Eaton, Spiceworks release first free power management software features

Spiceworks™, the largest social business network for IT, teaming with Eaton Corporation, a leading diversified power management company, today released the industry's first free power management software features that allow its 1.4 million small-to-medium business users to remotely monitor and manage uninterruptible power systems (UPSs) for free through Spiceworks. The new UPS features are available in the latest beta release of Spiceworks version 5.1, which is available at: www.spiceworks.com.

"Because of our work with Eaton Corporation, IT pros for the first time will have access to free power management software that will help ensure their networks run more smoothly," said Scott Abel, co-founder and CEO of Spiceworks. "It's another example of how together with key industry players we're helping the world's small businesses manage everything IT."

"The ability to monitor power to devices across the network is a priority for today's IT professionals," said Hervé Tardy, senior vice president and general manager, Eaton's Distributed Power Quality Division. "Eaton's expertise in intelligent power monitoring software along with our knowledge of key IT priorities enabled us to work to deliver this new capability within the latest Spiceworks platform."

Additional details on the new Spiceworks UPS software features include:

• UPS Power Management & Auditing - allows IT pros to remotely monitor the status of their UPSs, even in some virtualized environments. This includes receiving alerts on network power events and UPS operational health. Users can also audit power management events and quickly pinpoint power disruption sources.
• Battery Health Monitoring - shows the remaining power and projected lifespan of UPS batteries. This includes advice on when to replace batteries for specific UPS models. Thresholds can be set to alert IT pros when battery health drops below acceptable levels. Replacement batteries can be easily ordered when needed, saving IT pros from the higher cost of buying new UPSs.
• Connected Device Monitoring - users can view network equipment and applications supported by specific UPSs so they can better understand the impact power events are having on specific IT services. Soon, Spiceworks will deliver additional features that enable IT pros to remotely initiate safe shutdowns of UPS-connected devices in the event of an extended power outage.
• Community Integration & Expert Advisor - delivers contextual information within the Spiceworks UPS monitoring view on power management best practices, related Spiceworks community discussions and tips on better UPS management. In addition, Spiceworks users can interact with experts from Eaton as well as other IT pros for answers to specific questions.

"I used to manually check all UPSs annually. Now, with Spiceworks we can monitor and report on these devices 24/7. This new feature allows us to better support our environment and saves me time. It's great!" said Brian Boudreau, Network/Systems Administrator, Callaway Golf.

Source: Spiceworks