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As a global leader in communications network technology, we never lose sight of how our industry is reshaping the way people live, learn and thrive.
INNOVATION
CommScope employees exercise innovation every day to make our product portfolio and company better for you. Our commitment to innovation is represented by the nearly 10,000 patents we hold. But it’s our culture of innovation- the spirit of always looking for ways to do something better, to solve a problem, to make things easier- that brings innovation to life. I hope you enjoy this edition of CommScope Magazine. See first-hand how CommScope is driven to put innovation in action to help your business to succeed.
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Issue 2
DIGITAL MAGAZINE
At the same time, innovation has to happen intelligently, strategically. Steve Jobs, that timeless icon of innovation, said in 1989 that Apple “had a fundamental belief that doing it right the first time was going to be easier than having to go back and fix it.” Doing the impossible—such as developing the mobile device no one knew they needed until they couldn’t live without it—has to look effortless, but the fact is that it takes a lot of time and work. That’s why my team ensures product development is on the right track with failure mode effects analysis (FMEA), a process we’re rolling out to all engineering and operations teams later this year. FMEA empowers CommScope’s people to innovate freely and refine economically, so each innovation is ready for prime time when it hits market to create the next “a-ha” moment.
The customer had never realized the time cost of doing it the old way until they experienced this “ah-ha” moment.
That’s why I’m proud to be part of the CommScope mission. After all, how many other places let you turn the impossible into the indispensable?
For me, innovation is simple. First, just do the impossible—that is, challenge assumptions about the job and the solution. Ask fresh questions about what the customer REALLY needs— especially if that customer doesn’t realize they need it. Some time back, a customer was introduced to an SL termination tool we make. It handles eight terminations at a time.
CommScope is built on decades of innovation. I should know; in more than 22 years with the company, I’ve come up through engineering and product development and seen it firsthand. At the same time, the process has had a profound effect on me and my definition of innovation.
VP Global Engineering
Christine Dooley
Innovation is simple.
First, just do the impossible.
Mr. Kurk took the role of chief technology officer for CommScope in October 2015. His prior assignment as the senior vice president of the wireless segment included responsibility for indoor, outdoor, and backhaul businesses. Mr. Kurk started his career at Motorola in 1994 where he was a hardware development engineer for base stations and a product manager for a CDMA base station product line. He joined Allen Telecom in 1997, which became part of Andrew Corporation in 2004. Mr. Kurk held a variety of positions including director of business development in the United States and China; vice president of R&D, PLM, and Strategy; and vice president and general manager of the Wireless Innovations Group worldwide. In 2009, he joined CommScope as senior vice president of the Enterprise business unit. In total he has more than 20 years of experience solving communication problems.
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CommScope believes innovation comes from all areas of the company: from customer service to R&D, the assembly line to the sales force—anyone who can solve fundamental customer problems. Any new idea or technology that makes our solutions easier to use, perform better or cost less is an innovation.
For CommScope and our customers, innovation is its own reward—and winning awards for innovation is icing on the cake.
Chief Technology Officer
Morgan Kurk
Innovation
From Start to Finish
In this blog post, Morgan Kurk, chief technology officer, shares his point of view on CommScope innovation, and recaps the awards and recognition we received for innovative technology and project management.
Our company was honored to receive several awards and recognition for our innovative approach to developing new technology and solving customer problems.
Your data center - beyond the now
More than just innovative infrastructure solutions, it’s a long-term strategy that can take you from where you are today to where you need to go tomorrow—no matter which migration path you choose. CommScope provides the technical expertise, data center experience and future-ready solutions you need to meet any challenge. Now you’re ready for anything.
Inside the data center, bandwidth demand is exploding while latency requirements shrink. To keep up, you need more fiber density, faster links, and the ability to scale on demand. Meet CommScope’s High Speed Migration platform. High-speed, ultra-low-loss fiber and connectors, ultra-dense connectivity, modular scalability and the automated intelligence to keep your infrastructure agile, flexible and efficient.
MIGRATION
HIGH SPEED
Originally aired on Innovations TV
The technical evolution of communications networks
Every day, people, information and networks are converging. Behind the app, the game, the FaceTime call with family and the tidal wave of data, communication networks are connecting people to each other and to the information they need— wherever they are, whenever they want. This Innovations TV segment features Morgan Kurk and Davy Brown of CommScope and Lee Hicks of Verizon speaking about the fast-paced evolution of communications networks. Their remarks focus on the underpinning technology that enables our digitally connected lifestyles today and into the future. Learn how CommScope continues to invest in the innovations that will drive the transformation of the networks on which people rely every day. CommScope will continue to stay at the forefront of the communication revolution, as we have for the past 40 years.
