There is no doubt; IT downtime is costly. According to some estimates, the cost of downtime ranges from $84,000 per hour at the low end[1] to $5 million per hour at large organizations[2].
Downtime caused by power failure can be doubly frustrating because it can usually be avoided with uninterruptible power supply (UPS) solutions. That's when such solutions really work.
The rate of electricity-related downtime is steadily declining. But it still happens. And the number one cause of power interruption: UPS failure. [3] Fortunately, IT managers can take some measures.
Greg Johnson, Schneider Electric's North American sales director, explained that the organization faces serious challenges in power management. "Most roles in charge of the closet really understand IT. They know very little about power."
Johnson said that in an era when traditional data centers dominate the IT landscape, facility personnel are dedicated to power, while IT personnel focus on racks and servers within their authority.
Now, with the rise of edge computing environments, computing, storage, networking, and their ability to operate closer to where they need to be, IT professionals need to master power as soon as possible.
This is because, unlike traditional big data centers with built-in IT redundancy, generators, and even multiple power grids, smaller-scale edge computing sites often lack similar backup options. This includes advantages such as on-site facility staff proficient in the ins and outs of letting power flow to servers and coolers, no matter what.
Therefore, small data centers that support edge infrastructure rely on UPS and IT staff. "To really understand the battery life cycle, it depends on the IT staff," Johnson said.
They are not exactly registered. This is why the right UPS solution can have a significant impact between maintaining lighting and costly power failures.
Modern UPS systems can help organizations avoid downtime through advanced battery technology, automation, and remote monitoring capabilities.
For example, APC's Smart UPS-Ultra is powered by a lithium-ion battery, and its duration and charging speed are three times that of a lead-acid battery UPS system. It also has a smaller, lighter form factor to make room for more servers and other equipment in a narrow space.
The combination of remote monitoring and UPS systems can also have a significant impact on IT personnel responsible for edge infrastructure.
Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure IT allows administrators to set alarms and use data analysis to schedule predictive maintenance, such as battery replacement. All of this is to ensure that the team has time to resolve the problem in a timely manner before the power problems cause serious damage to the small data centers and the businesses that rely on them.
Johnson believes that his job is to help troubled IT professionals with new responsibilities related to facilities. "There may be many mysteries about UPS," he said. "Our job is to provide a tool to remove the veil."
[2] https://techchannel.com/IT-Strategy/09/2021/cost-enterprise-downtime
Copyright © 2021 IDG Communications, Inc.
Copyright © 2021 IDG Communications, Inc.