APC’s research and development efforts were originally focused on solar electricity. However, as personal computers began to revolutionise the industry, APC re-channelled its focus into power protection and development of smaller desktop uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems. APC recognised that PCs, PC servers, and their networks needed UPS protection just as mainframes did – only on a smaller scale and went on to introduce its first UPS in 1984.
In 1989, APC introduced breakthrough power management software (PowerChute®), followed closely by the introduction of the Smart-UPS® family of UPSs (which are still the standard against which all other network UPSs are judged), and the first modular UPS. Steadily expanding its reach into the data centre market via acquisitions and technological innovation, APC became the first company primarily focused on UPSs to reach $1 billion in revenue.
In 2003 APC revolutionised data centre power with its InfraStruXure® architecture—a pioneering design that seamlessly integrates power, cooling, racks, and management into a modular, scalable solution pre-engineered to work together. APC has subsequently been in the vanguard of developing in-row cooling technologies and, most recently, introducing powerful capacity management and centralised monitoring software.
Building upon its technological preeminence in the single-phase power-protection market, APC has become the most trusted brand among IT customers, from the desktop to the data centre.
