APC 2010 Annual Report Download - page 24

DESCRIPTION OFTHEGROUP, ANDITSSTRATEGY, MARKETS ANDBUSINESSES
1LEADER IN AN INDUSTRY OF THE FUTURE
Data centres and Networks: guaranteed
reliability, availability and efficiency
Data centres are buildings fi lled with servers in secure, air
conditioned rooms, which process and store billions of pieces
of information. They constitute the central nervous systems of
small businesses, multinational corporations and government
departments, and represent a high-potential market thanks to
the widespread digitalisation of social, professional and personal
activities. The expansion of data centres has led to a substantial
increase in electricity consumption related to server operation and
cooling, while the cost of the energy needed to cool the server
rooms will shortly exceed that of the equipment.
With its APC by Schneider Electric solutions, the Group offers a
unique line up to meet the ethical and fi nancial imperatives of energy
effi ciency in data centres and networks. Its solutions, products and
services cover:
•electricity distribution;
•energy management and control;
•architecture design and installation audit;
•critical power systems with UPS and generators;
•cooling with a unique hot air containment system;
•monitoring and analysis of online data;
•training;
•maintenance;
•monitoring and security.
Schneider Electric leverages its global leadership position, backed
by advanced technological expertise, to guarantee a reduction of up
to 30% in consumption. The energy savings result in a substantial
reduction in operating costs of up to several million euros per year,
with several thousand metric tons less of CO2 being released into
the atmosphere.
Residential services: making technology
available to all and facilitating access to all
communication resources
Schneider Electric’s main customers on this market include
architects, construction fi rms, home builders, electricians, electrical
equipment distributors and large DIY stores, as well as end
customers.
The sector for single-family homes and apartment buildings is
extremely diverse in terms of standards and local characteristics.
However, comfort, safety and energy savings remain the key
requirements, to the extent that renovation and improvements to
the energy effi ciency of homes represent almost half of the market.
The Group’s solutions, products and services cover:
•electricity distribution;
•home automation (energy monitoring, metering and management,
lighting and HVAC management, etc.);
•voice-data-image networks;
•critical power;
•monitoring and security.
Schneider Electric’s easy-to-operate, upgradeable and attractive
solutions make homes safe and comfortable while facilitating
communications.
2010 REGISTRATION DOCUMENT SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC22