Software Integration
How Labacus Innovator® Integrates with Fluke Networks® LinkWare™ Live
Discover how Silver Fox® cable labelling software connects directly to Fluke Networks® testing platforms to eliminate manual data entry, reduce errors, and streamline data centre and network infrastructure projects.
For engineers working on data centre installations, network infrastructure, or any large-scale cabling project, one of the most time-consuming challenges is ensuring that cable identifiers match across labels, test results, and documentation. Mismatched identifiers lead to rework, delays, and costly mistakes.
Silver Fox® has addressed this challenge by integrating Labacus Innovator® and LabelFlex® cable labelling software with Fluke Networks® LinkWare™ Live and Versiv™ testers. This integration allows engineers to import test data directly into their labelling software, creating a seamless workflow from testing to labelling.
1. Platform Overview
What is LinkWare™ Live?
LinkWare™ Live is a cloud-based platform from Fluke Networks® that streamlines the management of cable test results. It serves as a central hub for project data, enabling teams to track testing progress, manage tester configurations, and generate certification reports from anywhere.
Direct Upload
Upload test results from the job site over Wi-Fi, eliminating the risk of losing data due to tester damage or loss.
Remote Management
Configure testers remotely, manage software versions, and track calibration status from any device.
Real-Time Tracking
Monitor testing progress from any mobile device with real-time updates on project status.
The platform maintains a single database for cable identifiers, ensuring consistency across your entire project. This is where the integration with Silver Fox® becomes particularly powerful: by connecting directly to this database, Labacus Innovator® can generate labels that exactly match your test data.
2. The Problem
Why Identifier Consistency Matters
A critical challenge faced by contractors is ensuring that cable identifiers match across labels, test results, and reports. When engineers manually enter cable IDs into labelling software, transcription errors are almost inevitable on large projects. A single mismatched identifier can trigger hours of troubleshooting and rework.
Manual Entry Risks
Typing cable IDs by hand introduces human error. On a project with thousands of cables, even a small error rate creates significant problems during commissioning.
Documentation Mismatches
When labels don't match test reports, project handover becomes complicated and clients may reject the certification documentation.
The integration between Labacus Innovator® and LinkWare™ Live addresses this by maintaining a single source of truth. Cable IDs created in LinkWare™ Live flow directly into the labelling software, eliminating the need for manual re-entry and ensuring that printed labels match test results exactly.
3. The Silver Fox® Approach
One System for All Your Labelling
The Silver Fox® labelling system is built around simplicity and efficiency. Rather than juggling multiple printers, software packages, and label types, the Fox-in-a-Box® system provides everything you need in one solution.
Key Aspects of the Silver Fox® Solution
- One Software, One Printer, One Ribbon: Simplify your labelling process by eliminating the need for multiple systems
- Rigorously Tested Labels: Labels undergo extensive testing for UV, heat, and chemical exposure
- Lifetime Free Updates: Software updates are included at no additional cost
- Unique Patch Panel Solution: Design and print labels for any patch panel from any OEM
This simplified approach becomes even more powerful when combined with LinkWare™ Live integration. Engineers can import their test data, generate labels for cables and patch panels, and print everything from a single system, all while maintaining perfect consistency with their certification documentation.
For more on labelling data centre infrastructure, see our guide to labelling Ethernet cables and data centres.
4. Benefits
What the Integration Delivers
The integration of Labacus Innovator® with LinkWare™ Live brings several significant benefits to network installation projects.
Reduced Errors
By synchronising the systems and minimising human interaction, the likelihood of errors is significantly reduced. Labels match test results exactly because they're generated from the same data source.
Time Savings
The integration streamlines the labelling and testing process, allowing for quicker project completion. One large system integrator working on data centre projects reported reducing their labelling time from one month with a previous supplier to just three days with Silver Fox®.
Enhanced Functionality
Users benefit from features specifically designed for network certification workflows, including the ability to filter labels by test status and trim identifiers for patch panel applications.
5. Key Features
Integration-Specific Capabilities
The integration introduces several unique features designed to enhance usability and efficiency for network certification projects.
Trim Function
Shorten and print identifiers for patch panels using the same source as cable IDs, perfect for managing long identifiers that won't fit on smaller labels.
Filter by Results
Print labels based on test status (PASS, FAIL, UNTESTED), ensuring you only print labels for cables that are ready for installation.
Select Range
Choose and print a specific range of labels from your project, making it easier to manage phased installations and large projects.
These features are particularly valuable on large-scale data centre projects where thousands of cables need to be labelled, tested, and documented. The ability to filter labels by test status alone can save hours of sorting and organisation.
6. Workflow
How the Integration Works
The integration creates a seamless workflow from project setup through to final documentation. Here's how it works in practice:
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1
Create Project in LinkWare™ Live
Set up your project in LinkWare™ Live, assigning tests and creating cable IDs. This becomes your single source of truth for the entire project.
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2
Import Data into Labacus Innovator®
Connect Labacus Innovator® to your LinkWare™ Live account and import the project data. Labels are generated automatically based on the cable IDs.
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3
Print Labels
Using the Fox-in-a-Box® printer, print your cable labels and patch panel labels. Apply them to the cables before or after installation.
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4
Test and Upload Results
Test the cables using Fluke Networks® Versiv™ testers. Results are automatically uploaded to LinkWare™ Live over Wi-Fi.
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5
Verify and Document
Project managers can verify that all identifiers match across labels and test results, then generate certification reports with confidence.
The latest version of Labacus Innovator®, Label Workshop 2, includes enhanced data handling capabilities that make this workflow even more efficient.
7. See It in Action
Watch the Integration Webinar
See exactly how the Labacus Innovator® and LinkWare™ Live integration works in this detailed walkthrough. The webinar covers setup, data import, label generation, and best practices for network certification projects.
8. Availability
How to Access the Integration
The Fluke Networks® LinkWare™ Live integration is available on the Advanced and Professional levels of Labacus Innovator® software. If you're already using these software levels, the integration is included at no additional cost.
Access Requirements
- Fox-in-a-Box® Users: Upgrade to Advanced or Professional level to access the integration
- Labacus Innovator® Laser Users: Available on Advanced and Professional software versions
- LabelFlex® for Belden Users: Upgrade to Advanced or above to gain access
- Existing Advanced/Professional Users: Already have access at no extra charge
Silver Fox® also integrates with AEM testers for additional testing platform options.
Next Steps
Ready to Streamline Your Cable Labelling?
Get Started with the Integration
Whether you're new to Silver Fox® or looking to upgrade your existing software, our team can help you set up the Fluke Networks® LinkWare™ Live integration and get your projects running more efficiently.
Contact our expert team at sales@silverfox.co.uk or call +44 (0) 1707 37 37 27.
