Schneider: data centres and smart homes

No one can accuse Mainfreight of thinking small. You have to think big to take a local trucking company in New Zealand and grow it to a global logistics giant. That bold thinking about growth means they don’t just think five or 10 years down the road.

“The 100-year vision is something that our company founder came up with,” says David Hall, Group IT Infrastructure Manager of Mainfreight.

“If we invest 50 million dollars in a new facility, we’re not doing that thinking about it over the next 20 years — we’re thinking about that over the next 50 years or so.”

In less than 12 weeks, Schneider Electric deployed a modular, scalable EcoStruxure data centre with the performance

How scalable data centres help Mainfreight’s vision

As a leading shipping company, Mainfreight needed an easy-to manage, yet state-of-the-art data centre that would meet present-day needs and support their growing global expansion

Mainfreight needs to run their business well into their future. Expandable UPS, power, cooling, and enhanced software capabilities provide flexibility for future growth. EcoStruxure IT on-premise DCIM solution takes data from connected devices, delivering the analytics and visibility Mainfreight identifies as key to their growth ambitions.

This goes beyond just modernising their systems to be set up for technological advances. It also means collecting data that allows Mainfreight to pursue new services to customers that give them an edge on the competition.

“The ability to provide big data-type analytics on what their business is doing in terms of stock levels and other things like that, has become quite an invaluable thing,” Hall explains.

With Schneider, Mainfreight has identified a partner they can depend on to help them fulfil their bold promises for the future. “Schneider Electric isn’t just a vendor, they’re a partner."

Mainfreight modernises for its

with Schneider EcoStruxureTM for Data Centres

se.com/nz/mainfreight

Wiser move to go smart

New smart home technology gives electricians and builders the ability to easily make every home a smart home

PDL Wiser™ is innovative technology that puts electricians and builders at the forefront of the latest smart home solutions with scalable entry points for smart home technology.

The product combines local know-how with Schneider Electric’s global R&D and extensive smart home expertise.

“PDL Wiser offers electricians, builders and other tradespeople the opportunity to differentiate their business and provide cutting-edge smart home technology,” says Schneider Electric NZ Product Manager Vanessa Willats.

“It offers an entry point to a more advanced application of technology in the home, as homeowners can start with standard PDL switches and Bluetooth smart home technology and scale up to Zigbee and remote access at the speed they prefer, with the support and guidance of trained, registered Wiser Smart Home installers.”

“The technology is incredibly powerful, yet straightforward for a skilled electrician to install. A Wiser Smart Home solution can be upgraded with modular components as customers’ needs change allowing their Smart Home system, to grow with them” says Willats

Homes are now multifunctional spaces – a home, an office and a sanctuary. People want more from their homes, to help them to maximise the space and their expectations around control and comfort, according to Willats.

“The field trials and feedback on PDL Wiser from electricians and homeowners has been very positive.

PDL by Schneider Electric works closely with electrical and building businesses and is offering PDL Wiser not just as a solution but with a strong backbone of support for the installer,” says Willats.

“Tradespeople need to go through a training programme to become a registered installer, and that triggers a wraparound support system, a business development tool and an attractive add-on to these businesses.”

“The feedback we had was that homeowners are also looking for a smart home solution that doesn’t lock them in, and that can be tailored to their lifestyle,” she says.

PDL’s Iconic 2AX Connected Module is a new product within the Iconic range that works with PDL Wiser and is the winner of the prestigious Red Dot Award.

This award showcases the ‘best in the world’ innovation being achieved by the Pacific Design Lab team. The product is unique with its modular design and small form factor. In Bluetooth mode it can be used as on/off or a time delay.

But the device really comes into play in Zig-

bee mode where it can be integrated to be used with other Wiser compatible devices to trigger automation, such as “all off” or for multi-way switching.

As an established global brand, PDL Wiser is offered in New Zealand on the Wiser Asia platform that has been built specifically for the Pacific market.

Its development is a response to the increased demand for smart home products since the launch of Bluetooth technology, with Kiwis showing more and more interest in home automation and tradespeople upskilling to meet the demand.

French Electrical was established in 1974 and works in residential, commercial and industrial. The company has Schneider Electric as a preferred supplier and has been using its products for home automation for two decades. “The new offerings of Wiser, Bluetooth and wireless have definitely made the market a lot stronger. Wiser, I believe, will close the gap between a fully automated home and a retrofit home,” says Chris French.

“The benefits I see of using Wiser is there are so many options within the suite. The opportunities are endless, and it’s still growing.”

Electricians click here to find out more

Builders click here to find out more

Benefits of PDL Wiser

• Easy integration with PDL Iconic switches and sockets. Wiser can turn almost any into a smart home, as it can be used in both new build and renovation projects. • Modular components – build up from one room to an entire smart home • Option to connect via Bluetooth Low Energy or Zigbee 3.0 technology • PDL Wiser can help improve the security of a house by having lights come on and off (at varying times) while the homeowner is away and improve safety and energy efficiency by offering timers and schedule options to automatically turn off electrical devices so they do not remain on for prolonged periods. Also, many Kiwis have a bach so home automation means people can use the motion/door/window sensors for additional peace of mind. • Provides connectivity of switches or timers from a smartphone. People can dim their lights from their phone or schedule their towel rail to go on and off for a few hours a day. • Easy to use. Homeowners are able to customised their smart home from the app, adding new Automations and Moments as they go. • PDL Wiser allows users to install an app on their phone and control it from anywhere you have internet access– when used with the Wiser Hub • Lighting – adjust lights, change the ambience, and control lights at home when residents are away, a good security benefit. • Blind control – open and close blinds from a smartphone without getting out of bed; or synchronise blinds with daily habits or with sunrise and sunset. • Heat pump integration options – schedule the house to warm up as people wake up and to save on energy while residents are away • PDL by Schneider Electric is the leading home electrical brand in New Zealand, trusted by homeowners and professionals for over 80 years. • Free comprehensive online training offered to electricians to become Wiser approved installers.