Schneider Electric Teams Up with IT Distributors to Provide UPS as a Service

Schneider Electric will now support IT distribution partners combining APC Smart-UPS (uninterruptible power supply) solutions with monitoring and dispatch services to create their own “as a service” offer for their customers. For background, Smart-UPS units support the uninterruptible power needs of IT and equipment. This benchmark from APC by Schneider Electric protects critical data and connections from power risks by supplying clean, reliable network-grade power.

Schneider says this partnership will allow solution providers to deliver more visibility and front-end maintenance across their customers’ dispersed UPS systems. It will also lower operational costs and increase recurring revenue streams. By combining services and hardware into a single “as a service” offer, distributors help providers extend their services capabilities. They, in turn, can offer more value-add to customers and provide predictable recurring revenue.

Downtime and Network Health 

Unplanned downtime is a prevalent issue these days, one that costs the average business $260,000 per hour. Eighty-two percent of companies have experienced network downtime, and IT professionals simply can’t afford it. Unfortunately, modern business environments make it difficult to maintain network health. 

As businesses continue to scale, IT managers have a lot to keep up with. They will need to maintain hybrid IT and edge environments that are both geographically dispersed. They may have fewer onsite IT resources, which is a factor. This UPS as a Service offer provides a simple way to support backup power needs. This is especially prevalent at the edge for network connectivity, compute or storage, with predictable lower costs and relief for IT staff. 

UPS as a Service will provide end users peace of mind, advanced monitoring tools, and complete product protection, the company said.

The solution may include:

Schneider Electric’s Shannon Sbar

“When software and services come together to benefit customers, our partners are able to better meet changing business needs, while opening new opportunities and new revenue models to grow their businesses during this challenging time,” said Shannon Sbar, vice president of channels, North America, Schneider Electric. “By empowering our IT distribution partners to develop a UPS as a Service solution, we’re helping them bring new value to IT solution providers with new recurring revenue streams and more touch points across the UPS life cycle to build stronger relationships with their customers.”

Recurring Revenue for MSPs

Schneider says UPS as a Service also increases the predictability of an IT solution provider’s cash flow. It does this by expanding service capabilities and providing recurring revenue streams while supporting customer financing. The solution is based on a flexible, modular approach which allows IT solution providers to decide how much control the customer needs and helps them choose the level of monitoring and dispatch services that are right for their business. 

Schneider Electric provides personalized assistance to partners to ensure they have the support they require to server their clients. Financing options are available through distributors such as including Tech Data, D&H, Ingram Micro and SYNNEX.