Remote management has become a valued technology for electronics professionals in the residential and commercial markets. Offering dealers a reasonably priced, power distribution unit (PDU), TRENDnet has introduced the subject of today’s CE Pro Mini Review, the TPI-06.

According to the company, the TPI-06 is a six-outlet, network-managed PDU that can be rack mounted. TRENDnet points out the unit offers the ability to control power consumption, as well as options for the automation of outlet rebooting in situations where power has been lost.

TRENDnet also points out the six-outlet unit incorporates power protection to keep plugged in components safe from surges and other harmful power-related events. Each of the unit’s NEMA 5-15R outlets offer the capability for individual control, including port power on/off delays for customized applications, and customizable power scheduling.

The company supports the TPI-06 with its TRENDnet Hive cloud-based network management platform.

Setting up the TPI-06 for the review really didn’t take much time. Once I unboxed the PDU, I placed it into my AV cabinet and ran an Ethernet cable from my network to the TPI-06. I then plugged in a motorized Stewart Filmscreen into the unit, as well as a Victrola turntable. I finished by plugging the unit into a wall socket, and then I proceeded to the TRENDnet Hive portion of the setup.

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After setting up my account I began to work on getting the PDU integrated into the Hive cloud network platform. I’ll say that based on my experience, the Hive network does provide remote management, but it can be cumbersome to setup and navigate. I will point out the I tried the platform before it was updated.

I should also point out that existing TRENDnet dealers probably won’t have any problem with the setup and navigation using the Hive cloud platform because they’ve probably had training—or at the very least they have experience using the solution. I started cold, without any training or prior experience with TRENDnet, and I suspect have some experience and/or training would have made the remote management portion of the TPI-06’s setup easier.

One other note that I should emphasize is the company has just announced that it has updated the TRENDnet Hive platform. The company states the updates include revamped registration and renewal processes for dealers managing their clients’ products. TRENDnet also says that it has “enhanced” the platform with amenities such as a free trial user program.

Anyway, getting back to my review of the TRENDnet TPI-06, I like the product. It’s well built, I think the front-panel LED indicators perfectly visually communicate the PDU’s status as a less sophisticated means of product management, and the Hive cloud platform does provide the remote management that is so important for many dealers in today’s world of instant gratification.

Summing up my thoughts—Offering integrators a value-minded, cloud-based manageable PDU solution, the TRENDnet TPI-06 is worth checking out. Existing TRENDnet dealers shouldn’t have any of the learning curve I experienced with the power protection unit, while dealers new to TRENDnet will likely experience a learning curve with the Hive platform.  Regardless of where someone stands as a new dealer or a long-time TRENDnet dealer, the one point with the PDU that new and existing dealers will recognize is that it provides power management at a very competitive price point.

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