what are pros and cons of smart connect service vs power chute ?

[jacek_apc]

It is not clear if the SMART CONNECT RJ45 provides the same functionality as having NETWORK MANAGEMENT CARD in the Smart Slot ?

I know that ( smart connect provides option for CLOUD BASED MANAGEMENT SERVICE and NET.MAN.CARD  uses Powershute Software to do these things)

I would like to see comparison table of what options are available and not available on each of these 2 management platforms.

and what are PROS and CONS , and price if any .

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hi,

On 12/5/2017 2:00 PM, jack said:

It is not clear if the SMART CONNECT RJ45 provides the same functionality as having NETWORK MANAGEMENT CARD in the Smart Slot ?

No it does not.

On 12/5/2017 2:00 PM, jack said:

I know that ( smart connect provides option for CLOUD BASED MANAGEMENT SERVICE and NET.MAN.CARD  uses Powershute Software to do these things)

The network management card (NMC) allow you to access the UPS over the network. You can monitor the UPS and make configuration changes. As examples, the NMC will send a e-mail alert when the UPS is on battery. You can also make configuration modifications to the UPS through the NMC such as change high and low voltage transfer points. The NMC also allows for monitoring using SNMP. 

 PowerChute Network Shutdown works in conjunction with the NMC to power down the computer in the event that the UPS is on battery or has low battery. 

On 12/5/2017 2:00 PM, jack said:

I would like to see comparison table of what options are available and not available on each of these 2 management platforms.

The NMC allows for monitoring and management as mentioned above. SmartConnect allows for monitoring only. You cannot manage the UPS through SmartConnect. SmartConnect provide the ability to log in and see what is happening on the UPS and will send e-mail alerts as the NMC does. With a SmartConnect UPS as with other Smart-UPS you can make configuration changes through the LCD panel on the UPS. SmartConnect does not allow you to make configuration changes to the UPS over the network / from the cloud. 

[joshenders]

I had this question as well, thanks for clearing this up.

I know this is probably not the best forum for this feedback but if you're listening Schneider Electric, I feel compelled to express to you how greedy it comes across that the NMC and SmartConnect interface are differentiated. If the BOM on the SKU already includes a network interface and related circuitry, why not just add the NMC features to SmartConnect? If there's no compelling technical reason – and I have serious doubts that there are – you're really just turning the knife on your customers and it feels bad.