Our Minnesota Office Has Moved from St. Paul to New Brighton

November 15, 2009

After almost 15 years in our original location on Territorial Road, we have relocated to a new neighborhood and expanded our space, allowing us to keep pace with the growth of our business.

Conveniently located on Old Hwy 8, we are just south of I-694 and west of I-35W.

Our new mailing address:
ABCOM
213 Old Highway 8 SW
New Brighton, MN 55112

Need directions?
Click here for directions from your location

Not traveling to our office?
Our phone, fax and email addresses remain the same as we continue to provide our customers with best in class network infrastructure solutions.

DIRECTV Selects ABcom as Data Center Contractor

October 22, 2009

Phoenix, Arizona, October 22, 2009 - Applied Business Communications (ABcom) an industry-leading provider of data center design, structured cabling installation, and infrastructure build out has been selected by DIRECTV to build their new Tier 4 Data Center. ABcom was engaged to provide full design services for both the Phase 1 build out and the forward-looking master plan. ABcom produced the schematic drawings, design drawings, construction drawings, and Division 27 specifications in an unprecedented 6- week design phase. The construction of Phase 1 represents the build out of approximately 25% of this 20,000 s.f. Data Center. ABcom will be installing 179 server cabinets, 4,600' of 24" cable runway, and 1,632' of fiber duct for the infrastructure build out of Phase 1. The structured cabling solution is based on CommScope SYSTIMAX GigaSPEED X10D Category 6A UTP cabling and LazrSPEED OM3 laser optimized multimode InstaPATCH fiber optic cabling. The structured cabling for Phase 1 includes over 250,000' of Category 6A UTP cabling, 12,000 Category 6A jacks, and 2,300 strands of fiber optic cabling. This fast-track project will be completed in a 12- week period. ABcom selected Communications Supply Corporation (CSC) as their distribution partner to play an integral role in the management of the material procurement process to ensure on time completion of the Phase 1 DIRECTV project.

About DIRECTV

Each day, DIRECTV subscribers enjoy access to over 265 channels of 100% digital picture and sound, exclusive programming and the most comprehensive collection of sports programming available anywhere, including NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ and MLB EXTRA INNINGS®. We offer access to quality programming delivered to homes, airports, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, office buildings, airplanes, automobiles and portable electronics. We even produce our own entertainment programming - Hometown Heroes, Supreme Court of Comedy, Passions, Championship Gaming Series and others. DIRECTV also leads the digital television technology revolution with exclusives such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ SuperFan™, US Open Interactive and YES Network Interactive. DIRECTV currently offers the most HD channels, and soon the capacity for over 200 HD channels.
www.directv.com

About CSC

Founded in 1972, Communications Supply Corporation (CSC), a subsidiary of WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE: WCC) distributes a full range of IP infrastructure products and solutions. Together, CSC and WESCO form the largest electrical and data communications network in North America, with 400 full service branches, a full-suite of global distribution capabilities and annual sales of over $6 billion.
www.gocsc.com

About ABcom

Founded in 1995 Applied Business Communications (ABcom) has become recognized nationally as an industry-leading provider of data center design, structured cabling installation, and infrastructure build out. ABcom's corporate headquarters are located in St.Paul, Minnesota with the western regional office located in Phoenix, Arizona. We are proud to be one of the few companies in the world to achieve BICSI Prestige Platinum Contractor status. This means that our teams are trained to the highest level in the industry - assuring our customers an installation that is designed and built to the highest industry standards.

Taking Time FORE a Good Cause

May 3, 2008

And what better way to spend a beautiful Saturday morning in Queen Creek, Arizona than teeing off for charity at the Bella Vista 4-H Club Tee Time Tournament.

Knowing that all proceeds from this May 3rd outing went to the Bella Vista 4H Club and The East Valley Child Crisis Center, ABcom signed up as one of the sponsors. Participating at the benefit were ABcom's Matt Valentine, VP, and BJ Grifhorst, Sales Executive.

