Looking back over the last year, we would like to take a little bit of time over the next few weeks to recognize some of the achievements we have seen these past 12 months.

In March 2011, OCC decided that in order to be able to offer true end-to-end harsh environment solutions to our customers, we needed to offer them under one name.  To accomplish this goal, we set about re-branding all of our harsh environment connectivity, formerly sold under the Applied Optical Systems (AOS) name, to the OCC logo and branding guidelines.  This allowed our customers to recognize one supplier for all their harsh environment cables and connectors needs.   We officially launched this new branding effort at an event in Los Angeles, CA.

OCC is very pleased to have our harsh environment connectivity components  under the same name and branding and are confident that this change will continue to improve our services and products for our customers in the upcoming new year.

Did you know that OCC’s UMJ jacks give out a dividend to their purchaser?  The UMJ product line is OCC’s proprietary modular outlet solution that allows a significant and measurable advantage to end users, contractors, installers and distributors.  OCC’s unique UMJ (bezel) system offers an easy and affordable option for desktop port identification.  Bezels may be ordered blank or labeled and with a multitude of colors to choose from, making the combinations for workstation labeling endless.

For the distributor, the UMJ product line can be placed in stock by purchasing only one jack and different bags of bezels.  By being able to use the same jack with whatever color bezel is needed, the distributor can reduce the amount of stock needed to fulfill orders and save inventory dollars.   In addition, OCC keeps stock of all bezel options, which makes fulfilling orders where a specific non-stocked color is needed isn’t a problem.

For the installer or contractor, the UMJ product line offers spec position with guaranteed repeat business as well as streamlined purchasing.  Because the UMJ product is a proprietary offering, if a contractor can get it specified on a job, the repeat business for moves, adds, and changes will ultimately be UMJ as well.   Just like the distributor, purchasing just one jack with bags of the bezels needed streamlines the purchasing process and allows for additional revenue to be earned with installation.

For the end user, the UMJ product line offers the assurance of a best-in-class modular solution guaranteed to provide superior performance.  Whether ordering Category 5e, 6, or 6A, the end user can rest assured that they are receiving the best component level performance on the market.  The OCC UMJ solution also offers easy visible port identification and labeling options that lock the jack into the faceplate.

From the distributor to the end user, the advantages to OCC’s UMJ product line are limitless.  The versatility of the UMJ workstation system allow for everyone to benefit from specifying and stocking this product.

In the wiring and cabling industry “Buy American” is a term often thrown around but not necessarily fully understood.  For example, did you know that “Buy American” can often mean that even though the product is classified as made in America, that not all the components of the product are in fact made here in the USA?   Ensuring that your products are properly certified is the key to purchasing true Made-in-America products.

The guidelines and stipulations set forth in the “Buy American” act are meant to encourage federal contract bids to purchase products that include the following conditions:

• The product is manufactured in the USA.

• The cost of its US components exceeds 50% of the cost of all components of the item.

Additional questions that must be asked for certification include ‘Was the process performed to manufacture the product in the US complex and meaningful?’  ‘Was the process costly?’  ‘Did it require a high skill level?

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Section 1605 further expands this notion by requiring that domestic manufactured goods that contain materials from another country must be considered substantially transformed in the US into new and different goods that are distinct from the materials from which it was transformed.  This allows for a more broad range of materials to be used in creating products that ultimately gives the customer the best possible end product.

Here at OCC, we continuously examine our processes and vendor relations to provide components and solutions that can be certified “Buy American” or ARRA compliant.  In addition, we take the time to ensure that if you need a “Buy American” and/or an ARRA certified solution, we can provide it with no questions.  Not many manufacturers can say that and if they can, make sure they can prove it.

