As your business expands and your network demands increase, you may find that it’s time to invest in a structured cabling upgrade. Many networks grow inconsistently over the years as business owners add hardware piece by piece—often from different manufacturers and with varying levels of quality. This patchwork approach can gradually slow down network performance as each new device strains the system. Eventually, the network can no longer handle the volume of traffic your team generates, even with incremental “upgrades.” When that time comes, Smart IT Solutions is ready to step in with a well-designed structured cabling plan. We follow a comprehensive process to ensure your updated infrastructure can support your company’s needs well into the future. For structured cabling and low-voltage solutions, call Smart IT Solutions at
773-900-7486!
SELECTING DEVICES & CABLING
Choosing the right cabling and devices requires balancing performance, reliability, and cost. During this phase, we build and test prototype configurations to pinpoint potential weaknesses and determine the best design for your network. The cabling options typically evaluated include:
Copper Cabling:
This category includes Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 6a, Cat 6e, Cat 7, Cat 7a, and the newest Cat 8 standards. Selecting a more advanced category helps “future-proof” your infrastructure. Each type of low-voltage copper cable is available in both shielded and unshielded versions. Shielded cables use foil to protect against electromagnetic interference (EMI), while unshielded cables may be sufficient—and more cost-effective—in quieter electrical environments.
Coaxial Cabling:
Built with a solid copper core and multiple protective layers, coaxial cable supports a range of specialized applications that require strict performance standards. This includes systems such as nurse call, CCTV, and access control.
Fiber Optic Cabling:
An advanced low-voltage option, fiber optic cabling is immune to EMI and supports significantly higher data speeds over longer distances compared to copper or coaxial cables. Available in single-mode, multi-mode, and laser-optimized varieties, fiber offers a highly future-ready solution for growing network demands.
