BICSI Excellence Awards 2023
Celebrating Excellence in ICT
BICSI is always proud to celebrate the astounding achievements of people and organisations in our industry that demonstrate their commitment to innovation and best practice in ICT. For the 2023 Excellence Awards we invited all individuals and organisations in our industry to come join us in celebrating these prestigious awards.
There were awards given for the following categories:
- ICT Active Equipment Installation Award
- ICT Infrastructure Design Award
- ICT Infrastructure Installation Award (Multiple Sizes)
- ICT Distributor Award
And our new Award, in line with the 2023 ‘Pursuing Net-Zero’ Conference:
- BICSI South Pacific’s ‘Pioneer of Sustainability in ICT’ Award
The Excellence Awards were held in Brisbane in October, alongside our 2023 Australia Conference.
Award Categories
ICT Active Equipment Installation
This award is to recognise the diverse nature of expertise that Communications Contractors encompass and recognises that Active Equipment Installation is fundamental to network suitability and a positive end user experience.
Winner:
Cellular Asset Management for 101 Collins St 5G DAS Upgrade Project in Victoria
The project involved upgrading the mobile coverage of 101 Collins Street, an iconic building in Melbourne, to support 5G technology. The project used the CommScope ERA solution, which was the first on the market approved by all three carriers. The project also considered environmental sustainability by reducing packaging waste and carbon emissions whilst dealing with challenges such as long lead times, emerging technology standards, and a complex installation. Wesco helped drive the success by convincing the client of the benefits of 5G, engaging Cellular Asset Management, and ensuring quality and training.
ICT Infrastructure Design
This award exists to showcase the efforts and expertise required to design cutting edge, customer focused networks that encompass fit for purpose technologies with ease of deployment and use.
Finalists:
- Everett-Smith – Curtin University Library
- Datatel Electrical and Communications – Forrestfield Airport Link Tunnel station SCADA Installation
- Datatel Electrical and Communications – Project IROC Perth CBD
Winner:
Aurecon for Cherry Creek Youth Justice Redevelopment in Victoria
This 140-bed youth justice facility in Victoria uses the latest ICT, security and lighting technologies and enhanced efficiency and cost-effectiveness by consolidating the different services cabling into one unified installation, whilst following strict Government standards for security classification and information protection. Environmentally, the project minimized material usage, resource consumption, heat generation and electrical requirements. The pandemic created challenges, as did the large scale of the site, complex stakeholder needs and the highly reactive clay soil, but Aurecon still successfully delivered a future-ready ICT solution, reduced infrastructure costs and created a humane and rehabilitative facility.
ICT Distributor
This award recognises that distribution partners play a key role in the delivery of projects; from product selection to shipping, distributors are a major stakeholder and should rightfully be recognised for their role in ICT projects.
Winner:
Wesco Anixter for 101 Collins St 5G DAS Upgrade in Victoria
To ensure this project ran smoothly, Wesco Anixter researched and selected the CommScope ERA DAS solution, which is a proven technology that supports LTE and 5G networks. Along with collaboration and negotiation with the manufacturers, installer, and client, Wesco Anixter worked with CommScope, Cellular Asset Management (CAM), and 101 Collins Street team to provide a fit for purpose solution within the budget and timeline. Wesco Anixter oversaw the sourcing, stocking, and delivery of the equipment and facilitated the training and handover of the solution to the client.
BICSI South Pacific’s ‘Pioneer of Sustainability in ICT’
The Pioneer of Sustainability Award recognises those that are going above and beyond to ensure that materials, products, logistics and packaging are developed with a recyclable and renewable mindset.
Winner:
Project CERTECH – Sustainability
CERTECH have been focussing heavily on two sustainability projects this year: recyclable packaging and recycling of waste. CERTECH developed recyclable paper packaging for its products to remove plastic bags, reducing waste and environmental impact. A substantial portion of its catalogue now consists only of recyclable packaging, and it aims to have a plastic-free range by 2024. Additionally, CERTECH has designated bins and bags for sorting and transporting plastic reels, wrap, straps, and foam waste that a local recycling company collects and recycles, demonstrating its commitment to being a true pioneer of sustainability in the ICT sector.
