Digital Modeling Tool from APC by Schneider Electric Helps Partners Deploy Edge Computing with Certainty

- Local Edge Configurator simplifies design, build and deployment with virtual build environment for edge architectures

- Eliminates typical compatibility and validation testing by channel partners, reducing cost and saving time

- Supports channel partners in increasing their value to customers

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Aug 15, 2017, 12:01 ET

ANDOVER, Mass. and KISSIMMEE, Fla., Aug. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Schneider Electric, the global specialist in energy management and automation, today introduced APC by Schneider Electric Local Edge Configurator, a comprehensive digital software tool that empowers partners to rapidly and accurately plan and design integrated, customized and highly reliable edge solutions. With this tool, partners can greatly reduce complexity associated with pre-integration, decrease overall costs, increase operational efficiency, speed installation, enable standardization across large deployments and ultimately provide higher value to customers.

New technologies demand transformation in IT design

The growth of big data, the Internet of Things (IoT) and the explosion of data-intensive applications increases the need for real-time data processing, high bandwidth transmission and significantly reduced latency traditional data centers are unable to support. This necessitates the use of distributed IT environments localized at the network edge. Once relegated to disorganized, unsecure wiring closets, these deployments are becoming highly critical, requiring more availability, security, redundancy and resiliency at the access layer than ever before. As a result, specifying, building and ensuring system component compatibility within these systems is becoming expensive and time-consuming for channel organizations.

APC Local Edge Configurator features an intuitive, easy-to-use interface, enabling partners to design a comprehensive, validated edge architecture, including rack, single-phase uninterruptible power supply (UPS), security, power distribution and software, in a plug-and-play model. This helps channel partners provide the redundancy and physical security their customers need with speed, agility, simplicity and at a low cost. It also helps partners transition the rapidly shifting demands of IoT into immediate revenue and services opportunities.

"In response to a growing need for real-time access to information, edge computing is revolutionizing the way in which data can be collected, processed and shared. As a result, edge deployments are becoming mission critical, and ensuring compatibility and validation of systems components is increasingly complex for the channel," said Shannon Sbar, Vice President, North America Channels, APC by Schneider Electric. "APC Local Edge Configurator delivers Certainty in a Connected World by eliminating these obstacles, empowering partners to easily build, test and ship fully integrated solutions, delivering the power and value channel partners need to remain competitive, and maximizing the business opportunity around edge."

Design, build, test and integration in a single solution

Simplifying an often time-intensive and costly process, APC Local Edge Configurator enables partners to fully customize and pre-validate the physical environment around a customer's existing IT stack, as necessary, or build to a predetermined reference specification to achieve a high level of availability, redundancy and standardization, while minimizing risk. An online tool, APC Local Edge Configurator draws from a comprehensive, automatically updating library of all currently available APC physical infrastructure solutions, as well as leading storage, networking, converged and hyperconverged systems from Cisco, Nutanix, Dell EMC and others.

Developed to drive operational efficiency and provide sales enablement for partner businesses, APC Local Edge Configurator features:

Savable designs: Partners can save designs for future needs, making it simple to scale deployments for existing customers or deliver against similar architecture needs across multiple clients.
Multiple shipping options: Finalized physical architectures can be shipped as individual components or a fully integrated system when designed with the Cisco-certified APC NetShelter SX with Shock Packaging or built from the comprehensive Micro Data Center Xpress offer. These latter options enable system integrator partners to limit the time and costs necessary for full manual integration and provide an easily installable product for customers.
Optional concurrent services: Partners can add additional product services directly from the tool, including warranties and warranty extensions, power-up and reoccurring maintenance services, and APC Advantage Plans.
Dedicated project manager: An APC coordinator will lead the logistics and supply chain process for partners from purchase to delivery, including tracking of booking and invoicing, as well as providing updates on shipping, delivery and potential delays.

Providing Certainty in a Connected World

APC by Schneider Electric is the leading brand worldwide for integrated physical infrastructure and software. With a wide array of products that provide reliable power and availability solutions for IT and communications technologies, APC delivers Certainty in a Connected World. With the largest community of partners tailoring solutions for home and distributed IT, APC enables individuals and businesses to anticipate the unexpected, protecting critical information and data. Additional details on APC's alliances are located here.

APC Local Edge Configurator will be demonstrated in Demo Room #3314 at The Channel Company XChange Conference in Kissimmee, Florida, and APC representatives will be available at booth #123/222. It is available now in North America to Select, Premiere and Elite-level APC Partners via APC Design Portal within each individual Partner page. It is also supported under the APC Partner Incentive Program and Edge IT Program, where partners who register their approved designs are eligible for specialized solution-based discounts.

For information on how to become a partner, visit apc.com/partners.

About Schneider Electric

Schneider Electric is the global specialist in energy management and automation. With revenues of $26 billion US dollars (25 billion euros) in FY2016, our 144,000+ employees serve customers in over 100 countries, helping them to manage their energy and process in ways that are safe, reliable, efficient and sustainable. From the simplest of switches to complex operational systems, our technology, software and services improve the way our customers manage and automate their operations. Our connected technologies reshape industries, transform cities and enrich lives. At Schneider Electric, we call this Life Is On.

http://www.schneider-electric.us

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