You’ve heard of the Bro Code and seen all the different Bro Tips, right? Well, OCC is abiding by the Pro Code and we’d like to share some of our Protips™ that everyone in the structured cabling business should know about!

SOLVING COMPLEX PROBLEMS WITH INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS.

AT OCC, IT’S HOW WE THINK.

In the world of military product development, one thing is certain – no one knows more about what new products are needed than the soldiers themselves. When the U.S. Military asked us to take a look at the old RL-31, you can bet we were up to the task. The RL-31 (the military nomenclature for the older style steel reel stand) weighs in at around 60 pounds; they asked us, “Can you do something to make that lighter?”

The soldiers told the OCC team that they often have to carry the RL-31 up rugged terrain in Afghanistan and other places that are not vehicle friendly. Carrying the 60-pound RL-31, along with the extra weight of body armor, backpacks, and weapons is both challenging and risky. The task is hard to perform with much, if any, speed and exposure to enemy fire is always a concern in forward operating areas.

Using modern materials, the initial design prototype weighed in at just 19 pounds – an astounding sixty-six percent reduction in weight. The question was, would it be strong enough and durable enough to perform the mission day in and day out? OCC worked hard to develop realistic environmental and mechanical performance and test requirements that accurately reflected the needs of the modern warfighter. After some initial failures that required strengthening the design, the new reel stand withstood all the punishment that the OCC team could dish out. It was ready to test with the soldiers.

The evaluation team reported that the reel stands performed well in every mission scenario. The team requested a few minor design improvements, which were anticipated. Perhaps the most telling comment of all the feedback was when the team offered to take the evaluation units back with them. The NCO’s smiled and said, “No, we really want to continue training with these.” And of course, we agreed.

TODAY’S OCC. STRONG. INNOVATIVE. SOLUTIONS™.

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