Power Protection FEATURED ARTICLE

For those individuals and businesses that recognize the advantage of having an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), but who do not know which type of UPS device to buy, Minuteman UPS/Para Systems has a valuable tool for you. Aimed at end-users, resellers and distributors, SizeMyUPS.com, a feature on Minuteman’s homepage, allows customers to determine what UPS product best suits their requirements.

The power protection company asks visitors to visit SizeMyUPS and fill in their system load in Watts, VA or Amps. The configurator then provides a wide variety of UPS solutions ranging from low-end to high-end that the user should select for that system, while also providing a listing of what runtimes (or battery backup times) they can expect. 

“We also provide a database of the most common equipment used in telephone systems, security systems, computers, networks and audio/video systems,” Bill Allen, marketing director for Minuteman, told TMCnet. “This makes it easy for users to determine the power requirements for a single device, while also allowing for an entire system configuration, as SizeMyUPS adds all of the equipment together and provides a total solution answer.”

Since 1982, the power protection company has offered UPSs for computers, servers, peripherals, voice and data communication systems, security systems and other mission-critical equipment. Those offerings have found homes in more than 100 countries all over the world.

About 15 years ago, Minuteman decided to extend its offerings by becoming the first power protection company to provide an online tool such as SizeMyUPS, according to Allen. The impetus for creating the tool came after one salesman received calls all day long from people from Graybar, North Supply, Alltel, Anixter (News - Alert) and other telecom distributors and interconnects asking, "which UPS should I use for this system?”

The salesman developed a matrix with runtime options for Minuteman’s various UPS products but the “numerous requests” continued, according to Allen.

“We had developed a version that was distributed on diskette and distributed to all our telecom customers and their sales teams,” Allen said. “We then developed the online version and launched it in 1995. This provided us with a distinct competitive advantage since we made it easy for these telecom salespeople to sell a properly-sized UPS. “

“Today, SizeMyUPS is a very valuable resource that is still used by thousands of salespeople throughout the United States and Latin America,” he added.

When asked what Minuteman hopes customers take away from using the online tool, Allen said it’s all about customer service and making the customer’s life a little bit easier.

“We want visitors to SizeMyUPS.com to feel comfortable in determining what UPS is best for their applications and equipment,” he said. “Properly sizing a UPS is critical to customer satisfaction.  An improper UPS can reflect badly on both the manufacturer and/or the reseller/integrator.  By providing various options, we are making is easy for them to make an informed decision.”

It has become so easy to use that informed decision that several thousand customers each month turn to SizeMyUPS, including competitors, according to Allen.

And as Minuteman continues to promote the importance of turning to power protection and UPSs, the company shows no signs of slowing down with the online strategy.

“The goal of SizeMyUPS is to eliminate the mystery and guesswork in purchasing the right UPS, and provide users and salespeople with fast, easy to use, accurate information,” Allen said.