It’s no surprise that tenants expect high-speed, robust and reliable internet access and phone lines. But a long list of behind-the-scenes services also depend on communications networks, from door entry systems to security alarms, fire safety systems to building management systems (BMSs).

And this introduces a severe risk for Build to Rent (BTR) operators tasked with providing broadband services to shared buildings – that, during the build stage, they waste unnecessary time and money on duplicating the networks underpinning these services.

Broadband services to shared buildings – the importance of pre-planning

It is not untypical for the main build contractor to wait until much of the foundational work has been done before going out to a mechanical and electrical (M&E) contractor, who then subcontracts again to a cabling specialist for installation of the infrastructure required by, say, the CCTV system. Even if the networking process is introduced earlier in the build, an M&E contractor will still need to employ different specialists for each of the network-reliant systems outlined above. And each of those specialists will, quite rightly, design and pitch a system which involves a full network with their own specialist function running off it.

The upshot? A whole lot of unnecessary and costly duplication.

This is why forward-thinking BTR operators should look to work with IT networking specialists from the outset when providing broadband services to shared buildings, in order to develop a converged network for the entire building or even estate. A converged network is a single physical (usually fibre and copper) network which is divided up into virtual sub-networks, or VLANs. Each VLAN is used to underpin a different core service, from back office functions to resident-facing WiFi.

The benefits of well planned converged services for build to rent are enormous. Aside from the substantial resource savings from avoiding duplication, a converged network is also far more future-proofed than multiple discrete networks. It provides a foundation for smart building tools and technologies, and enables the creation of genuinely seamless and innovative resident experiences, whereby Personal Area Networks travel with tenants throughout buildings and even across the entire estate.

However, all these benefits depend on choosing the right converged services provider. How do you do that?

Begin with your brand

The best converged services providers will want to start early in BTR project – right back at the conception stage. They will want to work with your brand time as well as your operational team, to really understand what kind of experience you are hoping to present to your tenants. Network-dependent technology such as superfast internet, building-specific apps and the Personal Area Networks outlined above can have a massive impact on resident experience and the overall impression of your organisation.

Smart building specialism

Smart buildings, which use IoT technology to proactive manage everything from energy efficiency measures to predictive maintenance of assets, are key to helping BTR operators run as efficiently as possible. They can also play a crucial role in building an environmentally-friendly and forward-thinking brand. As such, your converged services provider should have experience in supporting and developing smart buildings, and able to advise you on possible future developments.

Long-term partnerships

The life of a BTR property should be long-term, and so the partnership with your converged services provider should be too. Innovations in networking technology are happening at lightning pace and while the possibilities for smart buildings and innovative tenant experiences are only going to become more diverse, this will also have an impact of the provision of broadband services to shared buildings. A truly long-term and forward-thinking converged services partnership will enable you to capitalise on these developments as they emerge, and truly by a BTR operator for the future.

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As home working increases and social media and traditional media formats move ever more to digital, FOBO – Fear Of Being Offline – fills many people with dread, and in the Build to Rent market it would be inconceivable to rent an apartment where a guest could not get online immediately.

With this reliance on ubiquitous high-speed connectivity, making sure your building has great Wifi is crucial. Curve IT believes that to ensure you are competitive in the marketplace you should have a clear strategy for what you want to deliver and how you will achieve it.

BTR operators might want to consider some questions around the provision of Wifi:

• How can resident and customers connect? And their guests?
• Should you block certain content?
• Should Wifi be available only in certain areas?
• Will you charge, and if so how, when, what for, and how much?
• Should speed or the number of devices be limited?

For project planning this can raise many questions. The first decisions should probably be around the build to rent internet network and whether this is something that the Operator wants to provide and manage themselves, or contract out to a company, or whether each individual supplier of IP services will provide their own. Is this likely to be in a capex or an opex budget?

At RIBA stage 1-3 it’s imperative that the M&E specification – and the vendor proposals received from this – match your ideas and values in your brand standard. If the design does not reflect what you want to achieve then variations and additional costs become more likely. Or worse you have a sub-standard installation of technology services.

Curve IT has years of experience working with customers to define their brand standards, and designing and creating solutions to meet these. We have advised on Wifi, networks, broadband provision, structured cabling, voice services, CCTV, TV and IPTV solutions amongst others.

We can talk about your wishes and requirements and can be reached at contact@curveit.com or 01273 806220

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What services and applications could sit on a build to rent converged network?

• HSIA – (high speed internet access) for residents
• IPTV – television services
• VoIP – Voice over IP telephony services for residents and staff
• Access control and door locking systems
• CCTV
• Building Management Systems
• Property Management Systems
• Point of Sale
• Digital Signage

What are the advantages of a build to rent converged networks?

