News Releases - 2007

Date: 6 August 2007

Eaton Joins Blade.org To Accelerate The Development And Adoption Of Open Blade Server Platforms

PITTSBURGH … Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation today announced that it has joined Blade.org, a collaborative organization and developer focused on accelerating the development and adoption of blade server solutions. As a member, Eaton will share best practices that address the challenges of designing and managing electrical systems for today’s new data center technologies.

Established in February 2006, Blade.org was created to increase the number of blade platform solutions available for customers and to accelerate the process of bringing them to market. From eight founding companies, Blade.org has grown to nearly 100 members including leading blade hardware and software providers, developers, distribution partners and end-users from around the globe.

“As data centers increasingly deploy high density, small form factor computing platforms such as blade server technology, power density, energy efficiency and cooling are becoming highly-critical requirements,” said Sriram Ramakrishnan, business unit manager, Eaton’s Powerware Data Center Solutions Division. “As a Blade.org member, Eaton brings decades of experience developing power protection and distribution strategies for high-density computing environments.”

Eaton recently introduced its Powerware® BladeUPS™, the industry’s most energy efficient, rack-based uninterruptible power system (UPS) designed and optimized for today’s high-powered blade servers and high-density computing environments. The Powerware BladeUPS is the latest product in Eaton’s series of Powerware-branded, rack-based solutions that also include enclosures and accessories, along with a complete line of remote monitoring and power-quality equipment. The three-phase system delivers industry-leading energy efficiency, scalability and flexibility.

The Powerware BladeUPS reflects Eaton’s commitment to provide award-winning products that address the challenges of designing and managing high-density data centers. The Powerware BladeUPS normally operates at an industry-leading 97 percent efficiency and at less than 30 percent load, where customers would expect efficiency to be much lower, this UPS is more efficient than competitors’ modular products at full load. These gains quickly translate into tens of thousands of dollars. For example, assuming a utility rate of 10 cents per kWh, a 60 kW N+1 redundant configuration would save more than $30,000 in five years and the savings compound with data center size.

"By joining Blade.org, Eaton demonstrates its commitment to advancing blade server solutions and expands our collaborative community of industry leaders,” said Lisa Galish, marketing committee chairman, Blade.org. “We are pleased to have Eaton’s participation in the organization as they will provide valuable perspectives and information regarding real-world data center and blade server technology issues.”

Blade.org is a collaborative organization and developer community focused on accelerating the development and adoption of blade server solutions. The organization provides leadership to the blade market and fosters a thriving industry ecosystem focused on delivering valuable solutions to blade computing customers. For more information, visit the organization online at www.blade.org.

 Eaton’s electrical business is a global leader in electrical control, power distribution, uninterruptible power supply and industrial automation products and services. Eaton’s global electrical brands, including Cutler-Hammer®, Powerware®, Holec® and MEM®, provide customer-driven PowerChain Management™ solutions to serve the power system needs of the industrial, institutional, government, utility, commercial, residential, IT, mission critical and OEM markets worldwide.

Eaton Corporation is a diversified industrial manufacturer with 2006 sales of $12.4 billion. Eaton is a global leader in electrical systems and components for power quality, distribution and control; fluid power systems and services for industrial, mobile and aircraft equipment; intelligent truck drivetrain systems for safety and fuel economy; and automotive engine air management systems, powertrain solutions and specialty controls for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has 62,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 125 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com