AddOn Networks disrupts status quo in optical transceiver market

By Pradeep Chakraborty

Data centers are set to be the driving force behind increasing optical transceiver sales, which are set to reach $6.87 billion by 2022. AddOn provides fully-functional, readily-deployable, fully-tested, compatible transceivers that outperform and outlast OEM equivalents – at a fraction of cost.

AddOn Networks, based in Tustin, California, USA, has launched a customer-first focus, state-of-the-art $20 million programming and testing lab. The testing lab enables AddOn to offer the proposition of transceivers guaranteed for functionality and performance.

So, how does AddOn deliver optical transceivers that meet and exceed OEM needs?

A company spokesperson said: “Since the OEMs may either batch test their transceiver products or not test them at all, customers are forced to adopt a ‘hope-and-pray’ stance when it comes to installing and using these critical components.

“Add On tests every single part we send out. Most OEMs do batch testing or they just test one or two parts in a lot. We also go the extra mile and test that part in what we call “intended-use” or in-environment testing.

“We ask our customers to verify what switches these transceivers will be plugged into. We mimic that in our lab and make sure that that transceiver is performing in the exact set up the customer will be using it for. When purchasing from AddOn, customers are assured that their new transceivers have been individually tested and serialized/MSA-compliant.”

How is AddOn providing cost-effective transceivers that put full optical deployment within the reach of more data centers? Aren’t there others?

He added: “Basically, we’re removing barriers to adopt optical transceivers and high-speed cabling, by providing trusted, tested and independent solutions that challenge current pricing models. We provide fully-functional, compatible transceivers that outperform and outlast OEM equivalents – at a fraction of the cost.

“These cost savings allows our customers to stretch their IT budgets beyond what they thought was possible. There are others, but they don’t offer the quality that we do. There’s still a concern about performance from a third-party optics company. We’ve taken that concern away with our process and testing.”

How does AddOn’s testing lab enable it to offer proposition of transceivers that are guaranteed for functionality and performance?

He said: “We’re fully aware that true quality and reliability come with a cost, and we’ve put our money where our mouth is here: in the form of a new, $20 million, state-of-the-art programming and testing lab. Here, we are able to test to specifications, OEM standards and within the intended environment.

“This attention to detail has led our products to achieve an industry-leading success rate of 99.98 percent for all transceivers shipped – compared to an average of 85 percent from competitors. This is critical, because small differences in failure rates create a large probability of failure at high unit volumes during deployment. Transceiver failure creates significant downtime and can halt expensive deployments. This is mostly due to our stringent testing process and Data Traveler process (programming and serialization).

Finally, what is the industry-leading Data Traveler process for optical transceivers?

He noted: “It’s our proprietary tracking system that creates a living manifest and allows us to uniquely serialize, track and ship every part. AddOn’s Data Traveler process tracks every part through unique serialization, programming, testing, labeling, boxing and shipping. We’ve set the blueprint for how to program, test and ship product at a high volume without sacrificing quality or performance.”