With the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the capability to work remotely has never been more important for both businesses and employees.

Don’t let travel restrictions, social distancing or isolation requirements halt workflow. Skopik can helpwith a range of services and packages for either the office, the home, or both. From audio and videoconferencing solutions for small meeting rooms to large boardrooms, as well as setting up homeoffice networks allowing continuous VPN (Virtual Private Network) connectivity to the office.

Skopik can Scope, Consult, Design and Install the perfect solution for your home and workplace tosuit any budget including, but not limited to:

• Zoom Rooms
• Skype for Business
• Microsoft Teams
• Polycom
• Cisco

In partnership with www.smartspace.co.nz, below are a variety of indicative home and workplace solutions, which Skopik can supply and install. Installs can include 1 or 2 screens/monitors, a webcam, a portable conference mic/speaker, a keyboard & mouse, Windows & Microsoft Office applications, plus desks and chairs.

Imagine being anywhere in the world, but being able to answer and control your front door as if you were at home?
With the help of technology and a good intercom solution you’ll never miss an important delivery again, as well as staying connected and in control. View your front porch, turn on the light, unlock the front door and much more directly from your mobile device.
An intercom is more than just a front door answering system, the possibilities of an intercom solution are endless.

What is an intercom solution?
An intercom system is an electronic communication device that allows two-way communication for
the purpose of transmitting and receiving audio and/or video transmissions

Different intercom options:
• Wireless Intercoms: When there are no opportunities to install wired connections, a wireless system is then installed, which bases its connection through either Bluetooth or WiFi. Such systems include; handheld radios, outdoor wireless callboxes, desktop devices. However, there is a chance that the connection could be interrupted by a neighbour’s connection.
• Wired Intercom Systems: A wired system can be installed one of two ways; either using a 2-wire shielded system or Cat-5/6 option. If you are considering including a video system, a wired unit would be the best option for you.
• Video Intercoms: These units include a camera, speaker, entrance unit, and an internal monitor unit that can communicate with the entrance unit. As there can be difficulty sending video over airwaves, we would definitely recommend having a hard-wired connection for this type of intercom.
• Apartment Intercoms: This type of system has an entrance door unit and then each apartment or flat has either one or multiple units that can speak to the door, and possibly see the visitor, or the door unit rings a landline or cellular telephone number.
When it comes to choosing a system, it is possible for us to include more than one type of system to provide you with the best possible solution

When it comes to choosing a system, it is possible for us to include more than one type of system to provide you with the best possible solution.

What are the possibilities when you install an intercom solution?

• Greet guests and allow them into your home if you are running late.
• Check in on the kids if they’re not answering the phone.
• Communicate with anyone who approaches your front door.
• Monitor and secure your packages, as well as your home.
• Make announcements throughout the house. “Kids, dinner is ready.”
• View your front porch.
• Turn on the lights.
• Unlock and lock the front door.
• Talk to the entire house, with just one touch.
• Receive calls from your front door, gate or even within the house, anywhere in the world.
One of the best solutions to look into would be a Control 4 intercom solution. For more information on
the system watch the below video.

https://www.facebook.com/skopiknz/videos/2240190362702333/

In today’s data-hungry wireless world, having great WiFi coverage throughout your house is paramount. If you are finding your streaming services such as Netflix or Spotify to be slow and unreliable, it could be an issue with your wireless signal.
Utilising a wireless access point or multiple wireless access points throughout your house could help stabilise your WiFi connection.

What is a Wireless Access Point (WAP)?
An access point is a device that creates a wireless local area network, which connects to a wired router, switch or hub via an Ethernet Cable. This then projects a WiFi signal to the area the access point is installed in.

The difference between a Wireless Access Point and a Range Extender.
Your internet provider will have installed your internet connection using a basic wireless router in the easiest possible location for them – generally at the very front of the house closest to the road, not necessarily where you need it.

A range extender lengthens the reach of an existing WiFi network, which is great for smaller spaces, but since range extenders need to connect wirelessly to a WiFi router, they must be placed in a location where the signal is already strong. Utilising wireless access points to cover deadspots or areas with a limited WiFi signal, your wireless coverage will be distributed evenly throughout the house.

