Personal Solution Pac software gives users information on parameters such as equipment power consumption and remaining battery life

Personal Solution Pac 3.0 for Linux is billed as the first complete power management software solution for Linux. The Personal Solution Pac software gives users information on parameters such as equipment power consumption and remaining battery life. It also manages automatic and smooth system shutdowns.

Darrell Smithson, Director of Sales for MGE UK comments: ‘The Linux version of Personal Solution Pac 3.0 is easy to install and operate’.

‘Its features include user-friendly graphic interfaces, automatic detection of UPSs connected, USB and serial communication, use of native distribution systems for software installation and updating, a taskbar icon for easy access to the supervision interface and a graphical pop-up windows for fast access to alarms’.

Socomec Sicon UPS’s latest family of monitoring and control software enables users to monitor, control, manage and perform an orderly shutdown of their UPS Systems before the power supply is interrupted. Compatible with the company’s complete UPS range (400VA to 4800kVA) it is ideal for supporting mission critical applications and taking users’ uptime to a new level.

Although a UPS is designed to protect equipment, the protection provided to hardware and its associated data is increased significantly if it’s used in conjunction with communications software.

Products such as Univision safely carry out actions such as the shutdown of applications There are three Socomec Sicon software solutions in the range, which meet any demand.

Univision Standard for the single PC user or SOHO is available to download free from the Socomec website.

This easily installed, user friendly GUI (graphical user interface) allows the user to see parameters of the UPS and the supply.

Univision Pro contains all the features and benefits of standard software and has the enhanced capability of issuing the down command to all network servers or workstations.

Netvision SNMP Card (Simple Network Management Protocol) takes power quality, management and control to the next level.

Set up by American Power Conversion, Data Center University is an online educational institution for IT professionals, engineers and people involved in building or operating server rooms and data centres. Data Center University by APC includes both classroom and web-based courses. The initial launch offers 14 foundational courses and six advanced courses in the subject areas of data centre design, build and operations.

All courses, which are vendor neutral and do not promote APC products, focus on the critical technologies and best practices that are relevant to leading-edge, scaleable, modular data centre infrastructure.

Data centre executives with decades of combined experience participated in the development of the courses.

Individuals can complete most of the online, on-demand courses in less than one hour.

Data Center University is an educational partner of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

‘Our goal is to provide data centre professionals with training on real world issues, not just theory’, said Rodger B Dowdell Jr, APC’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

‘We expect that through Data Center University’s continuing education courses, this institution can help address the critical shortage of qualified data centre professionals in the industry’.

‘Data Center University will provide individuals with standardised training in the fundamental issues of data centre design, build and operations, as well as give them the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage real world issues in today’s sophisticated data centre’.

‘IT professionals now have access to high-quality data centre education through this vendor-neutral, one-stop, fast track educational institution’.

Data Center University gives IT professionals an unprecedented opportunity to broaden knowledge on a wide variety of topics related to data centre design and management, including the latest high density applications that are creating challenging design issues for enterprises.

Other popular courses include ‘Fundamentals of cooling’: ‘Fundamentals of power’, and ‘Fundamentals of physical security’.

From now until 31st March 2006, Data Center University will offer all online courses at no charge.

Beginning 1st April, each online course will cost $79 (approximately GBP 45.50).

Web-based education is self-paced and available on-demand.

Beginning in the third quarter of 2006, Data Center University will offer live classroom instruction in various locations.

The website will list future classroom schedules.

Data Center University also will offer certification paths beginning in the second quarter of 2006.

‘Data Center University addresses the great need for advanced education in the disciplines of planning network-critical physical infrastructure and designing data centres’, added Dowdell.

Based at the UK Headquarters in Cirencester, Cowley, who has many years industry experience working for market leaders such as Groupe Schneider and Emerson, will head the sales team of one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of uninterruptible power supply systems. One of the few UPS companies to manufacture and market its own equipment, Socomec offer a complete range of UPS Systems rated from 250VA to 4800kVA achieved by multiple configuration of six 800kVA single modules.

It was at the forefront in the introduction of fast switching IGBT and digital signal processing (DSP).

Socomec also offers a complementary range of special application equipment including; load transfer modules (static switches 16-1750A), DC rectifiers, emergency lighting inverters, harmonic treatment systems and diesel generators.

American Power Conversion has been awarded ‘highly commended’ status for the second year in succession by the Irish National Safety Organisation (NISO). The prestigious ‘Electronics/Electrical Award 2005′ award recognises improvements in safety at work and is awarded to organisations for outstanding achievements in meeting Irish National Safety Organisation standards.

It was announced at the 14th Annual Awards Ceremony dinner, held in the Citywest Hotel, Dublin.

The judging of the awards was undertaken by an independent panel of experts.

Over 100 companies from a wide range of industrial sectors are nominated for the awards.

This year’s nominees included many leading household names including Hewlett Packard, Tyco Healthcare, Abbott Ireland, and O’Malley Construction.

Bill Ryan, Health and Safety Manager, American Power Conversion Ireland said: ‘The electronics/electrical award is only given to companies that can demonstrate the highest standards with regard to management of a safe work environment’.

‘Safety concerns are a critical part of APC culture and how we conduct our business, from our products right through to the wellbeing of our staff and customers’.

‘Receiving the award for a second year in succession is a significant endorsement of the ongoing development of our health and safety policy and we are naturally delighted that the National Safety Organisation has chosen to recognise us with this important accolade’.

