Suttle is Now a Member of the MoCA® Alliance

The Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA®) is an industry driven group promoting distribution of digital video and data over existing coaxial cable in a home. Suttle has joined this group to help us develop products that leverage the homes existing infrastructure to extend high-speed communication.

Suttle FREE Video Tool Program

2500 Connectors = 1 FREE Tool

Yes, you read that correctly... For every 2500 TWiN Lock™ or SURE Lock™ video connectors you can get 1 FREE compression tool. The connectors can be mixed between F, RCA, and BNC but must be of the same tool form-factor and must equal 2500 pieces. We are so sure that once you experience the quality and performance that Suttle’s line of video connectors has to offer you won’t want to use anything else.

See the PDF Flyer for More Info.

Suttle Joins HomePNA™ Alliance

Suttle announces that it has officially joined the HomePNA™ alliance and will begin shipping HomePNA™ certified products beginning in Q2 of this year.

“Suttle is excited to join the HomePNA™ alliance as an adopter and looks forward to continued development of products that make it easy for service providers and consumers alike to install and maintain home networks,” said Jay Kilby, Dir of Marketing at Suttle. “HomePNA technology complements our full line of high-quality triple-play home networking connectivity products.”

According to a recent study by Parks Associates, a service provider-deployed home networking solution is among the key value-added features that correlate to happier customers.¹ The HomePNA alliance has also found that Telcos that have deployed HomePNA generally experience higher fixed line retention, higher ARPU, and greater customer satisfaction.²

Created to ensure the development of a consumer-friendly, low-cost, high-speed "existing-wires" solution for home networking over phone wires and coax cables, HomePNA technology has been standardized by the ITU G.hn. In addition to data rates up to 320Mbps, HomePNA provides guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS) and remote management and diagnostics capability, enabling service providers to meet – and drive – the growing demand for new services such as IPTV and VOIP.

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¹ Rural Broadband Services and the Digital Home, Kurt Scherf, Parks Associates, August 2009. www.parksassociates.com
² Bell Canada Joins HomePNA; Press Release. January 7, 2010; www.homepna.org

Suttle names new VP of Technology Development

Veteran FTTx Industry expert, George Wakileh, has been named to the newly created position of Vice President of Technology Development at Suttle.

Wakileh most recently was Director of New Product Development at Emerson Network Power in Warrenville, IL and previously held a variety of increasing responsibilities in engineering leadership roles at APA Cables & Networks and ADC Telecommunications.

“With our increased commitment to new product and market initiatives the time is right to bring an executive of George’s considerable passion, talent and experience to help drive new revenue opportunities,” said Bruce Blackwood, GM of Suttle in a prepared statement. “We are thrilled to welcome George to Suttle’s management team”.

CSI Recognized by Forbes Magazine

Communications Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: JCS), the parent company of Suttle, today announced it has been recognized by Forbes magazine as one of the Best Performing Companies in the magazine’s list of America’s 200 Best Small Companies of 2009.

“We are honored to be included in the list of Best Small Companies in America by the prestigious Forbes magazine,” said Jeffrey K. Berg, President and Chief Executive Officer. “This achievement represents the hard work and dedication of all our employees who are the foundation of our success.”

Forbes’ List of 200 Best Small Companies in America is comprised of companies that have shown both sales and earnings growth. Candidates must have annual revenue between $5 million and $750 million, be publicly traded for at least a year, and have a stock price no lower than $5. Rankings are based on earnings growth, sales growth, and return on equity in the past 12 months, and over five years each company’s stock performance was also compared with those of its peers.

The list is featured in the November 2 issue of Forbes magazine

Click for more info on Communications Systems Inc.

Cautionary Statement
From time to time, in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in press releases, and in other communications to shareholders or the investing public, Communications Systems Inc. may make forward-looking statements concerning possible or anticipated future financial performance, business activities or plans which are typically preceded by the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends” or similar expressions. For these forward-looking statements, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in federal securities laws. Shareholders and the investing public should understand that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual performance, activities or plans after the date the statements are made to differ significantly from those indicated in the forward-looking statements when made.

Suttle Launches New Website

Welcome to our new website. It contains more product information, enhanced features, and an expanded support section.

Suttle Expands US Operations

Company Adds Manufacturing Capacity in Hector, MN

Suttle (a division of Communications Systems Inc., NASDAQ:JCS) (www.suttleonline.com and www.suttlesoho.com) proudly announced that it has recently completed a new facility to produce its line of SOHO Access™ structured wiring enclosures and many of its SpeedStar™ jacks and plates in Hector, MN.

Over the past five years, Suttle has grown from a niche player in the structured wiring market to one of the industry’s largest sellers of residential voice, data, and video networking gear according to the latest CEA market research study. In addition to allowing Suttle to hold prices, it also allows the company to substantially cut lead times, improve flexibility, invest in local jobs and reduce its carbon footprint.

“We’re excited to re-invigorate our manufacturing operations with this investment and build on our commitment to our customers, employees, the local community, and our stakeholders,” said Bruce Blackwood, VP and GM of Suttle. “In the current economy we’re proud to be able to invest in our continued growth.”

In addition to the new machines, Suttle has added nearly 20,000 square feet that nearly doubles its total in-house manufacturing space.

New TWiN Lock™ Online Flash™ Presentation and Micro-site

Now see first hand what makes Suttle's new line of compression connectors unique. This short Flash™ based presentation highlights the different features of the TWiN Lock™ connectors and the many benefits that come as a result. You'll be glad you did.

