CablesAndKits Blog

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Cisco

The Source of our Phone Refurb Power

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InfoG-Phones

Ever wondered what process the refurbished phones go through. We put our phones through an extensive process to refurbish and make new. The phones go through a 4 step process to ensure each phone is up to code and satisfaction.

CablesAndKits takes phones that have been gently cared for in the past and brings them up to speed.  The inspection team physically inspects each phone by its physical appearance and its ability to perform its job. Each phone goes through testing and if all is well, they are reset back to factory defaults. If the phone passes its test, it will go to the [Read more…] about The Source of our Phone Refurb Power

5 Ways to Mark Earth Day in your Company

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Earth-Day2015a

April 22, 2015 marks the 25th anniversary of Earth Day, a day we celebrate the birth of the modern environmental movement.  Today we celebrate Mother Nature and highlight the different ways we can help save the planet in our daily lives while working for any tech-savvy company.

Here are five steps you can take to help save the Earth and build sustainability into your daily operations:

  1. Switch computers off at the end of the day
  • Computers should be turned off at the close of business and on weekends to save energy. According to IBM, by telling their employees to turn off their computers for at least one hour each day, can save the company $1 million per year in energy cost.
  1. Use recycled paper and double side Printing
  • Using recycled paper not only saves trees but it also helps to save energy, water and landfill paper. The recycled paper produces less pollution that is essential for a healthy environment. In efforts to save trees, double side printing will be a great start. By using half the amount of printing paper, you will in turn save some money while being eco-friendly.
  1. Use the Cloud
  • The cloud is a network of servers that can store all your saved documents and data with accessibility from anywhere.  The cloud gives you the capability to share documents with coworkers without having to print. Using the cloud gives you the opportunity to save energy and the earth by reducing the need to print documents.
  1. Source energy efficient servers and VOIP Phones
  • Brands such as Cisco provide a program named EnergyWise on their products that measure and control energy between the network devices and endpoints. Company’s such as CablesAndKits offer products that are energy efficient to helpful in more than the intended reason.
  1. Use a laptop instead of a desktop computer
  • Laptops use less power than a desktop. Most desktops consume between 70 and 200 watts while in use, while laptops use between 15 and 60 watts. Laptops tend to use less electricity than a desktop in turns uses less energy.

Many times we overlook the one thing that can be a huge energy drain- our computers. Let’s help out our beautiful world and make a difference!

Did we miss any helpful tips? Comment and let us know or tweet us @cablesandkits using the hashtag #EarthDayatCK

All Wireless Standards are NOT Created Equal

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Upgrading your Wi-Fi hardware is critical to future-proofing your network. When the time for new components is at hand, it is important to select the products that fully support your communication and data transfer wireless_logoneeds. From fiber cabling to Wi-Fi routers, the choices abound and each one can have direct impact on your overall network performance.

Today, we are going to take a look at the foundational 802.11 technologies that can power your network. Despite very similar nomenclature, the varying forms of 802.11 are all quite different.

How to Make Your Choice

Being able to clearly articulate the differences between Wi-Fi options is a must in order to help your management and procurement teams approve the right products for your applications. Following are the factors you will want to educate teams about so that they can effectively evaluate any new wireless purchase:

  • Bandwidth

Bandwidth, measured in terms of Mbps or Gbps, determines the speed with which data can be transmitted across a network. As can be expected, a higher bandwidth rating delivers faster data transmission. Today’s 802.11 technologies offer bandwidths ranging from 11 Mbps to as high as 300 Mbps.

It can be easy to immediately believe you want the maximum bandwidth range but it is important to keep in mind your own use. The higher bandwidths are generally only needed by larger networks or those running intensive applications such as streaming video.

  • Frequency

The frequency, measured in Gigahertz, determines a network’s range. It also directly affects interference by other wireless elements such as cell phones or microwaves or by physical obstacles such as walls. Standard Wi-Fi networks run on either 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz (commonly referred to as only 5 GHz) frequencies.

