I’ve worked with so many clients over the past little while and I’m always surprised how otherwise risk-averse business people can sometimes overlook a simple but necessary technology solution. The technology I’m referring to is an Uninterruptible Power Supply or UPS for short. A UPS is a device that you plug your technology into and the UPS in turn is plugged into your power outlets. The UPS will not only provide you with clean uninterruptible power to your workstation or server, but it automatically regulates the voltage going into your valuable equipment. This assures you that your equipment will not be stressed by the random power fluctuations and other power events that are common from your utility.

Just how common are random power fluctuations and intermittent power dropouts?

You may think that if you live in a big city or in the downtown core, that the power quality is sufficient enough not to worry about. The truth, is that random power events are quite common, no matter where you live. In many installations across the city, I’ve seen what can happen when a client doesn’t have the proper power management technologies at their facility. In my computer lab, I roughly experience about 4-6 major power events a year. I define any power event as a major power event if it requires my UPS technology to switch over to battery power. This could include a complete loss of power (blackout) a temporary voltage drop (brownout). Sometimes the loss of power may be only a few seconds or in the worst case, many hours. In addition to the major power events, additional power events that can adversely affect your equipment are a surge in electric current or slight voltage drops.

Why you need an Uninterruptible Power Supply

Because computer technology is extremely susceptible to poor power quality, it is very important to make sure that you have a UPS solution that adequately protects you. Poor power quality and major power events can damage or shorten the life span of your valuable equipment. Power events contribute to poor availability of your systems & applications, which leads to reduced productivity and erodes your customers’ confidence in you. In all too many cases, bad power events contribute to data loss, equipment failure and a loss of business.

Choosing the UPS solution that is right for you

Finding the right power management solution can be a daunting first-time task. First start with taking an audit of your systems and the facility they reside in. Be sure to take note of any special concerns with your technology or any increased risk in your facility or geographic area. Bring all this information to an information technology professional, so that he/she can recommend the solution that best fits your needs or budget. It is extremely important to talk with a professional as they would have experience and be able to outline many potential risks and solutions that you haven’t even thought of.

I personally have been using APC solutions in my own computer lab and in customer installations exclusively. The reason is simple, their products perform quite well, they have a broad product range and the after sale support is the best in the industry. I have no problem entrusting my equipment or the equipment of my clients to APC technology. In my experience, the equipment pays for itself when you experience your first major power event.

Just a quick note to let you know that I’m in no way compensated by APC for my favorable opinion of their power solutions. I recommend them based on my good experiences of using this technology in the field.

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 23rd, 2008 at 9:27 pm and is filed under Safe Computing.You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.