To learn more about Buy American and ARRA compliant solutions by OCC, contact one of our Inside Sales Reps at 1-800-622-7711 or visit us online at www.occfiber.com

OCC’s Dallas facility has gotten a makeover!   The new OCC signs have been put into place, which solidifies the acquisition of the former Applied Optical Systems.  So what does this mean for our customers?  Customers can now expect to find even more full-solution options for their product needs.  By acquiring and merging with AOS, OCC has been able to expand our product offerings in the Harsh Environment industry as well as to continue developing new products and solutions for our customers.  Has your business tried coupling our Harsh Environment connectivity products with our Harsh Environment cables yet??

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has been working to provide manufacturers and consumers with products that meet their demanding safety standards and regulations since 1894.  With over 66,000 manufacturers producing UL certified products each year, UL has gained a reputation for being a leading global safety science company.  So when news broke last week that there were cables circulating with unauthorized reference to UL on them, both consumers and manufacturers began to panic.

Multiple off-shore manufacturers were identified as having unauthorized use of UL listings on their packaging and cables, meaning they have not been evaluated or approved by UL for use.  Although no cases of harm have been reported, UL has warned consumers and manufacturers that the potential for hazard is still there.

With this latest development, OCC wants to take the time to assure all our current and potential customers that you won’t find any unauthorized use of UL trademarks on our products or packaging.  OCC is dedicated to providing customers with cables that we stand by. Our cables are designed to not only meet the standards of the industry they are implemented in, but also the safety regulations set forth by companies such as UL.   By choosing OCC, you are purchasing high-quality, performance-driven, and American made products that you can use for your business needs with confidence.

In today’s fast-paced world, society has become accustomed to having information and data at their fingertips 24/7.  Whether it be using Google to remember a movie name that has escaped you or to check up on your favorite NFL team’s score, people want their information to be readily available to them whenever they need it.  So when it comes to deciding on cable or connectors that you need for that next big project or job, why should you be limited to just browsing through a bulky catalog?

Accu-Tech, one of OCC’s distributors, has recently released an app for the Android, iPhone, and iPad that eliminate that as a problem.  Accu-Tech’s app features OCC’s full product catalog in a beautiful interactive format, making searching for a product fast, easy,  and most importantly, available to you even when you’re on the go.  In addition, the app also gives you access to all of OCC’s specs sheets available on our website with the capability of emailing these spec sheets straight from your phone or iPad.

OCC is thrilled to be part of such a huge step in moving towards mobile optimization in our industry.  We hope that our customers will find the Accu-Tech app to be both convenient as well as useful in their future endeavors when it comes to searching for and buying their cable and connectivity needs.

Rather have your materials from OCC in print format?  No worries!  Contact us to have a catalog or brochure sent to you.

After a fantastic week in Las Vegas for the BICSI Fall Conference and Exhibition, OCC is very pleased to have been part of such a great networking and educational event for those in the Information Technology Systems (ITS) industry.  We had the opportunity to speak with people from all different backgrounds and areas of expertise about our products and solutions as well as to attend various seminars hosted by BICSI that allowed for our staff to learn even more about the trends and upcoming needs of those in the ITS industry.  So what was our favorite aspect of the conference and exhibition?  Talking to all the amazing people who stopped by our booth, of course!

While OCC showcased numerous products and cables in our booth at BICSI, our most talked about product, by far, was our new Data Center Cabinet.  OCC’s new Data Center Cabinet was designed with the customer in mind; from the configuration of the cabinet on the inside to the overall look and customizable colors and styles of the outside.  The OCC Data Center Cabinet, which is one of the most flexible, configurable, and durable cabinets on the market, also features a cable friendly rack with plenty of room to be adjusted to the customers’ particular needs.

By providing innovative products and solutions like the Data Center Cabinet, OCC continues to demonstrate to our customers and potential customers our ability to create and sell a full solution.   Our hope is that our customers will feel confident calling on us in the future as their source for high quality products and solutions for their business needs.  Look for new and exciting network solutions from OCC this February at the BICSI Winter Conference in Orlando, Florida.

