MACY vw I hoAyee is5/09 {Oh Oh i hg 1 eoeu B a0gpwwe a A fl Business: No Sad Nay xy 0 tes: WhatIf The Lights Go Out? (NAPSA—Here’s a bright idea: Your business should be prepared for a power outage. Too many are not. According to a recent survey conducted by Decision Analyst, Inc. on behalf of Emerson Network Power, only 39 percent of small businesses have backup power systems that can keep the lights on, the computers running and employees working during POWER OUTAGES: FACTS OF LIFE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES 79% of small businesses experienced at least one outage in 2007 39% of small businesses have backup power outages. Poweroutages cost at least $80 billion each year, with most of the losses—98 percent—borne by businesses, according to a study conducted on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy. Additionally, short outages of five minutes or less accounted for two-thirds of these losses. Small-business owners can protect themselves by taking these steps: 1. Plan, plan, plan. Any dis- ruption can throw a business out of whack, but having a plan can help owners stay focused while their businesses begin to return to normal. 2. Invest in backup power. Install a generator and a powertransfer switch that detects the loss of the main power source and immediately converts to the generator. 3. Protect computer data. Mis- sion-critical components such as Source: Survey commissioned by Emerson Network Power Ensuring business continuity begins with a plan for using backup power supplies in case your main power source goes down. PCs, cash registers and otherelectronics should be connected to battery backup systems known as uninterruptible power supplies. Small-business owners who want to learn about preparing for outages can visit www. emerson.com/smallbusiness. This Web site includes a calculator for measuring a company’s vulnerability to the impacts of outages.
