It’s no secret that smart-phones play a considerable role in our lives these days, both professionally and personally. As we move into a more connected future we have revamped Livewire to include direct smart-phone purchasing via our industry leading smart-van app.

If you have the app already, you will be familiar with the process and it’s still just as easy. Simply open the app on your smart-phone, scan the Smart-Van compatible bar-code provided with select Livewire offers and then add it to your inventory. Select how many items you would like to add into stock and either keep shopping or place the order.

Note: If the item you select is new to your inventory you will need to specify your minimum and maximum stock levels before proceeding to the cart.

If you are unfamiliar with the smart-van app then this section will give you a good overview of the benefits you and your business can expect from the platform.

With the smart-van mobile app orders can be made via your (smart) device from any location, whether you are at the site, at the office or even out for lunch. This flexibility reduces the need to make unscheduled visits to a branch and keeps you on site, making you and/or your staff more productive. If you are operating outside of normal trading hours, the smart-van app is a great tool for preloading orders for quick delivery or pick up the following day.

Before you get started you’re going to need to download the smart-van from the app store, simply search smart-van and proceed to download. To make life a little sweeter, the app is free – Nice and easy!

Once you have downloaded the app you will need to contact one of our friendly
customer service reps to have your existing Ideal Electrical Suppliers account upgraded for smart-van compatibility. Either call our toll free number 0800 733 385 or email the team directly cs@ideal.co.nz and the team will quickly get you up and running with log in credentials.

Once your smart-van account is ready you are free to add regular product into your inventory by either scanning the codes in this issue of Livewire or organising an initial inventory list with our customer service team.

The smart-van app comes complete with an online portal which allows you to centrally manage inventory, driver permissions, consolidated ordering and full visibility of job costings.

We hope you enjoy the added convenience you now have from the barcode inclusion in Livewire and we appreciate any feedback you have on your experience with the app.

SENDING ALL THE RIGHT SIGNALS

In a world that has become more and more interconnected, it’s about “sending all the right signals” – and here is where Belden comes in.

After securing the master distribution rights to the extensive
Belden range in late 2016, all Ideal Connected trade customers now have access to this industry leading product offering.  To celebrate the partnership, Matthew Dwyer, territory manager for New Zealand made the journey to Auckland to celebrate this auspicious occasion with the Ideal team. “In New Zealand, Ideal Connected is closely aligned to our premium offering with the highest calibre of staff and a world-class branch network, so it made sense to partner with Ideal”, says Matthew. Pictured Left to Right :Darrin Hughs, Managing Director, Ideal Electrical Supplier; Mattew Dwyer, New Zealand Territory Manager, Beldon; Edward Du Plessis, National Data and Telco Manager, Ideal Connected.

For contractors looking to specify a quality solution for their next project, the Belden range is a welcome addition to the Ideal Connected portfolio. Edward du Plessis, national data and telco manager says “Belden is well respected for their innovative approach to cabling and we are delighted to be offering dedicated national support to the range.” An Ideal Connected consultant can collaborate with home owners, architects or builders to plan, supply and commission any Belden ECS solution. With the realities of a connected future fast approaching it is important to demand the best quality solution to futureproof any residential or commercial investment and this is why Belden is such a pivotal partnership for Ideal Connected.

If you are unfamiliar with Belden and their rich history, this next section will get you up to speed.

Looking back on Belden

Founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1902 by Joseph C. Belden, Belden Incorporated, as we know it today, has had a long and successful history. From their first major breakthrough with “Beldenamel” insulation in 1905, to their products being used in tanks, planes, mobile radios and submarines as part of the war effort, it’s always been about quality manufacturing and development.

Following World War II, Belden really began to establish a clear leadership position in wire and cable technology. In fact, they became one of the first to apply plastic insulations to wire and cable and, from those early days, already began seeking out niche markets that needed sophisticated, high quality products.

The 80s were a time of merges and acquisitions, before the mid 90s saw the adoption of a growth strategy that made Belden’s revenues soar by the start of the new millennium. Since then, the company has continued its market domination, merging with Cable Design Technologies Corporation (CDT), acquiring Lumberg Automation, Hirschmann and Thomas & Betts Corporation’s communications products, and adding Telecast Fiber Systems, GarretCom, Poliron, SCADA, PPC, Grass Valley, TripWire, Miranda Technologies and Byres Security to its family of brands.

Not only did these acquisitions add firepower to the company’s engineering and manufacturing capability, and complete their end-to-end Ethernet product offering, they also pushed Belden into new markets – including cybersecurity, internet connectivity, networking, industrial automation and multi-platform broadcast solutions – with additional expertise.

Belden today

Today, Belden prides itself on producing and selling a comprehensive portfolio of connectivity and networking products into a variety of markets spanning industrial, enterprise and broadcast. Their end-to-end signal transmission solutions can meet even the most demanding requirements for data, sound and video.

With a laser-sharp focus on the core values of high quality, top performance and total reliability, Belden offers over 3,000 cable and connectivity components (including fiber optics). There’s something for every job, whether you’re working with computer networks, CATV, security systems, entertainment set ups or in an industrial setting. Chances are you’ve used either Belden signature brand products, or components from their key market brands, including Brilliance®, New Generation®, IndustrialTuff® or DataTwist® before.

Products and benefits

Belden’s product suite spans four distinct platforms: industrial connectivity, industrial IT, enterprise connectivity and broadcast. While the connectivity business includes all the copper, fiber and coaxial cable solutions (and the associated connectors) that you could need for any application, the networking business boasts intelligent wired and wireless products that include industrial Ethernet switches, fiber optic interfaces, load-moment indicators and media converters that can be used to bridge fieldbus networks over long distances. Here is a look at some of the great new product you have access to as an Ideal Connected trade customer:

From the beginning of December 2016 all electrical contractors are invited to experience the range of Belden’s leading range of data cabling solutions at their nearest Ideal Electrical Suppliers branch.

Bizline is present in over 1,200 branches in the world and markets its products exclusively through Ideal Electrical Suppliers New Zealand.

Bizline has a comprehensive offering covering your daily needs:

•  Cabling accessories
•  Hardware
•  Tapes
•  Hand tools & power tool accessories
•  Protection and safety

(more…)

Whether you’re already installing solar or considering adding it to your business, one electrical wholesaler is increasing its solar product range and offering contractors more technical support to grow their way into the solar business.
“Ideal Electrical now offers end-to-end solar solutions with products from trusted international manufacturers and we are underpinning our solar range with more support at branch level,” says Neil Soper, Ideal’s business development manager of renewable energy. (more…)

The Auckland Support Office and the Auckland DC, had a very busy time relocating into the new building in Mt Wellington over the Christmas/New Year period.  Staff returned from their break to the modern new premises.

There were around 500 B-Train movements over 6 weeks to complete the full move.  The Mt Wellington Branch will relocate toward the end of March and this will mark another very exciting phase in the Auckland market as the Branch becomes the first to be able to offer close to 15,000 lines of inventory by utilising its position attached directly to the DC.  We fully expect the branch to become one of, if not, the biggest branch in Auckland over time.  Customers will be drawn to the range of available stock and the fantastic service.