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Electrical contractors and specifiers play a crucial role in commercial and industrial building construction and renovation, because the electrical infrastructure they install powers equipment, IT gear and other systems that are the lifeblood of any business. By the same token, power protection systems including industrial UPSs (uninterruptible power supplies) play a crucial role in ensuring electrical equipment remains functional at all times, so the selection of an industrial UPS supplier can reflect on contractors and specifiers years after the job is done – for better or worse.
In this blog post, we’ll walk through some of the criteria to consider in selecting an industrial UPS supplier that will meet your backup power needs through the lifecycle of any project.
Meeting contractor expectations
For starters, the UPS supplier must be able to meet the expectations that apply to any supplier with whom a contractor or specifier may work. That includes receiving reliable information about delivery delays, getting quick delivery in case of emergency, and being able to quickly get in touch with competent help when needed.
The process of selecting equipment also needs to be simple and suppliers should be able to provide pricing information quickly. A reliable order management system is likewise important, including the ability to follow up on order status.
Partnering for success
When it comes to UPSs for commercial and industrial applications, suppliers should ensure they continually deliver information to contractors/specifiers on new offers and technologies. For example, the latest GV series UPSs from Schneider Electric deliver backup power far more efficiently than previous generations and can save customers money on operating expenses over time.
Not all UPSs are the same, however. Some suppliers invest more in research and development than others and have the products to show for it. The ability to demonstrate a given UPS will make a quantifiable difference vs. the competition in areas such as energy efficiency is likewise an important capability for a supplier. If they choose, contractors may even be able to become specialists in industrial UPS technology with a supplier’s help.
Contractors should choose a UPS supplier with a sound reputation in the market, such that they can benefit from it. And the supplier should have a strong network of partners with whom it works, including distributors that can deliver UPSs where and when they’re needed.
UPS suppliers or their distributors should also be flexible with payment terms, keeping in line with the end customer’s terms. If the customer is on 90-day payment terms, then that’s what the contractor/supplier will need as well, for example.
The supplier should offer a wide range of UPS models that cover various applications, from data centers to commercial and industrial buildings of various sizes. A hospital, for example, will have critical applications such as operating rooms and less-critical ones such as access control.
Finally, the UPS supplier should have the infrastructure in place, including a network of partners, to support contractors through the project lifecycle, from initial product selection to getting a quote, placing the order, delivery, installation and commissioning. The supplier should also be able to help with periodic UPS maintenance and upgrades right through to the eventual product replacement.
Access Key Resources on Selecting an Industrial UPS
At Schneider Electric, we understand the importance of all of these considerations in choosing a UPS vendor. We tailor our own solutions and offerings to meet these standards and provide contractors and specifiers with key resources and solutions to help them in their day to day business through their project lifecycles.
One helpful resource is our Secure Power Industrial Selector tool. Contractors and specifiers can identify various characteristics and application needs and find recommended industrial UPS models for commercial and industrial use. This tool provides not only options that are competitive from a price perspective but also includes the latest features for performance and efficiency. We also have a robust network of partners which strengthens our ability to meet contractor’s project needs worldwide.
For additional guidance on Industrial UPSs selection, download our UPS eguide titled “UPS Basics for Electrical Contractors & Specifiers: How to Choose, Configure and Cost-Justify,” written especially for contractors and specifiers. You can also check out our Partner Portal which is full of digital tools and resources.
