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Perhaps what is not often considered is that all these concerns can be addressed through the cabling infrastructure. Contractors can offer their customers a marketable, value-added service by considering the implementation of a cabling system that draws these elements together.

Potential property buyers face a number of needs that they expect to have been considered during the building design phase. Security is one key concern; with this is mind tenants are increasingly demanding cctv, public address systems and alarms.

Fire safety is also a significant problem for high-rise buildings. Furthermore, compliance with recent regulations means that buildings need to be 'greener' and more efficient. This places unforeseen demand on ventilation and lighting systems. Potential buyers also need a high-performance cabling infrastructure that can underpin the bandwidth-hungry demands placed on the communications network.

The traditional construction process separately installs each of the building's services control signals – there would be individual cabling for fire, security and access control and energy management systems. However, there are significant benefits to be gained if the control of all services is under one integrated cabling infrastructure that is also responsible for supporting voice, data and video communications.

There are a number of reasons why it is useful to consider an integrated system in the initial design concept. A single cabling installation simplifies the procurement process, project and site management and reduces risks of delay. This results in clear savings on commission time and faster installation. The building can be occupied earlier and revenues can start to flow in faster, all adding to the bottom line.

Contractors can use an integrated system to market the property, pointing to the value-added benefits. With a converged cabling solution, management can quickly and cost-effectively respond to the changing needs of tenants, which impacts on the cost to occupy the space. Changes can be accomplished faster, with minimal disruption and cost.

Another key reason for integrating building services controls into the primary telecommunications backbone is that it enables central access to these. Authorised users can access all the services information through any pc on the data network.

A traditional leased space may not provide horizontal cabling for any services. This increases the set-up time for tenants. In addition, the tenant usually pays for the voice and data cabling, plus the cost for occupying the space during set-up. If an integrated solution is installed, these costs can be dramatically reduced. Attracting tenants with a high-tech platform for services can increase occupancy and one month full occupancy may even pay for the entire system.

The lifetime costs of building management are potentially lower if an integrated, structured cabling system is implemented, due to the improved efficiency, flexibility of use and lower life cycle costs. An integrated approach can provide up to 30% construction saving for cabling and pathways; labour costs would be typically reduced by as much as 50%.

Early planning is essential when implementing an integrated system. One of the first decisions should be to select the cabling infrastructure, as this will be the foundation on which everything else should be based.

Interestingly, voice and data cabling is still rarely included in the construction budget. Instead, this installation normally takes place when the floor space is being prepared for occupancy. If cabling is installed during construction it is easier to implement, minimises damage to finished surfaces and is reusable for the life of the structure.

Now that Category 6 has been ratified, it should be strongly considered in any integrated installation. Category 6 can support data transmission at very high speeds and its bandwidth is 2·5 times that offered by Category 5e equivalents.

Once the decision is made to use a common cabling infrastructure, it is very easy to select compatible voice, data, video and building control systems equipment.

One of the most important results of this convergence is that security hardware can now be connected to the common cabling infrastructure. By using a networked solution, cctv images can be relayed to a digital video recorder or network server. It can be given an IP address, which enables cctv images to be viewed on authorised pcs across corporate networks, and high-quality images to be transmitted between campuses using minimal bandwidth.

Whatever is integrated into the cabling system, a converged solution can greatly enhance productivity, bring in higher rental returns, and elevate tenant satisfaction. In the future, the convergence of voice and data systems with building services controls will help the industry move further towards developing intelligent buildings. For now, firms need to build properties that include cabling infrastructures that draw all of a building's control systems and communications together. The convergence of these systems is necessary if corporate properties are to meet business demands and remain competitive. Anyone who chooses to ignore changing client expectations, will almost certainly be left behind.