ICT infrastructure is an essential service

With the theme ‘Stay Ahead of Transition’, the BICSI South Pacific 2018 conference sought to give delegates a glimpse of the future. Held on 9–10 October at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, the conference featured an array of technology visionaries and subject matter experts on topics including artificial intelligence, smart buildings, the Internet of Things, 5G, digital health care, the post-rollout nbn roadmap, future high-capacity fibre technologies, soon-to-be-released industry standards and regulations, calculating actual Wi-Fi capacity and intelligent networks of the future.

Key learning outcomes for delegates were to understand how these emerging trends and technologies could and should be supported by the appropriate ICT infrastructure. An essential message that the conference reinforced was that ICT infrastructure is an essential service — businesses, households and communities could not function without it.

In addition to the comprehensive conference program, the event also featured the BICSI Excellence Awards and Cabling Skills Challenge Grand Final.

The Excellence Awards recognised and celebrated members who demonstrated industry-leading skills and professionalism in designing and delivering exceptional projects. The winners of each category were:

• Excellence in ICT Infrastructure Design Award — InDesign Technologies for University of Newcastle Great Hall Audio Visual Infrastructure Upgrade
• Excellence in Active Equipment Design Award — WSP for Sydney Adventist Hospital Integrated Cancer Centre
• Excellence in Active Equipment Installation Award — ENGIE Services-DESA for National Wi-Fi Refresh Project
• Excellence in ICT Infrastructure Medium Installation Award — Programmed Electrical Technologies for Aurizon Headquarters
• Excellence in ICT Infrastructure Large Installation Award — ENGIE Services-DESA – Woodside Capital Square
• Member of the Year — John Wall RCDD DCDC.

The Cabling Skills Challenge competition brought together skilled cablers who competed for the title of the nation’s best cabling installer. Six cablers who won their state cabling heats from around the country earlier in the year competed in a series of knowledge and skill-based assessments to be recognised as the nation’s best cabler. Mark Allen, from NCH Electrical and Data in Brisbane, took out the award, and now has the honour to represent the South Pacific in BICSI’s Global Skills Challenge in Florida in January.

Every BICSI South Pacific conference raises funds for local charities, but this year, BICSI South Pacific members did something extra special. In addition to raising cash donations for the South East Queensland chapter of Ronald McDonald House, several local BICSI members donated products and their time to provide communications infrastructure for the entire ninth floor of the Ronald McDonald House on Vulture Street in South Brisbane. This accommodation unit is where families of children in the adjoining Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital stay to support their seriously ill children undergoing treatment. Often these families are from regional Queensland and need to be away from home for lengthy periods. To help make their stays as comfortable as possible, BICSI South Pacific members provided the full comms cabling infrastructure so families can use phones and access the internet at no cost to themselves. Overall, BICSI South Pacific members donated $17,000 in cash, products and labour.