Is Your Computer Room Environment at Risk for a Crippling Outage?

You no doubt have thousands of dollars worth of equipment sitting in your computer room. How devastating would it be to lose all of that valuable equipment to preventable damage? How frustrated would your customers be if they experienced service outages because you weren't fast enough to prevent a crippling network outage?

Leaving the valuable equipment in a computer room environment unmonitored is a common mistake that often leads to giant repair bills, lost revenue, and one massive headache. You don't have to be one of the victims of a computer room crisis. By using the right monitoring system you can prevent a critical outage in your computer room.

The TempDefender IT remote terminal unit (RTU) is used in this diagram to monitor temperature, humidity, water, smoke, and motion. Measuing these variables is critical to protecting your valuable gear.

Many monitoring systems don't work because they aren't designed to withstand the challenges of the job. They lack the necessary features to be truly effective. When it comes to monitoring your investment in your computer room you can't cut corners - you need the best. Here are the 4 basic features of a good monitoring system:

1. Analog sensor technology - Basic discrete sensor technology isn't enough. A discrete sensor can only alert you when a certain point or threshold has been passed. These kinds of sensors only give you binary "on/off" information and lack the capability to provide you with the level of detail you need.
   That's why analog sensors are so powerful. Analog sensors output information at a continuous rate and are capable of providing exact readings of different variables. For example, an analog sensor can provide you with an exact temperature reading - so you can make the right choices on how to prioritize response to emergencies.
2. Detailed alert descriptions - Vague alert descriptions (like "Input 4 Out") tell you nothing about the problem you're facing. Did a backup battery die, or did the main power generator quit? This kind of information is important, so only use a monitoring system that gives you the right amount of detail - so you always know what to do next.
3. Easy setup and management - Setting up and using your monitoring system shouldn't be a full time job. Devices that feature plug 'n' play design that support an easy-to-use web interface are the most effective. Managing your network of alarms should be easy to do, and you should be able to do it form any computer. That's true flexibility.
4. Multiple alert methods - Monitoring systems that only provide internal alerts to a master station don't give you any versatility. What if your computer room environment overheats at 2am, frying all of your valuable equipment before you show up to work the next morning? Support for 24/7 alert capability (via email, pages, voice alerts, or SMS text messages) is critical - because emergencies don't keep standard business hours.

Where can I get the right system for me?
Choosing the right monitoring system doesn't have to be a hassle - and it certainly doesn't have to break the bank. You no longer have to worry about an emergency crippling your network, because it won't happen on your watch with the right monitoring system. You'll always be the first to know, so you can quickly respond and fix problems before they cause serious damage.

Monitoring your computer room environment is serious - and you want a serious solution. That's why I recommend the TempDefender IT. This device has all of the four basic features and more. The TempDefender IT also comes standard with redundant dial-up alternate reporting path, escalation list notification up to 8 people, and first-class 7x24 customer support, with a 30 day risk free guarantee.

Don't leave yourself exposed a minute longer - call (1-800-693-0351) or email (sales@dpstele.com) the monitoring specialists at DPS Telecom today. Protecting your valuable equipment isn't a luxury - it's a necessity.