Thinking Outside The Grid

Better think outside the grid by dusting off Y2K contingency plans and investing in backup systems that will cover you in case someone pulls the plug on your power supply," advised a recent issue of CIO Magazine. Other interesting information from the report included:From Pure Power, Fall 2001.

By Staff September 1, 2001

Better think outside the grid by dusting off Y2K contingency plans and investing in backup systems that will cover you in case someone pulls the plug on your power supply,” advised a recent issue of CIO Magazine. Other interesting information from the report included:

  • “Everyone’s so concerned about [computer] security that they forget about the basics like electricity. It’s not as easy as throwing up a generator in the parking lot. You have to go through monthly checks and pay vendor service contracts. You have to be able to flip from commercial to generator power,” explained Lori DeMatteis, director of global hosting services at Digital Island in San Francisco.

  • Five tips for power users: install UPS systems; buy backup power generators for data centers; investigate distributed generation; look into load-management techniques; mirror your data or data center off-site.

  • “All CIOs and IT [information technology] organizations plan for disasters and loss of electricity. Now, you can’t assume it’s a once-in-20-years event,” advised Dennis Fishback, senior vice president and CIO at Calpine Energy.

From Pure Power, Fall 2001.