During last week's freak heatwave, I wrote about the importance of maintenance. Not just for us as humans but the much-required maintenance of technology that we now rely upon day in, day out ...
Now is the time to start planning for the extreme changes in climate!
Our Laptops, PCs, Servers, Switches, Phone Systems, VoIP equipment, mobile smartphones, Wi-Fi and EPOS equipment (to name but a few) are at risk of overheating and specifically 'static' equipment such as in Plant/Server/Comms Rooms.
"There are two main things to check this week!"
Firstly, did the Air Conditioning Units hold up and keep the room to the optimum temperature and secondly, we now need to check our UPS units to ensure that the batteries are in range and have not been fried in the heat.
We had an incident in a data centre last week, whereby one of the main power units failed and it took down some servers and clients could not access the data for about two hours. Even with all the precautions that data centres take in ensuring 24/7/365 uptime, there is no way of predicting what effects this type of extreme climate has on electronics.
"My local supermarket had a meltdown too. Their freezer went faulty and they had to clear all the frozen stock before it melted away!"
Climate change is nothing new. As mentioned last week, my brother was talking about it forty years ago. People need to change their habits and governments need to stop talking and start doing. No good flying around the world holding conferences and summits. Roll up your sleeves and lead by example is my motto.
Anyway, back to the matter at hand: the humble Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). The UPS is invaluable for two reasons. It smooths out any power spikes in the event of power surges and protects vital IT and Telecoms equipment and in the event of a power cut. A UPS allows time for all equipment to be functional for a short time, also allowing the equipment to be shut down correctly rather than abruptly so again, protecting those vital servers and switches.
There is now a massive choice in UPS devices, ranging from small units that can protect one piece of equipment, right the way up to data centre versions that can protect entire racks of equipment.
Now is the time to start planning for the extreme changes in climate, not just hot weather, but the possibility of severe cold weather too. So, make sure those AC units can blow out heat as well!
With extreme weather events a regular occurrence now, our electronic equipment is going to be put through some major temperature fluctuations, all be it periodically, but now is the time to consider the best and safest locations within your businesses to ensure it all works as required.
If in doubt, consult your technology partner for the best advice.
Until next time ...
PRITESH GANATRA
Would you like to know more?
If anything I've written in this blog post resonates with you and you'd like to discover more about technology and extreme weather, it may be a great idea to give me a call on 01604 926100 or take a look at my website which you can find by clicking here.
The word 'Technology' has too many connotations in today's world!
Where do we start? Simple terms like 'IT' and 'Telecoms'? or terms that appear NOT to have an actual meaning at all!, e.g. 'Internet of Things (IoT).
Technology also encompasses specialist products and services like 'Rugged' and 'Tough' android devices, Lone Worker Software, panic alarm devices, smart energy devices, low energy lighting, credit card terminal (PCI DSS) security, indoor/ outdoor Wi-Fi systems, Ultrafast Gigabit internet connectivity, access control systems, industrial IoT circuit controllers.
BTS UK can consult from simple solutions to the most complex, provide some of the products through a wholesale channel, bring together a multi-disciplined 'Task Force' to deliver and implement complete Technology 'projects'.
I am your technology problem solver and I look forward to helping you.
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