What Should Businesses Check Before Hiring a Structured Cabling Company in Abu Dhabi?

Reliable network infrastructure is a vital business asset for companies which rely on the cloud, Internet, data, and communications. The right choice of structured cabling company will help establish and design a reliable infrastructure that will allow businesses to operate optimally and be prepared for future requirements.

The term “structured cabling” comprises fibre optic cabling and copper cabling. Before selecting a network cabling contractor, it is important for businesses to assess the contractor’s technical expertise, quality of cabling, installation standards, tests, documentation and post-installation support.

Before the selection of a cabling contractor, the following points should be assessed:

1. Experience with Commercial Network Infrastructure

Not all businesses are the same and nor are their cabling requirements. Different cabling needs exist for offices, retail outlets, and warehouses, and a network cabling contractor should recognize the differences for best results.For best results, a contractor should conduct a site survey to assess the cable routes and identify potential obstructions for future cabling requirements.

2. Cable Types and Specifications

Different cable types affect network performance and reliability as well as ease with which the network can be upgraded. The cabling contractor should be able to recommend the appropriate cable types for the connectivity requirements based on the bandwidth, the connected devices and the distance over which the signal is required to be carried.

Common Ethernet cabling types include Cat5, which supports speeds of up to 100Mbps, Cat6, which supports up to 1,000Mbps and Cat7, which supports 10,000Mbps.

Cat6A cabling: This cabling can provide 10 Gigabit Ethernet over 100 meters (in suitable conditions). This makes this type of cabling a good option for higher performance networks.

Fiber optic cabling: Fiber optic cabling can be used to provide high capacity backbone connections over longer distances (including connections between network rooms and/or buildings).

Patch panels and network racks: Use of these can help organize and simplify the overall design of the network.

From a business perspective, it is important to review the category of cabling, the specifications of the products, and the warranty provided to help determine if the cabling will help meet the needs of the organization and if it can help reduce the need for premature infrastructure upgrades.

3. Verify Compliance with Relevant Standards

Installations of structured cabling should be in accordance with local building requirements and relevant industry standards. Standards such as ANSI/TIA-568 and ISO/IEC 11801 provide performance and design guidelines for telecommunication cabling.

In the case of Abu Dhabi, fire-safety and cabling-routing standards should be considered based on the nature of the property and project.

Businesses should check with the contractor which standards will apply to their project and what documents will be provided. This will help businesses verify whether the design and installation of the network infrastructure meets the project’s requirements.

4. Confirm Cable Testing and Certification

Although the right materials are used for cabling, there can still be problems with connectivity due to factors like installation defects and poor cable terminations. This can be confirmed through testing by a structured cabling company.

Cable testing varies by installation. For copper cable testing, this may include wire mapping, length testing, insertion loss, return loss and NEXT. Fibre optic cable testing may include measurements of optical loss. Other tests specific to the installation may be required.

There must be a distinction between basic connectivity checks and cable certification. Formal testing of links helps provide evidence that the link under test meets the required performance level and helps identify potential issues before the link is placed in service.

5. Review Cable Management and Installation Quality

Proper management of cable helps keep the infrastructure of a network organized and easily accessible.

Before engaging a network cabling contractor to perform the work, review the proposed cable routing and rack management plan. The plan should also include appropriate pathways, trays and conduits.

There should also be compliance with the relevant standards for cable management in regards to bend radius, pull tension and physical separation from electrical services. For office fit outs, it is recommended that the cable contractor work in conjunction with the electrical contractor to avoid unnecessary work.

6. Test That the Cabling System is Compatible with the Business IT Systems

The cabling infrastructure in an organization should be aligned with the operational needs of the business. This may include other components such as firewalls and switches, IP phones and CCTV and access control systems. For a cabling infrastructure to support these systems, consider Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices such as IP cameras and wireless access points. The contractor should take into consideration switch capacity and cable performance.

Businesses should disclose their anticipated network speeds, the number of connected devices, and anticipated technology needs. This helps create a cabling design to support the business now and in the future.

7. Compare Quotations and Project Scope

When businesses evaluate structured cabling services in Abu Dhabi, they should consider the complete scope of work rather than simply choosing the lowest quotation. The best quotations provide a detailed breakdown of the work to be performed, including cable category and materials, number of network outlets, patch panels and racks, containment, termination, testing, and the acceptance/certification process.

A detailed quotation should disclose if the price quoted includes site surveys and certification reports, and if documentation, site support, and warranties will be provided following the cabling installation.

By comparing quotations, businesses can identify missing components and determine differences in the services offered. A comprehensive quotation also helps eliminate surprises during cabling installation.

8. Review Warranty and After-Installation Support

The support and services provided after the cabling installation is complete should also be considered. Warranty and support services differ based on the type of issue (workmanship vs. material) and the support services required (troubleshooting vs. repairs and additional outlet installation). Some contractors provide a system warranty which guarantees support services based on the manufacturer’s conditions and requirements.

An agreement that provides support services with specified responsibilities and defined time limits may be particularly beneficial to a business that requires continuous connectivity. This type of agreement helps ensure the support services, response times, and support levels required to maintain the cabling infrastructure are in place.

9. Ensure Proper Documentation and Future Scalability

As part of the handover, businesses should receive documentation, including test results and identification of cabling, equipment, racks, and patch panels, as well as warranty information. A structured cabling project should include documentation describing the as-built design, which may be needed for future cabling additions.

These records enable IT teams to trace connections, pinpoint faults and plan changes to the infrastructure. This is important as IT teams are often required to change the infrastructure to meet the changing requirements of the business.

The contractor must also take into consideration the future growth of the system including increases in workstations, and connection speeds and upgrades to the CCTV and Network equipment. Planning for spare capacity in the racks and pathways helps simplify growth and minimizes disruption.

Choose the Right Structured Cabling Partner in Abu Dhabi

Selecting the right structured cabling partner in Abu Dhabi entails evaluation of the experience and cable specifications, as well as the quality of installation, testing and documentation. A sound structured cabling system supports the IT, security and other business systems within a facility and provides a foundation to meet business growth and technology upgrades.

Online IT Solutions offers various IT and networking related services to businesses in Abu Dhabi. Businesses planning a new installation or network upgrade can contact Online IT Solutions to understand the impact of cabling on their connectivity needs, assess site constraints and evaluate different structured cabling options.