Press information To download a text file of this release, a 250 pixel wide low-res image for web use or a 300dpi print quality image, go to www.parkfield.co.uk/apwepd_uk How many companies can afford to lose £150k a minute? Released 31 October 2003 99% of companies are unable to trade when their network is down; in a recent study, Cap Gemini Ernst & Young have estimated that the cost of network downtime to major financial institutions such as banks could approach £150k/minute, so, whatever the size of company, network integrity is obviously a critical business parameter. While most network outages are software initiated, hardware failures also make their unwelcome contribution. To give the earliest possible indication of possible hardware issues in server cabinets, APW has introduced a completely new version of its ARC Active Rak Controller, giving network managers in the financial sector, government, data centres, insurance and other high availability areas improved functionality, easier configuration, more functionality and closer integration with the host network. The ARC is a slimline enclosure that can be mounted outside the panel area ("zero U") but it comes complete with a 19" rack-mount kit, giving the user the flexibility to place it almost anywhere in the cabinet. The ARC is an intelligent controller. It constantly monitors the cabinet's environment for vibration, temperature and humidity; it can detect power outages, unauthorised door openings or panel removals, log security keypad operations and even be linked to a PIR movement sensor monitoring the computer room and a smoke detector mounted in the rack. On receipt of an alarm condition, it can be programmed automatically to switch ventilation fans on or off, to broadcast alerts to the network administrator and to control UPS and PSUs if required. The ARC can be assigned an IP address so that it can be remotely interrogated over the web; it is also Telnet and SNMP enabled. It has eight independent digital input ports, each with a 12V power source and four controllable outputs, two mains switching and two 12V 1A switching circuits. *** Ends: body copy 297 words *** Notes to Editors. For further information: Thierry Besnier APW Standard Products Group Ashley Road Uxbridge Middlesex UB8 2SQ tel: + 44 (0)1895 237123 fax:+ 44 (0)1895 232164 thierry.besnier@apw.com www.apw.com Agency contact: Nigel May Parkfield Communications Limited Parkfield House Damerham Hants SP6 3HQ tel: + 44 (0)1725 518321 fax: + 44 (0)1725 518378 nigel.may@parkfield.co.uk www.parkfield.co.uk APW is a technically enabled manufacturing services ("TEMS") company that designs and manufactures large, complex infrastructure products for OEMs in the communications, computing and Internet markets. APW has particular skills in the areas of manufacturing enclosures, thermal management, power supplies and backplanes; as well as core competencies in product and system design, integration and supply chain management. APW operates in more than 14 locations throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.