Why Power over Ethernet (PoE) Is the Smart Choice for Corporate & Industrial Deployments

Power over Ethernet (PoE) has quietly become the gold standard for powering network-connected devices in corporate offices, factories, warehouses, and commercial kitchens. For use cases such as conference room scheduling tablets, room control panels, or kitchen display system (KDS) tablet docks, PoE offers clear advantages over traditional AC power from wall outlets.

This article is designed as a quick, actionable guide so you can immediately choose the PoE hardware that best fits your situation.

What Is PoE (and Why It Matters)?

PoE delivers both power and data through a single Ethernet cable. That means no wall adapter, no electrician, and no exposed AC outlet near your device.

In professional environments, this brings major operational, safety, and cost benefits.

PoE vs AC Power: At a Glance

✔ Key Advantages of PoE

1. Single-Cable Simplicity

One Ethernet cable handles everything:

• Power
• Network connectivity
• Centralized management

Fewer components = fewer failures.

2. Safer by Design

PoE operates at low voltage (typically 48 V DC), making it:

• Safer around people
• Ideal for kitchens and industrial areas
• Compliant with low-voltage installation rules

No exposed AC plugs near sinks, food prep, or metal equipment.

3. Centralized Power Control

With PoE, IT teams can:

• Reboot devices remotely
• Power-cycle frozen tablets
• Shut down devices after hours
• Use UPS-backed network racks for continued operation during outages

With AC adapters, none of this is possible.

4. Faster & Cheaper Installations

Installing PoE typically means:

• No electrician
• No permits
• No wall outlet relocation
• Clean, flush wall or counter installs

This is especially valuable when deploying dozens of tablets across a site.

5. Cleaner, More Professional Look

PoE eliminates:

• Dangling power bricks
• Visible wall chargers
• Consumer-grade adapters

The result is a clean, enterprise-grade installation that matches modern corporate environments.

When You Don’t Have a PoE Switch

Not every site has a PoE-enabled network switch. The good news: you don’t need to replace your entire network to benefit from PoE.

Below are two proven PoE injector approaches using readily available industrial-grade hardware from McMaster-Carr.

Option 1: Power a Single Tablet or Device

Best for:

• One-off conference rooms
• Single scheduling tablet
• Pilot deployments
• Retrofits

Recommended Hardware

Power Over Ethernet Injector (Single Unit)

🔗 https://www.mcmaster.com/6966N12/

This inline PoE injector:

• Adds PoE power without changing your infrastructure
• Make it sit between your existing network switch and the device if data + power is desired
• For power only, simply connect the tablet dock/enclosure to the "OUT" port
• Is ideal for powering a single tablet enclosure

Compatible Power Cord (Sold Separately)

🔗 https://www.mcmaster.com/71535K51/

This standard power cord connects the injector to an AC outlet.

When to choose this option

• You only need to power 1–2 devices
• Rack mounting is unnecessary
• You want the fastest, simplest deployment

Option 2: Power Up to 16 Devices from a Rack

Best for:

• Multiple conference rooms
• Large office floors
• Kitchens with several KDS tablets
• IT-managed environments

Recommended Hardware

Rack-Mount PoE Ethernet Switch (16 Ports)

🔗 https://www.mcmaster.com/9293N112/

This switch:

• Powers up to 16 PoE devices
• Centralizes power and networking
• Can be connected to a UPS for resilience
• Scales cleanly as deployments grow

When to choose this option

• You have multiple tablets or panels
• Devices are deployed across a floor or building
• You want centralized power control and monitoring

Don’t Forget the Ethernet Cable

PoE-Rated Ethernet Cord

🔗 https://www.mcmaster.com/5591N11/

Always use PoE-rated Ethernet cables:

• Designed for higher current
• Reduced heat buildup
• Improved long-term reliability

This is especially important for:

• Always-on displays
• Warm environments (kitchens, factories)
• Long cable runs

Quick Selection Guide

Your Situation	Recommended Setup
1 tablet, no rack	Single PoE Injector
2–4 tablets	Multiple Injectors or Small PoE Switch
5–16 tablets	Rack-Mount PoE Switch
Mission-critical displays	Rack PoE + UPS

Final Takeaway

For corporate and industrial tablet deployments, PoE is safer, cleaner, more reliable, and easier to manage than AC power.

Whether you’re installing:

• Conference room scheduling tablets
• Room control panels
• Kitchen display systems

PoE enables professional-grade installations without the complexity of traditional electrical work.

And even if your network isn’t PoE-ready today, PoE injectors and rack switches make adoption fast and painless.