HOW TO consider technology in developments.

Developers need to ensure new homes will not be technologically obsolete.

The construction industry has seen many trends come and go over the last twenty years. One of the recent trends is the evolution and introduction of Smart Communities and Smart Homes, made possible by the proliferation of the associated technologies. These evolving technologies have had a revolutionary impact on the way that we all live and, do business.

Why has this technology been so prolific, and why is there so much interest in Smart' Communities and Smart Homes? In large part, the answer lies in North American demographics. There is a significant shift occurring as we watch the baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, which represent the largest demographic group in history, heading towards retirement. How will we be able to cope with the pressures associated with the demographic shift? How will. we be able to carry on the social service structures that are already in place?

The answer is technology - the use of which will help ensure that our quality of life does not suffer.

Today's computer systems' are capable of controlling and managing the entire home through integration with the Internet to provide more information and better control of the environment. For example, this technology can enable one to directly access schools, teachers, medical facilities, doctors, nurses, homecare providers, shopping, banking, maintenance services, weather and news information through high-speed telecommunication. This can be achieved from the "family desktop" using high-speed fibre optics that can remove any barriers hindering that process.

The standard home today is using wiring designed 50 years ago for applications that were never conceived of at the time. Homes and communities must be wired for the requirements of today's homeowner, as well as of future products not yet designed. Old-fashioned wiring is not capable of adequate performance for real-time interactive video conferencing and the advancements in home networks. The wiring of yesterday has given us 50 years of good service, but it is now time to keep pace with the technological revolution. Home builders and community developers must ensure that today's new homes and commercial developments will not be technologically obsolete, effectively preventing people from experiencing and realizing the potential value of today's Smart Home and vision for Smart Communities.

One of the greatest challenges for older buildings is remaining competitive with buildings that incorporate the new Smart Building technology. These Smart Buildings are hot properties in the office leasing market. Technology is available to retrofit older buildings to allow them to compete in a very competitive market.

Traditional land line companies typically own the copper wire infrastructure that provides voice and data communication to older buildings today. This copper can be upgraded to provide faster Internet access as well as other data-related functions. Enhancing the current communication infrastructure in a building can give smaller tenants the ability to access a local and long-distance phone provider and high-speed Internet and high-speed data and videoconferencing services. As the information age continues to develop, quicker and more efficient means of accessing information will be critical to any company, both large or small. Landlords. who enhance their communication infrastructure will be able to retain existing tenants, attract new tenants and provide additional long-term revenues for the property as well as to the community.

In developing the necessary infrastructure to develop Smart Home or Smart Communities, fibre optics or structure wiring will most likely come into play. Fibre optic cable has glass or plastic strands that are used to carry the signals. Fibre optic systems use light pulses instead of electrical signals for the transmission of information, eliminating the concern of electromagnetic interference. More information can be. transmitted using fibre optic cables.

Structured wiring is the new technology created for home automation, and has networking sectors. The term "structured" is derived from the construction of a bundle of cables. The bundle is wrapped with a spiral nylon rope or encased in a special material. Some companies also incorporate two 62 um (unit of measure) fibre cables. This package enables the installation of up to six cables with a single cable run; saving time, energy and money.

As in business, homes that possess structured wiring are hot properties for either resale or rental. As technology continues to alter our lives in the information age, computer systems will become a necessary tool and essential in all new home construction. This will allow seniors who are striving to remain independent, young families juggling kids and careers, and physically disabled individuals of all ages to remain in control of their lives and to direct their lives independently regardless of where they are in the world.

The possibilities are now only starting to be realized.