ICT Infrastructure Installation (Small Projects)
These awards are categorised based on project value or size and are intended to recognise the installation efforts and expertise required for the delivery of the cabling and infrastructure for tomorrow’s network, today.
Finalists:
- Datatel Electrical and Communications – Project IROC Perth CBD
- QVR Communications – Western Sydney Conference Centre & Hotel
- EDF Systems – The Heffron Centre
Winner:
Everett-Smith for Curtin University TL Robert Library Project in WA
This project redeveloped the ICT system of the Curtin University TL Robertson Library, an eight-story building, using a Simon Cat6A cabling solution. The project involved relocating and reconfiguring existing services, installing new ICT passive and active components, and integration with various sub-systems. Tight deadlines, complex coordination, and campus operations presented challenges, but the team achieved outcomes such as successful cutover, improved network performance, and enhanced user experience. The project also considered environmental aspects such as energy efficiency, waste management, and recycling.
ICT Infrastructure Installation (Medium Projects)
Finalists:
- All Data & Communications – CNRB – Centre of National Resilience Brisbane
- MK Technologies – Sydney Ferries and Wharf Upgrades
Winner:
Stowe Australia for Mater ICT Blown Fibre, Brisbane in Queensland
The project was a blown fibre system installation for the Mater Health hospital, by Stowe Australia and provided a reliable and resilient ICT infrastructure for the hospital’s diverse needs. The project faced environmental and technical challenges, such as COVID-19 restrictions, live hospital operations, and product availability. The project was completed in 2023, within the budget and with positive feedback from the client. The project demonstrated the company’s skills, experience, and innovation in delivering telecommunications solutions and extensively considered environmentally sustainable design, quality, management, and the complex training aspects required for blown fibre deployments.
ICT Infrastructure Installation (Large Projects)
Finalists:
- Stowe QLD – Mater ICT Space Optimisation
- Datatel Electrical and Communications – Forrestfield Airport Link Tunnel Station SCADA Installation
Winner:
Interlink Communications for Deloitte Fitout, Sydney in NSW
This significant project was a fitout of Deloitte’s office in Sydney, which involved installing electrical and communication cabling, a secondary 5G network, and various workplace technologies. The project met high environmental standards, such as NABERs, green star, and well V2 ratings, which measure the energy efficiency, sustainability, and wellness of the building. The project faced challenges such as meeting tight deadlines, coordinating with multiple stakeholders, and complying with Deloitte’s network security parameters. The project was a tremendous success, as it delivered a seamless and robust installation that enhanced Deloitte’s business operations.
ICT Infrastructure Installation (Extra-Large Projects)
Finalists:
- Nilsen – Queens Wharf Development
Winner:
Fredon for Chevron Office Fitout, Perth in WA
Fredon installed the electrical and communication systems for a 30-level office building utilising a Commscope solution. The team designed and integrated a building wide ICN that brought together various systems onto a single platform and implemented innovative solutions such as cable stands, cable matting, and MPO terminated fibre backbone cable to increase efficiency and reduce waste. The project team faced challenges such as COVID-19, material price rises, and labour shortages, but managed to overcome them by building strong relationships with suppliers, wholesalers, and clients, and managed to complete on time and within budget.
Member of the Year
Every year we also take the time to recognise the extroardinary efforts of an individual member who has contributed of their time and effort to personally support our association and thus our industry.
Congratulations to Craig Buckingham RCDD for winning this award!
Craig has worked tirelessly to assist the BICSI team with delivering our amazing excellence awards ceremonies and other events that support the continued growth of our industry.
It is our honour to celebrate the contribution Craig has made.
Recognition
Here at BICSI South Pacific, we want to elevate our industry by giving those who excel the opportunity to receive recognition amongst their peers. However this opportunity requires participation, so we ask that you prepare your teams and strategies for next year as the competition will be fierce.
