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Applications of Switchable Power Management in Varying Environments
With today's economic climate, the need to manage your equipment more efficiently is a key to maintaining a competitive advantage. As evident by the recent upswing in the financial markets, businesses are still thriving, but as unemployment continues above 9% the message is obvious. Businesses must run leaner and do more with less. Technology is the key to increasing productivity, and the use of power distribution units (PDUs) with remote power management is one of the most popular technologies used in networked environments.
Remote managed PDUs, offered by PDUs Direct and referred to as Swtiched PDUs, are industrial grade power strips with network and serial connection ports. Through these communications ports, users are able to monitor power draw and environmental conditions, control the outlets (rebooting or turning outlets on/off), and receive alert notifications if user defined thresholds for amperage, temperature or humidity are breached. Other Switched PDU features include: programmable power up sequencing, which lets the administrator define delays between outlets to allow network equipment to connect before other equipment begins the start up process; grouping of outlets, for single command control of equipment with multiple power supplies; definable user access ensures users only see the sections they have been given access to and change conditions based on their access level ("on only", "reboot only", etc.); and with the addition of the linked expansion units, users may control multiple circuits from a single interface when practicing power redundancy.
Switched PDUs were originally designed and used by large data centers as a means to reboot unresponsive servers quickly without sending techs into the racks. As co-location facilities arose they became more popular, giving the offsite network manager greater control of their equipment. The offsite teams could monitor their power consumption and environmental conditions in real time and quickly cycle their devices without traveling to the colo or paying site fees to have it done for them. Quality of life improved, as well, on call personnel no longer had to travel to the servers during off hours simply to reboot a server. It could all be controlled from their laptop or home computer.
School districts, university campuses, and other decentralized networks also adopted the Switched PDUs. With smaller network configurations, servers and other communications equipment spread out through many locations, the Switched PDUs allow a single operator to service and manage the entire network from a single location. No longer were service tech dispatched to simply reboot equipment. Over 80% of equipment errors were resolved by simply rebooting the device. By giving a single operator the ability to complete that task remotely, switched PDUs save considerable time, effort, and money.
Other industries are finding new applications for this type of remote power management every day. Broadcasting companies are using these Switched PDUs for their remote transmission sites, reducing time off air. Airlines use them to reset their self check-in terminals, keeping travelers moving through the process quicker and with fewer agents. Retailers, as well, find them useful to keep point of sale kiosks up and running.
Companies today must find new ways to stay competitive. New technologies are pivotal to providing that edge, improving productivity, and reducing costs. More new technology solutions are being introduced every day, but they are only solutions if they work correctly. Switched PDUs provide one way to improve service levels, ensure network solutions remain operational, and save money.
