Data Cablers

[casfan]

Im sure this has been asked before but cant find it with the search.

Looking for some advice... Im only small so wont be taking any business of you guys.
I look after networks in a few schools, I'm OK with making patch cables and the like.
Every so often the schools want either the classrooms remodeling or extra points putting in and pay an external company to come in and do that.

I was just interested in what I would need to be able to do that myself and if there is any regulation/laws relating to it, or any training courses that I would need to go on.

Or is it just a matter or pulling the cables thru and terminating them correctly.

Thanks

 

[zero1zero]

Really depends on the state of the structured cabling throughout the building, if its already in place then its a case of just opening up the trunking and terminating the cables correctly - If you need to start creating new cable runs then it gets a lot messier with possible construction needed.

 

Schools are not easy to get into, they have board-level 'preferred suppliers' that they use, so you will need to enquire how to get onto this list...sometimes it's a tendering-type of process periodically, with others it's just a matter of someone ordering from you and getting you 'on the system' etc....that has to be your first port of call.

next, I'd investigate which 'cabling system' has been used in the school, these can range from sparks running anything they like (sometimes badly) to specific data cabling companies offering 'warranted cabling systems' from one of the bigger players.....they all have an accreditation process to get through to get onto their select list, and to be able to offer their cable warranty.

Best to find out what is going in at the minute, then talk to one of the big distributors of that particular cabling system - take it from there.

There's also a large Networking Trade show every year (about mid-July or so iirc) in the NEC where all the cabling companies come together with the other infrastructure providers, and showcase their wares...it's a great place to pick up on the next cabling system coming out, and get onto their 'partner programme'.

Years ago, when I was Technical Sales Manager for a Data/Voice cabling Company, we supplied a 25-year AMP warranted system, and we also signed up with AT&T and a few smaller (cheaper) ones too.....most just involved going through their training courses and having a few rules set down about number of installers etc.

 

[casfan]

See the thing is I already have my foot in the door with a few schools but I have not offered cabling as a service.
I know the company they use and all the cables are all Cat5 at the moment.

So there is nothing stopping me doing this legally?

 

[Judge_Joolz]

Correct, nothing to legally stop you.

JJ