Network Cabling

Installation and Smart Hands Services

Network Cabling Installation and Smart Hands Services

ServiceMark designs and installs a wide range of inside network/structured cabling to accommodate all types of businesses and organizations. We install network cabling to support: communications, phone system communications, data networks, surveillance networking, paging systems, audio/video networking CATV services and more.

To assist you in the network cabling planning process, we have provided helpful information on the common types of network cabling below.

The term “network cabling” also referred to as “structured cabling” refers to the cabling infrastructure in a building, campus, or multi-campus environment.

Network cabling consists of the following components:

Demarcation point (sometimes referred to as a “demarc”) is the point where the telephone company network ends and connects to wiring inside the customer’s premises.
Main Distribution Frame (MDF) commonly refers to the location of the telephone system and the main components of the data network infrastructure.
Intermediate Distribution Frames (IDFs) refers to equipment and wiring closets that are typically on different floors. In small office environments of 50 workstations or less, IDFs are usually not needed.
Horizontal wiring typically consists of CAT3, CAT5e, CAT6, CAT6A, CAT8, Coax and Fiber Optic cables. Horizontal wiring connects the MDF and IDF(s) to individual outlets to serve workstations.

Category 3 (CAT3) Cable

Category 3 cable, commonly referred to as CAT3, is a 24 gauge twisted pair cable, and continues to be a cable standard to support traditional digital and analog telephones, traditional fax machines, and paging speakers and horns.

Category 5e (CAT5e) Cable

Category 5e cable, commonly referred to as CAT5e, is a 24 gauge twisted pair cable, and is a cable standard for 100 Mbps Ethernet computer networks for the connectivity of computers, network printers, VoIP telephones, and other IP devices that connect to the network. The CAT5e rating can be maintained for cable lengths within 330 feet. CAT5e cable is backwards compatible with CAT3. Therefore, CAT5e can also support traditional digital and analog telephones.

Category 6 (CAT6) Cable

Category 6 cable, commonly referred to as CAT6 is a twisted pair cable and is a cable standard for Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Mbps) computer networks for the connectivity of computers, network printers, VoIP telephones, and other IP devices that connect to the network. The AT6 rating can be maintained for cable lengths within 330 feet. CAT6 cable is backwards compatible with CAT5e and CAT3. Therefore, CAT6 can also support 100 Mbps Ethernet computer networks as well as traditional digital and analog telephones.

Category 6A (CAT6A) Cable

CAT6A is another standard that is available and is considered an advancement of CAT6. TIA set the limit at 500MHz, which is double the CAT6 standard. The CAT6A cable can extend up to 100 meters and transfer data at a maximum data rate of 10Gbps (10GBASE-T).

Category 7 (CAT7) Cable

CAT7 cables sound great but we recommend CAT6A due to the specs being very close to the same and CAT7 never became a standard in the industry. CAT7 is a proprietary standard developed by a group of companies but is not IEEE Standard is not approved by TIA/EIA. It does not use traditional RJ-45 Ethernet Headers and instead uses GG45 Connectors which are hard to come by due to lack of adoption of CAT 7.

Category 8 (CAT8) Cable

Cat 8 is a true enhancement of Cat 6A and the perfect upgrade path for anyone looking to expand their network’s capabilities. CAT8 is standardized and approved by IEEE and EIA and uses RJ-45 Connectors unlike the mentioned CAT7 above. CAT8 is rated supports frequencies up to 2,000 MHz over up to 30 meters and supports up to 40 Gbps over shorter cable runs.

Coaxial (Coax) Cable

Coaxial cable, commonly referred to as coax, is a cable with an inner conductor, surrounded by a flexible, tubular insulating layer and conducting shield. For inside structured wiring projects for business, coax cable is most commonly used to extend cable television signals from the main wiring closet (referred to as the main distribution frame or MDF), to each TV location.

Coax cable is the means of connection between the cable company (historically the cable TV company) and homes and offices, and can provide phone, internet, and television services.

Fiber Optic Cable

A fiber optic cable is a thin, flexible, transparent fiber that acts as a light pipe to transmit light between two ends of the fiber. Fiber optics permits transmissions over longer distances at higher bandwidths than CAT5e, CAT6, or Coax. Fiber optic cables can be used when exceeding the 330 foot distance limitation of CAT5e or CAT6 for structured wiring projects in a single building, campus environment, or multi-campus environment.

Fiber optic cables can also be used as the means of connection between a customer’s premise and the voice/data/internet carrier in order to achieve reliable connectivity and higher bandwidth than is possible with traditional copper or coax connections to an office building.

Types of Network Cabling Installations

ServiceMark Telecom Network Cabling Products and Services for Businesses

Communications Cabling

Data, Voice, Video and Fiberoptic
Manufacture certifications
Level II certified testing
Single mode and multi-mode
Fiber services from single cable demark extensions to over a thousand copper cables
Infrastructure design to implementation

Video Surveillance

IP Network Video Recorders
CCTV analog Camera/DVRLegacy camera system support
New installations with HD over coaxial cable
Small to enterprise solutions
Remote viewing configuration

Audio / Visual

Installation of Projectors including all cabling
Projection Screens (Electric and Manual)
Installation of “Smart Boards”
Audio Distribution (In-ceiling speakers)

ServiceMark’s Network Cabling Installation Experience

The Network Cabling/Structured Cabling Installation Division of ServieMark is operated by Brian Gwin. Brian has over 25 years’ experience in the industry. ServiceMark follows current standard installation practices as outlined by EIA, BICSI, TIA-569 Pathways & Spaces Standard and National Electrical Code (NFPA 70).

