INTERVIEW WITH TREND NETWORKS

Headquartered in the UK, with international offices and an experienced global team, TREND Networks manufactures and supplies a range of industry leading and dependable test equipment that makes the job simpler for network technicians and cable installers. 

The range includes cable certifiers, data cable testers, cable verifiers, cable qualifiers, fibre cable testers, active network testers, network transmission testers, PoE testers, CCTV testers, bandwidth testers, industrial ethernet testers, and more.

Every day, the TREND Networks team is committed to exceeding expectations, even in difficult circumstances. Going above and beyond to support customers is in the company’s DNA. With a deeply engrained ‘Depend On Us’ philosophy, installers and technicians know they can count on the performance and support they need to be productive. 

Through technical support, training, service, calibration, and advice, as well as resources to help educate users, the businesses the company works with can be reassured that TREND Networks will help them to become ever-more productive.

Interview with Dan Barrera, Head of Product Innovation at TREND Networks.

Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?

Dan Barrera: TREND Networks believes in partnerships, with our suppliers, employees, and our customers all over the world.  It supports technicians and installers in Europe, North America, Australia, and Asia. 

There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. By taking the time to listen to what customers need, TREND Networks provides frictionless, flexible solutions to specific challenges for each market. The result is long term partnerships that help businesses all over the world to grow and evolve. 

E.E: What’s the news about new products?

D.B: TREND Networks’ most recent product launch is a new Bluetooth-enabled PoE tester which supports advanced test reporting via the TREND AnyWARE Cloud App and test management system. In the past, affordable cable verifiers with PoE (Power over Ethernet) testing have not been able to capture test data needed to create test reports that document PoE performance. However, now businesses have access to detailed test reports, to easily verify that technicians on site have completed an install correctly. Documenting even simple installations provides confidence that the job is correct when the technicians leave the site.

In 2022, TREND Networks also launched LanTEK IV-S, its fastest, most powerful and easy to use copper and fibre cable certifier to date.  It has double the power of the original LanTEK IV model, which was a trailblazer when it was first introduced in 2019. LanTEK IV-S builds on the exceptional functionality and reliability of the original model, with a new dual core processor, new 3.0 operating system software and twice as much memory storage, enabling 5,000 tests to be saved.

Testing links with LanTEK IV-S can now be done 16% more quickly and to help manage the test data, the best-in-class TREND AnyWARE Cloud system has also received a major speed improvement powered by Microsoft® Azure. Plus, it now includes a unique, intuitive folder structure (similar to that found on a PC) that makes organizing tests much easier between the project, building, floor, room, and rack.

Dan Barrera, Head of Product Innovation at TREND Networks.

E.E: What are the ranges of products?

D.B: TREND Networks range includes a range of innovative cloud connected data cable and network testing equipment. This includes:

  • Copper and fibre cable certifiers, such as LanTEK IV-S and FiberTEK IV
  • Cable verifiers, such as VDV II
  • Tone and Probe kits for cable tracing
  • The FiberMASTER range of testers, which includes a compact OTDR and a Power Meter and Light Source
  • Network and cable transmission testers, and troubleshooters such as the NaviTEK and SignalTEK series
  • LanXPLORER Pro In-line LAN network troubleshooter
  • PoE Pro tester and verifier
  • Bandwidth and Ethernet tester SignalTEK 10G
  • Industrial Ethernet (PROFINET) tester SignalTEK IE
  • SecuriTEST IP, digital and analogue CCTV tester

E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?

D.B: At TREND Networks we have seen the customers increasingly need to be confident that data cable and network testing equipment provides fast, accurate results in all circumstances – even the most difficult ones. That is why we are committed to ensuring businesses can depend on our equipment, depend on our data, and depend on our support.

E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?

D.B: Access to dependable test data is crucial. So, TREND AnyWARE Cloud has been a key innovation. This platform makes it possible to combine cloud connected testers with a secure and simple-to-use test management portal. The TREND AnyWARE Cloud enables users to easily share or access accurate test data from across the fleet anywhere, anytime, and produce the professional test reports that give customers confidence.  

It also supports extensive pre-configuration, so project managers can help users to save time and increase accuracy. The secure, cloud-based tool is accessed on a web browser, and can be used from any PC, laptop or tablet.

The FiberMASTER series is another key innovation. It includes a simple handheld OTDR, PON OTDR, Power Meter and Light Source, and Inspection Probe which enables cable installers to get the dependable test results needed, while saving time on training, and thousands of pounds.

The testers uniquely feature industry-leading dynamic range, helping users to test longer fibers, PON systems and to maintain accuracy on high-loss fibers. The range is designed so that even those with limited experience or training can quickly be up and running, carrying out accurate tests while saving more than 50% compared to other premium brands.

There is ever-increasing demand on LAN networks from bandwidth hungry services, such as video streaming, video conferencing, CCTV cameras and Wi-Fi access points. This extra pressure on networks can lead to expensive downtime and lost productivity but replacing all cabling to improve bandwidth is cost-prohibitive for many organizations. SignalTEK 10G, a handheld Ethernet tester, provides a solution. It is designed to measure the maximum bandwidth available on networks, identify bottlenecks and find ways to increase bandwidth without the need to replace expensive data cabling.

By simulating actual network traffic SignalTEK 10G enables users to test, troubleshoot and document network and data cable performance up to 10 Gigabit Ethernet standards. Once the upgrade is installed, SignalTEK 10G can be used again to test and prove performance to international standards. With built-in Wi-Fi connectivity it connects to the free IDEAL AnyWARE Cloud test management system to generate professional reports for the client.

E.E: What estimations do you have for the rest of 2022?

D.B: 2022 has been a successful year for TREND Networks in terms of both global sales and product innovation. In 2023, the company will continue to innovate, and will be bringing the benefits of the best-in-class TREND AnyWARE Cloud system to even more of the range of testers to help technicians and installers work more accurately and productively.  

The UK Headquarters of the business will also be moving to a new, larger site in early 2023 which will enable TREND Networks to bring all its operations under one roof with all the associated benefits for its customers and partners. Here, the expert team will continue its excellent work in making TREND Networks the leading name in network and cable testing equipment.

TREND Networks

Stokenchurch House, Oxford Road,

Stokenchurch, High Wycombe,

Buckinghamshire, HP14 3SX, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)1925 428 380

Email: uksales@trend-networks.com

Tech Support: Tech.Support@trend-networks.com

https://www.trend-networks.com