___________________________________________________________________________________
_
_
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Traditionally, UPS procurement is divided into two consecutive stages. Firstly, technical
requirements are specified. Then, the specification is used to find the best supplier.
Generally the main parameters which should be defined are : Size, dictated by protected
consumers, Battery Back up time and UPS type, selected according to the particular
application.
The said dual stage method is justified if we assume constant Price/Power ratio.
As demonstrated by the UPS market Price Directory, it is evident that such assumptions are
not justified. In some cases, marginal price increases considerably less than the proportionate
increase in output power.
UPS prices, are affected by numerous factors, such as, technological innovations, strength and
preferences of individual producers in certain markets, popularity of certain power levels or
certain brands in the market, and more. Thus, buying the simplest system, doesn't guarantee
cheapest cost.
In order to maximize ROI, a cost focused reexamination is needed before confirming the
specification derived at the first stage. It is advised therefore to add a Cost Oriented Valuation
(COV) stage, after the initial specification stage, in order to improve the specification by
considering financial aspects. The COV should improve the cost, the performance or both. Up
to 40% cost reduction, with improved performance, can be achieved implementing COV .
Guiding steps for cost effective UPS selection.
Decide the Output power, Backup time and Preferred UPS type, based on your needs and
application. For assistance, see our guides Five steps to the right UPS.
1. Consult UPS Price Directory. As a rule: For better protection Line Interactive type should
be preferred over Standby type and On Line type over Line Interactive type. Therefore, unless
other considerations prevail, choose the better system if its price is only slightly higher.
2. Compare specified UPS price to the price of next size system. Consider buying next size
UPS, if the added price isn't significant, and if its Cost to kVA ( $/ kVA) ratio, is lower.
Bigger UPS enables to increase future loads. It has bigger battery, providing longer backup
time, and longer battery life time
3. Consider buying a bigger system if you need to increase battery capacity, beyond the
standard battery coming with the UPS.
You might pay for a bigger UPS, already equipped with the battery size you need, considerably
less than the cost of the smaller system with extended battery.
4. Consider using several stand alone single phase UPS systems, instead of a three phase UPS,
provided loads and installation allow. Generally, the cost of two or three single phase units
is less than one three phase system. Multiple single phase systems may in certain cases, add
redundancy in your ability to provide service.
5. Consider using three single phase UPS systems, each fed from different phase, instead of a
single three phase UPS, provided loads and installation allow. Cost of three single phase units
may be lower than a three phase UPS. This configuration allows continuing operation, in case
of a single UPS or a single input phase failure.
6. In redundant configuration, two or more units work in parallel, while at least one is a spare
unit. Thus full power is supplied even if a single UPS fails.
Check possible combinations to find the lowest cost. For instance, for a redundant system
supplying 20kVA load, compare the cost of two parallel ups systems 20kVA each, to three
parallel systems 10kVA each. (Common mistake assumes that the last solution is cheaper, due
to lower total power).
UPS Industry Price list represents average market prices of North American systems obtained
by statistical methods, at the time of study. You will have to check the final prices offered,
when you intend to buy, from UPS suppliers in your location.
It is advised to check the cost of both alternatives, according to the initial and the improved
(COV performed) specification. The initial spec refers to "must have" requirements. The
improved spec preference is based on ROI logic. Each case should be validated and updated
by the prices in your specific market.
Our UPS selection guides, present possible UPS sources on the Internet. You can also request
quotations for both alternatives, contacting local UPS suppliers, either directly or by e-mail.
requirements are specified. Then, the specification is used to find the best supplier.
Generally the main parameters which should be defined are : Size, dictated by protected
consumers, Battery Back up time and UPS type, selected according to the particular
application.
The said dual stage method is justified if we assume constant Price/Power ratio.
As demonstrated by the UPS market Price Directory, it is evident that such assumptions are
not justified. In some cases, marginal price increases considerably less than the proportionate
increase in output power.
UPS prices, are affected by numerous factors, such as, technological innovations, strength and
preferences of individual producers in certain markets, popularity of certain power levels or
certain brands in the market, and more. Thus, buying the simplest system, doesn't guarantee
cheapest cost.
In order to maximize ROI, a cost focused reexamination is needed before confirming the
specification derived at the first stage. It is advised therefore to add a Cost Oriented Valuation
(COV) stage, after the initial specification stage, in order to improve the specification by
considering financial aspects. The COV should improve the cost, the performance or both. Up
to 40% cost reduction, with improved performance, can be achieved implementing COV .
Guiding steps for cost effective UPS selection.
- First stage: Prepare specification to meet application requirements.
Decide the Output power, Backup time and Preferred UPS type, based on your needs and
application. For assistance, see our guides Five steps to the right UPS.
- Second stage: Improve specification by performing Cost Oriented
Valuation
1. Consult UPS Price Directory. As a rule: For better protection Line Interactive type should
be preferred over Standby type and On Line type over Line Interactive type. Therefore, unless
other considerations prevail, choose the better system if its price is only slightly higher.
2. Compare specified UPS price to the price of next size system. Consider buying next size
UPS, if the added price isn't significant, and if its Cost to kVA ( $/ kVA) ratio, is lower.
Bigger UPS enables to increase future loads. It has bigger battery, providing longer backup
time, and longer battery life time
3. Consider buying a bigger system if you need to increase battery capacity, beyond the
standard battery coming with the UPS.
You might pay for a bigger UPS, already equipped with the battery size you need, considerably
less than the cost of the smaller system with extended battery.
4. Consider using several stand alone single phase UPS systems, instead of a three phase UPS,
provided loads and installation allow. Generally, the cost of two or three single phase units
is less than one three phase system. Multiple single phase systems may in certain cases, add
redundancy in your ability to provide service.
5. Consider using three single phase UPS systems, each fed from different phase, instead of a
single three phase UPS, provided loads and installation allow. Cost of three single phase units
may be lower than a three phase UPS. This configuration allows continuing operation, in case
of a single UPS or a single input phase failure.
6. In redundant configuration, two or more units work in parallel, while at least one is a spare
unit. Thus full power is supplied even if a single UPS fails.
Check possible combinations to find the lowest cost. For instance, for a redundant system
supplying 20kVA load, compare the cost of two parallel ups systems 20kVA each, to three
parallel systems 10kVA each. (Common mistake assumes that the last solution is cheaper, due
to lower total power).
- Third Stage: Purchase the UPS.
UPS Industry Price list represents average market prices of North American systems obtained
by statistical methods, at the time of study. You will have to check the final prices offered,
when you intend to buy, from UPS suppliers in your location.
It is advised to check the cost of both alternatives, according to the initial and the improved
(COV performed) specification. The initial spec refers to "must have" requirements. The
improved spec preference is based on ROI logic. Each case should be validated and updated
by the prices in your specific market.
Our UPS selection guides, present possible UPS sources on the Internet. You can also request
quotations for both alternatives, contacting local UPS suppliers, either directly or by e-mail.
| Boost ROI using UPS Market Price Directory |
|