Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1061528
Virtual Instructor-led Training In 2018 BICSI introduced the new ICT Workshop Series to our BICSI Learning Academy, offering live, virtual, instructor-led training. This interactive learning platform enables two-way communication between subject matter experts and learners, similar to that of on-site instructor-led classes—but without the travel. These work- shops, each held over a two- or three-week period, offer a variety of collaborative and application-based teaching tools, including whiteboard and video conferencing, breakout sessions, answer-polls and test questions, and real-time discussions. Workshop topics are tailored for industry timeliness and include subjects such as power over Ethernet (PoE), intelligent buildings, distributed antenna systems (DAS) and more. This is a convenient way to earn CECs and is open to both members and nonmembers. bicsi.org/vilt OSP Program Gets a Refresh The BICSI Outside Plant (OSP) Program received a thorough review and makeover this year, resulting in two new courses (BICSI CONNECT's OSP101: Introduction to Outside Plant Design and instructor-led OSP102: Applied Outside Plant Design), a revised manual and a new credential exam. The 6th edition Outside Plant Design Reference Manual (OSPDRM) added a new chapter on maintenance and restoration, and went on to win the 2017-2018 Award of Merit from the Society for Technical Communications (STC) Technical Communications Competition. These program updates ensure that BICSI stays at the forefront of our industry and that our members, credential holders and other ICT professionals remain relevant and at the top of their fields. bicsi.org/osp New and Updated ANSI/BICSI Standards BICSI's International Standards Program is an ANSI-accredited, consensus-based standards development organization. Recognized globally, the program creates standards and guidelines for use in the design, installation and integration of information and communications technology (ICT). This year BICSI introduced a brand new standard: ANSI/BICSI 008-2018, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) System Design and Implementation Best Practices. The timing of this standard coincides with the growth of IoT and building intelligent devices and the necessity to design effective and complex cabling infrastructure for today and tomorrow's WLAN systems. In addition, BICSI revised and expanded ANSI/BICSI 004-2018, ICT Systems Design and Implementation Best Practices for Healthcare Institutions and Facilities, paying particular attention to communication, ICT and wireless information, architectural aspects, emergency medical series radio, sound and acoustical systems, and network design and security. bicsi.org/standards FEATURE q Page 4