Do you know as much as you think about the IT network in your company? Like the type of cabling system and when it was updated if it has been. If you own a business, these are things you should know. But if you aren’t able to sufficiently answer these things, you’re not the only business owner that doesn’t.

The backbone of your company’s communication is the IT network. And like a strong backbone, if your IT network isn’t strong, then productivity is loss and time is wasted. Point-to-point cabling was good in its day, but it’s an old technology now, thus your business’ network is out-of-date if that’s what you’re still using. Time to get that system updated and switch to a structured cabling system that offers a high level of functioning.

Why A Structured Cabling System?

There are two methods of transporting data: point-to-point or structured cabling system. The point-to-point is still used by many, but they are at risk of having network problems, especially as the company grows. Why?

The point-to-point cabling is done by connecting the server or switch directly to another component by way of fiber-optic cable. And 20 years ago, this was the elegant way to put a network together.

Networks that are growing though, there are large quantities of data being transmitted and the point-to-point cabling system, is straining the IT resources.

By switching structured cabling, the individual components are connected directly to the servers and storage units, i.e. the communication backbone. This enables the users to connect their devices to the whole network with nothing more than a short cable plugged into the nearest cabling panel.

Structured Cabling Offers Several Benefits

Your first thought about this is the expense of adding a communication backbone, redoing the entire cable systems, right? Think of it as an investment in your company’s future.

In time, it will pay for itself by lowering your IT overhead and your employees will become more effective. The amount of time spent on repairs is reduced because structured cabling system is isolated into a group of devices that are connected into a single localized cabling panel, making it easier for the IT team to identify and solve issues.

Structured Cabling allows you to plan your business’ future because the average lifespan of a cable is fifteen years, 2 to 3 times longer than other devices. So, the cabling system that is installed today will be around for a while. There is no way to know how big your business will be in the future and what devices may be required. By changing over to a Structured Cabling system though, you’ll be future proofing your business’ network.

Structured Cabling increases your flexibility to add more devices as needed. Your IT team will be able to connect new devices to the closest cabling panel and removing devices is simpler too. Gone are the orphaned cables that the point-to-point system has.