The Field Challenges Driving the Express TL
The Express TL is the next evolution of Precision Group’s PF-Express-1000 NID, redesigned with installers in mind. Built as a scalable platform, Express TL makes it easier to adapt and expand network installations without starting from scratch.
As fiber deployments continue to expand across rural, suburban, and urban markets, installers are working with tighter budgets, faster installation timelines, and growing expectations from providers and homeowners alike.
But when the fiber drop reaches the side of the home, the challenge becomes practical: the network interface device (NID) still needs to be durable, organized, and simple to install.
Interestingly, the Express TL didn’t start as a design exercise. It started with a problem in the field.
“The reason we really came up with the Tool-Less Express NID wasn’t so much form and function,” says Joe Ascheman, Director of Sales in the West for Precision Group. “It really stemmed from pricing and trying to figure out ways to stay competitive without giving away the integrity of the product.”
When Pricing Pressure Forces Better Design
Precision had been working with several providers who were comparing options across multiple NID manufacturers. Despite strong performance in the field, pricing pressure was becoming harder to ignore.
Rather than reducing material quality or simplifying the enclosure too far, the team began looking for ways to streamline manufacturing without sacrificing durability.
“We were trying to reduce cost where we could without thinning out the plastic or lowering the overall integrity of the box, says Joe.”
The solution was surprisingly simple: eliminate unnecessary assembly steps.
The Express TL introduces a fully tool-less internal design, allowing components to snap into place rather than being fastened with screws. This reduces assembly time during manufacturing while maintaining the rugged performance installers expect.
The result is a product that remains durable in the field while also helping providers stay within tighter deployment budgets.
The Moment Precision Realized They Needed a Different Approach
The biggest turning point came after a lost opportunity.
Joe remembers walking away from a conversation with a customer feeling frustrated.
“I threw my hands up and said we can’t win them all.”
But the next morning, he realized something important.
“I got mad at myself because I did the one thing we’re not supposed to do at Precision. I didn’t even think about pulling them in and asking, ‘What do you want?’”
That realization changed the direction of the project entirely.
Instead of adapting an existing product, Precision invited several customers to collaborate directly on the design.
Designing the Express TL With Customers in the Room
Three providers traveled to Precision’s facility in Franklin, Kentucky to review existing NID designs with the engineering team.
During the meeting, Precision engineers began modifying the design in real time.
“They got a Precision Group Engineer on the call and he pulled up his CAD drawings. As they were talking, he was removing pieces and adding things back in based on what they were asking for.”
Using the existing ExpressNID shell as a starting point, the team developed multiple internal configurations that could support different installation needs.
The result was more than just a redesigned enclosure. It was the foundation for a flexible, modular platform.
A NID That Works Like a Modular Platform
One of the defining features of the Express TL is its tool-less snap-in architecture.
Instead of fixed internal components, the enclosure allows interchangeable back plates and components to be added or removed depending on the installation scenario.
Joe describes the concept simply.
“It becomes kind of like a Lego set.”
This modular approach allows providers to use the same enclosure while adapting the internal configuration for different deployment scenarios.
The Express TL can support:
- Single-family residential installations
- Small multi-dwelling unit (MDU) deployments
- Integrated ONT mounting options
- Splitter configurations
- Additional fiber management components
Rather than designing an entirely new enclosure for each scenario, installers can use the same NID shell and configure the inside to match the job.
Simplifying Inventory for Fiber Providers
Another benefit quickly became clear during development: simplifying inventory management.
Fiber providers often manage numerous enclosures and accessories across a network build. Installers may need to carry multiple NID styles or determine which enclosure is required before arriving at a job site.
Because the Express TL uses interchangeable internal components, providers can deploy one enclosure platform across multiple applications.
This helps reduce:
- Inventory complexity
- The number of SKUs providers must stock
- The likelihood of installers arriving on site without the correct enclosure
For many providers, that operational efficiency can significantly simplify large-scale deployments.
Improving Cable Routing and Installation
During development, Precision’s engineering team also identified opportunities to improve cable routing inside the enclosure.
In earlier versions of the ExpressNID, routing a jumper around the internal cable management loops sometimes required feeding the cable underneath the incoming drop cable.
“Instead of doing a quick loop, installers had to snake the jumper underneath the drop cable every time, says Joe.”
The updated Express TL includes an improved grommet and clip design that moves the drop cable toward the back of the enclosure. This clears space inside the box and allows installers to route jumper cables more easily.
Small design improvements like this can make a noticeable difference during daily installs in the field.
The “Goldilocks” Size for Residential Installs
Another consideration raised during customer discussions was enclosure size.
Large NIDs can create resistance from homeowners when mounted on the exterior of a house. Smaller enclosures, however, may not provide enough space for proper cable management.
The Express TL was designed to strike a balance.
“It’s big enough that installers still have room to coil cable inside the box, but small enough that homeowners aren’t going to complain about a big enclosure on the side of their house.”
Joe often refers to it as the “Goldilocks box.”
Not too big. Not too small. Just right for most residential fiber installations.
Built to Evolve With Fiber Networks
Built as a scalable platform, the Express TL makes it easier for providers to adapt as network deployments evolve.
Because the enclosure uses a modular internal structure, Precision can continue developing new back plates and mounting options without redesigning the entire enclosure.
Future configurations could include:
- Additional ONT mounting options
- Expanded fiber management solutions
- New internal layouts for different deployment scenarios
This flexibility allows providers to continue using the same enclosure platform as their network needs grow.
Built the Precision Way
For Joe, the story behind the Express TL reflects how Precision approaches product development.
“At Precision, it usually starts with a simple idea and a conversation with the customer.”
Instead of guessing what installers might need, the team works directly with the people deploying fiber networks every day.
That collaborative approach continues to shape Precision’s products, and in this case, it turned a pricing challenge into one of the most adaptable NID platforms in the company’s lineup.
Express TL Key Benefits
The Express TL builds on the proven PF-Express-1000 platform while introducing a fully tool-less architecture designed to simplify installation and improve manufacturing efficiency.
Key advantages include:
Learn More About Express TL
The Express TL represents the next evolution of Precision Group’s NID platform—combining installer-focused design, modular flexibility, and manufacturing efficiency.
To explore configuration options and full product specifications, visit the Express TL product page.