4-H is a community of young people across America who learn leadership, citizenship and life skills. In 4-H, young people make new friends, develop new skills, become leaders and help shape their communities. Arizona 4-H builds upon a century of experience as it fosters positive youth development that is based on the needs and strengths of youth, their families and communities.

For more information about the 4-H Club:



Founded in 1981 by Mahnah Club, Inc of Mesa, AZ, the Child Crisis Center has extended a helping hand to children and families in need. Committed to preventing child abuse and neglect, the shelter and programs have provided aid and comfort to over 11,800 children.

For more information on The East Valley Child Crisis Center:

Link to Child Crisis Center

The Best of Arizona Business 2008 Ranks ABcom in Top 5

April 22, 2008

Ranking Arizona/The Best of Arizona Business is an annual event at Arizona Business Magazine. And for the second consecutive year, our ABcom operations in Arizona have been ranked in the top 5 among Arizona telecommunication contractors. Under the umbrella of Manufacturing and Technology/Telecommunication Contractors were over one hundred businesses competing for the top ratings.

Ranking Arizona is the outcome of the largest business opinion poll in Arizona. Each of the categories is selected by the staff of Arizona Business Magazine for the general public to vote on and all categories and sub-categories are based upon business and leisure activities of Arizona's business professionals.

Announcing ABcom Lifetime Labor Warranty

March 31, 2008

With ABcom, you have the security of knowing your project is being installed by industry experts and includes the best available service and technicians in the industry. This quality of service continues to set us above the competition in both system installations and customer satisfaction.

And our commitment to service excellence continues beyond your installation date with our workmanship warranty for the lifetime of your system.

For additional information, please contact your ABcom Sales Executive.

Don't have one yet?
ABcom Sales Executives Contact Information

Volunteering at the 'House that Love Built'

March 29, 2008

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix cares for the families of severely ill or injured children by providing them with temporary housing and respite services; enabling the families to be close by when their children need them the most. Some families must travel great distances to get medical attention for their children and in-hospital treatment may last anywhere from one day, to one year or longer.

The idea behind the Ronald McDonald House program is simple: Provide a home away from home for families of these seriously ill and injured children. While the overall concept is simple, keeping the house running requires many volunteer efforts from members of the community. Multiple chores are necessary to create and maintain an atmosphere of comfort and support in this 45-bedroom house.

So, chores it was. The staff in our Phoenix office rolled up their sleeves and volunteered to clean apartments at the 'house that love built'. They spent a Saturday getting a little dirty, and in return received a whole lot of satisfaction knowing they contributed a small part in this community effort.
When asked for their feedback on this experience, Matt, Blaine, BJ and Ivana all replied with the same comment; "We are looking forward to volunteering there again soon."

Ronald McDonald House Charities in our communities:

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix
Ronald McDonald House Charities Upper Midwest
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin and Central Texas

Celebrating 13 Years of Service Excellence

March 28, 2008

This year marks the 13th Anniversary of our business organization with a celebration of what makes ABcom unique. Innovative system solutions, quality installations and a focus on customer service excellence are the key ingredients that make ABcom the success we are today. For years, our customers have looked to us for solutions from Voice and Data to Design Build and Data Centers. From local Mom and Pop operations to large scale national retail roll-outs, ABcom is the preferred network infrastructure system provider.

2008 also marks an anniversary for our West Regional Office located in Phoenix, Arizona. We celebrate their third year of operations with noted sales growth and geographic expansion. And our newest regional office located in Austin, Texas, is in its first year of operations with a great beginning in multiple markets.

We have gone through many stages of growth since our initial formation, and we continue to advance as we perpetually expand our technological expertise in this ever-changing environment.

And we know that our customers are the many reasons for this achievement. We thank all of our customers and appreciate their ongoing opportunities to continue to provide them with system solutions that enhance their business operations.

As our business continues to grow, it is our commitment to our customers, along with our internal emphasis on quality that remains the mainstay of our business operations.

2008 BOMA Resource Fair

March 15, 2008

ABcom attended the Greater Minneapolis BOMA Resource Fair held at the Minineapolis Marriot City Center on March 12, 2008.

