Cost Savings

Buildings supported by diverse systems such as automation, security, lighting or elevator monitoring can use separate communication cabling. These buildings will be more expensive to run because of the multiple pathways, communications closets and equipment rooms that are installed and commissioned by multiple contractors.

The preferred building system design includes the ability to communicate on a common communication platform or structured cabling plant. This engineered structured cabling plant allows several building systems, i.e.: IT, communications, security, lighting control and building automation to share a single IT infrastructure. Each system still can function in a secure, independent manner.

This strategy takes advantage of the fact that data communications for many systems share the same communication protocol, such as the TCP/IP standard (IEEE standard 802.3). Direct digital control panels that reside on local area networks can also connect to the Internet using static IP addresses. With building systems designed to integrate with others, efficient cabling systems are deployed, reducing initial installation costs and yearly maintenance. Buildings with extensive IT infrastructures, such as data centers and hospitals, reap the most savings from an integrated structured cabling plant.

From Structured Cabling Systems by The International Cabling Consortium
For more see: http://www.iecorg/online/tutorials/scs/topic01.asp