New software from Eaton: Comprehensive device monitoring with Intelligent Power Manager 1.0

Eaton’s new monitoring software takes ease of use and task automation to a completely new level.

Intelligent Power® Manager software is a lightweight tool for monitoring and managing networked UPSs and ePDUs. This Web 2.0-based tool can also supervise shutdown applications running on remote servers. Aimed particularly at the IT market, the software supports UPS systems, monitored and managed ePDUs and, what is more, many competitors’ units.

“Intelligent Power Manager is particularly suitable for large-scale systems, as it is able to monitor hundreds of devices. Its intuitive tools are invaluable for managing complex power chains. As the software can supervise competitors’ devices as well, it is the only tool needed for managing all the UPS and ePDU systems used by a company,” says Tatu Valjakka, Product Manager at Eaton Power Quality.

Ease of use with an intuitive interface

Intelligent Power Manager installation is made very easy with simple plug-and-play operation: once running, the software automatically discovers all manageable power devices connected and is operational in just a few seconds.

The software features a user-configurable interface that provides an overview of all the main UPS operating parameters in one window. Users can modify the views to suit their needs, for example by grouping monitored devices by function or location. Devices can also be sorted according to parameters such as status description, device type and location. As the software provides a hyperlink to each device’s individual Web interface, there is no longer any need to deliver device-specific information within the software. For increased visibility and to make locating systems easier, device icons can be placed on user-definable background images, such as maps or floor plans.

All events and activities are stored in a log, which makes troubleshooting very straightforward. Intelligent Power Manager also centralises alarm management: it can collate multiple alarm events into a single message and deliver it via email or SMS.

Future platform of power system monitoring

Intelligent Power Manager is compatible with any Eaton UPS and ePDU equipped with a network interface. A version of the software limited to ten monitored devices is available free of charge with each networked UPS. A Silver licence allows up to 100 devices to be managed, while a Gold licence allows management of an unlimited number of devices.

“With its completely new feature set, Intelligent Power Manager is intended to serve as the future platform of power system monitoring and management. It is currently being developed to include all the same functionalities as Eaton’s Enterprise Power Manager and PowerVision software,” Valjakka says.

“The same technology will also be applied to the next-generation shutdown software. This will enable logical operation and easy management for Eaton’s entire software product range in the future,” he concludes.

- Intelligent Power Manager 1.0 is launched in June 2009 and will be available in English and French.
- Version 1.01 will provide support for German, Polish, Russian and Spanish, among others.