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Troy Williams, Portland Associate and Technology Integration Expert

The term "technology", as it relates to the built environment, encompasses most of the systems previously known as "Low Voltage," "Special," or "Signal" systems.  Typically this means any voice, data or video communications or transport system.  Some examples are telephone and voice mail, voice and data cabling, and AV presentation systems.

Many of these systems are migrating to the data network for interconnectivity, sharing databases, and even integrating across platforms.  This is especially true of today’s building automation, DDC, and security systems.  This approach often provides economies in infrastructure, allowing multiple systems to share cabling and equipment spaces.  Attempting to do this without proper attention to the various industry standards and ensuring the equipment rooms, pathways, electrical and cooling systems are appropriately sized can lead to cost overruns and lack of functionality or loss of future flexibility.

Regardless of the complexity of technology systems present in a building, these systems should be considered utilities as are electrical, HVAC, and plumbing systems.  This is the approach that ANSI, IEEE, and TIA/EIA have taken in establishing international standards to which all buildings should be designed and built. 

These standards allow for flexibility, sustainability, and cost effective migration to emerging technologies.  "Backwards-compatible" and "forward-thinking" are two watchwords of the modern technology designer.

Typical services that should be offered by a full service technology consultant include:

Of the above systems, the Telecom Cabling should be considered a part of every project.  The cost of the cabling for voice and data communications systems tends be no more than 10% of typical IT expenditures, but can adversely affect the other more expensive systems if not designed and installed properly.  Also, the cabling tends to be replaced much less frequently than hardware, so the expected life span, and return on investment (ROI) needs to extend well past 5 or even 10 years.

Unfortunately for decision-makers these copper and fiber optic cabling systems are changing at a rapid pace.  Many of the components that used to be entirely passive now incorporate circuit boards and adaptive technologies to extend performance.  In order to determine a preferred price vs. performance compromise for each individual project, the owner of the cabling systems must be able to evaluate all of the various options.  A good technology consultant can act as an impartial third party working on the owner’s behalf to filter out all but the pertinent information.  Assisting people and organizations with making informed decisions is an important service provided by today’s best technology consultants.