Clearfield Introduces FieldSmart
Platform Introduces New Paradigm of Plug & Go Fiber Management
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 01/21/08 -- Clearfield, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLFD) (formerly APA Cables & Networks), a leader in fiber management solutions, today announced the FieldSmart Fiber Management Platform for central office applications. With Clearfield's Clearview Cassette(TM) at its heart, all central office and outside plant installations are built from a single 12-port building block, scaling any environment from as few as 12 to as many as 864 users without cost penalty. Unlike conventional fiber management solutions where radius and physical fiber protection is met through an expensive fixed bulkhead design inside an overall housing, with FieldSmart every 12-fiber increment is encased in its own module. After field-trials and pilot installations, FieldSmart is currently shipping with a current order backlog of more than 60,000 ports.
"FTTX networks demand a new approach to fiber management," explains Johnny Hill, vice president of engineering and product management for Clearfield. "Rather than leave fiber management solely in the hands of the field-technician, FieldSmart ensures built-in fiber management direct from the factory. Not only will this provide a new level of performance and reliability, but service providers are seeing their costs of deployment reduced as users are added using a 'Plug & Go' approach -- adding 12 ports of fully protected fiber at a time."
FieldSmart Fiber Distribution System (FDS)
The FieldSmart Fiber Distribution System (FDS) provides modular construction for scalable capacity in the central office. The FieldSmart FDS is ideal for broadband and enterprise connectivity applications, scaling from a 1RU panel supporting 24 ports to the industry's densest frame solution -- 288 ports in 11 inches, delivering a complete frame of 1728 ports of either on or off-frame splicing.
By utilizing the Clearview Cassette, service providers can integrate patch only, patch & splice, as well as optical component modules into the same chassis, allowing complete integration based upon the configuration requirements of the application.
The FieldSmart FDS fully supports a wide range of configurations, densities, connectors and adapter options. Four standard configurations, each available for a 19" as well as 23" environment, are currently shipping. Port counts and heights are as follows:
Name Port Count Height -------------------------------------------------- FieldSmart FDS 24 24 1.75" (1RU) FieldSmart FDS 96 96 3.5" (2RU) FieldSmart FDS 144 144 6" FieldSmart FDS 288 288 11"
About the Clearview Cassette
The Clearview Cassette ensures that all the basic principals of fiber management are satisfied without exposure to environmental hazards or human interaction. Integrated cassette components fully nest into the cassette main housing to support any application or fiber type desired. The basic rules of fiber management become modular and are moved and placed into the environment and configuration as needed.
The Clearview Cassette utilizes a clear outer housing allowing for quick and easy first-step troubleshooting of unacceptable light conditions. Tool-less snap-together nesting covers and a removable 12-pack adapter plate allow for easy access to terminated sub assemblies for maintenance and cleaning.
Availability
The entire FieldSmart fiber management platform is shipping and available from Clearfield, Inc. For additional configuration options, contact www.clearfieldconnection.com or for a price quote, call Clearfield at 800-422-2537.
About Clearfield, Inc.
Clearfield, Inc., formerly APA Cables & Networks, designs and manufactures the FieldSmart fiber management platform, which includes its latest generation Fiber Distribution System (FDS) and Fiber Scalability Center (FSC). The FDS and FSC product-lines support a wide range of panel configurations, densities, connectors and adapter options and are offered alongside an assortment of passive optical components. Clearfield provides a complete line of fiber and copper assemblies for controlled and outside plant environments. Clearfield is a public company, traded on Nasdaq: CLFD. www.clearfieldconnection.com
Forward-looking statements contained herein are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the Company's current expectations and judgments about future developments in the Company's business. Certain important factors could have a material impact on the Company's performance, including, without limitation, delays in or increased costs of production, delays in or lower than anticipated sales of the Company's new products, the Company's ability to sell such products at a profitable price, the Company's ability to fund operations, and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect actual events.
Contact: Gary Young 612-247-8123 gary@fatfrogmarketing.com
Released January 21, 2008