If the name Softing Inc. is new to custom integrators, it certainly won’t be after this year’s CEDIA Expo Virtual Experience.
Plus, it’s not as if the company is new, it’s just new to the Expo as this will be the 35+ year-old Knoxville, Tenn., company’s first appearance at the annual tradeshow (register at cediaexpovirtual.com).
Softing lists three main sectors on its website – automotive, industrial and IT networks – and it’s the latter one that is sure to be of special interest to CEDIA channel integrators who visit the company’s virtual booth (go to softinginc.cediaexpovirtual.com) during the Sept. 15-17 event.
“We help customers get connected and stay connected,” Softing director of marketing Deane Horn tells CE Pro.
“Part of the portfolio that helps you get connected – we make redundant fiber-optic Ethernet switches that helps get video monitors, displays, security cameras connected. And we help you stay connected by making Ethernet testing tools.”
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Cable Testers, Network Switches to Save Your Installations
Horn adds that major distributors like Graybar sell Softing products, and the company is eager to tell integrators more about those offerings such as the NetXpert XG and NetXpert XG Plus cable and network testers, and Phoenix Digital Din rail and panel mount camera network switch.
“System integrators that we talk to say they need an easy way to prove copper and fiber Ethernet cable speeds for their audio, video and security applications – and also troubleshoot those Ethernet cables,” Horn explains.
“Also, we hear system integrators looking for an easy, plug-and-play fiber-optic switch that has no configuration, and they’re looking for something super easy to maintain.”
Horn adds that Softing’s redundant fiber-optic switches with a unique ring architecture he says can reduce wiring and installation costs when routing and distributing Ethernet cables for those types of aforementioned applications. All good news to integrators’ ears!
Meanwhile, the NetXpert XG series is a true all-in-one device to qualify 10Gbps speeds to IEEE 802.3 standards, and tests cables and active LAN, plus reporting. Its active network testing covers copper, fiber, wireless, POE, network discovery, DHCP, ping and VLAN.
“It means testing cables, connectors, even SFPs and any patch cables in the middle, end-to-end,” Horn says.
Upgrading to the new NetXpert XG Plus provides some additional features that Horn says are delivered at an attractive price point, and the company will have demos on hand. Not only that, but integrators who visit Softing at CEDIA Expo Virtual can expect to find some show specials as well.
“Come on over, click a topic and meeting time, and we’ll be happy to show you around,” he enthuses.
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