APC introduces next-generation NetBotz Security and Environmental Monitoring solution

APC by Schneider Electric, a global leader in integrated critical power, cooling and management solutions, has announced the next-generation of its NetBotz Security and Environmental Monitoring products. Major enhancements to the product line include improved camera and cabling support, Power over Ethernet support and improved industrial design.

NetBotz is a family of network-accessible appliances that detects human activity, which may threaten the availability of a company's network-critical physical infrastructure. Scalable from small network closets to large data centres to enterprise-wide deployments, the modular design allows for custom camera configuration, including CCTV integration.

Answering customers' needs for better camera resolution and easy and flexible deployment options, the next-generation of NetBotz products delivers the following major enhancements:

* Improved camera support - Integration of the Pelco IP camera offers a wider range of camera options. Pelco IP cameras offer superior image quality for better viewing of detail. Using CAT5 cabling, select Pelco IP cameras offer increased installation range and full integration into the NetBotz software for a seamless security and environmental monitoring user experience. Select NetBotz monitoring appliances also feature integration with Pelco's Integral Digital Sentry Video Monitoring to offer additional IT asset health monitoring and video aggregation.
* Better cable management - To reduce installation time, NetBotz appliances, sensor pods and sensors employ CAT5/6 cables. The use of CAT5/6 cabling provides installation flexibility by significantly increasing the distance between the sensor pod and the appliance. USB cables for NetBotz camera pods feature locking connectors to prevent inadvertent removal of a USB connection from the appliance.
* Power over Ethernet - Users now have the option of Power over Ethernet (POE) for additional flexibility in the installation of wall-mounted appliances. POE users no longer have to hide a power brick in a dropped ceiling or in the wall.

* Sleek industrial design - NetBotz wall-mount appliances have improved cable management, which provides a professional looking final installation.

“The latest developments for our NetBotz solution were a major investment to help our customers reduce installation time and costs associated with applications ranging from network closets to data centres,” says Rodney Callaghan, MD: Southern Africa at APC by Schneider Electric. “NetBotz plays an important role in APC's comprehensive Data Centre Physical Infrastructure (DCPI) Management Suite of products. The DCPI Management Suite actively monitors and manages power, cooling, physical space, security and environmental conditions in a consolidated view regardless of vendor. We will continue to enhance the integration of our NetBotz solutions into our DCPI Management Suite that includes InfraStruXure Central, Change Manager, and Capacity Manager.”

For mass deployments, InfraStruXure Central provides an efficient way for organisations to manage their company-wide vendor-neutral physical infrastructure. Real-time device monitoring, surveillance management, custom reporting, private networking, advanced security and instant event notification enable quick assessment and resolution of critical situations and trends.

IP camera and video management integration into the NetBotz solution is a good example of APC and Pelco - both Schneider Electric brands - working together to bring easy to use end-to-end solutions to customers. For more information on APC by Schneider Electric, please visit www.apc.com/za or call +27 11 557 6600.