IT in Manufacturing


Schneider Electric's SmartStruxure solution for building efficiency

March 2013 IT in Manufacturing

Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management, has announced the release of its SmartStruxure solution, which maximises building efficiency and reduces operating costs across the entire lifecycle of a facility. The SmartStruxure solution integrates customised hardware, software, engineering, installation and services to ensure our customers’ facilities are energy-efficient and effectively managed.

“People who design, own or manage buildings today face a number of challenges, including a sluggish economy, tighter regulatory requirements, ageing equipment and rising energy costs,” says Artur Socha, building management system (BMS) product manager, Schneider Electric South Africa. “To stay competitive, their buildings need to do more with less.”

The SmartStruxure solution breaks down traditional information silos and delivers integrated building information and real-time data via web access, powerful graphics and trend visualisations, rich reports, and mobile applications to ensure buildings are running at maximum efficiency.

Socha adds: “Our SmartStruxure solution provides benefits across the spectrum of building stakeholders: Architects and engineers save time and money with an integrated solution from a trusted business partner. Building owners and managers get a robust platform that is scalable and easy to use. Business executives have instant access to energy and sustainability metrics, enabling them to better make decisions and control costs, and occupants enjoy a safe, comfortable environment.”

The SmartStruxure solution is powered by StruxureWare Building Operation software, which provides integrated monitoring, control, and management of HVAC, energy, lighting, and other critical building systems. Additionally, this application will connect easily to other StruxureWare software within suites, developed to address the unique needs of key market segments. Supported by EcoStruxure Web Services, the suites will unify key software applications across all levels of an enterprise, providing a scalable platform, easy integration with legacy and third-party systems, and a consistent user experience. StruxureWare software delivers the right information to the right person, anytime, anywhere.

Key features of StruxureWare Building Operation include:

* Support for multilingual buildings with the following architectures as native protocols: BACnet, LonWorks and Modbus.

* New level of scalability – from a small area in a building to a global enterprise.

* All systems, regardless of size, have the same robust feature set.

* IT-friendly and able to withstand the most malicious attacks on the IP network.

* Broad range of hardware modules to meet customer requirements.

* User-friendly with customisable workspaces, amazing graphics capabilities, out-of-the-box reporting functionality, and robust online help.

* Easy to install – modules are hot swappable and plug and play.

* Both backward compatible and forward thinking – will work with existing field devices while supporting future growth.

The most important benefit of StruxureWare software is the ability for users to combine the management of their power, data centres, process and controls, building management and security onto one seamless system through the SmartStruxure solution – reducing energy consumption by up to 30%.

The SmartStruxure solution represents the building management domain of expertise in the larger Schneider Electric EcoStruxure solution architecture. Introduced in 2009, An EcoStruxure architecture connects five domains of expertise – power, data centres, process and machines, building management, and physical security – within an open and flexible technology architecture that delivers significant savings on capex and opex.

For more information contact Jacqui Gradwell, Schneider Electric SA, +27 (0)11 254 6400, [email protected], www.schneider-electric.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Power supply with scalability optimised
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric has introduced the Easy UPS 3-Phase Modular to the South African marketplace. This robust uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is designed to protect critical loads while offering third-party verified Live Swap functionality.

Read more...
Solar-powered drive solution for water pumps
Schneider Electric South Africa Motion Control & Drives
Schneider Electric South Africa has launched its Altivar Solar ATV320 variable speed drive (VSD), a solar-powered drive solution that is compatible with a wide range of water pumps, catering for water challenges and decarbonisation of irrigation pumping and agriprocessing machinery.

Read more...
Development of motor control units for automotive industry
Siemens South Africa IT in Manufacturing
SEDEMAC has adopted the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software, which is used in the development of its motor control units and engine control units. The motor control units are used in EVs, hybrids, ebikes and power tools, while the engine control units are used for off-road and on-road engines.

Read more...
Cybersecurity and cyber resilience – the integrated components of a robust cyber risk management strategy
IT in Manufacturing
Organisations continuously face numerous cyberthreats in today’s digital landscape, and while many prioritise cybersecurity to safeguard digital assets, their strategies for cyber resilience often become neglected.

Read more...
The industrial era of wireless telemetry and radio communication
Schneider Electric South Africa Data Acquisition & Telemetry
Today’s advanced wireless telemetry offers a range of benefits that go beyond cost savings, including greater flexibility and mobility, remote monitoring capabilities, and enhanced safety.

Read more...
Sustainable last-mile delivery electric trucks
Siemens South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Workhorse Group, an American technology company focused on pioneering the transition to zero-emission commercial vehicles, has adopted the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industrial software as it builds electric trucks for sustainable last-mile delivery.

Read more...
South Africa’s role in the AGI revolution
IT in Manufacturing
AI has found its way into general conversation after the emergence of large language models like ChatGPT. However, the discussion is increasingly turning to the search for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), which could entirely change the game.

Read more...
Predictive asset performance management with ABB Ability Genix
ABB South Africa IT in Manufacturing
The ABB Ability Genix APM suite is a comprehensive asset management platform powered by AI, IIoT and model-based predictive data analytics. This enables a paradigm shift towards a more proactive and predictive asset management approach.

Read more...
Intelligent automation primed for $47 billion revenue by 2030
IT in Manufacturing
According to GlobalData, the intelligent automation market is set to grow from $18 billion in 2023 to $47 billion in 2030, driven by advancements in AI, particularly the rapid adoption of generative AI.

Read more...
Distributed energy resource management systems: a grid symphony
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
To listen to a symphony is one of the world’s great gifts. A conductor must ensure that instruments play beautifully as a whole and are kind to the ear and uplifting to the spirit yet shine in their individuality. The same can be said of a DERMS, which must effectively manage diverse energy sources to avoid compromising the grid’s integrity.

Read more...