building for you!

So you ask, "What's all this high-tech design and consulting going to do for me?" Well, I'm glad you ask! It's going to save you time, energy, money AND a lot of headaches, honest! Let's go back to the original question about building a house without a plan. Without a plan, would you have had any idea how much it was going to cost, or should have cost? Well, all this is thought out as part of the original layout, and the technology components are integrated into the construction plan, from each connector and cable, to each component and system, so you know exactly what you're getting from the start. No guessing and adjusting budgets and re-building it later. It's all on paper, logically and methodically thought out and designed to give you the best design possible with the least amount of work. Plus, you'll know what it's going to cost you up front.

We design for today's HOT technology. The type of systems we design include:

• Wireless networks
• Video conferencing and AV presentation systems
• Network cabling and data center design
• Security systems and digital video recording systems
• Card reader and access control systems
• Remote monitoring and control
• Voice over IP (VOIP)
• Closed circuit TV distribution systems
• Video over CAT5
• Video over IP

The secret's out!