Business Tech For All

APC came over to MNJ Technologies for our weekly training recently. This was a pretty big event, not because we don’t see APC often (they stop over pretty regularly), but because they came to announce a new generation of UPS’s. Generation 4 came out in 2001, so it’s been about 8yrs since anything major has changed in the APC world. And from what I have seen, this new generation (4.5, which will transition into G5 in early 2010) is going to be a nice step up. New design, more efficient “green” power/battery use, and most important an LCD screen on every unit (no more 4 light combinations to translate).

Here is a list of the new features on the SMT (Tower) and SMX (Rack) units:

Tower-SMT- new benefits/features

Informative LCD interface – provides detailed information in an easily understandable format. The LCD is a great ‘window’ into the changes we made under the hood.
High efficiency “green” mode – achieves efficiencies up to 99% which saves utility costs. It also has limited bypass functionality to provide an additional level of fault tolerance.
Controllable receptacle group – provides the ability to remotely reboot, load shed non-critical loads during extended outages, and sequenced start-up.
Enhanced battery management – intermittent charging capability prolongs life and a patent pending algorithm projects the month and year recommended to replace the battery.
Flash upgradeable firmware – provides for easy field upgrades as new features are added
3 year warranty on UPS – matches most servers and provides an additional assurance of reliability

Rack- SMX- new benefits/features

Flexible 2U form factor – provides versatility to operate in our out of a rack enhancing our customers ability to standardize
Advanced high frequency design –makes the unit lighter as the heavy transformers have been reduced or eliminated. This makes the units easier to transport and install.
Higher power factor-the models have 0.8 and 0.9 power factors meaning more real power is available
Added controllable receptacle group(s) – the X series adds one group at 750 and 1000VA and 2 additional on units 1500VA and larger
Intelligent battery packs – units can sense external battery packs and automatically adjust runtime
Voltage adaptability – 2kVA and up –allows multinational companies to standardize by allowing more flexibility

Typically, when I post a Weekly Training I like to list the Cons that I see with the product. However, since this is a new generation of product, there are only additions here. While the pricing of G4.5 and G5 will be consistent with G3, pricing is the only negative that customers ever report with APC. In the desktop to rack range we are discussing here, APC always gives an enterprise experience. While some competitors have a few of these features, no one comes close to matching the enterprise features of the G4.5 and G5s. If you want/need a full enterprise product, I suggest APC. If you are looking for a functional unit, but do not care about some of the enterprise features (such a low power consumption, longer battery life, network control) then you will do just fine with APC or some of their less expensive competitors.