New UPS Eliminates User Confusion And Frequent Service Calls

Tripp Lite&s SMART1000LCD is sleek enough to be placed almost anywhere. The product measures a mere 12 inches by 3.5 inches by 6.5 inches, and weighs less than 15 pounds. Designed to stand vertically like a tower or sit flat on its side (for rack-mount use), the UPS&s display also rotates for easy viewing. The unit has an MSRP of $220.

The front panel of most UPSes typically contain many status lights and switches. Often, it is very difficult to determine the meaning of these lights and switches, even for a solution provider. And if a solution provider can be confused as to the status of a UPS, their customers likely will be clueless.

In response to this problem, the SMART1000LCD&s was designed with a backlit display that shows input voltage, battery status and many other conditions, all easily comprehensible. Because of the clarity of the display, non-technical users will always be aware of UPS status. Then, should any problems occur with the UPS, solution providers can have the customer relay to them exactly what&s wrong before making a service visit. Solution providers should be pleased to receive fewer distress calls from confused customers.

The SMART1000LCD Digital UPS System provides 1000VA of conditioned power. Four of its eight outlets are battery-backed, while the other four are surge suppression-only outlets for devices that don&t need battery backup. The UPS&s line-interactive operation and automatic voltage regulation circuits boost brownout levels as low as 89 volts to usable levels without using battery power. It switches to battery power if the line voltage falls below 89 volts, and switches back to AC power once the line rises above 94 volts. High voltages also are blocked, as the UPS switches to battery power if the line voltage rises above 139 volts; it switches back to AC power once the line voltage drops below 135 volts.

In addition to protected outlets, the SMART1000LCD also features single-line phone/DSL surge protection for phone, fax, modem and DSL connections, and single-line coaxial surge protection for cable modem, DSS satellite, cable TV and antenna connections. This allows for more thorough protection of devices that are connected to telephone and cable lines.

A USB port on the UPS allows for unattended shutdown to prevent data loss during extended power outages; a USB cable is included. Automatic unattended shutdown functionality is provided by Tripp Lite&s PowerAlert Software, which is available as a free download.

In addition, the UPS&s HID-compliant USB interface allows for full integration with the built-in power management and auto shutdown features of Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.

Unfortunately and as expected, a compact UPS will pack less of a punch than larger units. The SMART1000LCD&s 1000VA/500 watt capacity will provide four minutes of battery runtime with a full load, and about 14 minutes with a half load. Although not a lengthy amount of runtime, it does provide enough time for a user to save and shutdown, or for the automatic shutdown software to do its thing. The UPS can support basic desktop systems, point-of-sale equipment, small phone systems, home entertainment equipment, audio/video components and so on. Equipment such as a VCR or DVR can be powered for up to three hours, which will prevent lost recordings and lost program settings. Depending on how depleted they are, the batteries recharge to 90 percent full capacity in two to eight hours. Under normal use and wear, the batteries should last from four to six years.

Tripp Lite has been in business since 1922. It offers individual custom solution provider programs based on the partner&s business model. Tripp Lite provides training, rebates, spiffs, demo programs, free technical support and more. It offers 100 percent channel support and never competes with its partners. Margins are typically in the double digits and range from 28 percent to 34 percent.

CHANNEL PROGRAM SNAPSHOTS
>SmartPro Digital UPS

COMPANY: Tripp Lite
Chicago, Ill.
(773) 869-1111
www.tripplite.com
DISTRIBUTORS: D&H, Ingram Micro, Tech Data
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Note: Recommended status is earned with a score of eight stars out of 10