CASE STUDY – Structured Cabling System – Mary MacKillop Care (SA) Inc.

The Initial Problem/Need

Mary MacKillop Care (SA) Inc. (MMCSA) is a pillar in our society. Looking after the aged is such an important role in this world, and being able to communicate quickly and efficiently is mandatory, especially when people’s lives are at risk. MMCSA had found over the years that they had out grown their existing phone system. It was also outdated and did not provide any of the modern features now desired. Most importantly, MMCSA were initiating a new administration wing as part of the groups consolidation. A separate building had been chosen for the new administration, and it was re-cabled using Cat-5 communications grade cabling. One of the major challanges was that the existing areas of the nursing home facility were all cabled for phone using just 2-pr telephone cable. This meant a system using IP handsets was out of the question. The cost to retrofit Cat-5 cable to all of the necessary outlets was cost-prohibitive due to the expanse of the site. MMCSA therefore needed a new telephone system that was able to provide digital handsets over 2-pr cabling across the site. The new system needed to provide all of the desired features such as intercom, transfer, messages on hold, and voice mail for every extension to name a few.
Whilst IP handsets were definitely out of the question, they wanted to have a VoIP ready system to enable calls via the internet. Enter A-COM Solutions and a New Cat-5 Structured Cabling System.

After investigating their options, Marcia Fisher – CEO of Mary MacKillop Care (SA) Inc. decided upon a solution proposed by A-COM Solutions. It was able to provide up-to-date communications to the new administration facility via Cat-5 communications grade cabling, whilst also providing the same level of communications agility to the rest of the facility.

The Solution(s)

MDF-Main-Distribution-Frame

The solution provided was a Cat-5 Structured Cabling System (SCS) and a Matrix GE Telephone System housed in a newly established communicaitons/server room.

The Cat-5 SCS was implemented throughout the new administration area which was to be housed in a heritage listed building referred to as ‘The Old Convant”. This building presented many challanges from a cabling perspective due to it’s age, and construction make-up. The area was also multistorey also adding to the complexity.
A-COM Solutions technicians applied enginuity and lateral thinking to establish a brand new server room in the heart of the Old Convant Building. This created a cabling architecture that ensured all future developments around the site could be carried out with minimal disruption to the IT and Telecommunications infrastructure. Within the convant, technicians ensured no room was left without new cabling services and upgraded lighting. Skirting duct was extensively used throughout the facility as all walls were solid bluestone, and in most cases over 600mm thick. Fireplaces were also used extensively as cable paths. Fibre Optic backbone cabling was provided to link the new communications infrastructure with the rest of the facility. Here’s a summary of the work undertaken;

Establish new communications/PBX/server room within The Old Convant building
Relocate all active IT equipment including servers, modems, switching equipment, UPS etc.
Run new power feeds for server room including high-power feeds for UPS equipment
Install new lighting to server room
Install new Main Distribution Frame (MDF) and assocaited lead-in and backbone cabling to server room
Install new backbone fibre optic cabling to satellite communication cabinets
Install new Cat 5 structured cabling, 240V power and energy efficient lighting to all offices within The Old Convant building
Install new Matrix GE PBX and cut-over PBX system after hours

How The Solution Was Implemented

Fibre-Optic-FOBT

Communications cabling, cable pathways, power and lighting were installed over a period of two or so weeks by a team of 4-5 technicans working 8-9 hours each day.