Trend

SMBs opt for smart power

SMBs are looking for power solutions with functions beyond basic power protection for their server rooms, says Vinutha V.

Maestro Engineering’s IT infrastructure had grown from a couple of PCs in 1999 to 40 PCs, two eServers and a SAP server. Its traditional offline UPS from Luminous, Microtek and Sukam couldn’t meet the scalability requirements, leading to situations wherein systems frequently had to be shutdown. Further, it did not support the backup processes of the eServers and the SAP server.

“Having faced with frequent shutdowns and system crashes, we felt the need for a solution that offered superior functionality over that provided by a traditional UPS. We opted for an online UPS system from Eaton Power Quality which is a smart power solution with additional functionality such as power monitoring software that allows us to manage the entire IT infrastructure—PCs, servers, routers and EPABX. Power monitoring and advanced battery management double battery service life, optimise recharge time for quick recovery after power outages and provide advance warning of the end of useful battery life. Buck and boost voltage regulation corrects incoming voltage fluctuations, while pure sine wave output delivers continuous power,” says Aditya Khare, Assistant Manager, IT, Maestro Engineering. Some of Emerson Network Power’s customers also faced a similar situation. New India Co-operative Bank and Kale Consultants were using standalone UPS systems. As their businesses grew, they opted for smart power solutions with additional functionality such as better power management solutions with precision air conditioning, battery management and cabling that provide a constant level of performance.

Rapid growth triggers change

The SMB segment is realising the benefits of a networked IT environment to support their roadmap for expansion and growth Deepak Sharma Managing Director Eaton Power Quality

These instances only indicate the increase in IT adoption and requirement for power solutions that scale along with the IT environments. IT set-ups in the SMB segment are changing from a handful of PCs to include a couple of servers as well. Comments Deepak Sharma, Managing Director, Eaton Power Quality, “The SMB segment is realising the benefits of a networked IT environment to support their roadmap for expansion and growth. Keeping this in mind, SMBs prefer to choose smart functionality rather than just a ‘box’ (plain UPS).” SMBs also look at smart features to ensure high uptime availability. Explains Pankaj Sharma, Country General Manager, American Power Conversion (APC) India, “An SMB’s IT set-up with three to four servers could be termed as a small data centre. In such scenarios, seamless power backup is crucial and hence, the need for extra features exists in the SMB segment too.” The evolving computing needs in the SMB segment are paving the way for vendors to offer sophisticated, power solutions.

“In India, the SMB segment has a bigger base when compared to large enterprises. Unfortunately, vendors neglected this segment, which has resulted in the lack of knowledge among SMBs about smart power solutions,” states Shrikant Bapat, Senior VP, Solutions, Emerson Network Power India. Typically, an SMB would not have a sophisticated IT team. Hence, managing the challenges associated with computing resources is a major task for these organisations. With many levels of automation, such as an ERP implementation, SMBs are forced to protect their IT environment. Bapat points out that space is a constraint at most SMBs as their server rooms are usually small; managing cables, stacking up racks and frequent power tripping are challenges encountered here. The situation may worsen for companies in B and C-class cities, as they would have great difficulties in getting constant performance levels even at low UPS loads.

By all accounts, SMBs are considering UPS systems with smart features for several reasons—protection of hardware, software and network, high productivity, redundancies, single point of contact for service, and support. Manageability from remote locations, single point for design, and smooth operations of all interconnected equipment are the need of the hour for SMBs with operations in multiple locations. All these coupled with the challenge of changing technology is making them look at better power solutions.

It’ s still the same solution

Seamless power backup is crucial and hence, the need for extra features exists in the SMB segment too Pankaj Sharma Country General Manager American Power Conversion India

Vendors opine that the need for a power management solution with features that are not available in a traditional UPS are need-driven rather than vertical-specific. The IT division of a typical SMB caters to payroll, mail and accounting servers. Availability and manageability of data has become as important to an SMB as it is for a large enterprise. According to vendors who give end-to-end power solutions to SMBs, the minimum requirement of an SMB would be UPS, precision air conditioning, racks, power-monitoring software, cabling, and real-time battery service. Higher battery backup with less noise and high efficiency is what the average SMB is looking for.

While offering power solutions, vendors may have different names, but they are catering to the same requirement—end-to-end power solutions or smart power solutions. For instance, Eaton Power Quality calls its solution an end-to-end power solution that comprises hardware, software and cabling. Emerson Network Power offers an infrastructure solution—UPS, false flooring, wiring, air conditioning, and power-monitoring enclosure system. APC has named its offerings of power, cooling, racks, security & fire protection, cabling, and management systems as Network-critical Physical Infrastructure. All these vendors offer solutions bundled with 24/7 service. Of SMBs that are moving from standalone power solutions to smart power solutions, industry experts note that the demand is more towards power monitoring software that gives information on the status of batteries and load capacity measured in kVA.

“We continue to maintain a major thrust on this segment. Their growth in terms of HR, finance and business is compelling them to automate their business processes and this would be the best time for vendors to target this segment,” opines Bapat. The first step to explore business opportunities is through education. Vendors directly, or through their partners, study SMBs’ server rooms and educate them on smart power solutions. Emerson Network Power has been educating its existing and potential customers through road shows, events, mailers and white papers. Awareness programmes are conducted on safety issues. Adoption of different marketing strategies for SMBs help them in penetrating further. For instance, APC offers ‘pay as you grow.’ By doing so, it helps in saving on the operating expenses and the infrastructure costs.

vinutha@expresscomputeronline.com