APC by Schneider Electric for Remote & Hybrid Teams

Power Protection for Home Offices

Remote employees rely on stable power to maintain productivity. Power fluctuations, surges, and outages can disrupt work, damage equipment, and lead to data loss. APC's uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) provide battery backup and surge protection, ensuring critical devices like computers, monitors, and network gear remain operational during power events. This allows users to save work and shut down systems safely.

Key APC Products for Home Offices:

• Back-UPS Series: Designed for home and small office use, offering essential battery backup and surge protection for individual workstations.
• SurgeArrest Series: Provides advanced surge protection for sensitive electronics, safeguarding against voltage spikes.
• Power-Saving Back-UPS: Models that help reduce energy consumption by automatically cutting power to idle peripherals.

Ensuring Network Connectivity

Reliable network connectivity is fundamental for hybrid and remote work. APC solutions can help protect networking equipment from power issues, contributing to consistent internet access and internal network communication. Protecting modems, routers, and network switches with a UPS prevents service interruptions caused by power disturbances, which is crucial for video conferencing, cloud access, and collaborative tools.

Benefits for Network Infrastructure:

• Continuous Operation: Keeps network devices powered during brief outages, preventing dropped calls or disconnections.
• Equipment Longevity: Protects valuable networking hardware from damaging power surges.
• Simplified Management: Some UPS models offer network management capabilities for remote monitoring.

Data Protection and Security

Beyond power, protecting data is paramount. While APC primarily focuses on physical power protection, its role in safeguarding the devices that store and transmit data is indirect but critical. By preventing unexpected shutdowns, APC UPS units help prevent file corruption and ensure data integrity. This contributes to a robust data protection strategy for distributed workforces.

Considerations for Data Security:

• Controlled Shutdowns: Allows for orderly system shutdowns, reducing the risk of data loss or corruption.
• Hardware Protection: Extends the lifespan of storage devices and other critical hardware by providing clean power.

Scalable Solutions for Small Branch Offices

For hybrid teams that utilise small satellite offices or co-working spaces, APC offers scalable power protection solutions. These environments often have more users and a greater density of equipment than a typical home office. Rack-mount UPS units and managed power distribution units (PDUs) can be integrated to provide centralised power protection and management for multiple workstations, servers, and networking devices.

APC for Small Office Environments:

• Smart-UPS Series: Provides network-grade power protection for servers, storage, and network devices in small server rooms or wiring closets.
• Rack PDUs: Distribute power to multiple outlets and can offer remote monitoring and control of individual outlets.

Centralised Management and Monitoring

Managing power infrastructure across a distributed workforce can be complex. APC offers software and accessories that enable centralised monitoring and management of UPS devices. This allows IT teams to oversee power status, receive alerts, and initiate graceful shutdowns remotely, enhancing the reliability and manageability of remote setups.

Management Tools:

• PowerChute Software: Provides safe system shutdown and energy management for computers connected to APC UPS units.
• Network Management Cards: Allow remote management of Smart-UPS devices over a network.