What Do You Do When The Lights Go Out?

In business, what happens when the lights go out? Rolling power blackouts are making this a real problem for many businesses. Consider the impact of power outages on the computer and telecommunications systems that run businesses today. Residents and businesses alike rely on a constant supply of electricity to run data centers, network servers, network switching equipment, local workstations and telecommunications equipment. What happens to these critical systems when blackouts occur? How many companies are really prepared for intermittent electricity? What about preparing for an uneven flow of electricity, including low voltage, spikes and lags? These are just a few of the important issues to consider.

Power Back-up Checklist

Computer Systems. Is there power backup for all computer equipment, particularly servers and mainframes? Was the power backup planned for orderly systems shut down or for sustenance during a power outage? With the current cost of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and the temporary nature of power blackouts, companies may want to review this decision. How long is the blackout expected to last? As a minimum, companies probably need backup power for at least one and half times this time interval. Have you tested your UPS? They contain batteries that need to be replaced, generally every two to three years. If power blackouts become a constant part of life, it's important to keep spare batteries on site.

Equipment Components. Next, determine if there are other critical network equipment components that also need power backup. Are there processes to complete, albeit in the dark, before taking the forced break? If a company hosts its own Web site, will it remain online during the power crisis? This is a key consideration because, chances are, your customers won't be affected by the blackout.

Phone/Voicemail. Is the power backup for your telephone and voice mail equipment adequate? Has it been tested? If the system goes down, how is it rebooted? Will it require reprogramming? If so, who in the organization has the information and knowledge to reprogram this equipment?.

HVAC, Fire Suppression and Security Systems. If the power fails, what does a company do about heating, ventilation, air conditioning, fire suppression and security? If the computers continue to run, they also continue to generate heat. If there's no air conditioning to dissipate the heat or fire suppression to fight fire, what loss will the company suffer? Electronic security systems typically have their own power backup. What happens if their power sources fail? Does the security system need to be reprogrammed when power returns?

Other Energy Considerations

What about power brown outs? The lights are partially on. Low voltage can be as destructive as no power. Computer and telecommunications systems require a steady stream of electricity at a relatively constant voltage without surges, spikes or lags. Equipment has been known to malfunction when electric currents are insufficient. UPS systems not only replace primary power, sources, they also provide supplementary power during brown outs.

What happens when the Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) fails? Today it is prudent to require automatic system shutdown when the UPS detects that it is running out of power. Are systems set up for automatic shutdown? Have the systems been tested? Without automatic shutdown, systems stop upon failure of the UPS.

Alternatively, there are more sophisticated options to consider. These include systems that automatically page technicians or support personnel when the power goes out, allowing them to supervise the situation. These can be coordinated with fire detection systems to provide dual function.

There's no question that power crises remind us of the importance of regularly tested backups. Make sure the company has a current, verified backup of all data. Periodically test these backups to be sure they work.

Getting Started Again

What happens when the power comes back on? Is your equipment properly protected from power surges, spikes and lags? Are the switches and hubs hidden in closets and the printers in plain sight protected? If there is equipment that needs to be restarted or reset when the power returns, is there easy access to this equipment? More importantly, is there someone who knows hew to restart or reset it? If something does not return to service normally, what troubleshooting arrangements and contingencies are established? Much of this equipment is taken for granted.

Conservation Is Key

With the potential for interruption in the delivery of energy to residents, office buildings, manufacturing facilities and other users on the rise, it becomes even more critical to think about loss prevention proactively and plan ahead. One such strategy involves conservation. Set power settings to turn monitors off after 10 minutes of inactivity. Shut down workstation hard drives after 30 minutes of inactivity. Implement the power saving features on printers to automatically turn them off after 30 minutes to an hour of inactivity.

While companies may not be able to prevent blackouts or brownouts, every organization can take the steps to minimize the affect of loss of power to corporate systems and customers. As the old adage goes, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Jerald Savin, CPA, CMC is CEO of SITKA Systems and Chairman of the Institute of Management Consultants.