Uninterruptible power supply (UPS): how are connected UPS systems revolutionising remote maintenance?

Access to energy is essential in our modern world. Industry, data centres, hospitals, transport, e-commerce - every sector of activity depends on a continuous and secure supply of energy. As demand increases, the stakes are becoming ever more critical: new technologies, medical research, the democratisation of artificial intelligence tools and quantum supercomputers are among the most energy-intensive use cases. To protect these critical installations from fluctuations in the electricity network - and to ensure that they are supplied with stable, pre-cleaned energy - solutions such as UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) are essential. These systems not only ensure continuity of power in the event of a network failure, but also provide protection against electrical disturbances.

Socomec's connected UPS systems incorporate IoT sensors that collect data in real time. Thanks to this connectivity, the equipment can be monitored remotely as part of a maintenance contract. This type of digital service enables specialist technicians to intervene proactively and remotely on UPS systems, even before an incident occurs, thus preventing any deterioration or breakdown.

Given the investment that a UPS represents, it is essential to subscribe to a maintenance contract that includes connected services. The new generations of UPS are natively connectable, and the associated maintenance contracts include connected services by default, such as a mobile monitoring application or remote monitoring by Socomec technical experts. These services offer optimised maintenance management, making it possible to anticipate needs and guarantee equipment performance while reducing intervention times. In turn, this makes it possible to move from a reactive to a proactive approach, extending the life of installations and reducing operating costs.

What do SOCOMEC's digital services consist of?

At Socomec, digital services are integrated into maintenance contracts to ensure the proactive management of critical equipment such as connected UPS and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Our maintenance contracts include remote monitoring by Socomec experts, UPS monitoring via a mobile application and predictive maintenance of consumables, also known as condition-based maintenance. Thanks to these solutions, our customers can secure their infrastructures, optimise operating costs and maintain business continuity

How do SOCOMEC's digital services help to reduce customers' operating costs?

Reducing operating costs is one of the main benefits of digital services and connected UPS. Any preventive maintenance action on a machine avoids the additional costs associated with premature wear and tear and equipment breakdowns.

Thanks to real-time monitoring, for example, anomalies can be detected before they turn into costly breakdowns. This service enables rapid intervention, often without the need for physical travel. This approach also includes alerts in case of critical events.

By combining preventive and predictive maintenance, Socomec can help optimise the number of on-site interventions and reduce the costs associated with replacing worn parts.

Our role is to warn customers at the first sign of trouble; this means that they can avoid additional energy costs, minimise the risk of breakdowns and extend the life of equipment. This approach helps to reduce maintenance costs, ensuring the continuity of operations while also optimising operating costs over the long term.

Will digital services transform companies' business models?

Absolutely. The integration of digital services and the democratisation of connected UPS data collection and processing are redefining business models both at Socomec and with our customers. We are already seeing the emergence of solutions such as Power as a Service (PaaS), which transforms energy into a service based on usage and performance. With this model, customers outsource their energy management while limiting their financial and operational risk. We want Socomec to support this transformation by offering intelligent UPS as a service, with performance contracts that guarantee measurable results for businesses, while optimising energy management.

Under this model, energy management will become more flexible and adaptable to the specific needs of each customer, and billing could be based on actual usage or through rental or subscription solutions.

Energy storage systems (BESS) can also be seen as a financial tool, particularly by companies that have photovoltaic panels or are equipped with wind power to recharge their fleet of electric vehicles. With an Energy Storage Solution (ESS), not only can they store the energy produced when it’s not in use, or feed it back into the grid during peak loads, but they’ll also receive remuneration in return. Companies that install this type of installation do not initially produce energy, but this system enables them to make substantial savings on their overall operating costs.