Many modern Russian enterprises are actively introducing structured cabling systems as part of the modernization of digital infrastructure. SCS are considered by business participants as a tool to increase the efficiency of production processes and the profitability of the enterprise. What is the specificity of such infrastructure solutions?
Definition of the term
What is a structured cabling system (SCS)? Under this term, modern IT-specialists understand the format of the organization of the technological infrastructure of the corporation, which involves the integration into a single system of information services provided for in various parts of the production process in the company.
It can be local computer networks, telephone lines, security systems. The structured cabling system (SCS) in a modern enterprise is often considered, as we noted above, as the most important factor in production efficiency and business competitiveness.
SCS specificity
The main feature of SCS is the hierarchical structure of its subsystems. It may contain cables for various purposes, made of different materials - coaxial, copper, fiber optic, etc. Also, in the structure of the SCS there may be various auxiliary components - sockets, sockets, connectors. One way or another, all of them are part of a single system.
What might a typical structured cabling system look like? A photo of one of the modules of the corresponding scale solution is presented below.
We see that SCS can support a wide variety of cable types.
Cable System Standards
We learned about the specifics of SCS, what it is. Let us now consider some aspects regarding the practical implementation of structured cabling systems in the technological infrastructure of Russian companies. Now 3 basic standards are distributed, in accordance with which the principles of combining digital resources in SCS at enterprises are determined:
- EIA / TIA (popular in the USA);
- CENELEC EN 50173 (distributed in Europe);
- ISO / IEC IS 11801 (characterized by worldwide demand).
Another criterion for the standardization of structured cabling systems is the characteristic of the throughput of digital communication lines. There are 7 main categories of cables, each of which is designed to solve specific problems. So, for example, 1 category is used when building telephone lines. To organize data exchange with high speed, cables of categories 5, 6 and 7 are used.
Depending on a particular standard, on the basis of which a structured cabling system operates, technologies and devices that are optimal for solving specific problems are used. For example, with the spread of fiber-optic data transmission standards in many enterprises, it became necessary to modernize the corresponding network equipment. If it is not produced, then the competitiveness of the business may decrease significantly.
Standardization is a critical factor in the functionality of structured cabling systems. The construction of the technological infrastructure in the enterprise in accordance with the algorithms approved at the level of a particular industry or in international standards determines the wide possibilities for the subsequent modular modernization of SCS components.
Certification
Another aspect that is important for many enterprises setting the task of building a structured cabling system is certification. In principle, it can be viewed in the general context of standardization. It supplements it in terms of formal assignment to the enterprise of the criteria for digital infrastructure to meet certain standards.
A structured cabling system that has the appropriate certification is usually characterized by increased reliability, as well as great opportunities for the modernization of individual infrastructure components. It can be noted that many brands of manufacturers of network equipment provide a guarantee only if the SCS is certified in the prescribed manner.
Structurality Criteria
Based on what criteria can this or that cable system be assigned to SCS? What are these specific features that can characterize an enterprise’s digital infrastructure as structured? In the practice of building cable networks of the corresponding type in Russia, the following set of criteria has developed.
First of all, a structured cabling system (SCS) is an infrastructure that, according to Russian IT experts, is adapted to the ergonomic features of production facilities. In particular, in such an aspect as the location of the connectors.
Conventional cable systems, which are not characterized as structured, suggest a simpler layout of the corresponding type of network elements, in which the main criterion is the location of employees' jobs. In structured networks, as a rule, the density of connectors is several times higher than in conventional ones. This in most cases determines a significant increase in the effectiveness of the digital infrastructure of the enterprise.
The next criterion according to which a particular network is defined as a structured cabling system is the universality of the elements. For example, workplaces (if SCS is introduced at the enterprise) can be equipped not only with the single type of connectors (for example, for twisted pairs), but with additional slots, for example, fiber optic.
Another aspect of versatility is the uniformity of the types of cables used in the installation of various sections of SCS. This facilitates the possible replacement of the corresponding components, optimizes the costs that may accompany the installation of such complex infrastructure as a structured cabling system (SCS). Accounting at many enterprises shows that building SCS is associated with significant costs, and therefore the design of appropriate networks should be effective, with emphasis on the speediest return on investment.
Another major criterion for classifying cable networks as structured is the separation of their individual sections into subsystems. So, in Russian practice, the scheme of dividing subsystems into 3 types is widespread: those that are mounted on the floor, on the mains of the entire building, as well as those that cover the elements of the complex consisting of several structures. Such a classification determines the high efficiency of SCS management.
Why does the company need SCS?
