4 Questions To Ask Before Opting for In-House UPS Service
When it comes to uninterruptible power supply (UPS) service and maintenance, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. While research has proven that regular service is among the most successful and cost-effective means of ensuring the ongoing optimal performance of your critical power quality equipment, organizations have multiple options for who performs this important task.
One alternative is to assign uninterruptible power supply repair services to in-house personnel. Although this may, at first glance, appear to be an ideal solution, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of engaging with a preferred service provider versus keeping UPS maintenance service under your own roof.
Consider these key questions for in-house uninterruptible power supply service:
1. How much expertise is required? It’s impossible to put a price tag on the knowledge and skill set that a trained UPS technician brings to the table. Generally capable of working on almost any type of power equipment regardless of the age or product line, technicians’ familiarity and proficiency with various brands of UPSs make them uniquely qualified to remedy a wide range of service issues. Furthermore, most technicians participate in regular, ongoing training to stay apprised of ever-evolving power quality products and technologies.
Conversely, although in-house employees may be well-versed on overall IT matters, they usually don’t possess extensive UPS knowledge, especially when it comes to complex systems. While an in-house worker may be competent to perform simple tasks on smaller units (such as hot-swapping single-phase batteries), the majority of UPSs require regular attention on many levels, including updating software and firmware, cleaning fans, assessing capacitor wear, and checking for loose connections. Perhaps most important, does your employee have the knowledge and the tools to proactively detect impending points of failure before they become expensive problems? Professional service organizations have an arsenal of specialized instruments that do just that, such as thermal cameras able to identify potentially damaging hot spots.
2. What about parts? Another advantage to relying on a professional service provider is that when something goes wrong with your UPS, they likely have the parts in stock to fix it. Because quick access to replacement parts is crucial to avoiding extended downtime, a service contract with a third-party company can mean the difference between timely resolution and devastating disaster. Parts are equally important to properly complete routine UPS service, so when keeping service in-house, you will need to store and maintain your own stockpile.
3. How much time and resources can you allocate? When you assign UPS maintenance to an in-house employee, the job will almost certainly be added on top of his or her (probably already long) list of other tasks and responsibilities. Not only will it be challenging to make UPS service a priority, but it’s also important to consider the designated employee’s ability to respond to an emergency, as few scenarios will test their fortitude like an unplanned downtime event.
Conversely, when contracting with a professional service provider, most offer 24/7 response, as well as access to qualified representatives who can troubleshoot over the phone. If the emergency cannot be resolved, prompt on-site response time is essential.
4. What’s your service budget? Before you answer that, first consider the potential costs to your organization if you were to experience unplanned downtime. While keeping service in house may eliminate upfront expense, over the long haul, it could end up being much more expensive over the lifetime of a UPS, depending on the number of problems experienced and their severity. Furthermore, if you protect your UPS with a full service contract, your costs remain fixed, meaning there will be no surprises. Engaging in third-party professional service can not only eliminate unnecessary worry and stress, but ensure your UPS equipment maintains the highest level of reliability and performance.
So before you make the investment of turning your UPS service in house, give the knowledgeable experts at Intelligent Power Solutions a call and ask about a hands-off, headache-free approach for your business today!
