Four Reasons For A Remote Power Management System In The Office

A remote power management system for computers allows a user to turn off equipment without physically touching the hardware.  Often, these types of systems are used by homeowners to regulate home utilities like heating and cooling, lights and home theaters.  Businesses can also use remote power switches to manage equipment in an office complex or call center.



Save on Utility Costs

The obvious reasons for using a remote power management system are to save on electricity bills.  With dozens or hundreds of computers, monitors, printers, scanners, coffee makers and other equipment plugged in, a sizeable office may be spending hundreds of dollars per month in unnecessary utility costs.  Even a small office may be able to benefit from the ability to turn items off with one switch.

Save on Labor Costs

Some businesses require the security, cleaning or last shift staff to review areas to ensure certain times are turned off.  For example, someone may have to check all the break areas and offices to make sure coffee makers, warming plates or lamps are turned off.  Basic fire prevention actions may be costing hours of labor per month.  With a remote power switch, the last person out of the building could spend mere seconds turning everything off.

Counteract Employee Negligence

At times, communications may be sent by technology departments asking everyone to ensure their computers have been shut down.  This might occur when new technology is being tested or deployed, the day before a long weekend or holiday or during times when severe weather threatens.  Many employees do not read their email consistently or neglect to follow instructions.  With a remote power switch, IT can turn off computers themselves in such cases.

Full Control From a Single Panel

It is not always beneficial to turn equipment off each evening.  Although items like coffee makers, which may be a fire hazard, should always be turned off, computers should not.  Large offices often deploy updates through the network to computers in the evening.  If a CPU is not powered, it cannot receive the update. With a proper remote control setup, the user can determine which items he or she is turning off.  There could be an option for a standard nightly power down that does not include the CPUs, and another option for a full power down.

By utilizing a remote power management system in an office of any size, the business can save time and money.  Added benefits include more efficient fire safety and the ability to override employee negligence regarding instructions for powering down equipment.  Staff will be happy they no longer have to make nightly rounds through dark offices to turn items off, and management will be delighted with monetary savings.