Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1284149
October/November/December 2020 I 5 From the President, Todd W. Taylor, RCDD, OSP, NTS ESSENTIAL ICT PROFESSIONALS AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES In my previous ICT Today message, I had addressed how the ICT industry is classified as an essential business during the COVID-19 crisis and how technicians, installers, and other ICT professionals have kept emergency services and other essential industries up and running. The badge of honor for these courageous frontline professionals should be worn not only during times of crisis but every day. In our industry, there are always daily network emergencies, spanning all vertical industries, that they must handle quickly and efficiently. These ICT professionals, therefore, are essential workers year-round. Admittedly, this gives me a sense of pride serving this essential industry and its essential workers. As technolo- gies are advancing, changing, and emerging at a histori- cally fast pace, it is also a realization of our crucial role in further educating BICSI credentialed technicians, install- ers, Registered Communications Distribution Designers (RCDDs), Data Center Design Consultants (DCDCs), OSP Designers, and Registered Telecommunications Project Managers (RTPMs) about these new and emerging tech- nologies. Consider the Wi-Fi 6E and Li-Fi articles in this very publication. It also means having to add and remember new acronyms to a continually growing and seemingly endless list. Because networks are converging, some of the emerg- ing technologies BICSI addresses span beyond traditional ICT applications, thereby educating credentialed profes- sionals on the changing role of IT and providing insights into the work of electrical engineers/installers that can impact mission-critical ICT networks, troubleshooting, and the onsite jobs of our essential workers. This further education is accomplished by ICT Today pub- lishing the vendor-neutral submitted articles of industry subject experts and technology thought leaders to whom we owe ICT Today's success and distinction from other ICT and data center publications. Some articles are written by the innovators of new technologies, while other articles are submitted by the designers, installers, consultants, and project managers who have first-hand experience with those new technology innovations. Most new and emerging technologies have yet to receive established standards, but BICSI ensures that best prac- tices are introduced in the meantime. For example, Li-Fi, which is still in the early stages of development and imple- mentation, is covered in ANSI/BICSI 007-2020, Information Communication Technology Design and Implementa- tion Practices for Intelligent Buildings and Premises. Like- wise, all BICSI standards manuals strive to include the latest and greatest technology information so that essen- tial ICT professionals can be on top of their game and familiar with other technologies that may impact their mission-critical work. Besides ICT Today and updated BICSI standards manu- als, there are many other ways BICSI provides the most recent and accurate technology information including: • BICSI Connect online courses • Webinars • Specialty publications on a wide range of topics • Pocket-sized installation field guides covering everything needing to be known for optical fiber and copper cabling and connectivity • BICSI's state-of-the-art training facility in Tampa, Florida Then, there are the BICSI conferences and exhibitions worldwide. Whether live or virtual—such as this year's BICSI Fall Conference & Exhibition virtual online event, Leading the Future for the Connected World—emerging technologies are highlighted through compelling presen- tation sessions and demonstrations exhibited by innova- tors and users in their common quest to advance the future of communications technologies and the ICT industry. Following the conferences and exhibitions, the learning continues again with ICT Today's technology articles that are digitally archived for a couple of years, serving as a valuable resource library to be accessed between conferences and while BICSI standards manuals and specialty publications are updated. To our essential workers, please know that you deserve thanks today and every day. Be Safe, Be Strong, Be Strategic.