Artificial intelligence, big data, and the Internet of things are becoming a new reality, including areas that are traditionally far from IT. Each of these areas create an exponentially growing need for data processing - and ensuring the energy security of the equipment used for this purposes accordingly. Due to the stagnation in the more traditional IT segments, the developers of UPS and other engineering infrastructures are starting to develop new areas of the market, inventing new products, technologies, and IT-solutions.

Specific requirements

With the development of digitalization, customers are paying more attention to unified solutions that can be quickly implemented and scaled in offices and regional branches.

The average power of modern equipment connected to the UPS is increasing, and the requirements for the power supply of devices, its quality, and continuity, are gradually growing along with it. “In connection with this, UPS of the “online increased power” topology have become more popular. The demand is shifting from low-power devices to more powerful ones, - notes Tatiana Skokova, Director for Distribution of the “Wide Distribution” Division of MERLION. “Offline UPSs are losing popularity at a significant pace.”
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On The Edge

The volume of data generated today is growing at a tremendous pace. Even though communication technologies are also being continuously improved, there are objective limitations on the transmission speed. For some systems, channel delays may be critical, so the introduction of peripheral computing is becoming a forced but necessary measure today.

All UPSs of the upper segment of online topology existing on the market are adapted to work at maximum loads, including those with zero switching time to battery when de-energized. Thus, regardless of the type of equipment and the principles of its operation, it will be reliably protected when using a suitable UPS. “In the event of any problems, the administrator will be promptly notified of a critical situation with a possibility to monitor and control the UPS system online via the SNMP card architecture,” notes Tatyana Skokova.
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Good old office

An uninterruptible power supply for each office PC is quite a familiar picture for Russian realities. In recent years, however, there has been a tendency to centralize not only the computing resources of the enterprise (when full-fledged PCs on desktops are replaced with thin or even cloud clients) but also power supplies. Is it possible, given this trend, to speak of a steady reduction in the segment of office UPS in Russia and the world, let alone a sharp collapse?

Tatyana Skokova believes that reduction in the segment of office UPSs in Russia is quite noticeable, and it is associated with a decrease in the share of PCs in office space. Previously, offline class UPSs were popular to protect work computers, but now, due to cheaper production, linear-interactive devices (with a built-in stabilizer) are taking over this niche. “However, we cannot talk about a complete abandonment of the use of UPS in the office: on the part of our partners (system integrators), for example, such orders are placed constantly,” the expert concludes.
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Outside IT

Digitalization penetrates everywhere, including such fields previously distant from IT as construction or transport. Customers from these industries often do not possess not only the necessary competencies, but also elementary ideas about energy security. Spheres that have traditionally been considered non-IT-related have turned to technology.

Tatyana Skokova draws attention to the fact that uninterrupted power supply outside IT is a high-powered solution: “Tasks of this level require a professional infrastructure approach to the assessment and design of systems, as well as the quality of the UPS itself, since the risks are very high. Do not forget about the cooling, as well as installation requirements."

In certain cases, even the ability of interflow ceilings to withstand the load of a large number of batteries is taken into account. Such systems are subject to round-the-clock monitoring through data collection and transmission via SNMP. This includes collecting and transmitting data on the optimum temperature and humidity conditions in the room where the equipment is installed. “Such industry solutions represent a very interesting segment of the growing market,” said Tatyana Skokova.