How to transfer cable certifier test data from the field

When it comes to certifying copper and fiber cable, working smart is more important than ever. So, if you are driving cable certifiers to the office to download test results onto a computer, or posting a USB drive of the data, you’re falling victim to some big, and potentially costly, inefficiencies.

To overcome this challenge, there are currently three main solutions that use the internet to get data from the certifier in the field, to a computing platform for analysis and reporting by a project manager.

But which one is right for you?

• Self-hosted.

This is where traditional PC software is run on a desktop computer and the user is responsible for making this software accessible by the field testers via the internet.

However, this solution has shortcomings. Firstly, you are now your own ISP/cloud administrator, dealing with the configuration issues that come with setting up and maintaining an internet server. Not to mention the potential security risks that come with having an open gateway into your corporate network.

Unlike a true cloud solution (which we’ll come to later), this solution is just a workaround to get the data without having to bring testers to the office or post USB drives.

• Hybrid-cloud.

This is a hosted cloud solution, but it provides a limited ability to work with your data.

With hybrid solutions, the cloud software can present the test results to the users and generate reports, but it does not have the programming or processing power to analyse test results or allow complete project management.

Copper certifier test results contain tens of thousands of data points and the processing power and user interface ability of hybrid systems do not allow project managers to analyse test results in detail to look for faults or systemic issues in the installation.
Should a user need to evaluate a measurement further, an extra step is required – to download the test result from the cloud to the desktop PC software. Here, the full user interface and processing power of the PC’s CPU can be used to evaluate the graphical data of a copper cable certification test.

• Full-featured cloud.

This is a fully hosted cloud solution with the computing resources to provide the same features and functionality as one would expect with desktop PC software. Users might only realise it’s running on the cloud as they are using it in a web browser. This solution offers several advantages, such as:

• The application is always up to date in the cloud. You never need to install software patches
• When hosted by a Tier-1 provider like Microsoft Azure, your data is continuously backed up
• The full details of the test results can be analysed because the test equipment manufacturer is paying for the processing power and application development that replicate your desktop experience in the cloud
• There’s no limit to the number of simultaneous connections of technicians uploading test results, project managers managing data, or finance managers pulling reports to attach to invoices
• Bandwidth and storage are free and unlimited, depending on your test equipment provider’s Terms and Conditions

Every industry that handles data is currently migrating its software solutions to the cloud. Shouldn’t your test equipment with its valuable data be headed in this direction too?

TREND AnyWARE Cloud for Cable Certifiers

Users of LanTEK IV-S, our newest and most powerful copper and fiber cable certifier, get access to our best-in-class TREND AnyWARE Cloud test management system.  This solution is continuously backed up, keeping your data safe and dependable and requires no manual installation of updates – users are always on the latest version.

The latest version has received a major speed improvement powered by Microsoft® Azure, which is used by 95% of Fortune 500 companies, and is compliant to more than 90 comprehensive standards, as well as being independently verified. This is one of the things that makes it the fastest cloud system for cable certification, giving cable installers the quickest way to upload tests and create reports.

Access your data anytime, anywhere, from the field or office, for convenience and enhanced collaboration.  TREND Networks has invested in all the disk space and processing power needed, so there is no additional capital expenditure needed to benefit from this solution.

LanTEK IV-S saves you time

As well as benefitting from the fastest cloud software in the industry, the LanTEK IV-S cable certifier has also been designed to deliver a user experience with speed as a priority.   The touchscreen user interface is 42% quicker than the original LanTEK IV certifier model, and testing links is now 16% faster.

Plus, it now includes a unique, intuitive folder structure that makes organising tests much easier, so that businesses can work smarter, not harder, and optimise efficiency.

However, this is just a glimpse at the benefits. Find out more and browse deals for cost-saving bundles, upgrades, and trade-in offers here.