BKM is at the forefront of a trend in which companies that once sold furniture are now offering a wide array of products and technology services. “Like our corporate customers, colleges and universities are a good fit for our Technology Group because of the need for technology,” says BKM’s Jason Perrone. BKM has partnered with The Wiremold Company, a leading provider of wire and cable management systems, to offer a range of workplace solutions.

According to Perrone, “Manchester Community College needed to create space that can change quickly and easily. For example, they may have different needs and configurations for day and evening classes with tables in rows, a horseshoe, or whatever best suits the needs of the instructor and students.”

The solution needed to be more flexible than in-wall cabling and seamlessly integrate with Steelcase modular furniture. BKM recommended the Vista™ CP architectural column from The Wiremold Company. This unique system serves as a communications consolidation point in an open space environment by incorporating a patch panel within the column. A door conceals a 19’ rack-mount MUTOA (Multi User Telecommunications Outlet Assembly) for data. The column also contains a 10-wire modular electrical connection.

“It’s a fully modular system for data, voice, and power. Students or the instructor can rearrange furniture and easily connect power and data to the tables. They don’t have to call the IT department or an electrician to move things around,” says Perrone.

From an aesthetic perspective, the Vista CP architectural columns blend in with the space. A Vista CP column consists of two end channels that contain wires or cables and support a decorative center panel and integral door. Panels were painted to match the room décor and round end caps mimic the shape of the table legs.

BKM installed deQuorum™ worksurface portals, also from The Wiremold Company, in the Steelcase tables. The deQuorum portal offers ample space for electrical and communications connections in a design that allows wires and cables exit the device while the cover is closed and flush with the table. “The Vista column and deQuorum portal make for a very advanced and aesthetically pleasing space,” comments Perrone.