APPLICATION REPORT ith projects in over a dozen states, and a staff of more than 2,500 electricians and technicians, Cupertino Electric, Inc. has become one of the major players in the building of Internet infrastructure. In fact, a leading national trade publication, Electrical Contractor, recently ranked Cupertino as one of the nation’s “Top 10” electrical contracting firms. The firm’s customer roster is also impressive, including many prominent Web hosting providers and leading technology companies such as Adobe Systems, 3Com and Sun Microsystems. So, it’s no wonder that Cupertino sought to have a leading-edge communications system for its own headquarters. A “Show and Tell” Installation Explosive growth prompted the development of Cupertino’s new 200,000+ square foot San Jose, Calif. headquarters, but the new facility also offered the company a unique opportunity to provide a state-of-the-art “Show and Tell” installation that both showcases the company’s Cupertino Electric Chose KRONE’s TrueNet ™ Structured Cabling System For Its Dynamic New Headquarters Facility Cupertino Electric chose the TrueNet ™ C6T ™ Structured Cabling System due largely to KRONE’s unique active network performance testing and the unmatched zero bit error system warranty. W Cupertino Electric, Inc., one of the nation’s “Top 10” electrical contracting firms, recently installed over 120,000 ft. of TrueNet C6T ™ Cable to over 200 stations throughout its San Jose, Calif. headquarters. 1 APPLICATION REPORT expertise and provides a venue for the latest in connectivity technology. This premier installation primarily supports Cupertino’s corporate, sales and marketing personnel, as well as a modern, state-of-the- art field support center. Looking to the Future To meet its need for state-of-the-art technology, Cupertino specified the KRONE ® TrueNet ™ C6T ™ Structured Cabling System. The revolutionary TrueNet System warrants virtually error-free data transmission performance for 100BASE-T applications. Plus, it is optimized for Gigabit Ethernet to provide a secure transition pathway for future growth. Alex Tanasescu, Cupertino Electric’s Director of Information Technology, explains that the warranty and the future proofing aspect played an important role in the firm’s selection. “We wanted to be as obsolescence-proof as possible,” he says. “Even though we are using 10BASE-T as our speed now, we wanted to ensure that we had the ability to go to one Gigabit down the line if we so desired. “Essentially, we wanted the best cabling that was available, along with the best arrangement in the patch panels, so that we would have absolutely clean connections.” An Easy Decision When Cupertino’s staff was introduced to the new TrueNet System, they quickly decided that it was exactly what they required for their new headquarters. Jay Ribera, KRONE Sales Engineer, demon- strated the benefits of the system to the firm prior to its move. “We gave Alex a test sampling in one of his existing closets. First of all, he was impressed when our testing revealed that his current system had some anomalies that weren’t totally favorable. Second, our system could ensure the performance he was looking for.” “Most people, even if they are 20 years in the business, don’t know that there is a way to look at line traffic,” Jay adds. “They don’t realize how disruptive a faulty patch cord is and how we can actually ‘see’ that. Then KRONE goes a step further with a complete system that provides virtually error-free transmissions.” 2 The fact that TrueNet provides a totally integrated system of cable, patch cords, patch panels, blocks and jacks — all finely-tuned to protect signal integrity and strength — played a major role in Cupertino’s decision to specify KRONE. TrueNet C6T plenum cable was used throughout. 3 Another element that played a role in Cupertino Electric’s decision was the fact that the firm is a certified KRONE ® installer. “It made the decision even easier,” Alex explains, “because our staff was already familiar with TrueNet ™ and how good it is.” The TrueNet C6T ™ System The installation of more than 200 stations, performed by Cupertino Electric’s Network Systems Group technicians, utilizes the highest level of TrueNet — the TrueNet C6T Structured Cabling System. It consists of an integrated system of impedance-matched (100±3 ohms) TrueNet C6T horizontal cable, TruePatch ™ patch cords, Ultim8 ™ termination blocks, Enhanced patch panels, and HighBand ™ jacks…all finely tuned to protect signal integrity and strength. Cupertino Electric’s staff completed the installation in just three weeks. Cupertino Electric has built a reputation for fast-track installations as well as customer satisfaction, and their own facility was no exception! “All of the equipment in the building, including the horizontal cable, is KRONE,” Alex Tanasescu emphasizes. “We have fiber going to every office, but at present it’s dark. It’s a further safeguard against obsolescence since we don’t know what the future will bring.” 120,000 Feet of TrueNet Cabling According to Jay Ribera, Cupertino Electric installed over 120,000 ft. of TrueNet cabling at their new headquarters facility. “The average run was 150 feet and they ran four cables to every outlet,” he says. “TrueNet C6T plenum cable was used throughout. KRONE Ultim8 blocks were installed in all of the wiring closets and KRONE HighBand jacks — for voice and data — were utilized at every workstation. “Cupertino Electric utilized a 4-port faceplate so they would have the ability, if a future need arose, to use any combination. Remember, this is high-grade cable for both voice and data. What it does is provide a system with an extremely high level of versatility.” Passive and Active Testing Once the installation was completed and the system was up and running, Cupertino’s staff conducted an extensive series of passive tests to make certain that the cable was TIA/EIA compliant. Once the results were in, KRONE performed active, on-site testing of the network while it was up and running. Jay Ribera explains, “KRONE’s expert testing personnel visited the site and hooked up the advanced testing equipment to the active network. They observed the line data and ensured the customer that they do, in fact, have an error-free domain. “KRONE certifies that the customer will have a zero bit error channel — channel meaning from the workstation to the hub in the closet. Although they are currently using only 10BASE-T, Cupertino staff selected the highest level of TrueNet available — the TrueNet C6T Structured Cabling System — to ensure the ability to migrate to Gigabit Ethernet. The KRONE C6T cable is used for both voice and data — providing a high level of versatility. Alex Tanasescu adds that the warranty “definitely played a role in our decision. I was impressed with the new testing techniques since they enabled KRONE ® to pinpoint — and correct — any problems.” No Problems Cupertino Electric’s TrueNet ™ Structured Cabling System has been up and running for about one year. And as far as performance is concerned, Alex sums it up very succinctly, “In all the time it’s been here — and we are a very busy place — we’ve never had a problem.” For more information For more information about the KRONE TrueNet System, please call 1-800-775-5766 or visit our Web site at: www.kroneamericas.com. APPLICATION REPORT KRONE ® Incorporated 6950 South Tucson Way Englewood, CO 80112 Toll-Free: 1-800-775-KRONE Phone: 303-790-2619 Fax: 303-790-2117 Web: www.kroneamericas.com 4 . modern, state-of-the- art field support center. Looking to the Future To meet its need for state-of-the-art technology, Cupertino specified the KRONE ® TrueNet. Incorporated 6950 South Tucson Way Englewood, CO 80112 Toll-Free: 1-8 0 0-7 75-KRONE Phone: 30 3-7 9 0-2 619 Fax: 30 3-7 9 0-2 117 Web: www.kroneamericas.com 4