To quote a recent article in Forbes magazine*, “the average cost of downtime has inched as high as $9,000 per minute for large organizations. For higher-risk enterprises like finance and healthcare, downtime can eclipse $5 million an hour in certain scenarios.”
When you think about it, these figures are astonishing. And when we cast our minds back to some of the recent major power blackouts experienced in Europe as a result of unstable power grids, considering that some regions experienced power outages lasting up to 12 hours, then the financial impact suffered as a result of related IT downtime would have been catastrophic for some businesses.
All businesses are susceptible to power outages
Of course, power outages can disrupt all environments – from the regular home office worker to large offices and retail stores, right up to factories, hospitals, and large data center facilities. But unless these environments can count on a stable and resilient backup power supply for their critical IT appliances, then business continuity will inevitably be at risk during unstable power conditions.
Take for example the typical high-street supermarket. In retail, power outages can have immediate and far-reaching effects – from disrupting in-store operations, including refrigeration appliances and point-of-sale systems, to impacting its supply chains and online platforms. Unstable power can have major negative repercussions for this sector – resulting in significant financial losses, damaged IT equipment, a poor customer experience, as well as causing significant reputational damage to a brand.

What is a UPS?
Fortunately, there is a way to mitigate such disruption when power fluctuations or outages strike. By installing uninterruptible power supply (UPS) devices, businesses of all sectors and sizes can avoid potential damage to critical appliances, minimize operational disruption, and avoid costly business downtime. To learn more about what a UPS is and how it works, check out our video, ‘What is a UPS in 60 seconds’.
Business continuity with APC UPS solutions
APC UPS solutions provide reliable backup power for all kinds of businesses, ensuring:
- Uninterrupted operations: Instant power during outages to keep critical IT running.
- Equipment protection: Effective defense against harmful spikes and fluctuations that can damage expensive equipment.
- Data security: Provides the necessary time for orderly shutdowns or transitions to generators, protecting data integrity.
- Smart management: Enables remote monitoring and management of power, ideal for optimizing your services.
For four decades, UPS technology has evolved significantly, becoming a fundamental component of any IT implementation or upgrade. And with over 120 million APC UPSs installed worldwide, it’s clear that our customers have come to depend on our broad range of reliable and robust UPS solutions.
Today APC offers businesses:
- A complete range: Customized solutions tailored to your specific needs, from small offices to large data centers.
- Integrated intelligence: With tools like PowerChute™ and EcoStruxure™ IT, you have total control over your IT infrastructure to ensure business continuity.
APC UPS solutions by application:
🏢 Business Environments and Data Centers
- Smart-UPS Ultra: High power density, compact design, lithium-ion batteries, and scalable autonomy options.
- Smart-UPS On-Line: Double conversion online power protection, high density, and capacity up to 20 kVA.
- Smart-UPS: A variety of models adaptable to multiple needs and budgets, known for reliability and efficiency.
🏬 Small and Medium Businesses
- Easy-UPS: A versatile and economical solution, easy to install and maintain.
🏠 Homes and Small Offices
- Back-UPS: Provides backup power during outages and protects against voltage spikes.
🌄 Portable and Off-Grid Power
- Schneider OffGrid: Based on a portable and robust design, provides continuous and reliable power wherever you are.
Download our brochure here to learn more about the APC UPS solutions that are suitable for every application.

So, the next time unstable power conditions threaten your home or business, you can rest assured knowing that our APC UPS solutions have got your critical IT covered. This way you can avoid the costly disruption that comes with power outages and ensure full operational business continuity – so that your business can keep running smoothly.
*Forbes magazine: The True Cost of Downtime (And How to Avoid It). April 10 2025
Add a comment