0333 900 0101

Data Cabinet Tidy London

An untidy data cabinet can slow down your network and make troubleshooting a headache. A quick comms cabinet tidy boosts efficiency enhances connectivity, improves accessibility, and reduces safety risks.

Why Choose a Data Cabinet Tidy Service?

A well-organised data cabinet is crucial for reducing business downtime and associated costs during network upgrades or changes. With tidy, functional, and easily accessible data cabinets, your business can operate more efficiently, leading to enhanced productivity for your team.

Disorganised comms racks can negatively affect network speeds and performance. Our data cabinet tidy services help prevent these issues by ensuring your network runs smoothly and that any problems can be quickly identified and resolved.

Safety is another key benefit of a tidy comms cabinet. By eliminating clutter and hazards, we reduce the risk of tripping or falling in your office, making your workspace safer for everyone.

Additionally, a well-managed comms cabinet simplifies the process of scaling your business, allowing for growth without compromising network performance. ACCL’s data cabinet tidy services also reduce the risk of accidental cable disconnections and damage, ensuring your network remains reliable and efficient.

Data cabinet tidy process

Every business has unique needs, and our data cabinet tidy service is tailored to fit your schedule, budget, and deadlines, ensuring a solution that meets your specific requirements.

  • Free Consultation: We start with a free, no-obligation audit at your premises, assessing your current setup and providing a detailed report with recommendations for your data cabinet tidy.
  • Complete Reorganisation: We re-organise and re-patch your network frame, installing colour-coded patch cables to simplify network management.
  • Cable and Tray Installation: New cables, cable trays, and trunking are installed to keep everything organised and logically arranged.
  • Port and Cable Labelling: We label all ports and cables with unique IDs, making it easier for your team to troubleshoot network issues.
  • New Rack Installation: Our team replaces patch cables with properly sized cables to avoid tangling or trailing, installs new racks as needed and handles any additional requests to ensure a tidy and efficient network setup.

Steps for a Tidy Comms Cabinet

A tidy comms cabinet is essential for maintaining an organised, efficient, and functional setup.

As a quick guide see our steps below for tidying your comms cabinet:

  • Prepare for the Tidy-Up

    • Survey the cabinet: Take note of the current situation, including old patch leads that have not been removed, tangled cables, unlabelled connections, or poorly positioned equipment.
    • Cable management tools: Prepare Velcro straps, cable management rings, and labels.
    • Plan your layout: Decide on the best positioning for switches, routers, patch panels, and other devices. Prioritise easy access and proper airflow.
  • Power Down and Disconnect (If necessary)

    • Safely shut down equipment: Ensuring no disruptions to ongoing operations. If the tidy-up requires downtime, schedule it during a low-impact period.
    • Reduce the risk of crosstalk and interference: Proper cable management will make sure they are sufficiently separated.
  • Clean the Cabinet

    • Remove dust: Use a vacuum with anti-static properties or a duster to clean the cabinet.
    • Wipe surfaces: Clean all shelves and devices with a lint-free cloth and mild cleaning solution.
  • Organise Devices

    • Sort equipment: Group similar devices (e.g., patch panels, switches) together for logical organisation.
    • Prioritise accessibility: Place frequently accessed equipment at eye level or easily reachable areas.
    • Optimise airflow: Leave space for ventilation, especially for heat-generating devices. Use blanking panels to block unused slots.
  • Manage Cables

    • Unplug and re-route: Disconnect cables and re-route them systematically, remove any leads that are not connected.
    • Patching Records: We create a patching record for each port, showing the Switch to the user outlet.
    • Label both ends: Use durable cable labels for easier identification during troubleshooting.
  • Manage Cables continued…

    • Bundle excess length: Patch cable lengths are sized to eliminate cable bundles, by neatly securing them with Velcro ties (We avoid zip ties, as they can damage the patch cables).
    • Separate cable types: Route power cables and data cables along different paths to minimise interference.
    • Install cable trays: Use horizontal or vertical cable management panels to keep runs tidy.
  • Check Connections and Functionality

    • Double-check all connections: Ensure they are secure.
    • Power up devices: Verify their functionality. Test network performance to confirm no issues arose during the tidy-up.
  • Document the Setup

    • Create a clear diagram or inventory list: Displaying cabinet’s contents, including labelled ports, cable paths, and equipment layout.
    • Store the documentation: Recommended near the cabinet or in a shared drive for easy reference.

 

For more videos of some of our cabling projects head over to our YouTube channel 

Should I Remove Redundant Equipment from a Comms Cabinet?

Maintaining an efficient comms cabinet is crucial for optimal network performance and management. Redundant equipment can quickly turn from an overlooked issue to a costly nuisance. Here’s why it’s vital to remove such equipment promptly:

  • Optimise Space and Organisation
    Redundant equipment clutters valuable space. By removing unnecessary items, you maintain a clean and organised setup, making it easier to access and manage active components. This not only improves the aesthetic but also enhances the functionality of the cabinet.
  • Enhance Airflow and Cooling
    Unused equipment blocks airflow, leading to overheating. By eliminating these obstacles, you ensure better ventilation, which is essential for keeping active equipment at optimal operating temperatures. Overheating can lead to equipment failure, resulting in costly downtime.
  • Reduce Energy Consumption
    Even if not actively used, redundant equipment can still draw power. Removing it reduces energy consumption, potentially saving on electricity costs. This not only benefits your bottom line but also contributes to a more sustainable operation.
  • Minimise Maintenance Costs
    Equipment that is no longer in use can still incur maintenance costs. By removing these devices, you lower the overall maintenance burden and cost, allowing resources to be allocated more effectively to essential equipment.
  • Improve Network Performance
    Old or redundant hardware can cause interference or signal degradation. It’s crucial to keep your network streamlined with only essential equipment to ensure optimal performance and reliability.

By regularly auditing and removing redundant equipment from your comms cabinet, you foster a more efficient and cost-effective network environment. This proactive approach ensures that your communication systems are always performing at their best.

What our clients think

  • As the client I can only say thanks and its an amazing piece of work by all involved. Believe me that the work to coordinate this work around other issues was challenging but Wayne and ACCL were great.

    TUI / Scott Ronan

    Group 162
  • We had very friendly and efficient service from ACCL. The work they carried out was extremely professional and to a very high standard. I would definitely recommend them for any cable tidying in the office.

    Network Rail / Debbie Frost, PA to MD

    Network Rail

Ready to get a Data Cabinet Tidy?

Regular maintenance, such as dusting and rechecking cable management, will help keep your comms cabinet tidy and efficient in the long term. Would you like assistance with creating a cabinet layout plan or cable labelling strategy?