What Is Softwiring?
What is softwiring?
Softwiring is a modular cable management system designed for office environments. Instead of hardwiring power and data through walls, ceilings or floors, soft wiring systems sit under the desk — connecting workstations to floor boxes or wall outlets through a flexible trunking basket.
The term "soft" refers to the fact that nothing is fixed in the wall. The wiring is accessible, moveable, and reconfigurable without a licensed electrician.
What Does a Softwiring System Include?
A standard CMS softwiring installation includes:
- Under-desk power basket — mounts beneath the worktop, holds power and data modules
- Power outlets — typically 2–4 GPO points, 10A each
- Data ports — RJ45 Cat6 or Cat6A, depending on specification
- Cable trunking — routes power and data cables neatly from the basket to the floor box
- Floor box connection — connects the basket run to building services
How Softwiring Works
- A power/data basket is mounted under the desk
- Power and data cables run from the basket through cable trunking to the nearest floor box
- The floor box connects to the building electrical and data infrastructure
- The desk gets clean, accessible power and data — no loose cables, no extension cords
CMS Softwiring
CMS stands for Cable Management Solutions — an Australian supplier of commercial-grade under-desk power and data systems. CMS softwiring products are widely used in commercial fit-outs, co-working spaces, education facilities, and government offices. They meet Australian electrical standards and integrate with standard floor box formats.
Softwiring.au stocks and supplies CMS softwiring systems. Orders are fulfilled direct from the CMS warehouse to your site.
Softwiring vs Hardwiring — What is the Difference?
| Softwiring | Hardwiring | |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | No electrician required for relocation | Licensed electrician required |
| Flexibility | Move with the desk | Fixed in place |
| Cost to reconfigure | Low | High |
| Suitable for | Open plan, agile, flexible offices | Fixed workstations, permanent layouts |
FAQ
Is softwiring safe?
Yes. CMS softwiring systems comply with Australian Standards. The under-desk basket and cable trunking are designed for commercial use. Connection to the floor box uses standard Australian plug/socket formats — no modifications to fixed wiring.
Do I need an electrician to install softwiring?
For the under-desk basket, no. You mount the basket and plug into the floor box yourself. If you need new floor boxes installed or existing electrical infrastructure changed, that work requires a licensed electrician.
What is the difference between softwiring and a power board?
A power board is a consumer product — not designed for commercial permanent use. Softwiring is a commercial-grade permanent installation designed for the life of the fit-out.
How long does installation take?
A single workstation can be set up in under 30 minutes. Most facilities managers handle it themselves — no specialist required.