You’ve just received your order from Clearfield®. Now it’s time to schedule your first-install support from Clearfield! You and your team are all probably very excited to get going, but how about we take a step back and ask a very important question, “Are you truly ready?”
This basic question can be the difference between a successful install and an install that is going to experience delays. In my experience as a field technician, being truly ready means giving attention to two critical things.
First: CHECK YOUR INVENTORY! This is probably the most important step. I have been on many installs where I arrived and all of the product is still wrapped up on the pallet. Oftentimes, this can mean unpacking only to find an important piece missing. This means either the install can only be half done or that the install cannot proceed until that piece arrives. Obviously, neither of these scenarios is desirable. On one hand, you have to wait on the install, which costs both time and money. On the other hand, the technicians are unable to utilize the full benefit of Clearfield’s presence on site to help you and answer any questions that may come up.
Second: VERIFY that the install location is actually ready to go. I have been to quite a few installs where a location is chosen, but just before the installation is to take place, something comes up that prevents us from actually doing the install. For example, if you’re planning to pull our pre-connectorized FieldShield® drops and want training on how to build the connectors, it would be very hard to do if the duct is not in place first.
If you want to get a jump on your first install, check out the resources on the Clearfield website. Whether you’re an employee or a contractor, our videos give you information and tips we’ve learned along the way. Watch one of our smart guys interviewed about different fiber-fed deployments in our Interview Videos. Take a look at our Demonstration Videos for a real-world look at our fiber optic products and how they can fit into your network. Get a sense of how our products work together in different applications with Product Animations.
We also have installation manuals with instructions for deploying Clearfield products successfully in your FTTH, MDU, Business, Wireless or other environment. Reviewing these will give you an idea of what to expect from Clearfield.
When Clearfield comes out for first-install support, we want to make sure you get the full benefit from our being there – to answer your questions and solve a problem that may come up. If your inventory is in place and location fully verified before you schedule your first time installation support, you will reap the benefits from those of us who come to support you.
If you want to know more, please reach out to Clearfield. We’re happy to help.
By Brock Hill
Brock Hill, Field Technician, has worked at Clearfield for 7 years. His area of expertise is in installation…particularly, first-time installs. Brock has BICSI Installer 2, Optical Fiber certification.