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A big part of Lauren’s role is aggregating insights originating from a company-wide commitment to innovation.
“It’s positive what’s come out of the new programs so far,” Lauren says. “Initiatives like our ‘Innovators in Action’ awards and annual event—and the crowdsourced ‘Big Idea’ ideation challenge—promote diversity of thought; recognize innovative technologies, processes, and people; then build upon these opportunities. CommScope is dedicated to giving our people—not just those in engineering and operations, but everyone—the resources and space to ideate, permission to take calculated risks, and new ways to deliver the forward-thinking solutions our customers count on.”
The word “innovation” is in Lauren’s title, but its value is also part of every CommScope employee’s job description. “With such a strong focus on continuous improvement, investment in our people, and interest in serving our customers’ and prospects’ needs, I’m excited to do what I love—create new ways to cultivate an organization-wide spirit of innovation.”
The role of Director of Global Innovation was recently created to support CommScope’s 2017 strategy to “innovate to solve problems that matter most”—and Lauren’s expertise makes her a natural fit. She empowers colleagues to collaborate across the global CommScope organization, helping unleash their creativity and natural innovative spirit via sanctioned programs and platforms. This reinforces CommScope’s enduring culture of innovation, giving every employee license to try something new—celebrating the successes and learning from the misses.
This is the philosophy of Lauren Miller, the face of CommScope’s culture of innovation. Working under the CTO, she is responsible for bringing innovation to life through strategic, cross-functional engagement ranging from research and development to operations, marketing to human resources and beyond.
Take chances. Seize opportunities. Face challenges. Learn and improve—then do it all again, even better.
Meet Lauren Miller, Director of Global Innovation for CommScope
A new role dedicated to new thinking
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Think Fiber Think CommScope
Wherever your network is headed, it’s getting there with fiber connectivity. Nothing else offers the speed and agility your growing network demands—and no one but CommScope delivers the innovative fiber connectivity solutions you need to power the high-speed, high-bandwidth networks of tomorrow. For any network, any place, CommScope can help you architect, grow and evolve your fiber network to meet your business goals with speed and simplicity.
Read Full Story
It’s a bit ironic that, although there were no cell phones in 1976, the company that would one day be a leader in the communication infrastructure industry was founded that same year in Hickory, North Carolina. In the 40 years since Frank Drendel and Jearld Leonhardt started CommScope as an independent company, we have become a multibillion-dollar global enterprise—a leader and innovator in helping build the communication infrastructure of today and tomorrow. As CommScope celebrates this landmark anniversary, this article takes a look back at the history of the company, the 40 CommScope innovations that have most impacted our industry, the company’s top patent holders, and those employees who have been with CommScope for all four decades of our history.
CommScope Celebrates
40
years of
The network is today’s most inspiring technology— the epicenter of the communication revolution.
The network is CommScope’s passion. The world’s most advanced networks rely on CommScope connectivity. In this video, you’ll discover how CommScope experts are rethinking the purpose, role and usage of networks to help our customers increase bandwidth, expand capacity, enhance efficiency, speed deployment and simplify migration. All around the world—from remote cell sites to massive sports arenas, from busy airports to state-of-the-art data centers —CommScope provides the essential expertise and vital infrastructure businesses need to succeed.
Today’s most inspiring technology? The network
What inspires innovation? We asked Scott Kowalczyk, designer/project manager and holder of 63 patents, how he sees his role as a top CommScope innovator. After more than 30 years with the company, Scott manages teams that enhance productivity and introduce new products. For Scott, innovation is all about imagining what’s possible—and then taking a calculated risk to bring it to life. When others tell him something is impossible, he is motivated to keep trying. “Never, ever give up,” he says. In this interview, Scott talks about how he defines innovation, the scientific process he uses to bring new ideas to life, the people who have inspired him, and the advice he gives to future innovators.
An interview with a top CommScope patent holder
Alexy Luecke is a Brand Marketing Specialist for CommScope. She is primarily responsible for development of global brand programs. Alexy brings previous sales and marketing experience with technology companies to CommScope. Alexy is a magna cum laude graduate of Hamline University, holding a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with emphasis in Marketing and Communications.
Alexy Luecke, Brand Marketing Specialist.
Thank you for reading CommScope Magazine. I hope you enjoyed our innovation story. Innovation is about nurturing ideas and bringing them to life. Each day you have the ability to inspire yourself and others to make a prosperous impact. Continue to seek purpose and innovative ideas will follow.
Closing thought from the editor