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Structured Cabling is an IT project. Why aren’t business owners asking IT companies to do the job?

Newmind Group is an IT Managed Services company, but what does that mean, really? Communicating to our clients and partners the breadth of our ability has always been a challenge because, truth be told, there isn’t much related to technology that we can’t do for a client—and if we can’t, then we can at least consult on another vendor. The fact is, if it’s a practical part of your business that comes into contact with a computer, or the internet, then we probably work on it.

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) reported in March 2024, that 68% of all structured cabling installations in 2023 were in IT and telecom facilities, but as the modern office continues to evolve with remote work solutions and smart building systems, we’re seeing the average company rely more and more on a thoughtful cabling and network planning as they grow.

 

Structured Cabling 

Structured cabling, or low-voltage network cabling, is a newer venture for Newmind Group and as our clients have grown, we’ve found that many of them miss a key opportunity to give their business a technology advantage, without much added cost. Network cable is one part of the build that will directly interface with your technology, so why not use your IT provider to run it?

Structured cabling seems like a task that you might throw to your building contractor for a job, but even these contractors will often bring in a third party (often an electrical engineer) to perform the actual project. Running cable intelligently isn’t as simple as putting a light switch beside every doorframe in a new build! Sure, every business needs those general functions, but technology isn’t one-size-fits-all: an workspace with an open shop floor isn’t going to have the same needs as one designed around a heavily staffed call center. 

On newly built construction, you have a unique opportunity to run these cables in a smart way, which will actually serve the workspace that you’re designing for your team. Think intelligent placements for:

  • Wireless Access Points
  • Network/Server Rooms
  • Security Cameras
  • Access Sensors

An IT provider can consult with you on these in advance, map out your new space from the perspective of how your team will be using it day-to-day, and ask questions that a standard contractor wouldn’t be asking. The payoff?

IT Provider as a Cabling Expert

Not all IT companies can offer this help—in fact, it’s a relatively new trend. You should be sure you’re working with someone certified in your state, but also someone who understands your business and can ask the right questions before beginning the project. 

That also answers the question we started with: why aren’t business owners working with IT on their cabling projects in the first place? Convenience, short-term cost savings, and the hectic nature of expanding your business can all lead a leader to shuffle the cabling onto the contractors doing the rest of the building. We do our best to remind our clients that involving IT in the conversation can produce longer-term benefits:

  • Network built to specification
    Your structured cabling is built to match your specific needs (and help you grow, when the time comes)
  • Ready to scale
    Your layout should be adaptable and versatile for technology growth and new construction.
  • Stability and Performance
    A well-planned network (and network room) can make a major difference in efficiency of your systems, and downtime in an emergency

 

We can help

Structured cabling is a core component of how we’re helping growing businesses. Are you planning a new expansion, or updating the network in your building? Newmind Group can consult on your network map, plan around your team’s needs, and deploy a specialist to work with your other contractors to run new structured cable.

Garrett Wenger

Garrett Wenger is a storyteller and marketer at Newmind Group, and a native to Kalamazoo, MI. He received his BFA in English Literature from Western Michigan University, and has heritage in Southwest Michigan’s creative writing community. He published his first book of poetry in late 2013, and he has been featured in numerous literary journals.

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