Other advantages of using Wireless Access Point’s:
• Handle more simultaneous device connections than your regular WiFi router, meaning less strain
on your WiFi network.
• Connects straight to your existing Wireless Router via a Cat5e or Cat6 cable and can be powered
directly, eliminating the need for new power points.
• Can be installed on ceilings, hidden away in roof spaces, in cupboards or behind TV’s depending on
the layout of your house.

Technology is constantly evolving, so installing a structured wiring solution is an intelligent investment to future-proof your home.
Automation technology provides the opportunity for you to control audio-visual, lighting, climate control, and security services at your fingertips.
With the ability to create and set scenes that can be triggered at the push of a button, you are given total control over the ambience of your home to ensure the lighting, music and climate of your environment is just right.
By involving Skopik early in the design process, we can ensure that your system is tailor-made to your requirements.
Even if you’re considering a basic WiFi solution throughout your home, get in touch with us to propose a structured wiring solution to ensure your WiFi access points are installed in locations that allow for the best coverage and performance.

Services to consider pre-wiring for:

• Automation and integration
• Audio-visual
• MATV (Sky, Freeview
• Communication and network (data, phone and WiFi)
• Security, access control and CCTV
• Electrical and lighting
• Energy efficiency and management
• Climate control
• Blinds, shades, curtains and louvres

Tips to help plan your Smart-home during the pre-wire stage:

• Make a list of zones within the home
• Think of services and equipment you would like to access in the zone (i.e. TV’s, Projectors, Speakers, Smart-lighting, Touch-screens, WiFi access points etc.).
• If you feel you don’t immediately require a service but might at a later stage, ensure the necessary cabling is installed during the pre-wire stage. This will eliminate the need for costly retrofit work later down the track.
• Visualise where technology will reside; this will indicate where wall-plates and outlets need to be installed and what styles and colour schemes would fit in with the rest of your house.
• Consider the most logical locations for CCTV, security and access control hardware to be installed to avoid delays in the event of an emergency or invasion.
• Ensure cabling is installed safely, securely and following rules and regulations to avoid electrical hazards, interference and damage

If you are building or renovating, installing or “pre-wire” as much Data, Security and Audio/Visual Cabling as possible, access is easy through ceilings and walls. This will save you time and money.
With the Internet, Security and Automation becoming such a big part of our everyday lives and with technology becoming smarter and more popular, our homes require more and more devices.
Most of these devices, in one form or another, will need a cable, whether that’s a:

• Cat6 Cable for Streaming Movies, TV Shows and sports events directly to your TV or streaming capable device (Apple TV)
• RG6 Coax Cable for SKY or Free to Air TV
• Fibre Cable for your Fibre to the Home Network
• Cat6 Cable to CCTV Cameras and Intercoms
• 4/6 core Cables for Alarm PIR’s, Sirens and Keypads
• 2/4 core Speaker Cables for Surround and In-Ceiling Speakers

Even Wireless Connections need Data Cabling to the Access Points if you want it to run effectively throughout your entire home

Things to keep in mind.
Use correct cabling:

• Cat6 for Data (Internet)/CCTV, Intercoms, Wireless Access Points (WAPs)
• RG6 for Sky TV/Free to Air
• 2/4 Core Security Cable for any alarm, PIR, siren and keypads
• 2/4 Core Speaker Cable for Speakers (indoor and out)
• Treat Jack points like you do electrical outlets – you can never have enough of them
• Use a trusted and certified installer that will listen but also guide you
• Do not go overboard and spend tens of thousands of dollars but don’t sell yourselves short as it will cost you in the long run
• We recommend star wiring configuration for all your cabling
• Get great As-Built drawings made – so you know where your cabling is for the future

You may not think you will need it or will use it straight away, but whether you are staying in the home or planning to move, it’s an investment to future-proof yourself and assist in any re-sell.

Basic Cat6 Data and RG6 Cabling