Glossary

IT is full of abbreviations. Here are the most important terms for commercial buildings, in plain language.

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4G or 5G backup connection: A reserve connection via the mobile network that switches on automatically if the fixed internet connection fails.

Access control: A system that determines who may enter which room, usually with a pass, code or phone.
Access point: A device that broadcasts a wireless WiFi network. It is usually mounted on the ceiling or a wall.

Bandwidth: The amount of data that can pass over a connection per second. Often expressed in megabits or gigabits per second.
Building management system: A central system that controls and monitors a building's installations, such as heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting.

CAT5e: An older category of network cable. Suitable for speeds up to 1 Gbit/s, but it no longer meets today's requirements.
CAT6: A widely used network cable, suitable for 1 Gbit/s and, over shorter distances, 10 Gbit/s.
CAT6A: A network cable that reaches 10 Gbit/s over the full length of 100 metres. The standard for new offices.
Connection point: The place where the provider's connection enters the building and hands over to the internal cabling.

Digital due diligence: An investigation into the digital infrastructure of a building or portfolio, ahead of a purchase, sale or refinancing.
Dual entry: Two connections that enter the building via different routes, so one damaged cable does not take everything down.

Fibre: A cable that sends data as pulses of light through thin glass strands. Fast, stable and suitable for long distances.
Firewall: A security measure that determines which network traffic is and is not allowed through, between the internet and your own network.

Indoor coverage: A solution that ensures good mobile reception inside a building, where the signal from outside does not get through well.
Internet of Things (IoT): Devices and sensors connected to the network, such as smart thermostats, occupancy sensors and access readers.
IT Demarcation List: An overview of who is responsible for which part of the digital infrastructure: the landlord or the tenant.
IT-Label: An independent label that shows how digitally ready a commercial building is, on a scale from IT1+ to IT5.

Latency: The delay of a connection: how long it takes for data to travel there and back. Measured in milliseconds.

Network monitoring: Keeping a constant watch on a network, so problems are spotted before users are affected.
Network segmentation: Dividing a network into separate parts, so that for example building systems and tenants cannot reach each other.

Patch cabinet: A cabinet where the network cables of a floor or building come together and are connected to network equipment.
PoE (Power over Ethernet): A technology in which a device receives power via the same network cable as the data. Useful for access points and cameras.

Recertification: A new assessment of a building when the IT-Label expires, or sooner after improvements.
Redundancy: Duplicating important components, so there is a reserve if one fails.
Roaming: Your device automatically switching to another WiFi access point as you move through the building.

SD-WAN: Software that intelligently combines several internet connections and automatically routes traffic over the best path.
Shell delivery: A building delivered as an empty shell, without fit-out and without installations for the tenant.
SLA (Service Level Agreement): The agreements with a supplier on service quality, such as availability and how quickly a fault is fixed.
Smart Building: A building in which systems such as climate control, lighting, access and room booking work together via the network.
Structured cabling: A fixed, standardised cable network in a building, to which all IT equipment is connected.
Symmetrical connection: An internet connection in which the upload speed is as high as the download speed.

Technical room: A locked room housing the central network equipment and the building's connection.

WiFi 6 and WiFi 7: Newer WiFi standards that can handle more devices at once and reach higher speeds than older versions.
WiFi survey: A measurement that determines, room by room, how strong and fast the WiFi signal is. Also called a site survey.

Want to know how things stand in your building? Take the self-scan or schedule a pre-inspection.