Frequency is one of those features that definitely does not comply with the “bigger is better” concept. A shorter frequency actually has a longer range, although it is more susceptible to interference from other wireless devices. A longer frequency flip-flops those benefits to provide a shorter range but better protection against other wireless interference. However, 5.8 GHz networks are more likely to be impeded by solid interference.

  • Single or Dual Band

Most Wi-Fi technologies run on only one frequency but some tout the ability to run on both. Before you jump for joy and assume that is the best way to go, you better get the facts.

Technology that includes only one signal but says it is dual band does not actually give you both 2.4 and 5.8 GHz functionality at once—it simply gives you the ability to choose which one you want at any given time. Only 802.11n which leverages multiple antennas actually supports both frequencies simultaneously.

Knowing the different functionalities offered by the key Wi-Fi network features can [Read more…] about All Wireless Standards are NOT Created Equal

Save the Phones!

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Here at CablesAndKits, not only do we sell great products and offer the best customer service you might ever experience online (shameless plug), part of our business revolves around reconditioning used network equipment and giving it a new lease on life. Just because something might not be “new” to you anymore or maybe it doesn’t meet your needs any longer, there is still life and functionality in the equipment. It is our job to save and “revitalize” that equipment then to turn around and make it available to someone else that can use it or needs it.

An example of this is the process and care we take with our used Cisco VOIP phones. We put our phones through an extensive process to refurbish and breathe new life into them. Our phones go through a thorough 4 step process (there are many “to-do’s” in each step) to be rejuvenated:

Step 1: Rescue

  • Our phones come to us from many different walks of life – some have been abandoned and left for dead, while some have lived the lavish lifestyle in a corporate business. Either way, our goal is to rescue, receive and refurbish these phones for them to have a new life and a new home.

Cisco Phone Rescue

Step 2: Inspection

  • All phones are physically inspected – Our staff is very thorough and picky with their examination of the phones.
  • Any phones with scratches or wear outside of the normal use are rejected from our main product line – As stated before we are very picky and we only want the best for you! Those rejected still get the needed attention, but they are placed gently and quietly in our clearance section.
  • All handsets are disposed of appropriately – We wouldn’t want to use them, and [Read more…] about Save the Phones!

Top Eight Reasons to Choose CablesAndKits

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Have you ever stopped and wondered why you buy from the places you shop at? Go ahead stop and ponder why you shop from your favorite store. I’ll wait…

< Jeopardy music playing in the background>

Oh, you’re back! That didn’t take as long as I thought it would. It is an interesting question, huh? Sometimes it is difficult to pinpoint exactly why you buy from that store or company and then at other times it is as plain as day. There are so many factors to think about.

Now think about your business. With everything you are doing to run and maintain a successful business, time and energy are in short supply. We get that thought process. We also understand when it comes to finding your networking equipment and accessories you don’t really want to shop around. You want to find one place that offers exactly what you need at a competitive price.

But, you deserve so much more than that! At CablesAndKits, we go above and beyond what’s expected to offer you a trusted and reliable interaction every single time. Our core purpose is to positively impact the lives of others, so we go the extra mile to enhance our surrounding community while enriching the lives of the [Read more…] about Top Eight Reasons to Choose CablesAndKits

Plug into Power Cord Know How!

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Navigating the jungle of terminology, acronyms and part numbers can be daunting in the field of telecommunications. Anyone attempting to determine and buy cabling can attest to this.  Improper data cabling will cause a logical error. With power cables, using the wrong type can cause physical failure such as fires and electrical shock. The stakes are higher. Luckily the abundance of documentation and regulation assure that anyone seeking direction to deploy the correct cord can find the information they need to choose the right cord and avoid common pitfalls, damage and injury that comes with electrical failure.

Common Terminology:

Amperage (amp): This term refers to the amount of electrons that are moving in the circuit. This is also “how much” electricity there is.

Voltage: This refers to how much force is behind the electrons, or how fast the electrons are moving.

Attributes:

When choosing a power cord there are (3) main attributes to be aware of:

[Read more…] about Plug into Power Cord Know How!