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Uninterruptible Power Supply Systems for SMEs: Power Backup & Business Continuity After Storm Eowyn

The recent impact of Storm Eowyn has highlighted a critical issue for many SMEs: power resilience. Business owners often assume that an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) will keep systems running indefinitely during an outage, but in reality, UPS systems in SMEs are typically designed to provide just enough runtime to gracefully shut down critical systems, protecting them from sudden power loss. However, power disruptions aren’t always a simple on/off scenario. With rolling outages, fluctuating power, and ISP failures, businesses need to rethink their approach to power backup and disaster recovery.

Understanding Uninterruptible Power Supply Systems: What They Can and Can’t Do

A UPS system is an essential safeguard for IT infrastructure, but it has limitations:

  • Short-Term Protection: Most Uninterruptible Power Supply solutions for SMEs are not meant to keep systems running indefinitely but to allow safe shutdown of servers and networking equipment.
  • Power Fluctuations: When power is restored but unstable (e.g., during infrastructure repairs), a UPS helps regulate voltage and prevent damage to hardware.
  • Device Protection: Sudden power loss can lead to data corruption, hardware damage, and in worst-case scenarios, the complete failure of a server.

The Reality of Power Restoration: Why a Uninterruptible Power Supply Alone Isn’t Enough

In many cases, power restoration is not immediate or stable. Businesses should consider scenarios where:

  • Power comes back intermittently before full restoration.
  • Grid supply remains unstable for hours or even days.
  • ISP services may still be down due to high-site damage, even if electricity is restored.

This highlights a misalignment between business expectations and reality. Many SMEs assume that once power is restored, everything will be back to normal, but without internet connectivity, even cloud-hosted services may be inaccessible.

Generators: The Next Step in Business Continuity

For businesses requiring prolonged uptime, generators can be a viable solution, but they come with caveats:

  • Not all generators are suitable for IT equipment. Power fluctuations from cheaper or incorrectly configured generators can cause as much damage as power loss.
  • Professional installation is crucial. Work with qualified electricians to install changeover switches and necessary electrical modifications.
  • Pre-wired setups can simplify emergency response. A generator-ready infrastructure allows for quick plug-in solutions during power crises.

The Case for Cloud Migration: Why Azure is a Smart Move

Beyond power concerns, on-premises workloads remain vulnerable to ISP outages. If a storm damages high-site infrastructure, businesses may regain power but still face prolonged downtime due to internet disruptions. Migrating workloads to Azure offers key advantages:

  • Resiliency: Data and applications remain accessible from anywhere, reducing reliance on local infrastructure.
  • Disaster Recovery (DR): Azure-based DR solutions ensure business continuity even in prolonged outages.
  • Scalability & Cost-Effectiveness: SMEs can reduce dependency on expensive on-site hardware while improving redundancy.

Final Thoughts: Bridging the Expectation Gap

Many businesses underestimate the complexity of power disruptions and overestimate what a UPS can do. A comprehensive business continuity plan should include:

1. Correctly sized UPS systems to protect critical infrastructure.

2. Understanding power restoration risks and ISP dependency.

3. Generators with proper electrical setups for extended outages.

4. A shift towards cloud solutions like Azure to mitigate on-premises risks.

By addressing these areas, SMEs can better prepare for future outages and ensure that power disruptions don’t turn into business disasters. Is your business prepared? If you’re considering cloud migration reach out to us on 0818 987 900 or email us at hello@intuity.ie and our experts will be happy to help.

Contributed by Malcolm Houston – Technical Pre-Sales and Project Manager at Intuity Technologies

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