Taking Pride in Perserverance & Quality Work
Enhanced Voice & Data Networks continues to grow thanks to dedicated staff and customer focus
Before Steve Lentz founded San Diego-based Enhanced Voice & Data Networks in 2005, he’d been employed in the communications infrastructure industry for several years. His experiences in infrastructure design and implementation led him to recognize potential in the constantly evolving field. Lentz enrolled in a technical management program—leading to the concept behind Enhanced Voice & Data Networks.
Today, the company focuses on voice and data cabling, specializing in the design and installation of telecommunications solutions. Its services include—but are not limited to—copper/coaxial/fiber cabling; network infrastructure design, implementation and restoration; business phone system installation and troubleshooting; CCTV/security camera systems and audiovisual equipment; and nationwide rollouts. While the company performs work in a variety of markets, such as biotech, commercial office, retail and education, Lentz says Enhanced Voice & Data Networks’ biggest vertical is health care.
“We do a lot of cabling work for assisted living and skilled nursing facilities,” he says.
For example, in the first half of 2018, the company completed a telecommunications buildout for a 275-location national assisted-living provider. Team members on this project installed more than 1 million feet of cable into new and existing facilities, including fiber backbone cabling.
Recently, Enhanced Voice & Data Networks was tapped to build out the corporate headquarters of content creator 1POINT21 Interactive, including the installation of more than 100 voice and data cables and wireless access points, as well as high-end server room cable management and modern seismic bracing. The company also was chosen by Rancho Bernardo Inn, a 287-room luxury San Diego resort, to upgrade its telecom network to exceed standards within the hospitality industry.
Growth has been steady and impressive.
The 21-person company saw its revenue surge by 123 percent from 2015 to 2017 and Lentz expects it to climb even higher in 2018.
“A large part of our growth is based on referrals,” he says. “We’re big on building solid customer relationships as we’re in it for the long haul.”
Many times, these solid relationships are validated through positive customer reviews. In January, for instance, one satisfied client shared the following on the company’s website: “Very professional and fair pricing. They use quality products and do not cut corners on jobs. Very detailed making sure cabling is done according to IEEE specification and anything that may cause issues on the phone and data wiring. Great crew and management. We have used them now on two major projects where on one they have had to travel and work with me in 120-degree heat to get things done. I could not have asked for a better group of people to work with.”
Working Under Challenging Conditions
The team at Enhanced Voice & Data Networks prides itself on coming up with creative solutions to help companies save money “when it comes to their spend on technology,” according to Lentz.
At the same time, the company makes an effort to go beyond installation and exceed customers’ expectations.
“It’s one thing installing everything and making it work, but it’s a whole other thing to have everything looking clean with, for example, no wires showing or cables hanging down from a ceiling,” Lentz says. “Some server rooms can look like a pile of spaghetti, but our systems are clean, organized, well thought-out and very clearly identified. That way, customers can better manage their infrastructure because it’s clearly labeled and they can identify their own equipment. That’s a huge aspect of what we do.”
That’s not to say Enhanced Voice & Data Networks doesn’t sometimes face challenges.
For example, one of its clients operates with “a very aggressive growth strategy” by acquiring similar operations, according to Lentz. This can result in hectic work schedules for employees of Enhanced Voice & Data Networks.
“When a company is acquired, there is a very short time before the new owners move in. We are tasked with retrofitting the network while it is still a functioning business, and also adding all the necessary cabling they need, while maintaining a very low profile,” Lentz says. This can lead to Enhanced Voice & Data Networks’ staff working 10- to 12-hour days for six days a week in the weeks leading up to the transfer of ownership.
“On the night of the cutover, we are sometimes asked to work 24 hours straight,” he adds. “Sometimes, multiple buildings or campuses are transitioned at the same time, which requires additional resources and coordination to deliver a seamless conversion.”
Sometimes, work has to be done in chilling temperatures. Lentz recalls a time when the company had to perform a job in South Dakota in the middle of winter. “We were terminating fiber outside in negative 20-degree weather,” Lentz says. “We had to construct heated tents to complete the project but still completed everything on time and on budget despite the harsh conditions.”
Also, the company looks to approach any physically strenuous work scenario with safety top of mind.
“Running more than 200 cables in a ceiling environment where the heat outside can raise the temperature well over 100 degrees is tricky sometimes,” he says. “Also, several of our recent jobs required the displacement of over 60,000 feet of cable. The up-and-down movement on a ladder coupled with the twisting and turning of installing it correctly can be very physically taxing. We are very blessed to have industry-recognized professionals on our team who bring an approach to cabling that maximizes effectiveness while reducing physical strain. We are aware of what we are walking into, and even in situations where there seems to be a surprise around every corner, we maintain our practices to ensure the highest level of accuracy, safety and superiority.”
Taking Care of More Than Just Customers
The leaders of Enhanced Voice & Data Networks know the importance of giving back to their community and treating their employees well.
Each year the company co-sponsors a local golf tournament, giving a $6,000 donation to help senior citizens in need via the HOME Foundation. The nonprofit organization aims to enhance the quality of life for the elderly in communities through service, fulfilling essential needs and providing education to caregivers.
For its employees—in addition to providing health care benefits, paid vacation and sick time, and some supplemental insurance—the company offers a 401(k) retirement plan with up to 12 percent matching.
“As far as matching goes, 12 percent is pretty incredible,” Lentz says. “We try to give back what we make to our employees through our 401(k) offering. Everybody has the willingness to get the job done while being focused on doing what needs to be done to make a customer happy. So, we want to reward that.”