BICSI, the international association supporting the information technology systems (ITS), has kicked off Day 2 of their annual Fall exhibition and conference here in Las Vegas.  OCC is very pleased and excited to be exhibiting some of our best products ideally suited for the ITS industry, including one our newest products, our Data Center Cabinet.

OCC’s new Data Center Cabinet was designed with the customer in mind.  The OCC Data Center Cabinet, which is one of the most flexible, configurable, and durable cabinets on the market, also features a cable friendly rack with plenty of room, perforated doors and rear PDU section for better airflow, and hinged side doors that can either be locked or removed, depending on the application. The cabinet’s sleek design and custom color options also allow the customer the freedom to design and style their server room as they please.

The cabinet is part of OCC’s full-service Data Center Solutions product line, featuring versatile enclosures and fiber optic and copper cable assemblies designed to meet every data center need. These solutions are also the answer for durable, easy-to install bend tolerant fiber optic cable as well as pre-term copper and connectivity solutions.

Want to learn more about OCC’s new Data Center Cabinet?  Stop by Booth #300 today between 4:30 – 7:30 to see the cabinet up close and talk to a member of the OCC team about how our Data Center Cabinet can best suit your needs.

DSEi 2011, the world’s largest fully integrated defense and security exhibition, kicked off Day 2 today in London, England.  With over 1,300 exhibitors present, OCC is very excited to be part of this show and we are looking forward to demonstrating to attendees some of the innovative defense and military grade products and solutions OCC has to offer.

Yesterday, OCC announced that we have been approved once again by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MoD) as a one of the few cable manufacturers to be a fully qualified supplier of Def-Stan 60-1, Part 3 ground tactical fibre optic cable, meeting all military requirements.  We are also the only fibre optic cable manufacturer currently with a U.S. Department of Defense MIL-PRF-85045/8A certification issued by the U.S. DoD, Defence Logistics Agency. This is a great achievement by OCC and we are very excited to have the opportunity to talk to customers and exhibitors at DSEi about the exceptional advantages that come from using OCC fibre optic cable some of the newest and upcoming products they can expect to see from OCC..

One of the key products our staff will be demonstrating at DSEi is our new Pierside Connectors.  The OCC Pierside style of multi-channel fibre optic connectors are designed to enable “genderless” mating capabilities, without regard for male or female gender configuration of the interfacing connector to which it is mated.  This genderless characteristic allows cable assemblies with hermaphroditic plugs on both ends to be deployed without concern for orientation (male or female), making it an ideal choice for fast-paced military applications.

Unlike other connectors, the OCC Pierside family offers users the most comprehensive complement of connector options available, including replacement dust caps, strain relief receptacles and 90° plugs, etc.  Available in either single-mode, multimode or a combination of both, the design is compliant to the Commercial Item Description (CID) standard issued by the Naval Sea Command.

We hope that if you are attending DSEi 2011 you will stop by our booth (#S10-149) to learn more about our products and why OCC continues to be internationally recognized for pioneering the design and production of fiber optic cables in the most demanding military field applications.

We’ve reached the end of IBC 2011, and what a whirlwind past couple of days it has been!  This year, IBC had its’ largest gathering of exhibitors and guests with approximately 49,911 people to be exact!  OCC is very excited to have been part of such a great turnout for this event and had a great time meeting with customers and exhibitors while in Amsterdam.

OCC showcased several products that are designed to meet demanding requirements of field and stadium transmission applications including broadcast fiber optic cables, the MARS reel system, and corresponding reel accessories for rapid cable deployment. So which of these products were our most talked about at the booth?  Our MARS Reels.

Besides the talk of our MARS Reels being so light-weight and easily deployable, what we saw and heard at IBC this year was that many companies who are still using the triax copper solutions want to move toward a fiber solution. Based on the customer feedback at our booth, we hope that OCC has demonstrated our ability to provide a full solution, meaning our ability to provide cable, connectivity, and complementing products such as our MARS Reels product line, to our customers and instill a confidence in them to call on us to help in the development of a fiber optic solution for their business needs.