Compliance with regulatory standards were among the key components that drove demand for backup power solutions between 2004 and 2005 as organizations were forced to advance existing IT networks to ensure better tracking systems and improve accountability. Back up power is deployed to ensure uptime of these networks as well as to protect these against the damages caused by power abnormalities. Demand for backup power is not expected to halt in the following years either. The adoption of next generation blade server technology as well as the transition to IP telephony is expected to a put strain on the power infrastructure and the overall datacenter environment. Both power and heat density per square foot is expected to accelerate.

Frost & Sullivan (http://www.powersupplies.frost.com) finds that the World UPS Market earned revenues of $5.76 billion in 2005, translating to 7 percent growth year over year. The market is estimated to reach $8.55 billion in 2012.

“The number one reason for investing in UPS systems is to protect digital equipment and process against the damages from power abnormalities. In fact, an end user survey conducted by Frost & Sullivan identifies protection against power outage to be the second biggest concern for the most medium sized organizations,” says Farah Saeed, Program Manager, Back-up Power Solutions sector for Frost & Sullivan’s Energy & Power Systems group.

However, there is still a lack of awareness that is hindering end-users from upgrading their equipment. Typically, end-users take UPS systems for granted and are unaware of the risks associated with sudden battery failure or non-availability. In some markets, UPS is considered a generic product that requires low involvement in terms of determining brand or specific features. The purchase would entirely be based on price and not on advanced features such battery management, automatic shutdown, scalability, etc.

“Frost & Sullivan end user survey reveals that many businesses are underestimating its power requirements and therefore under deploy UPS systems. Similarly, many end users still deploy the inexpensive standby UPS systems despite its shortcomings,” explains Saeed.

Many UPS manufacturers resort to producing white papers on the difference of various UPS technologies as well as collaborate with media to educate end users on the benefits of using the various UPS technologies.