EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- Customers are no longer just buying a UPS system; they are investing in a complete, tailored power continuity partnership
- As data centre operators need to ensure their UPS continues to perform over the long term, preventative maintenance contracts are therefore key
- Data centre managers should be sceptical of sales and marketing brochures and seek out real-world validation of UPS systems through customer reference visits and live site demonstrations
In today’s world, selecting an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is no longer just about technical specifications or price. Data centre operators need to look beyond the hardware itself to make smarter, future-proofed investment decisions.
It’s about the whole package
Customers are no longer just buying a UPS system; they’re investing in a complete, tailored power continuity partnership. This includes every nut and bolt to the expert installation and commissioning, along with ongoing support with servicing and preventative maintenance. The performance requirements of a UPS system such as efficiency, resilience and level of power density are important, but they are also buying into a support team too. The ability of the manufacturer to deliver a fully integrated, seamlessly supported UPS system is almost just as important as the performance of the UPS itself.
Speed of delivery
With data centre sites growing in numbers across the globe, depending on location, it may be important to select a manufacturer who can deliver and supply service support internationally. The ability to provide fast, reliable logistics, with rapid order and delivery times plus regional support teams, and local service coverage can be a major factor when it comes to choosing a supplier. At Centiel our rapid delivery times can be just a couple of weeks, which enables data centres to adopt an agile, swift approach to expansion if needed.
Future-proofed service contracts
Data centres need to ensure their UPS continues to perform over the long term. Preventative maintenance contracts are therefore key to keeping UPS in optimal condition.
Centiel’s latest award-winning modular UPS StratusPowerTM has a 30-year design life. Its modular configuration maximises availability and efficiency and is designed to minimise TCO while improving sustainability. However, the key is that the system has been developed by leaders in the field and it is supported by experts.
Data centres will do well to select a manufacturer that offers this level of peace of mind choosing a system that is covered by comprehensive service contracts delivered by a team of experienced professionals. This will ensure uptime, compliance, and maximise availability over the system entire life of the UPS.
Beyond the brochure
Data centre managers should be sceptical of sales and marketing brochures. They should seek real-world validation of UPS systems through customer reference visits and live site demonstrations. Proof of concept is best delivered through factory visits and factory acceptance tests. This level of transparency builds trust and is the only real way to validate the UPS’ performance claims under real-life conditions. Question why any UPS manufacturer would not encourage this level of interaction with the system prior to commitment to purchase.
Strong supply chain and partnerships
Essentially, investing in a UPS system now means buying into the manufacturer’s entire supply chain. Customers should gain assurance that components are sourced reliably, and partners and subcontractors meet the high standards required. As an investment in time, manufacturers should be happy to showcase their supply chain strengths and arrange any necessary meetings or visits as part of the value proposition.
Long-term support and relationship
Buying a UPS system is a big-ticket, long-term commitment. Data centres should look for manufacturers who will act as true partners. That means committing time and resources to understand the customer’s business, offering tailored packages, training and providing ongoing technical support and expert account management.
Manufacturers must step up
From a manufacturer’s perspective, it’s no longer enough simply to sell a UPS system. Data centres are investing in a long term business critical solution, a service, and a relationship. The onus is now on manufacturers to demonstrate they are the right partner for today and the future, through transparency, capability, and proven delivery.
For further information about how Centiel supports data centres please see: www.centiel.com.
About the author: Karl Bateson is key account manager, UK, at Centiel.
