Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management, today introduced EnergySTEP™ Data Center Assessment as part of a growing line of Energy Management Services for the data center. The EnergySTEP Data Center Assessment is a detailed, customizable assessment of the power, cooling, physical infrastructure & operational efficiencies of a data center that allows data center managers to benchmark the performance of their facility against industry standards such as the Green Grid Data Center Maturity Model. The assessment focuses on improvements that will help the data center manager drive down the spiraling cost of energy, while ensuring maximum availability.

"Providing data center managers with an assessment of the energy usage and efficiency empowers them to make informed decisions on optimizing their infrastructure," said Mohamed Saad, Country President Schneider Electric Africa and Caribbean. "The recommendations included with Schneider Electric's EnergySTEP Data Center Assessment will result in optimized energy usage, reduced operating costs and will enable the data center manager to prioritize data center improvements to better manage capital expenses."

The EnergySTEP Data Center Assessment allows data center professionals to customize an assessment service that will help them meet energy usage goals, business needs and financial targets. The extensive data collection & analysis is performed by a Schneider Electric Energy Management Services (EMS) Specialist with expertise in both data center operations & energy management. The comprehensive report generated by the assessment provides vendor neutral recommendations including detailed findings illustrated with various graphics and benchmarks of performance. The specific recommendations for improving efficiency and maximizing availability include estimated cost savings and an ROI analysis. Additionally, these findings and recommendations can be presented in accordance with the Green Grid Data Center Maturity Model Equalizer. This model benchmarks performance in 46 aspects of the data center and enables mapping of the steps required to achieve greater energy efficiency and sustainability.

The complete line of assessment services, including both the EnergySTEP Data Center Assessment and the initial EnergySTEP1 entry level assessment enable data center performance benchmarking, which is an important step toward effective energy management. Data Center Assessments are part of a larger portfolio of services offered by Schneider Electric to support customers throughout the Data Center Services Lifecycle, to assist in planning, design, building operation maintenance and optimization of their facilities,

Additional services include energy management software, remote monitoring and the design and build of energy efficient data centers. Schneider Electric's goal is to provide the expertise, tools and services required to develop a comprehensive energy management strategy for the data center.

Beyond the data center Schneider Electric's EnergySTEP - Energy Sustainability Tiered Efficiency Program - provides services and expertise to help customers around the globe to save energy in their offices, plants, manufacturing facilities or industrial environments. This unique, scalable program identifies the steps required for sustained energy efficiency, providing clear solutions with measurable savings while freeing up capital that otherwise would be used on excess energy expenditures.

For more information on the EnergySTEP Data Center Assessment and Schneider Electric's complete line of Energy Management Services please click here or visit www.schneider-electric.com.