Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1414667
October/November/December 2021 I 5 From the President, Todd W. Taylor, RCDD, OSP, NTS As we welcome the 4th quarter of 2021, a time of many holidays that inspire hope and anticipation of a great year to come, it is also a time of reflecting on the months passed with thanks giving for both personal and ICT industry-related achievements. Common themes of the articles in this issue of ICT Today are the technological advancements made during the pandemic that will have a lasting impact on technology and the ICT industry for years to come. Not even a world-wide pandemic could stop the emergence of new innovative technology solutions. Written by ICT subject experts and thought leaders, each ICT Today article is designed to be instructive versus marketing oriented, which is why the articles include the latest design and installation schematic diagrams, published and open standards, and new trends and opportunities for ICT professionals. In this edition, discover the ICT technology advancements and contributions to our industry, such as: • New AV solutions and remote designs for healthy, clean, and safe meetings/classes that will have an indelible impact on peoples' health and safety far into the future. • How artificial intelligence (AI) is improving optical fiber monitoring for a more secure, resilient data center Interconnect. • The latest wireless, 5G, and integrated technologies that are advancing both the hospitality and wireless industries. • Advancements and latest standards of Power over Ethernet (PoE) in tutorial fashion explained via next-generation office buildings. • Building on the previous article, discover how and why the United Way of Central Alabama took PoE a step further by integrating sound masking and AV for its advanced and cost-effective infrastructure solution. ICT PROFESSIONALS ARE COURAGEOUS, RESILIENT, AND INNOVATIVE • For both U.S. and global ICT companies doing business with clients in Central America, learn about PoE opportunities and trends, visual platforms and other technologies, standards, and best practices via the Codisa Data Center case study in Costa Rica and other international insights opening opportunities for ICT designers, installers, and other ICT professionals. Notice how the last three articles build on the contents of the previous article to give our readers a comprehensive "everything you need to know" about PoE now and in the near future. What amazed me most from these articles was the realization that our work in the ICT industry has not stopped in the face of a pandemic or crisis and that our work positively affects people, society, and even the human condition. This makes me proud to be in our industry, and I hope it makes you proud as well. It shows that ICT professionals are courageous, resilient, and innovative—with the fortitude to advance technology that makes people and places safer no matter the situation. Publishing an article in ICT Today is a prestigious honor that earns authors respect among their peers and customers while positioning them as experts in the industry. I would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to the authors in this edition and all issues of ICT Today for making our educational publication distinguished from other ICT and technology-focused publications. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and we look forward to seeing each and every one of you at the upcoming BICSI Winter 2022 Hybrid Conference (January 30 to February 3) in Orlando where our exhibiting companies, members, speakers, and presenters will showcase their new innovations, technologies, and expertise, making 2022 a great year as together we strive for the advancement of new and better technologies worldwide. Be Safe. Be Strong. Be Strategic