Los Angeles Network Cabling Contractor for Structured Data Network Cabling

If information about previous tests are easily available from your vendor, that's a good start. However, you've got more homework to do. Is the documentation you find actually worth anything? Here are some questions to ask and things to look for. When the vendor selection process begins, most people look entirely at independent test reports to give them information. Test results can either be "worst-case" or typical. You need to know which type of results are detailed in the report; "worst-case" and "typical" should never be compared as equal values. If all the vendors under your consideration are reporting "worst-case" results, you need to look at the test parameters to determine which will provide better service and systems. This is also true for results that are reported as typical. Although these technical reports will provide much more changeable performance data, you need to compare the solutions equally. Even so, if a company has not provided the report (whether best case or typical), ask for it, because you need it for a fair comparison. Most vendors should give you both "worst-case" and typical data.

Once you have determined what type of report you've got, you need to remember that what seems like similar results may not have been gained under equal testing, meaning "apples to apples" comparison. Independent testing does go a long way to make sure that performance claims are valid and can give you a degree of structure for the testing parameters, but it still leaves some things to be desired. For example, channels can provide different results based upon test unit launch cord lengths, as well as other variables. You can then compare different independent channel reports of different instructions, such as length of courts, number of connectors, and the like. For example, a 100 m channel can be made of a 80 m cable, two 10 m cables, or 90 m channel with two 5 m patch cords. Therefore, independent test results may not give you a clear picture of consistent system performance if you use them to evaluate a vendor and nothing else.

If you submit channels to an independent test lab, they are often picked out and supplied as pre-terminated channels. Then, your lab may only run tests on one of these channels and will give you the affirmation that the system performs as it should. However, this may not give you the whole picture, and they may not be tested as either worst-case or typical. Pre-terminated or factory terminated channels offer a "best case" termination performance.

Now, if the testing procedure copies typical field installations, such as testing components they may have received from distributor inventory and terminated on-site; then values you get in the independent test reports will probably be representative of actual field performance. However, if these things are not true, then the values you receive may not be a good representation of actual field performance.

There is potential variability between actual field installations and test channels, so that most of test results are given back to you with a statement of limitations. Typically, these statements of limitations say something like this: "As the client requested, this report's purpose is to provide electrical performance data on the test sample. This report is not valid to use for any other purpose." Independent testing is useful to validate system performance, but it may not be wise to select a cabling vendor based only on comparison of independent test data.

Some companies perform their own testing rather than relying on independent test reports. They may select a contractor to install and test multiple channels from multiple vendors in realistic conditions and then compare the results. This lets a company evaluate a product based upon their own channel testing and configuration. Unless you are buying pre-terminated links, a manufacturer will not install the product. Installers and technicians will have a big influence over the stability and testing of the channel itself.

A test-bed environment that has been user developed and monitored is also a good place to test for other problems that may arise, such as the effects of re-terminations on system performance. If the connection needs to be re-terminated or re-mated, will it still perform as you expected it should? Will this change your test results to a great extent? If there are cost savings received from a lower performing cabling system or by using a contractor who hasn't been properly trained or certified, these may only be upfront savings, if replacement connectors are required because termination errors have happened. Using a test-bed environment also lets you explore termination times, how easy it is to use the product, and overall product quality. This will give you far more information so that you can select the right system, and it is quite easy to set up. Most quality suppliers will be very amenable to providing assistance for these types of efforts.

Whether you use independent test results or you perform in-house tests, installation quality is of great importance when it comes to final system performance. You must examine the installer training and certification programs provided by the manufacturer. In addition, some contractor certifications are available to just about anyone and may only require that the license holder take a two-hour class in terminations. Better programs will include training on the entire channel for both fiber and copper, also they will cover everything from cable installation to design, terminations and testing.

Training programs certified by such organizations (which are also independent) as BICSI give trainees extra skills and help ensure more quality assurance for you. These types of certifications make sure that the training has been thoroughly evaluated and that the practices taught are valid. Typically, an organization such as BICSI awards credits toward their own certifications based on approved vendor classes. The more credits a trainee is awarded, the better and more extensive their training has been. In addition, the best training will also be supported by ISO 9001:2000. An ISO - certified training program offers not just a high level of quality training, but will also make sure that the program is globally consistent.

Training emphasis boils down to just one thing, will the installers that have been certified by a vendor give you a high quality end-to-end installation? You must also consider what cabling vendors offer for value-added support services before you choose. Some of these types of services can include things like contractor referrals, design assistance, continuing education, installation audits, and other programs that will benefit you. Many of these services can be complementary, but some may require you to pay a fee. These types of costs and service values should be closely investigated to find the best deal, but these types of programs and services should let you form a business partnership with the vendor instead of just utilizing them to buy components. If this type of programming has been developed and paid for, it was most likely because there was a need in the end-user population for this type of service. If this is present, then this tells you that the vendor will listen and respond so as to take better care of customers. This type of support can be invaluable to your particular project's success.

Finally, take a look at the variety of warranties offered as well as what the warranties themselves cover. When examined closely, most warranties can differ greatly from one to the next. Some may offer coverage for just components (such as with a product warranty), which may provide enough coverage for your needs. If you need product replaced, however, make sure that it is new and not just refurbished. If a defective product is the issue in question, the manufacturer may consider covering some of the labor needed to have the defective product removed and the new product installed. This is something you need to ask the manufacturer. How does their product warranty support product replacement sound? You also need to find out whether the cabling vendor or installer holds the warranty themselves. There are many installer companies, and many are reputable and stable. However, some are smaller and less established. These smaller, less established companies might have difficulty supporting customers after they complete the installation. For the most part, cabling manufacturers will provide you with more stability. You should try to get warranties whereby the manufacturer itself issues the warranty directly to the customer.

Examine the fine print closely. Sometimes even seemingly innocent requirements can have negative impacts. For example, some warranties require that you provide a failure notice within five days of the occurrence. If you are troubleshooting particular problem, you may not be aware that the infrastructure was caused within five days you are allowed. If this is the case, much of your warranty support has been negated within the first five days of the cabling plan that may be "under warranty" for 20 years.

Some warranties go beyond the protection offered by a product warranty. Among these types of warranties are performance warranties, whereby a guaranteed performance of the cabling is upheld after it has been tested and install. Applications insurance says that any applications designed to operate over the cable system will be supported for the life of the warranty as well. A system warranty might include applications, products, labor and performance.

You should choose a warranty that has a suitable period of coverage and that provides support direct from the manufacturer as the only source of fixing problems. The support should be unlimited in regard to time constraints, and to cover the full warranty term. There should also be no fine print present that will give you problems in the futu