I finally understood why my old boss was so picky about cable ties

Last month, I was fixing a server rack for a small business in Portland. The previous tech had used zip ties, but they were all different lengths and cut with sharp edges facing out. I spent an extra 20 minutes just redoing them with the right size and flush cutters. My first boss, like 8 years ago, would lose his mind if we didn't do it 'his way'. I always thought it was just him being a control freak. But as I was finishing, the client's IT guy walked in, ran his hand along the back of the rack, and just said 'clean'. He didn't even look at the hardware. That's when it clicked. It wasn't about the cable tie itself, it was about showing the next person that you cared about their time and safety. It's a tiny detail that tells a whole story. Anyone else have a small practice that took you forever to appreciate?

2 comments

2 Comments

victor_taylor3211h ago

You mentioned using flush cutters, which is good, but honestly, the real pro move is using velcro ties for server racks. Zip ties are a pain for the next person who has to add or move a cable. That sharp edge thing is a real safety issue, but so is having to cut out a bunch of zip ties to make one change. Velcro is reusable and just as tidy.

the_logan4h ago

Man, why did it take me so long to get this too? I was the guy leaving the sharp edges for years, total facepalm. @victor_taylor32 is right about velcro though, I'm a recent convert and it's a game changer.