‘The new Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, which came into effect from this September, raises in the bar in terms of personnel wellbeing, and APC will continue its hard work to avoid accidents in the workplace’.

Start with the news release Distribution system slashes installation time from Contrinex UK, which we summarised at the time by saying “Contrinex distribution boxes provide interconnection between sensors and control units by means of a range of quick-lock cable connectors and different sized distribution boxes”. A couple of weeks before, we featured the news release Curtains protect fingers, hands and bodies from TR Electronic: “The Lightbarrier series of safety light curtains conform to IEC61496-1 and IEC61496-2 standards and are classified as Type 4 safety according to EN954-1″.

In January 2008, we covered the news from Endevco concerning its Endevco model 4999 filter signal conditioner - take a look at Signal conditioner eliminates ground loops which says: “The model 4999 low-pass filter signal conditioner measures at less than 15uV for high accuracy with low-level vibration signals for any data acquisition system”.

UK distributor Switchtec has launched a range of fully sealed audible alarms suitable for use in industrial environments. Various sound options are available including constant, sweeping and pulsating tones. Power consumption is low, and the units are designed to operate from a 12 to 250V AC or DC supply, depending on model.

The 04 Series is particularly suitable for use in noisy environments, as it has a loud output of 104dB at a distance of 1m.

Furthermore, the unit has a wide operating range from -40 to +80C.

Frequency range of the tones is from 2.4 to 2.9kHz - in the middle of the human hearing spectrum where the ear is most sensitive.

Featuring a sealed construction to IP65 and an operating range from -30 to +60C, the Sonartone Series is ideal for use in harsh environments.

With no moving parts and solid-state circuitry, Sonartone is a highly reliable sounder.

The unit generates no RF noise or electrical interference, meaning that it can be mounted near to sensitive equipment.

Particularly useful during installation, the DC units will not be damaged by accidental reverse voltages under 28V.

Measuring 50mm diameter for the 04 Series and 43mm for the Sonartone range, both units can be either front of panel or base mounted as required.

International Safety Components (ISC) is a world-renowned UK company, specialising in the design, development and manufacture of innovatively engineered components and other ’solutions in metal’. Included in its product portfolio is a range of equipment for the motor racing industry. This comprises specialist quick release buckles for 5-point safety harnesses used in Formula Racing and Air Sea Rescue.

‘All our products are manufactured on site here in Wales’ says the Despatch Manager at the Bangor factory: ‘Our modern factory has a CNC machine shop, aluminium foundry and metal finishing facility.

Because the products we produce are vital pieces of safety equipment, it is imperative that they are manufactured to the highest possible standards and this is what we achieve’.

However, although packaged securely, ISC found that when the anodised aluminium buckles arrived at their destination, they were scratched and dented.

‘It was giving us and our customers a real headache’ explains ISC: ‘The level of returns was unacceptable, yet we knew that they left our factory in A1 condition’.

It was at this point the company contacted Lamerholm, supplier of the ShockWatch range of damage deterrent labels.

ShockWatch Impact Indicators are an innovative solution that can help companies’ track whether consignments are being exposed to excessively rough handling or sudden, damaging impacts.

The labels are self-adhesive and highly visible, manufactured with a unique, patented system that shows when a package has been subjected to a force over and above normal movement or roadshock.

ShockWatch devices contain a tube filled with red liquid held in suspension.

When the device is subjected to an impact exceeding a specified G-level, the shock disrupts the surface tension of the liquid, releasing the highly visible red dye into the length of the tube.

This creates a permanent and immediate indication of mishandling.

Once activated, the device cannot be reset.

‘Once we started using the ShockWatch labels we saw the number of returns reduce dramatically.

Out of over 750 shipments per month, we now only see a handful of products come back damaged.

The ShockWatch labels have been an ideal damaged deterrent.

In fact, we have started using them when we ship our machinery for repairs or calibration.

That way, we know they will be safely handled and can ensure we are up and running as quickly as possible’.

Start with the news release Audio analyser puts microphones to the test from Prism Sound, which we summarised at the time by saying “SoundField uses the dScope III audio analyser with the latest software release as part of its test and manufacturing procedures”. A couple of weeks before, we featured the news release Codecs upgrade PC audio fidelity from IDT: “Audio codecs offer unprecedented levels of power efficiency for both desktop and notebook applications”.

In November 2007, we covered the news from P2i concerning its Ion-mask - take a look at Military technology provides moisture protection which says: “Ion-mask enhancement provides manufacturers with a 21st century solution to waterproofing electrical items and componentry”.

Start with the news release Distribution system slashes installation time from Contrinex UK, which we summarised at the time by saying “Contrinex distribution boxes provide interconnection between sensors and control units by means of a range of quick-lock cable connectors and different sized distribution boxes”. A couple of weeks before, we featured the news release Curtains protect fingers, hands and bodies from TR Electronic: “The Lightbarrier series of safety light curtains conform to IEC61496-1 and IEC61496-2 standards and are classified as Type 4 safety according to EN954-1″.

In January 2008, we covered the news from Endevco concerning its Endevco model 4999 filter signal conditioner - take a look at Signal conditioner eliminates ground loops which says: “The model 4999 low-pass filter signal conditioner measures at less than 15uV for high accuracy with low-level vibration signals for any data acquisition system”