An Economic Analysis of Crosstrack

Economics of the Crosstrack Cable Management System

• Cost Analysis Brief
• Cost Comparison
• Operation Costs
• The Crosstrack Advantage - Please Consider
• Crosstrack Advantages

Crosstrack versus in ceiling cabling and conventional pedestal floors

• Unit rates have generally been taken from Rawlinsons Australian Construction Handbook 1996
• The study only analysed direct quantifiable costs
• The following cost analysis compares the product with the major alternatives i.e. in ceiling cable distribution and the traditional pedestal floor
• Figures for churn downtime have been averaged from a number of sources including a consultant report on Hong Kong Bank (HK) and studies by Ackermann Systems, Europe and Robertsons Ceco in the USA
• The cost per workstation per hour has been allowed at $100.00
• Floor area per workstation is assumed to be 15 square metres
• Average "churn" for large organisations is typically estimated at 40-60% per annum. In this analysis the figure of 40% has been assumed
• Total floor area is 800 square metres
• material replacement cost is costed at $55.00 per square metre. Flooring replacement is at 2% per annum. In ceiling replacement is at 5% per annum
• The analysis is based on an occupancy period of 10 years, on the assumption that major refurbishment will be undertaken at the end of this period
• Future costs have been discounted to net present value (npv) at a rate of 15% pa. This is approximately twice the prime bond yield to allow for uncertainty.

In short why use Crosstrack Integrated Access Flooring?

The initial cost of installing cabling through the ceiling or under pedestal floors may be less than installing a dedicated Crosstrack cable management system. However, the following issues need to be examined closely:

• Initial costs of cabling in ceiling
• Building height may need to be increased to permit an increase in ceiling space for cable clearance above/below air conditioning ducts, beams, column heads, etc.
• Cable trays will be needed. These should have cantilever supports to allow cables to be laid in from the side.
• Vertical ducts will be needed at regular intervals viz power poles, ducts in columns, partitions dados, skirtings.
• Cable installation time is longer and interferes with other trades (including ceiling hangers, a/c installers, lighting electricians, thermal alarm installers, partition fixers).
• Cable installation is more difficult and time consuming due to extra length of cables and awkwardness of hauling cables into ceiling and threading into vertical ducts.
• Cable costs can be significantly higher due to extra cable length and occasional higher specification requirements.

Ongoing costs

• Relocation and re-wiring causes major disruptions to the office and additional ongoing maintenance cost.
• Additional cable usage.
• Lengthy equipment downtime to complete the work.
• Greater disruption to workplace, and eventual soiling and damage of ceiling tiles and support grid.

Non-Quantifiable Costs

• Aesthetics are degraded by down-poles and surface-mounted duct poor cable organisation increases the risk of data corruption due to electromagnetic interference.
• In the process of re-wiring ceiling dust and debris will be dislodged, fouling desks and computer equipment.
• Business activities will be disrupted.
• Ceiling services will be disturbed (e.g. air conditioning registers and flow adjustment, also thermal alarm systems and lighting).

Why use Crosstrack cable management system?

• Greater flexibility in office lay-out
• Better data and power cable distribution
• More economical electrical installation
• Easier access to cabling network
• "Open plan" office environment
• Minimise risk of computer network breakdowns
• Less interruptions during electrical rework
• Better acoustic flooring properties

Why use Crosstrack v.s. Generic raised pedestal flooring?