How Mercury Transformed Data Centre Cable Labelling with Fox-in-a-Box®

Data centres are among the most demanding environments for cable identification. The sheer volume of cables - often running into tens of thousands across server racks, patch panels, and power distribution units - means that every label must be accurate the first time. A single mislabelled cable can cause connectivity issues, extend commissioning timelines, and create costly downtime once the facility is operational.

Mercury's project team identified several pain points that are common across the industry:

These challenges are not unique to Mercury. Any engineering team working on structured cabling installations, whether in data centres, commercial buildings, or telecoms infrastructure, will recognise these frustrations. The question is how to solve them without adding cost or complexity.

Mercury adopted the Fox-in-a-Box® industrial cable label printer as their single labelling platform for the entire project. The system combines the DTP-1 thermal transfer printer, Labacus Innovator® software, and over 200 compatible label types into one compact, portable kit.

Rather than managing separate tools for cable labels, patch panels, and equipment identification, the team was able to handle every labelling requirement through a single workflow. The key capability that made this possible was the system's integration between software, printer, and label materials - all designed to work together from the outset.

Watch: How Fox-in-a-Box® and the Patch Panel Module helped Mercury save time and resources on a data centre build.

Spreadsheet Import: Eliminating Manual Entry

One of the biggest efficiency gains came from the Labacus Innovator® software's ability to import cable schedules directly from spreadsheets. Mercury's engineers had their cable IDs, circuit references, and panel assignments already defined in project documentation. Instead of retyping each identifier, they imported the data directly into the labelling software, which then generated the correct labels automatically.

This approach removed the risk of transcription errors at the source. When the data in the spreadsheet matched the project's design documentation, the labels matched too - ensuring complete traceability from design through to installation.

The Patch Panel Module

For patch panel labelling, Mercury used the dedicated Patch Panel Module within Labacus Innovator®. This feature allows engineers to define the exact dimensions and port layout of any patch panel, regardless of manufacturer, and then print a single aligned strip of labels that fits perfectly.

Instead of measuring, cutting, and applying individual labels to each port (a process that is both slow and prone to alignment errors), the team printed complete label strips. At a print speed of 100mm per second, the system can produce labels for up to 60 panels in a single minute. For a project with hundreds of patch panels, the time savings were substantial.

In the second part of this case study, Mercury's site engineer Stephen walks through the practical, day-to-day workflow the team followed on the data centre project - from importing data to applying finished labels.

Watch: Stephen from Mercury explains the on-site cable labelling workflow and the practical gains achieved.

1. 1

   Import cable schedule

   The project's master cable schedule was imported from Excel into Labacus Innovator®, automatically populating cable IDs and panel references. This eliminated manual typing across thousands of entries.

2. 2

   Configure label templates

   Templates were set up for each label type: Fox-Flo® tie-on cable labels for the main cable runs, and Prolab® Patch Panel Labels for the structured cabling. Templates were saved for reuse, ensuring consistency across shifts and teams.

3. 3

   Print on demand

   The Fox-in-a-Box® kit was set up as a portable labelling station directly on the construction site. Because thermal transfer printing requires no drying time, labels were ready to apply the moment they were printed.

4. 4

   Apply and verify

   Technicians applied cable labels and patch panel strips as each section was cabled. The software's preview feature meant misprints were caught before they happened, reducing waste to near zero.

Stephen highlighted the portability of the system as a significant practical advantage. The entire kit fits on a desk or workbench, and can be moved wherever it is needed on-site. There was no need to send label requests to an office or external supplier - the team had full control over their cable labelling from start to finish.

The shift from manual labelling methods to the Fox-in-a-Box® system delivered several measurable improvements across Mercury's project:

Beyond the direct time savings, the team noted that having a single cable label printer for all label types simplified training, reduced the number of consumables to manage, and made it easier to maintain labelling standards across different teams and shifts on the same project.

Mercury's experience on this data centre project reflects challenges that are common across any large-scale structured cabling installation. Whether you are labelling cables in a server room, fitting out a commercial building's network infrastructure, or managing cable identification across multiple sites, the same principles apply.

Reducing human error at scale

The single most impactful change Mercury made was removing manual data entry from the cable labelling workflow. When cable IDs are imported directly from the project's master schedule, the risk of transcription errors drops to near zero. For projects with hundreds or thousands of unique identifiers, this alone can prevent significant rework during commissioning. The Labacus Innovator® software supports Excel import along with barcodes, QR codes, and GS1 DataMatrix, making it possible to generate identifiers directly from existing project documentation.

Choosing the right labels for data centres

Data centres present specific environmental requirements for cable labels. Labels need to remain legible for the lifetime of the installation, resist heat from nearby equipment, and withstand regular handling during maintenance. For cable identification in these environments, Fox-Flo® tie-on cable labels offer UV stability and LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) compliance. For wrap around cable labels on structured cabling, Prolab® self-laminating wrap-around labels provide a clear protective layer over the printed area, guarding against abrasion and moisture.

Standardisation across teams

On large projects with multiple teams or subcontractors, maintaining consistent labelling standards can be difficult. By using a single software platform with saved templates, Mercury ensured that every label followed the same format regardless of who produced it. This is particularly important for patch panel labelling, where inconsistent label sizing or alignment can make network troubleshooting considerably harder.

How do you label cables in a data centre?

The most effective approach is to import your cable schedule from a spreadsheet into dedicated labelling software, then print labels using a thermal transfer printer. This ensures every cable identifier matches the project documentation exactly. Tie-on cable labels and self-laminating wrap around labels are the most common types used in data centre structured cabling.

How do you label a patch panel?

Dedicated patch panel labelling software, such as the Patch Panel Module in Labacus Innovator®, allows you to define the exact port spacing and layout of any panel. The software generates a single, precisely aligned label strip that covers all ports at once, replacing the slow process of applying individual labels. As covered in our guide on how to label patch panels, this approach works with any manufacturer's hardware.

Can cable labels be printed from Excel?

Yes. Labacus Innovator® supports direct spreadsheet import, allowing engineers to generate cable labels from existing Excel cable schedules without retyping data. This is particularly valuable on large projects where cable IDs are already defined in project documentation and design software.

What type of cable labels last longest in data centres?

For tie-on cable identification, Fox-Flo® LSZH labels are tested to withstand UV exposure and harsh environments. For cables in data pathways, self-laminating wrap around labels protect the printed information beneath a clear cover layer, maintaining legibility throughout the installation's lifespan. Both types are printed using thermal transfer technology, which produces fade-resistant text that outperforms inkjet or laser alternatives in industrial settings.