The theme at this year's BOMA Tradeshow was golf. Getting in the spirit of the event, ABcom encouraged visiting participants to try their hand at the putting green and shared sleeves of golf balls with those stopping by to discuss the many features that ABcom has to offer.

Greater Minneapolis Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) was first organized around 1904 by a small group of real estate owners who believed that by pooling their resources and cooperating in certain endeavors, they could create business efficiencies and advocate more effectively for their business concerns to state and local government officials.

Today, members join BOMA to take advantage of the advocacy, education, information, networking, efficiencies, and cooperative purchasing they offer.

ABcom launches new website!

January 1, 2008

A new year brings a lot of new beginnings.

At ABcom, we are pleased to announce that we are beginning 2008 with the launch of our new website. Same web address, with a new look and improved format.

We put a lot of thought into the information needs of our customers, and changed our website to provide you with more information about who we are and what we do. We invite you to take a tour through our website and spend some time reviewing the projects and installations we have completed for our customers, and get to know more about us.

And don't forget to check out our customer testimonials. We proudly display the comments we receive from our clients. Our employees understand that our success was built on our commitment to delivering service excellence on each and every project and we continue to keep that commitment as we work to build new, and maintain current, customer relationships.

ABcom continues to distinguish itself from the others by:

• Providing the highest quality network installation at a competitive price
• Remaining current with technological advancements in the communications industry
• Maintaining a staff of RCDDs, installers and technicians trained to the highest standards in the industry
  
• Delivering quality that is supported by an emphasis on the education and training of our employees
  
• Installing quality cabling, network and telephony solutions for all our customers
  
• Establishing and maintaining strong customer relationships

Ronald McDonald House Charities

December 14, 2007

One of our neighbors in our local Saint Paul community is the Ronald McDonald House Charities, aptly referred to as the 'House that love built.'

Since 1979 Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest, and their cornerstone program, Ronald McDonald House of the Twin Cities, have provided a home-away-from-home for families whose children are receiving medical treatment in the Twin Cities for cancer or other life-threatening illnesses.

In addition to providing lodging for 48 families on any given night, innovative programs create a sense of community and encouragement for these families facing critical pediatric illness. Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest also extends support to children and families who do not live at the Ronald McDonald House though various outreach programs.

ABcom makes it an annual tradition to remember those staying at the Ronald McDonald House during the holidays by delivering gifts and toys for the children. It is our way of making a small difference to those families dealing with serious illnesses by helping to brighten their holidays.

To learn more about the Ronald McDonald House Charities:
Ronald McDonald House

Toys for Tots Program

December 14, 2007

The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children.

While Toys for Tots coordinators organize, coordinate and manage the campaign, the ultimate success depends on the support of the local community and the generosity of the people who donate toys.

ABcom in Saint Paul, Minnesota joined efforts to collect donations from our employees, shop for toys and deliver the packages to the marines at the local news station, KARE11. It was our first year participating in the Toys for Tots program, but it was such a success among our staff, it is guaranteed not to be the last.

To learn more about the Toys for Tots Program:
Link to Toys for Tots

ABcom VP Matt Valentine Speaks out on the Future Direction of VoIP

July 1, 2007

"A facility that implements VoIP has adopted a platform of the future and is ahead of technological obsolescence," said Matt Valentine, vice-president of ABcom. "VoIP is very scalable and provides improved functionality as the business and its systems grow."

Sharing his expertise on the future direction of communication systems with a representative from Electrical Contractor Magazine, Matt discussed Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) functionality and its many related complexities. He further outlined why it is important for contractors to understand VoIP technology and the direction it is taking to ensure the design supports the future needs of their organization. "To be successful, the contractor needs the expertise on staff to design, price and propose a system".

Because most organizations do not have the needed expertise in-house, they look to network infrastructure specialists such as ABcom to design, engineer and install high performance structured cabling systems to support their existing or future VoIP systems. ABcom currently provides these services to our clients in several different vertical markets, as we continue to stay focused on this and many more future technologies and applications.


To read the entire article:
The Future of Communications by Darlene Bremer
June 2007

Electrical Contractor Magazine