Since our beginning in 1975 as a manufacturer of state-of-the-art remote terminal units, to our present position as a major U.S. supplier of utility automation systems, we've created a record of industry firsts that parallels, and has often led, the evolution of energy distribution and management. To see some highlights, click here.

Advanced Control Systems is the oldest privately-owned provider of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, energy management systems, distribution management systems, and system components for electric, gas and water utilities. Since 1975, we have manufactured products necessary to control the generation, transmission and distribution of power. "We are the technology leader because we stay abreast of the market requirements," says John Muench, founder and Chief Executive Officer.

In 1977, we introduced a small microprocessor to meet the distinctive needs of rural electric authorities and municipalities. In 1983, a SCADA master computer that could accommodate bigger distribution management systems was showcased. We delivered the world's first UNIX-based SCADA system in 1991. Our latest achievement was the on-time delivery of the first energy management system employing fully-integrated power applications on an open system UNIX platform. With the delivery of an advanced energy management system, we launched the broadest range of high performance, scalable, UNIX system solutions available for SCADA, distribution management, distribution automation, demand-side management, substation automation and energy management.

Collaboration with key strategic partners has been a major component of our success. Alliances with companies that enhance our product offerings -- companies such as Hewlett-Packard, Continental Power Exchange, Power Technologies, Inc., ESCOM, Oracle, Gentry and Unified -- have enabled us to combine the best technology available with the latest advances to create top quality products. According to Newton-Evans, a leading utility industry analyst, "Advanced Control Systems can successfully provide customers with many of the information technology solutions required to successfully make the transition into the new, competitive environment."

Historical Highlights

2005 Xpert Sim, the real-time, archive-based distribution system training simulator goes into operation in San Diego, California.

2003 Modified DA/DSM system commissioned for Barbados Light & Power Company

2002 Second comprehensive DA/DSM system (Amman, Jordan) goes on-line

2001 Factory acceptance/shipping of Taiwan Power Company DA/DSM system.

2000 Second DA/DSM system awarded by Amman, Jordan.

1998 Awarded contract for world's first fully integrated DA/DSM system.

1997 Delivers first SCADA system with DNP implemented in Master Station and RTUs.

1995 Delivers the first energy management system employing fully integrated power applications on an open system UNIX platform.

1992 Hewlett-Packard awards its Premier Solution Provider status -- the highest recognition given by Hewlett-Packard to any of its value-added resellers.

1991 Delivers industry's first UNIX-based open architecture SCADA system. First Asian contract is awarded, an HPM-9000 UNIX-based system to be installed in Taiwan for China Steel.

1990 Awarded the industry's first fully integrated SCADA-AM/FM System designed around industry standards with open architecture.

1987 Delivers industry's first knowledge-based intelligent alarm processor.

1985 Delivers industry's first single-board RTU designed for pole-top downline monitoring and control for distribution automation.

1984 Delivers its first SCADA/EMS system and solid-state demand recorders; acquires EMAX.

1983 Delivers its first HPM-7000 Series master station, developed for distribution management, fully integrated SCADA/Load Management System and fully implemented DMS with SCADA, load management, CAD-PAD, network analysis and DMS software.

1982 First international system is delivered.

1981 Adopts policy of non-obsolenscence by providing users continuous software enhancements and upgrades.

1979 Delivers the industry's first RTU designed specifically for the distribution environment, fully integrated multi-processor-based master station and Command Interpreter computational package for user implementation.

1978 Delivers its first Hewlett-Packard-based master station with fully online database managers. The first Annual User's Group Conference is conducted.

1977 Delivers the industry's first microprocessor-based master station, and fully online database editor, fully integrated distribution voltage management system.

1975 Company founded by John Muench, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, on April 9th. Delivers industry's first microprocessor-based RTUs.

Our growth in this industry has earned us the Atlanta Business Chronicle's FastTech 50 Award numerous times since 1983.

Inc. magazine also ranked us among the top 50 companies in the United States, recognizing the tremendous growth that took place during our first five years of operation. Today, we compete effectively with global corporations.

Advanced Control Systems today

We have delivered more than 500 SCADA systems and 10,000 remote terminal units to more than 400 customers -- and the list keeps growing! Presently we are working on a number of groundbreaking projects, including the world's first fully integrated distribution automation system, in Tai-Chung, Taiwan.

We are committed to providing excellence in product technology and quality, as witnessed by the annual allocation of 13% in revenue to new product development, as well as focusing 19% of our workforce on research and development. Mr. Muench states, "We are expanding worldwide in energy management, distribution management and distribution automation. Advanced Control Systems was the first American-owned company to deliver major distribution management systems to Russia and South Africa. Our goal is to be a world leader."

Our present focus is developing open access applications for the new, deregulated power industry. Open-access architecture permits information to be shared among multiple platforms. Our development and design of a UNIX-based product line that spans the entire product spectrum from small to very large systems is just one of the many applications we are developing.