APC Introduces First Open InfraStruXure® Central Architecture at CeBIT
APC Adds Comprehensive Monitoring, Integration, and Energy Cost Management Functionality to its Data Center Physical Infrastructure Management Suite
HANNOVER, Germany- CeBIT (Hall 12, Stand B49) - March 3, 2009 - APC by Schneider Electric, a global leader in integrated critical power and cooling services, today announced the latest version of APC's InfraStruXure® Central, Capacity Manager and Change Manager, the next evolution of its Data Center Physical Infrastructure (DCPI) Management Suite of applications, now featuring an open and flexible architecture to integrate with existing IT and building management systems. In addition, energy cost tracking, vendor-neutral communication capabilities and predictive simulation provide a new class of data center energy management, satisfying the requirements of higher density and dynamic data centers.
Integration with APC's DCPI Management Suite is achieved through the open Web Services Application Programming Interface (API), which provides data and events insight into other systems and the ability to include InfraStruXure Central data and alerts into their own dashboards. IT and network management systems will become capable of viewing alerts in their user interface, generated by devices managed by InfraStruXure Central.
"The ability to compile and view data from multi-vendor IT and building management systems into one centralized dashboard is essential for maintaining uptime and maximizing energy efficiency," says John DiPippo, senior vice president, Data Center Solutions, Services, and Software, APC. "The added functionality in APC's DCPI Management Suite provides a central repository for critical information and advanced simulation capabilities helping customers change and grow to accommodate their business needs."
InfraStruXure Central's new Modbus TCP output provides a standardized method of integrating rack level power, cooling, and environmental data and alarms with building management systems, including Schneider Electric's Andover Continuum and TAC Vista. The integration of these management systems provides the ability to correlate the physical infrastructure of the data center "white space" with the supporting building infrastructure. The latest version of InfraStruXure Central also provides the data center operator with a comprehensive mass configuration capability, allowing users to create, store and push the configuration out to similar APC devices with a Network Management Card
The rise in energy costs is a key imperative for implementing comprehensive and intelligent physical infrastructure management, to provide data center operators with critical information needed to design, monitor and operate their physical infrastructure. Increasing energy demand is driving the need for a method to calculate and report energy usage efficiently, in order to allocate energy costs to different business units within the same organization or to customers within co-location or hosting environments. Capacity Manager now offers an Energy Cost Management Report plug-in, which provides visibility into the energy usage of a specified group of equipment, based on kW/hour.
Capacity Manager has also been expanded with the ability to model raised floor environments and calculate the airflow of both perimeter and InRow® cooling solutions, highlighting cooling capacity issues which may lead to hot spots, reduced availability and stranded capacity. Furthermore, additional capacity aspects, such as weight limits, network and power port count, are now also taken into consideration when recommending the best location for new equipment, as well as generate a report on available rack space.
InfraStruXure Central ships as a server appliance, available in three categories: price, value, and performance each with increasing scalability. All appliances are pre-loaded with a new class of data center management software, which includes: Change Manager, Capacity Manager, and Surveillance modules, plus ModBus TCP output, all of which are enabled through license keys. APC also provides a complete set of services to support customers; including installation, deployment, configuration, and consulting services. Specialized training and education services are also available.
Version 5.1 of InfraStruXure Central, Change Manager and Capacity Manager will be available worldwide beginning Q2 2009. To learn more about InfraStruXure Central, Change Manager, and Capacity Manager please visit www.apc.com or call 800-877-4080.
About APC by Schneider Electric
APC by Schneider Electric, a global leader in critical power and cooling services, provides industry leading product, software and systems for home, office, data center and factory floor applications. Backed by the strength, experience, and wide network of Schneider Electric's Critical Power & Cooling Services, APC delivers well planned, flawlessly installed and maintained solutions throughout their lifecycle. Through its unparalleled commitment to innovation, APC delivers pioneering, energy efficient solutions for critical technology and industrial applications. In 2007, Schneider Electric acquired APC and combined it with MGE UPS Systems to form Schneider Electric's Critical Power & Cooling Services Business Unit, which recorded 2008 revenue of 2,6 billion (including APC-MGE sales of $3.7 billion) and employed 12,000 people worldwide. APC solutions include uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), precision cooling units, racks, physical security and design and management software, including APC's InfraStruXure® architecture, the industry's most comprehensive integrated power, cooling, and management solution. Schneider Electric, with 114,000 employees and operations in 100 countries, achieved sales of 18,3 billion in 2008. For more information on APC, please visit www.apc.com. All trademarks are the property of their owners.
For more information contact:
APC Contact
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800-788-2208 ext. 2957,
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CeBIT On-Site
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