Click for For Micro-site
(Micro-site containing flash presentation and product info documents and links)

Suttle Offers New Whitepaper on MDU Fiber Deployment

Suttle's MDU Whitepaper offers Design Considerations for Service Providers Deploying FTTH Solutions

Suttle (a division of Communications Systems Inc., NASDAQ:JCS) (www.suttleonline.com and www.suttlesoho.com) announces the release of a new whitepaper to help service providers and property owners involved in FTTH (Fiber To The Home) solutions for Multi-Dwelling Units (MDUs).

"The type of network deployment and its location within the building can impact long-term maintenance and operational costs for both the service provider and building owner," said Jay Kilby, Director of Marketing for Suttle, "So it's critical to the longevity and relevancy of the property that a well designed network is deployed."

Billions of dollars are spent annually delivering high speed fiber networks to Multi-Dwelling Units - apartments, condos, and student-housing - across North America. However, poor planning of fiber network interfaces and service delivery to a customer's media devices can leave everyone, from the builder/developer and building owner to the service provider and tenants/subscribers, frustrated.

This whitepaper helps covers some of the most common issues and design considerations in choosing the deployment methodology and product set for implementation. In addition it also covers best practices, standards, and examples of successful fiber deployment strategies and how these interface with the individual unit’s copper wiring.

Link to Full Document

Suttle Announces Launch of New Video Connectivity Line

Brand Creates Peerless "Triple-Play" Product Provider

Suttle (a division of Communications Systems Inc., NASDAQ:JCS) (www.suttleonline.com and www.suttlesoho.com) announced that it is launching a full line of video connectors, splitters & accessories, available in March of 2009.

For 99 years, Suttle has been synonymous with high-quality products and service making it one of the industry’s leading connectivity manufacturers for today’s telecommunication service providers. Although Suttle has carried various passive video products since 1992, the new line, positions Suttle as one of the first manufacturers capable of supplying the major service providers with a complete high-quality “triple play” connectivity offering.

The offering will consist of a patented, revolutionary new Twin-Lock™ F-connector that in addition to providing a technically superior connection, it also requires less material allowing it to be extremely cost effective. Other products in the line will include the Sure-Lock™ F-connector, for customers who prefer the traditional format of a compression video connector, along with a full offering of 1GHz and 3GHz splitters, amplifiers, tools, and accessories.

“We are proud to continue our tradition of providing industry-setting quality with the addition of our new video connectivity products, said Bruce Blackwood, VP and GM of Suttle, “We become one of the only manufacturers capable of providing true triple-play connectivity to today’s triple-play providers.”

“The simplicity of the tools and the connectors make this line of video products unique in their ability to deliver reliability, efficiency and bottom-line savings,” according to Andy Swienton, Video Connectivity Product Manager.

Click for Product Information (posted 2/9/2009)

Suttle Announces OEM Agreement

DSC to Deploy Suttle SOHO Access™ Enclosures and Modules in the Security Channel

Suttle (a division of Communications Systems Inc., NASDAQ:JCS) has announced that it has entered into an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement with DSC, a leading manufacturer of intrusion security products, to deliver Suttle’s SOHO Access™ brand of Structured Wiring Enclosures and Modules to DSC customers, beginning immediately. Suttle will supply branded structured cabling enclosures and modules to DSC for customers in North America.

“We are thrilled to partner with DSC, as a security industry leader, and offer the industry a solution for effectively and easily mounting DSC controllers in our structured wiring enclosure,” said Jim Glomstad, VP of Sales and Marketing with Suttle. “The security market has always been a significant user of structured wiring products and this relationship will be a great benefit for customers of both brands.”

“Suttle’s SOHO Access™ brand of structured wiring solutions is a high-quality, reliable and recognized solution in the industry,” said Rob Guttentag, Vice-President & General Manager, DSC. “We are pleased that we are now able to offer these solutions to our distribution partners.”

DSC provides security professionals with products of superior quality and performance in more than 140 countries worldwide. They include alarm control panels, keypads, user interfaces, detection devices, alarm communication products, structured wiring and industry-leading alarm monitoring technology.

Suttle Online Training Approved for BICSI and CEDIA Credit

Suttle Online Training approved for credit by both BICSI (3 Credits) and CEDIA (1 Credit)

Suttle is pleased to announce that its SOHO Access™ Online Training Program has been approved by the CEDIA Board of Directors as a Continuing Education Provider and by the BICSI Professional Development & Credentialing Board for BICSI Credit.

CEDIA’s Certification Council has authorized Suttle’s Online Training Program as a non-CEDIA based course for CEU’s (continuing education units) and will provide a link to Suttle’s training program on their website. BICSI also approved Suttle’s online training as an Approved CEC (continuing education credits) Course. For taking Suttle’s online training, users will be awarded 1 credit hour which can be applied toward other CEUs approved by CEDIA and 3 BICSI CECs.

Suttle’s Online Training Program can be found at www.suttleonline.com under the “Support” tab on the main web page. After successful completion of Suttle’s Online Training, an e-mail will be automatically sent to the individual, with a Certificate of Approval for passing the course.

For CEDIA credit, the individual simply logs onto www.cedia.net once the certificate is received and clicks the CEU Program tab on the left hand side of the main page. This provides a link for the Petition Form which needs to be faxed into CEDIA (317-280-8527) along with your Suttle certificate.

For BICSI credits simply, fill out the CEC Application Form and fax it into BICSI with your certificate of approval.

CEDIA and BICSI recognize credit hours as long as the individual has a valid certificate of approval from Suttle and a Petition Form filled out and faxed in. Suttle keeps an updated database of who has passed the online training program for proof of certification purposes.