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A PR IL 2015 | 45 Electrical + Communication Systems PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY HOULE ELECTRIC/AXIS COMMUNICATIONS other administrative options. In the managed configuration, Houle takes care of all administration – perfect for customers that lack admin staff and expertise in-house. As a hybrid, hattrix is partly managed, partly hosted; Houle and the customer work together to identify which aspects will be client controlled and which the provider will manage. "Customers get the solution that's just right for their specific business needs," says Allan Lanzador, Houle marketing and communications manager. "This level of innovation translates into significant advantages in flexibility and scalability, while reducing the infrastructure and training costs compared with traditional systems." Beyond security for build- ings, Houle offers a security system that enables clients to find and track equip- ment and employees – and improve their business pro- cesses. Ekahau's Real-Time Location System combines radio-frequency identifica- tion (RFID) technology and Wi-Fi so organizations can see where their assets and workers are – a boon for company safety and security. Meanwhile, Ekahau's software analyzes workflows to identify bottlenecks, enabling managers to improve their organizations' practices. "Ekahau's software and RFID tags together create powerful business intelli- gence that improves decision making," Lanzador says. "And as an alternative to high-priced consultants and wired solutions, Ekahau uses your existing Wi-Fi net- work – no RFID readers, no cables, no hassles." E N E R G Y O P T I M I Z AT I O N Of course, cost savings are always important considerations for electricians' customers. According to Deborah Cahill, president of the Electrical Contractors Association of British Columbia (ECABC), forward-thinking electrical product and service providers focus on other elements as well: advanced lighting, superior safety and business development. Consider the drive for lower energy costs and neighbourhood-friendly illumina- tion, she says. "Optimizing energy to meet new standards and comply with ASHRAE guidelines and local energy codes has become a top priority for new construction and renovation projects. Lighting design that minimizes power usage and eradi- cates light pollution has become a new goal for electrical contractors." Regarding safety, the ECABC now offers advanced training to help electricians protect themselves. "New for 2015, we have partnered with the BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) to develop a program geared toward creating a custom- ized safety manual and a teaching workshop for electrical contracting companies," she says. In the past, the BCCSA provided a generic safety manual for contractors to use; the joint ECABC/BCCSA offering is more robust. "The new program includes a workshop that helps contractors better manage their own safety programs," Cahill says. "Or if they don't have one, they can create a customized safety program for their company." This course not only helps electrical contractors ensure they meet customers' and project managers' safety requirements; it also helps electricians reduce injuries and work more safely. "This safety program is clear, concise, simple to manage and totally hands on," Cahill says. She notes that the program meets the safety require- ments of industry, WorkSafeBC and the standards for the BCCSA's health, safety and injury-management Certificate of Recognition. As for business development, Cahill says leadership and mentoring are crucial. The ECABC addresses those areas with another new set of educational programs. "We offer training courses for supervisors and foremen, giving them the practical tools with a focus on the soft skills necessary for success – things like empathy, empower- ment and engagement," Cahill says. She adds that although some people see this kind of interpersonal education as little more than nice to have, the skills are necessary for business success. "The training will assist electrical contractors in tackling the most important and emerging issues facing business operations today including greater productivity, quality outcomes and greater safety program effectiveness." Clearly, electrical contractors are changing and with good reason. As Allwest's Dallazanna puts it, "You have to be innovative and you have to be leading-edge, or you remain just an electrical contractor. We want to be more than that." Judging from his work at Allwest and the changes afoot for Houle, Western Engineering and members of the ECABC, many electrical companies are already boosting the voltage on their abilities to meet the high-powered expectations of savvy builders and property developers. A Follow us: williamsengineering.com