What is the economic feasibility of introducing such an infrastructure component as a structured cabling system? The cost estimate, as we noted above, may involve the investment of significant financial resources in building SCS. The benefits of such investments can be traced in the following main aspects:
- Firstly, the main advantage of SCS is, as a rule, a higher speed of data exchange between computers of employees of the enterprise. It is achieved through the optimal use of cables of the corresponding classes, as well as through effective schemes for their placement in specific areas of buildings.
- Secondly, structured cabling systems in most cases determine a more secure data exchange in the enterprise. As a rule, SCS include various integrated protection mechanisms against external intrusions into the corporate network, access control means - both hardware and software.
- Thirdly, the use of structured cable networks can increase the mobility of jobs in the company. Universality as one of the criteria for classifying a digital infrastructure as an SCS implies that employees, regardless of specific positions, have the same access to the organization’s network resources. It does not matter in which particular room a person works - he will be able to connect to the corporate network at any time.
The structured cabling system of buildings is in most cases easier to repair than traditional network infrastructure organization schemes. So, to replace a cable, there is no need to disassemble large sections on which communication lines are laid. The single infrastructure components that make up the SCS are usually not very large, and they are also designed with a view to possible replacement in advance.
SCS are much easier to scale than traditional networks. The modularity of the schemes involved in the design of structured cabling systems suggests that additional computers can be connected to the corresponding infrastructure at any time.
In total, all the noted advantages of SCS allow us to talk about increasing the cost-effectiveness of the enterprise in terms of building digital networks. This can be seen both in terms of purchasing the necessary materials, and in terms of remuneration of specialists who oversee the work of structured cable systems.
We can conclude about the economic feasibility of building SCS, that this is a tool to increase the profitability of the enterprise. Of course, he will work in practice with the appropriate quality of installation of cable systems and provided that highly qualified specialists work with it.
Prospects
Will SCS be sufficiently demanded in the Russian market? Is this a temporary trend or a promising standard for the IT industry, compliance with which will become the most important factor in business competitiveness? According to modern IT experts, Russian enterprises show a keen interest in equipping the corresponding production sites with high-performance components of the digital infrastructure. Structured cabling systems are fully capable of meeting these business needs, because their implementation is characterized by growing dynamics in many sectors of the Russian economy .
Experts note that the interest of enterprises in building SCS as a key element of the company's digital infrastructure can be traced not only in the largest Russian cities, but also in remote regions. This may indicate that, despite the high cost of solving the tasks of building SCS, they see in such systems an effective tool to increase business efficiency. A rather high degree of awareness of enterprise management about the advantages of SCS can be noted. Large business executives , as a rule, are well acquainted with the essence of such a powerful solution as a structured cabling system, what it is - they are quite aware.
Fiber-optic technologies as a demand factor for SCS
Experts call the dynamic growth rate of fiber-optic technologies a significant driver of SCS market growth. Potentially, this communication standard can become a factor in a significant increase in the efficiency of enterprises. This will be facilitated, first of all, by the very high data transfer speed that the optical fiber provides (several times higher than when using channels of previous generations).
If some time ago many doubted whether fiber-optic lines were introduced or not (after all, the cost of building the corresponding infrastructure is much higher than when laying traditional channels), now the enthusiasm for the new high-tech communications standard is becoming a steady trend among Russian enterprises. The corresponding dynamics is supported by the development of technologies for installing fiber-optic networks (in favor of cheaper cheaper solutions), as well as improving and lowering the price of equipment needed to build communication channels.
Accounting Nuances
Some discussion in the business environment (in particular, in the communities of accountants) may be caused by the criteria for classifying SCS as one or another type of fixed assets: this is important from the point of view of correct accounting. The fact is that OKOF (All-Russian Classifier of Fixed Assets) does not include such an element as a structured cable system. This is not a problem if you relate the corresponding type of infrastructure, for example, to ordinary local area networks. But, as we determined above, a significant difference can be traced between them and SCS. According to some experts, it would not be a legal mistake to classify SCS as ordinary LANs when implementing accounting procedures. In addition, several approaches to the accounting of structured cabling systems are possible - as separate objects and as elements of the building structure. Both options are legally correct.
SCS and “smart buildings”
The concept of “smart building” is another possible incentive for the continued spread of solutions such as structured cabling. What it is? “Smart building” is the collective name of technologies that involve the introduction of various digital components into the elements of corporate premises, and in some cases also residential buildings, which can significantly increase the comfort of people being in them. In the case of corporations - increase the efficiency of consumption of certain resources, for example, electricity.
The components of a “smart building” can be, for example, air conditioners, video cameras, access control systems at various production sites operating under the control of automated software algorithms. The effectiveness of the concept under consideration directly depends on whether the company has a high-quality digital infrastructure. In the case of using SCS, the corresponding criterion will be fully respected, and all the achievements of IT-specialists in the direction of the concept of “smart building” can be implemented at the optimal cost of the enterprise.