ServiceMark’s Network Cabing Installation Practices

Testing

All communications cabling installed by ServiceMark is compliance certified. We use Fluke Certification Testers to ensure all network cabling meets electrical requirements and functions at maximum speed. Our customer service and installation team take the time, with every client, to provide upfront due diligence to understand client needs and existing network cabling/infrastructure so that the network cabling solution that is put in place is highly reliable and the right fit for the business.

Labeling

All workstation network cabling outlet locations are electronically labeled (unless otherwise specified). We also use faceplates with plastic label fields to protect the labeling. All Networking Closets are also uniquely labeled as well as any patch panels that are part of the network configuration. Well designed labeling ensures that our customers can easily understand their networking infrastructure and where every cable terminates end to end.

As Built Drawings

As required, ServiceMark also provides “schematic drawings” that detail the customers networking “floor plan” with each cable location notated.

Professional Certifications

ServiceMark’s Network Cabling/Structured Cabling Installation Division has several certifications from industry manufacturers. These certifications validate ServiceMark’s commitment to complete work that meets or exceeds cabling installation practices as outlined by the manufacturer and the codes and specifications that dictate/govern our industry.

Insurance

ServiceMark is fully insured. We provide our customers with Certificates of Insurance listing them as the insured party.

Certifications

Berk-Tek Certified Integrator (Cabling)
Signamax Preferred Installer (Connectivity)
Hikvision Dealer Installer (CCTV, IP Surveillance)
Cambridge Certified Integrator (Sound Masking)

ServiceMark’s Smart Hands

Servicemark offers “Smart Hands” assistance to IT departments and IT Vendors. We will work together to determine the scope of work and make sure we accomplish your goals. This could be project as simple as mounting WIFI access points or cameras which could be to done to existing cabling or while we pull new cable. We can also fully deploy a data rack with all your equipment and coordinate call to testing and verify operational. We look forward to helping you working with you to accomplish your IT goals without having the travel cost for out of town deployments.

To discuss your network cabling project or Smart Hands in more detail, please contact us or call us at 816-478-2000 for a FREE Consultation!

Client Testimonials

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 22 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Tim Porter 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This team really knows their business. If you are looking for a solution that is designed specifically for your business, this is it. Bruce and his team handle everything from small businesses like mine, to multi-location setup. You will not find anyone more down-to-earth than here! Update 11/2023: Bruce and his team helped me as we outgrew a traditional phone system. He helped us to convert to NEC's Univerge Blue VoIP system. This system can do as little or as much as you want it to. It is perfect for a team who has different skill levels. This system allows you to work from anywhere you have internet access or just use a desk phone like we did 30 years ago. The Install was on time, as-scheduled, the training was thorough with recordings of our training, and follow up on the phone with my questions afterwards was easy. No attitude of "I told you" kind of tone, but a pleasant helpful manner to help me through my needs. I couldn't be happier!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   D Edwards 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our business still had Southwestern Bell & AT&T phone wiring from the 1980's and 1990's with our handsets at least 20 years old-way past time for an upgrade. We contacted ServiceMark to get "new phones" and from that first phone call the end of June, all new cabling in our building installed the end of August then going live on the new system the second week of September, it has been nothing but professionalism, everyone has been extremely friendly, attentive to detail and communication to make this overwhelming (to us anyway) transition very easy and a pleasurable experience. We would highly recommend ServiceMark for your business communication needs. Oh and if you would have an issue like we had one at 6am the other morning when the businessowner got to the store and it appeared that there was an outage, placed a service call and the issue was answered and fixed within 15 minutes!!! You just can't beat that!  Auto Color
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Austin H. 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am an on-site IT technician that is contracted to a school district. The school district was in need of a new phone system and decided to partner with ServiceMark. I have to say, they made the whole project super easy! They were amazing when it came to preparing for the project. The communication and collaboration was amazing! Top notch customer service all around. Everyone is very friendly and professional. I'd like to thank Marty, Patrick, Dave, Shelby, Jenny, Ryan and  Bruce. I look forward to continue working with everyone.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Emily Brockhaus 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Bruce, Shelby, Jenny and Marty have all been monumental in making our transition to a new phone system EASY and PAINLESS. This was a huge undertaking, but with their help and expertise we were able to roll out this project very smoothly.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Fawaz S 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great company with outstanding customer service. They have been managing our phones (150+ lines ) for a few years and just completed a project to move us to a cloud solution. On time, On budget (to the dime!), No surprises! Looking forward to continuing our long term partnership with them.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Mister Giggledrops 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Good group of people
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Antony Ritho 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Andrew Morgan 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Top notch! 10 stars
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Laura Nennig 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent training and customer service. We've used Service Mark at our business for over 15 years and they've only continued to improve their technology, and features. I love that Jenny creates videos for training for us to review if there are features we need a refresher for or new staff to train on their phone system. They have a technician on call 24 hours a day and helped us when we upgraded a few months ago. We were never without our phones and someone can out on Saturday to help us use a new feature we didn't understand. I could not recommend hem enough!