Business reliance on technology has increased significantly over the past few decades, so it’s unsurprising that the efforts and funding that have to go into electronic asset maintenance have increased alongside it. In South Africa specifically, businesses face a constant challenge to maintain the reliability of their electronic assets given the current supply crisis owing to load shedding and inadequate power delivery.  

The importance of a stable power supply should never be underestimated, and power management has emerged as the silent hero ensuring seamless operations across various industries time and time again. Power management, encompassing products like Innovolt, surge protectors, and power monitors and filters like ESPs, plays a pivotal role in safeguarding electronic assets and ensuring optimal power quality. There have been several instances where these and other power management units have saved the day for many businesses, examples of which we will delve into in this post. These products also offer data to allow users an early warning of unstable power with the ability to do a planned shutdown.

Cost and Time Savings When Avoiding Downtime

The current load-shedding crisis in South Africa has underscored the critical impact of power disruptions on businesses. Loadshedding, as well as how power is consumed,  causes power quality issues, which results in phenomena such as surges, dips and sags, overvoltages, power outages, and insufficient power supply. These are what can cause damage to electronic assets. Beyond the immediate financial implications of electronic asset repair and replacement, downtime prevents businesses from serving customers, leading to a tarnished reputation and brand. The struggle against downtime becomes an urgent call for businesses to embrace power management solutions to safeguard their operations.

Businesses Currently Seeing the Benefits of Power Management

In Track Mechanical Services’ professional experience, we have witnessed the successes of power management solutions and filters in several industries. The below are just a few cases wherein products like monitors, power managers, and filters have made a world of difference to businesses and their client base. 

The Banking Sector

In the banking sector, where ATMs are the lifeblood of transactions and customer service, and power management has played a pivotal role in ensuring they optimally perform. A case study involving one of the world's largest ATM operators showcases the transformative impact of power management products like Innovolt. During a six-month trial, the customer experienced a 55% reduction in ATM downtime and a 46% decrease in monthly service calls. Innovolt not only addressed electrical over-stress (EOS) issues but also provided unprecedented visibility into the power environment. Similar positive outcomes can be achieved with other power management solutions such as ESPs and filters, ensuring the robust functioning of electronic assets in the banking sector.

The Hospitality Industry

The positive impact of power management extends to the hospitality industry, where point-of-sale systems (POS) are a critical component of the business and facilities like slot machines act as an additional form of income for certain establishments. Restaurants and pubs, enduring equipment issues, have seen massive improvements with the installation of power management solutions. Grand Slots, a supplier of slot machines, witnessed a significant decrease in technical callouts and increased equipment reliability. The cost savings were evident in these reductions, and revenue increased due to equipment uptime and improved overall customer satisfaction. This success story underscores the versatility of power management, suggesting its applicability beyond specific use cases to safeguard a broad spectrum of electronic assets within the hospitality industry.

The Retail Sector

Connectivity and telecommunications in the retail sector are paramount, especially in transactions involving card payments. Engen Petrol Station and Mica exemplify the positive impact of power management, eliminating hiccups in transactions, reducing callouts, improving call quality, and enhancing overall company revenue. The emphasis here is on the crucial role power management plays in ensuring uninterrupted connectivity and seamless retail operations, specifically when looking at results like reduced dropped calls and improved call quality, thereby enhancing their customers’ experience.

Vending Machines in Retail

Another branch of the retail space is the inclusion of vending machines. Vending machine operations, crucial for both corporate and franchisee businesses, experienced a 48% relative reduction in service calls and a 77% reduction in electrical/jam-related service calls during a six-week trial with power management  units. The implementation of power management solutions significantly reduced service costs and machine-related issues, ensuring increased availability of revenue-generating electronic equipment.

Medical Equipment Improvement

In the medical sector, power management emerges as a lifeline for accurate diagnostic imaging. Namibia X-ray and Imaging Technologies experienced a definite improvement in medical imaging equipment performance after the installation of Innovolt. The decrease in medical film jams, and service calls, and the complete cessation of UPS replacements highlight the profound impact of power management on the reliability of medical equipment. The positive ripple effect extends to various areas of the medical industry, addressing challenges in CR and ultrasound equipment.

University Equipment

University facilities, with their dependence on high-end servers and switches, find a reliable ally in power management units like ESPs. Case studies involving clients like the University of Kwazulu Natal demonstrated the tangible benefits of using Innovolt units to address power disturbances. The resulting improvements in uptime, risk management, problem identification, and reduced labour overtime costs emphasise the broad-ranging positive impact of power management in a university setting.

Finding Power Management Solutions for Your Business

The importance of power management for businesses in Southern Africa cannot is obvious. As the region grapples with power challenges, investing in power management solutions like power surge protectors, power monitors, and filters like ESPs becomes imperative for businesses to thrive in the face of adversity. For expert advice on power quality and tailored power management solutions, contact Track Mechanical Services and ensure the resilience of your electronic assets to secure the future of your operations.