For many years, the importance of 'services' has been increasing in the global economy. This rise in importance is primarily the result of the impact of commoditisation, particularly in manufacturing-related industries. Manufacturers have relied on post-sale service given the impact commoditisation has had on product margins. [ + ]

Wireless technology has changed the way we interact with one another. Free to roam and still remain connected, it has provided flexibility at previously unseen levels and created a more mobile world and workforce. But wireless isn't limited to emails and social media, the same technology is now being used in a multitude of ways to ensure safety of the workforce. [ + ]

Since 2001, ECONZ has been the driving power behind New Zealand's favourite roadside breakdown service, The Automobile Association, helping rescue an average 1200 stranded drivers per day. [ + ]

Philips has provided LED pitch lighting for Chelsea Football Club, making Stamford Bridge the first top flight football club stadium to complete an upgrade to pitch lighting. [ + ]

The growth in worldwide fibre-optic communications has led to an increase in demand for economical and convenient fusion-splicing systems for a wide range of deployments including telco backhaul, access networks, FTTH, LAN, sensing and submarine installations. [ + ]

The Italy-headquartered cable manufacturer Prysmian Group recently hired Frederick Persson* as chief executive officer for Australia & New Zealand. ECD Solutions speaks to the new CEO about the current market conditions and future plans. [ + ]

Potential induced degradation (PID) can reduce the efficiency of a PV module. This article provides insights on PID, including how this degradation process develops, the conditions that make PV systems prone to it, its effects and the methods to correct or prevent it.

One of the challenges when deploying small cells, HD CCTV cameras, digital signage, Wi-Fi hotspots, and other remote devices is finding a local source of power for them. There are two alternatives to addressing this challenge: powered fibre cable and Power over Ethernet (PoE). [ + ]

The deployment of multifibre push-on cabling systems is rising as businesses try to address the growing data requirements. This article provides an overview of issues related to testing the cabling for these systems. [ + ]

Cable installers and network technicians are expected to cost-effectively demonstrate that their data cabling is installed correctly and is capable of supporting ethernet applications. With a wide array of testers on the market purporting to do similar things, and some just a fraction of the price of others, it's difficult to determine the best way to test your network. [ + ]

The new customer cabling rules came into effect in July 2013. With the new rules came a new clause, 17.3.1, that sets out requirements for cabling between separate buildings. To some cabling providers, this clause seemingly precludes the use of twisted pair cable for cabling between buildings. However, this is a misinterpretation of the clause.

Electricity customers could be better off in future, if the building momentum for network tariff reform leads to fundamental changes in the way electricity is charged for and used, said John Bradley, chief executive officer of the Energy Networks Association. [ + ]

Researchers at Context Information Security have exposed a security weakness in a Wi-Fi-enabled, energy efficient LED light bulb that can be controlled from a smartphone.

The phrase 'fibre-optic technology' conjures visions of information speeding around the world at the speed of light, of high-tech data centres and previously unimagined capabilities in communications. What it does not evoke is visions of connectors. But without being able to connect fibres effectively, a network just wouldn't exist. [ + ]

As many electrical contractors are aware, our industry has experienced a number of alarming product recalls of late. These include the recent Avanco brand DC isolators and the Infinity brand cable recalls.