Better performance; Reduced cost; More flexibility; Minimising environmental impact

• Lower cost of installation: installing one core infrastructure can reduce the amount of cabling required, and ensure that switches are used in the most efficient way. We have seen cost reductions of around 30% moving from a traditional network architecture to converged.
• Better network management: a high-performing network is critical for the smooth operation of all the services within your building and having a converged network allows you to choose a single operator to oversee these services, and so offer a better level of service to your residents and team. In the past you may have multiple different networks all managed by different vendors, meaning different SLA’s, help desks, operating hours etc. A converged network has one management platform which can allow better monitoring and allow issues to be identified and dealt with much more quickly.
• Flexibility and future proofing: Having an enterprise grade active network means adding new or extra services and applications can be completed much more easily and potentially without having to add new cabling or hardware. It’s impossible to say any technology is ‘future-proof’ however the 10Gb standard is currently recommended and fully suited for most needs.
• Better design and hardware: with all services running through one core infrastructure it often proves more cost-effective to increase the sophistication, capacity and performance of this core to levels that would not be commercially sensible if running multiple networks. We typically see a move from multiple 1Gb in a traditional environment to 10Gb in a converged, offering potentially a huge uplift in performance. This will normally include resiliency and redundancy to a much higher level.
• Minimising environmental impact: a single connection manages and operates all the systems, meaning reduced power usage and carbon footprint. Less hardware takes up less space and ensures the right amount of switch ports are available, in the right locations. Monitoring network ports, cables, connectors and components in real time with an intelligent infrastructure management system allows the network to be managed far more efficiently and optimises energy consumption.

 Are there other considerations?

Many, and this is where the design and management skills of Curve IT are paramount. These are just a few of the many considerations you will need to take into account.

• Resiliency – how to deal with power failures. We can advise on UPS or generator back-up power.
• Network resiliency – spanning tree? What support packs on hardware?
• Redundancy – internet services into and out of the building and the routes these could take. Do you need geo-diverse routings? How many 9’s in your SLA?
• Bandwidth management (WAN) – what do you need and when do you need it? What is the best model? Who is the best provider and do they have the interconnects you need?
• Bandwidth management (LAN) – what applications do your residents / team need? Should some be limited? Do you want a revenue stream?
• QoS – how, where and when?
• VLANs – who and how to manage?
• PAN – do your residents need a Personal Area Network?

The post Why should Build to Rent operators consider Converged Networks? appeared first on Curve IT.

The multi-tenant sector is one of the hardest environments in which to deliver robust WiFi networks, with hundreds of residents living in close proximity using multiple devices, often at the same time.

Providing an IT infrastructure to support a multi-dwelling unit (MDU) requires a deep understanding of the fundamentals of WiFi technology.

The benefits of calling in Curve IT from the word go

• Curve IT are involved from RIBA stage 3 onwards.
• Curve IT consultants begin by establishing the client’s aims for the residents and the building. An early site visit enables our IT team to brainstorm with and advise PRS developers, translating concepts into a tech spec which can be incorporated before construction even begins.
• Using the most technologically advanced industry tools and techniques available, Curve IT will carry out a site survey across your premises, determining where there is most demand and identifying ‘dead spots’.
• We provide comprehensive recommendations to create a secure, successful and fully scalable WiFi network.
• Curve IT recommends a converged network, which is more efficient than multiple networks. The hardware cabling design can be fitted alongside other services rather than being retrospectively installed and the use of multiple communication modes on a single network offers a convenience and flexibility that is not possible with separate infrastructures. (By using a converged network, we save on cabling too.)
• An optimised WiFi network throughout a building based on WiFi modelling means there is no over-scoping, reducing hardware and installation capex.
• Advanced techniques such as Personal Area Networks (PAN) ensure the best experience for residents, including access to the IoT.
• Additional services can be incorporated such as VoIP, CCTV, Security systems, door control and more.

High-capacity, reliable, secure broadband and WiFi for MDUs & PRS Broadband

Curve IT has the latest on-trend information about the IT systems which best benefit clients, actively seeking out systems that will save money and reduce carbon footprint. We help clients confidently address technology-related decisions such as speed of access and cabling, recommending enterprise grade equipment within a client’s budget to ensure a great feature set and good warranty level for equipment.

Early planning of IT infrastructure, networks and PRS Broadband before the building construction begins reduces time-consuming and expensive retrospective IT installation in the construction schedule – and prevents expensive variations in construction; we dovetail our installation into the other service installation schedules.

It also means Curve IT can adhere to and enhance demanding brand standards including:

• Security controls within the building for residents to feel safe;
• Minimum setting for the WiFi signal wherever a resident may be within the building;
• A minimum number of wired ports within an apartment in the optimum locations;
• A WiFi portal for residents that is user friendly and offers services, and further revenue opportunities;
• Home-style technology delivered to enterprise standard within an MDU which feels individual to the resident but utilised by numerous tenants;
• High speed Internet supply optimized for 5Ghz.

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