The Value of Server Racks and Backup Power for SMB Continuity
It doesn’t matter how big or small your business is, you need the proper IT infrastructure in place to ensure its continuity. If even one piece of equipment isn’t working correctly, your entire facility will suffer. And for SMBs, device disruption and downtime can be especially costly, risking their finances as well as their reputation. However, by properly utilizing server racks, backup power systems, and monitoring devices, SMBs can ensure operational reliability. Continue reading to learn why these pieces of equipment are crucial to keeping SMBs running smoothly and efficiently.
Server Racks Organize Your Systems
The more organized a facility is, the more likely it is to operate efficiently and effectively. This is especially true for SMBs who might not have as much room for critical equipment. This is where server racks come in. Also called network racks, these physical structures house and protect your IT devices. While there are many different server rack systems available, all are built to house servers, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units, switches, and more. The standard size for these network racks is typically 42U, or 73.5 inches tall, 19 inches wide, and 42 inches, providing a compact space for SMBs to store and organize their equipment.
Network racks aren’t just organized for convenience but are also designed in a way that encourages airflow and prevents overheating. With multiple devices comes multiple wires that can quickly become cluttered and create a safety hazard. Server racks give SMBs the opportunity to upgrade their cable management and organize all their equipment so the air can cool the area more efficiently. This helps prevent overheating which could lead to expensive downtime and data loss, which are even more disastrous for SMBs who may not have as many resources as enterprises do to ensure continuity.
Backup Power Saves You Time and Money
Unexpected downtime can be costly for any company, but it can be especially expensive for SMBs since they don’t always have the resources for emergency repair. Even a short power outage can disrupt operations, leading to lost productivity and revenue. This is why you need reliable backup power to ensure the continuity of your business. Uninterruptible power supply systems can help keep your equipment up and running when your main power source goes down.
These systems don’t just help the power stay on; they also help protect your equipment. Sudden power surges and outages can cause irreversible damage to all the devices in your facility. Even worse, these unexpected shutdowns can lead to data corruption or loss, putting important information at risk. An uninterruptible power supply acts as a shield between your equipment and unstable power. It regulates voltage to ensure clean power consistently flows to your devices. This way, if a power surge or outage does occur you can automatically switch to backup power which gives you enough time to save work, shut down systems properly, or keep everything running until power is restored. This prevents data loss and corruption, protecting your hardware and the data stored on it.
Redundancy and Downtime
According to ITIC’s 2023 survey, 90% of organizations require 99.99% availability or only 52 minutes of unplanned downtime per year. While backup power systems can help minimize potential downtime, there is another practice SMBs can use to take their continuity one step further. Redundancy, or having a backup for all critical equipment, ensures that if your main power, cooling, or internet systems fail you have another one ready to take its place.
The practice of redundancy requires careful planning and purchasing double of all your important systems which can quickly become expensive. This makes redundancy much more common in larger organizations. However, more and more SMBs are proactively adopting a redundancy mindset and utilizing this practice at a lower level to help prevent costly downtime. For example, some SMBs may find it useful to purchase a backup uninterruptible power supply if they experience frequent power outages or voltage sags and surges. With the right backup UPS, an SMB could improve its uptime and save money by only buying one backup device instead of dozens.
Remote Monitoring and Ensuring Continuity
Ensuring the continuity of your SMB means that all your equipment needs to be performing optimally. The most reliable way of making this happen is by using monitoring and management solutions to keep an eye on all your devices 24/7. These solutions will tell you how each piece of equipment is running and alert you to potential issues. For example, if an uninterruptible power supply isn’t holding as much charge as it used to, a monitoring solution will let you know so you can prepare for a new UPS. Monitoring and management solutions also help you plan for the future by showing you trends in power usage and temperature. This information can reveal if you need to upgrade your cooling system or if it’s time to expand your server room. Instead of waiting until the last minute, you can start budgeting and planning for your next system upgrade.
Vertiv™ SmartCabinet™ ID: The All-in-One Solution
In order for your SMB to run smoothly, it needs organized server racks, reliable backup power, remote monitoring, and more. This can seem like a lot of equipment to keep in your server room, but it doesn’t need to take up that much space. It doesn’t even need to arrive separately. Integrated solutions like the Vertiv™ SmartCabinet™ ID deliver an all-in-one micro data center that includes server rack, cooling, backup power, security, and monitoring systems. This can be beneficial for SMBs who don’t have the space to build a new conditioned and secure IT room but still need a solution for their growing infrastructure.
Ready to Learn More About Optimizing Your IT Infrastructure?
Implementing the right server racks and uninterruptible power supply systems is only one step in ensuring your facility is ready for anything. Optimizing your IT infrastructure for business continuity is an ongoing process, but it doesn’t have to be a difficult one. If your SMB is ready to purchase the equipment it needs to run no matter what, contact us today to speak to one of our experts. You can also sign up for our newsletter to learn more about the latest equipment designed to help run your facility no matter what.