Why High-Quality Data Cabling Makes a Difference

Your business data network is a significant investment. Whether you are planning a new data network or an upgrade to your existing network, cost-efficiency is the key. You should focus on value for money, rather than low cost, to ensure that your cabling infrastructure serves you well for many years to come. Many businesses compare the quotes from several different suppliers and then select the cheapest option. This is understandable because a cabling project can prove to be extremely costly. However, it’s worth considering that a low price could also mean low quality. This could either mean that the quality of the products and components used are poor, or that the installation itself will be substandard – or both! Either way, this could cause you problems over time.

You should expect the life of your cables to extend far beyond that of your office hardware – including computers, servers, telephones and various other equipment you may have. During the lifespan of your cabling infrastructure, it is likely that you will want to upgrade some of your equipment at various points in time. If you have had poor quality cables installed, the performance of your new equipment could be diminished. This can be incredibly frustrating, particularly when you have invested heavily in new equipment. As a general guide, good quality cables should last between 15 and 20 years. 10 years should be the absolute minimum life span that you should expect.

Investing in high-quality data cabling can reduce the amount of downtime your business suffers, as well as the quality of your network performance. Poor quality cables can be more susceptible to interference, which results in a slow and unreliable network. This can be highly damaging, from a business perspective. Downtime can result in loss of revenue, wasted staff hours and unhappy customers. If it is a frequent occurrence then it can cause permanent damage to your business, as your customers may decide to go elsewhere and you may develop a bad reputation. High-quality cabling can reduce the need for network maintenance which, in itself, will save you a significant amount of money.

So, it’s easy to see how better quality data cabling could work out much more cost effective over the long term. And, because your cabling infrastructure is a long-term investment, it is advisable to think long-term and invest in the best quality cabling. However, it’s not just the cabling itself that matters. The quality of the installation service is equally important. The labour involved in the installation of your data network will constitute a large part of the overall cost. Prices will vary depending on the cables, as some types of cable are more labour intensive than others. When looking for a company to install your data cabling, you should do some research to ensure that the company you choose is a reputable one. Make sure that the engineers have all of the relevant qualifications and plenty of experience in the industry. This can make all the difference, in terms of your cabling network, once installed.

It’s important to note that price is, by no means, a necessary indicator of quality. Quotes between different providers can vary considerably, and for many different reasons. Rather, the point is to make sure that you take the time to do a little bit of research, to make sure that quality of the cabling and installation service is superior. A reputable company will take the time to understand your needs and suggest cabling solutions that meet these. They will be able to demonstrate experience and qualifications, and answer any questions you may have. It might also be worth approaching some of their previous customers, to find out if they are happy with the service they have received. Above all, think in terms of cost-efficiency rather than low costs because this could end up saving you a fortune over the long term.