Network Communications News (NCN) June 2016 | Page 30

S P E C I A L F E AT U R E

UPS & power management

Batteries are the leading cause of failure in even the best UPS.

options, from site visits to routine
maintenance checks, for users wishing
to extend their product warranty. Extra
services can sometimes be added. For
example, battery cover can provide
customers with a replacement service
for life-expired or damaged batteries
that can extend the life of a UPS and
in turn minimise their total cost of
ownership (TCO). On-site support
to help with commissioning a new
installation or for routine servicing can
sometimes also be added – at a cost
– but then the price quickly starts to
approach that of a full support contract.
Out of all the options, the least
satisfactory approach to UPS support
is to operate on a time-and-material
pay-as-you-go basis. Those who use
this approach have to remember to
arrange and budget for routine service
visits, as these will only be made on
request. And, if a problem does occur,
not only are the repair costs likely to
be high, the response time from the
service provider may also be longer, as
customers with a support agreement
are usually given priority.

Reputation
Last but not least, as with any insurance,
it is crucial to pay attention to the
reputation of the seller. You wouldn’t
buy insurance for your business from
a company with an unknown track
record and neither should you trust
such a company with your UPS support
requirements. Always choose a support
supplier with an in-depth knowledge
of the product’s features and settings,
such as the manufacturer itself, or at
the very least one that’s known and
respected and has the support of the
manufacturer and can therefore be
relied upon to deliver on its promises.
It is always better to check a supplier’s
credentials with a vendor, than to cut
costs by deciding on a seemingly
cheaper option that will undoubtedly,
most likely at the worst possible time,
prove too good to be true.

The best option is undoubtedly a support
service that has been carefully formulated.

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28-30 UPS – Eaton.indd 30

31/05/2016 15:40