APC 2006 Annual Report Download - page 23

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Energy efficiency: a major challenge
By accelerating efficiency gains, global energy
demand in 2050 could be reduced to nearly half the
level of today’s consumption.
Source: IEA, June 2006
Schneider Electric offers comprehensive solutions for
the residential market, with protection devices like cir-
cuit breakers and contactors; switches, sockets, drives
and thermostats; control systems for doors, gates and
shutters; and security, fire alarm and intruder alert sys-
tems. The Group’s VDI networks also bring telephone,
television and Internet capabilities into each room. The
low voltage lineup, rated up to 1 kV, complies with local
standards.
Energy efficiency and
optimized electricity management
The 2005 acquisition of Power Measurement Inc.
strengthened the Group’s position in the distribution of
high-quality electricity and in electricity management.
The lineup combines intelligent measurement and
monitoring devices with Internet-interface software to
manage complex energy contracts in real time, improve
energy quality and ensure uninterrupted service.
Critical power and cooling services
The critical power market is in the midst of strong and
lasting growth driven by increased demand for high-
quality, reliable electricity for a growing number of appli-
cations. American Power Conversion offers a strong fit
with Schneider Electric subsidiary MGE UPS Systems
in terms of products, geographic coverage and sales
channels, plus the possibility of capitalizing on its pow-
erful innovation capabilities.
Automation & Control
Number 1 worldwide in industrial control
Number 3 worldwide in automation devices
Number 4 worldwide in building automation
Since acquiring Telemecanique in 1988, Schneider
Electric has constantly strengthened its presence in
automation and industrial control.
The Group has pursued an active policy of partner-
ships and acquisitions to broaden its lineup, which
comprises speed drives, human-machine interface
(HMI) terminals, supervision, control and data acquisi-
tion (SCADA) software, packaging machine automa-
tion systems and motion control solutions.
Schneider Electric is also active in the fast-growing
market for customized automation devices and sen-
sors, thanks to acquisitions of such technological lead-
ers as BEI.
At the same time, the Group has taken a firm foothold
in the sizeable and promising building automation mar-
ket (worth some 1 billion). In the past three years,
Schneider Electric has created one of the world’s lead-
ing players in this market.
Automation devices and industrial control
Schneider Electric supplies programmable logic con-
trollers and automation platforms, as well as special-
ized configuration, programming, operating assistance
and supervision software.
Its industrial control lineup ranges from contactors,
overload relays and motor circuit breakers to speed
drives, motion controllers, sensors, control units and
operator terminals.
Custom sensors
Schneider Electric offers the most complete lineup in
the market, with leadership positions in angular speed
sensors (number one worldwide in leading-edge
quartz gyro technology), and in position and pressure
sensors for the automobile, aeronautic and manufac-
turing industries.
Building automation
The Group has put together a comprehensive, innova-
tive range of automation solutions backed by design
and supervision software to manage building utilities.
The range is based on open, integrated systems that
address operators’ real needs. These solutions make it
possible to optimize installations, modernize them cost
effectively, reduce maintenance costs and energy con-
sumption and enhance comfort and security.
An extensive array of services
Schneider Electric offers an increasingly comprehen-
sive, high value-added range of services to support
customers throughout their installations’ useful lives.
Electrical distribution and automation systems have
become highly computerized and extremely complex,
driving strong demand for services. More and more,
equipment management and maintenance are being
outsourced. Users want expert advice when they make
investment decisions to enhance installation perform-
ance, improve energy efficiency and reduce mainte-
nance expenses.
Installed base services
Schneider Electric handles electrical maintenance for
existing installations, on- and off-site management of
spare parts, warranty extensions, and upgrading to
extend useful life.
Studies and projects
This entails auditing facilities and recommending solu-
tions to modernize, extend or optimize them, as well as
setting up management and monitoring systems to
align power quality and distribution with needs and to
ensure a secure supply for critical applications.
High value added services
In response to the need for reliable, safe and high per-
formance buildings and to help customers meet the
growing challenge of energy efficiency, Schneider
Electric is developing customized services to:
Optimize energy consumption for greater efficiency.
Enhance electrical installation reliability and avail-
ability.
Manage costs and risks related to operation and
maintenance.