By using consolidation point s or Multi-User Telecommunications Outlet assemblies (MUTOAs), a system designer can provide a location within the horizontal cabling, close to the office space, that keeps reconfiguration of cabling close to the work area.

The ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.1 (‘568-B.1) Commercial Building Telecommuni-cations Cabling Standard defines a consolidation point as: A location for interconnection between horizontal cables extending from building pathways and horizontal cables extending into furniture pathways. The standard goes on to explain that only one consolidation point may be used within any horizontal cabling run and that it should be at least 15m (49 ft) from the telecommunications room. The consolidation point should be installed in an area that is easily accessible by technicians. Consolidation points are often located within a lockable enclosure.

A consolidation point (CP) is a piece of connecting hardware allowing interconnection between the permanently installed horizontal cables extending from the floor distributor (patch panel) and the movable horizontal cables extending to the telecommunications outlets (TOs).