Industry Experts Warn: Our Networks are at Risk

Business Wire, Oct 10, 2001

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

SKOKIE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 10, 2001

Anixter: The Information Highway is Riddled with Potholes

Leading experts in the field of network performance have agreed that cabling is rapidly becoming one of the most important influences to a network's performance. "Our networks are literally at risk," according to Pete Lockhart, Vice President of Technology for Anixter Inc., the world's leading distributor of data communications products.

"The ramps and roadways leading to and from the information highway--the building cable that supports our networks--are riddled with potholes. Simply refilling them will not do the job," Lockhart said. "We need a complete resurfacing of our internal networks to meet the demands of increased traffic and increased use. Many of our installed cabling systems are woefully incapable of handling the massive increase in network activity. They were built to support speeds and bandwidth that are a mere fraction of what's needed today. We need to clearly understand that today's sophisticated networks will only be as good as the cabling that supports them. That's a fact."

"Business and technology changes are constantly increasing the demand on today's Ethernet cabling networks," Steven A. Galan, Wire and Cable Manager for Underwriters Laboratories (UL), stated. "Network cabling is critical to the performance of data transmission products. And as we all know, tomorrow's networks are going to demand even more from cabling systems. For these reasons, UL has maintained and will continue to challenge manufacturers with a stringent verification process."

"Despite a slumping economy," Frank Bisbee, President of Communications Planning Corporation, pointed out, " we continue to build and expand the information highway. We have to. There is no other choice. E-commerce and e-business have become essential components of the global business community. The cabling infrastructure is the nervous system of our world of commerce. It cannot be ignored nor disregarded. We are at last beginning to get the message!"

According to Bisbee, technology has lost much of its mystique. The personal computer has become a commodity. Ironically, the cabling infrastructure, previously viewed as a commodity, is now being recognized as a specialty product. "The educational curve on infrastructure is climbing higher and higher in the IT world's list of priorities for building and effective, responsive information highway," he said. "Having a high performance car is great, but you absolutely must have good roads to get the best results from your vehicle."

Lockhart underscored these comments by adding that "for years, downtime was the primary concern of IT managers. Now their concerned with what we term, slowtime----the sluggish and inefficient transmission of data through the network. As part of the ongoing research we conduct at our UL-certified Levels Lab, we have been examining how different grades of cabling system products interact with different software programs, or applications."

"The Levels Lab is able to replicate functions we do everyday, from opening an attachment in Lotus notes to creating a sales order in SAP, and then measuring how effective that cabling system is in transporting data and how long the transfer takes." Lockhart went on to say that the application tests performed in the Anixter Levels Lab illustrate just how critical choosing the best cabling system is to running real-world applications. "Knowing how a cabling system will interface with your suite of software applications will ensure that you get the most efficient and reliable network possible."

Galan said that UL "applauds companies such as Anixter that believe the right way is the best way when it comes to verifying wire and cable." For more detailed information on cabling's role in network's efficiency, visit anixter.com. You can obtain a copy of the new Hidden Cost Guide, as well as a number of Lab Reports and White Papers all geared to help you get the most of your network.

Anixter (NYSE:AXE) is the world's leading distributor of data communications products and electrical wire and cable. Founded in 1957, the company now employs more than 5,000 people in 180 cities worldwide. The company provides products for data, voice, video or security networks, wired or wireless, in any office, factory or data center. Anixter has the technical knowledge to determine the right products for any application and also has the unparalleled global distribution capabilities to get that product where it needs to be, anytime, anywhere.