Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 19 | Page 18

LATEST INTELLIGENCE SMART BUILDING EBOOK PRESENTED BY Download whitepaper here I ntelligent buildings bear that label for more than one reason. On a literal level, the networked connectivity between a building’s systems make it possible for the enterprise within to automatically regulate security, environmental conditions, lighting, communications and other factors – helping maintain a welcoming atmosphere conducive to the work performed there. These networks of systems have become more critical to the efficiency, effectiveness and economy of an enterprise’s operations. Using a broader definition, intelligent buildings are also an effective means for an enterprise to increase efficiency, reduce costs and streamline operations. This is a ‘smart’ approach to reducing operational expenses and facilitating a flexible growth model. So, what powers the connectivity of an intelligent building in the early 21st century? It is an integrated 18 INTELLIGENTCIO communications infrastructure that supports wired and wireless networks and applications. CommScope has long been a leader in these enterprise communication infrastructures all over the world and, in the process of developing and receiving feedback, we see three consistent needs emerging as enterprises embrace the efficiencies of intelligent buildings: 1. The need for mobile connectivity within the enterprise, as fewer employees are bound to desks but need ubiquitous wireless coverage 2. The need to lay a future-ready infrastructure foundation for the still-evolving, ever-growing internet of things (IoT) 3. The need to converge many disparate or proprietary networks onto a single, unified IP over Ethernet physical network layer. n www.intelligentcio.com