UPS Systems | 5 Key Points to Consider
According to a recent survey*, 25% of IT outages in the UK are related to unreliable power supplies. When you learn that the average downtime cost is between £7,500 – £15,000 per outage, then you begin to understand why having a uninterruptible power supply or UPS system is so crucial.
With mission critical activity so heavily reliant on ‘always available’ technology, UPS Systems play an ever more important and significant role in keeping your business up and running. Given that such power outages are usually not within your organisation’s control, you can have peace of mind if there is an effective UPS system to combat such a power outage event.
UPS Systems will maintain your IT and Critical Infrastructure until power returns or until the longer-term emergency power back-up system starts. This means that your IT estate and PCs have continuous access to power in the event of a brownout or complete utility power failure. UPS Systems also provide clean power so that noise or dips in frequency from the utility do not damage equipment. No matter what the size of your business, uptime & protection of your systems & data is critical to its success.
So how do I choose a UPS system?
A UPS is not a standard universal product. There are many UPS Systems available and they will not all be suitable to your particular business operations. If this is the case, there is a possibility that it might fail to keep your systems up and running. In order to establish the right UPS system to protect your business, it is important to commission an expert such as DCResponse to carry out a free site survey to recommend the right UPS system and maintenance contract tailored to your business demands.
We reveal the 5 essential points you need to consider when choosing a UPS:
1) Off the Shelf UPS Systems
For single PC’s or individual servers, there are “off the shelf” UPS systems available. For example, small and medium business UPS systems range from 200VA (0.87A) to 20kVA (87A) single phase, and up to 400kVA (174A total or 58A per phase) three-phase. Off the shelf solutions come with pros and cons, and whilst they are often cheaper than a bespoke solution, they do have their restrictions such as the potential inability to evolve with future business needs.
2) Bespoke UPS Systems
For businesses who have a clear understanding of their current requirements & can look to the future and for larger or more complex networks, a bespoke UPS System provides the optimum solution. The advantages of bespoke UPS systems are that they are tailored to the exact requirements of your business allowing them to fully integrate and meet key business objectives.
Bespoke solutions usually involve a site survey, followed by solution design, installation, monitoring and maintenance. This includes three-phase or modular UPS Systems for large networks, data centres and server rooms ranging from 10kVA to 800kVA with up to 8 units in parallel to provide 6.4MVA of critical protection.
3) UPS Batteries
UPS batteries come in all kinds of types, makes and models so it’s important to get something that’s fit for your purpose. You will need to think about how many outlets you have, what power you use and how long you need the UPS battery to work for. It’s also worthwhile to get an expert like DCResponse to look at your load and backup times to determine what’s best for your business. DCResponse work with the YUASA the World’s leading battery manufacturer and can also provide Borri, Eaton and Riello UPS systems.
Keep in mind that the leading culprit of UPS failure, leading to the consequent downtime of your entire infrastructure, is its batteries. The batteries in your UPS will naturally degrade over a period of time, so it is essential to test regularly so that they continue to provide coverage in the event of a power failure.
4) Remote Monitoring Service
For added peace of mind, a remote monitoring service will automatically detect any changes or errors in your system. This immediately informs relevant personnel so that action can be taken promptly. This early warning alert can prevent the situation from reaching critical point and keep your business running smoothly.
5) Maintenance and Servicing
All UPS systems need servicing regularly to make sure they are operating correctly, that there are no faults and that problems are identified before they become a critical failure. Maintenance contracts provide peace of mind and ensure your UPS system is tested regularly and will operate effectively in the event of a power outage.
We strongly believe every business should have a UPS or run the risk of disruption to its business in the event of a power outage. According to an industry study by The Diffusion Group, who surveyed small business organisations in the UK, 60% of companies that lose their data close down within six months of the disaster. The cost of downtime in financial, organisational and service terms can be catastrophic, and a UPS is a sound investment.
Client testimonial: ‘We were impressed with the service we received from DCResponse who identified the best UPS for us and were able to source and install it quickly so that we were protected against the power cuts that are frequent occurrences in our part of the UK.’ To find out more about the right UPS for your organisation, contact DCResponse now.
*Survey of 150 UK businesses by Timico http://www.datacenterdynamics.com/critical-environment/power-problems-are-the-biggest-cause-of-it-outages/94602.article
