Data & Installation

The flow of data to and from a business is growing in importance and many businesses now believe that their investment in data storage solutions will increase exponentially over the next few years.

As well as storing data, businesses need to be able to exchange it at high speeds over the internet and proper installation of connectivity systems to enable this can allow for many types of communication to use the same line and ultimately result in improved performance and reduced costs.

There are many different types of products that are designed to help with providing data storage and ensuring that the installation of data services is as painless as possible.

BT

BT is one of the world’s largest telecoms firms and as such it is unsurprising to see that it offers a wide range of tools and products for data and installation. BT has been in existence in various forms for decades, but after privatisation began in the mid 1980s, it took on the BT brand and has since offered various services and solutions under the umbrella BT Group name, often outsourcing to subsidiaries in order to provide data and installation.

In the most basic terms, BT produces branded products that perform standard tasks such as extending analogue telephone lines or adding extra telephone sockets to a business. As well as producing these items, BT offers its customers the option of having a BT technician come and perform the installation in order to consolidate the costs.

Prism

Prism is a UK-based provider of data cabinets, along with all of the smaller accessories which are required to make the most from any data storage solution in a business. It has only been in operation for 13 years, but in that short time it has established itself as a versatile firm that can create products for businesses of all types. It also has an interest in cooling solutions which ensure that data systems operate efficiently and for installation it can be used in order to properly manage cables, which can quickly get out of hand if the correct kind of expertise is not applied from day one.

HellermannTyton

HellermannTyton Networking Solutions began its life in manufacturing before the Second World War, but now operates internationally with a selection of high-profile clients on its books. Its products are largely based in the data and networking sector and its portfolio includes cabling, switches, splitters and many more devices which are intended to make the installation of networks within businesses affordable and easy.

Fusion

Another firm that operates in the data cabinet sector is Fusion and with warranties available which cover its products for a quarter of a century, it has confidence in its abilities. For the most basic tasks it provides faceplates for network cables and other data adaptor types and it even has a cable stripper specifically designed for use with data cables. Its data cabinets come in a variety of sizes and most can house storage with easy access via a lockable front panel complete with a clear PVC window for monitoring, as well as vented sides for proper heat dissipation.

Fusion’s product range extends into fibre optic cabling, which will be suitable for firms looking to use cutting edge data and networking for their operation.

Netgear

One of the largest names in data and installation is Netgear, which was created in 1996 in the USA with the intention of creating products suitable to help with networking in smaller businesses and domestic settings.

The UK router, modem and switch market is dominated by Netgear and its products account for more than 50% of networking products sold in this sector. Its products range from simple ADSL modems and basic routers right up to gigabit switches and it has managed to establish itself as a trusted brand for business and home users.

Data Cabinet

Of all the data and installation equipment on offer, a data cabinet is arguably the most important for any small or medium sized business. The purpose of a data cabinet is to act as a central hub for all of your connectivity technology, whether it is a server, a router, a modem or a switch. These items often require a sizeable investment and so protecting them and keeping them accessible at the same time is a priority for many.

Different data cabinets have different dimensions and you might even need a bespoke design to meet your needs. Careful measurements of installation space will be necessary to ensure that the data cabinet you pick is suitable and you will also need to make sure that the placement gives the internal components enough room to cool themselves, as extended periods of intensive operation will produce a lot of heat if not properly ventilated.

Products like data cabinets and switches do not need to be bland and business-like, as firms like HellermannTyton prove. HT produces a range of multicoloured switches and networking cables which can brighten up any workplace, giving it a touch of personality and individuality.

The installation of networking and data systems can be completed by third party firms, but the maintenance of a system might be easily performed in-house if the necessary accessories and tools are purchased. Kit such as electrical tape and cable ties will seem like an obvious purchase, but will be called upon frequently, particularly if you are planning on expanding your data and networking solutions gradually and over time. If you ever find a fault in your data network, it can be a case of manually seeking out the problem, although this will consume time and effort.

To bypass this outlay, it is sensible to look at automatic wiring testers, such as the Greenlee NETcat Pro NC500. By plugging in a network cable to this device, you can automatically find out if any issues are present in your network and identify where the problem lies using the intuitive touchscreen interface. With battery powered operation it is flexible and it can even be used to find out how many active devices are attached to your network.

More Reviews:

• NEC Phones
• Seagate FreeAgent Desk External Hard Drive
• Seagate FreeAgent Go Portable Drive
• Seagate Replica
• Seagate Expansion External Drives