"Power to Spare"
By Ralph Moore

A few years ago, we built a computer system for a local
customer who wanted to use it for desktop publishing and to
"surf" the Internet. As always, we encouraged the fellow to
include a surge protector, or UPS (uninterruptible power supply)
with his system purchase, in order to protect his investment.

He declined to do so.

A few weeks later, and the night after a major storm passed
through the area, we got a call. It seems that the nearly new
p.c. had suddenly begun acting erratically. The computer
would no longer connect to the Internet, and would shut down
intermittently, for no apparent reason.

That afternoon, I drove out to the customer's home office, and
duplicated the errors, and a couple more that had escaped his
attention. I pointed out the likelihood that this may have been
caused by the recent storm.

He said, "I know, I know...I should have bought a surge protector.
I had been meaning to do that, but never got around to it. Do
those things really work?" I bit my tongue to keep from saying...
'Only when you use them...'

We ended up replacing the motherboard and the modem. Well over
$200 worth of repairs, for not buying the $15 worth of insurance
that would, most likely, have prevented the loss.

Needless to say, at the customer's insistence, we included a new
surge protector in his repair bill.

As is often the case in our small businesses, we tend to try to
cut corners on equipment in order to keep our operating costs
down. Sometimes it pays to spend a few dollars more to get the
"complete package".

What we tend to overlook, is the complete cost of downtime, as
a result of equipment failure. Not only is there the cost of
hardware (and sometimes software) repairs, but when you factor
in the expense of lost production, and in some cases lost business,
the total "repair bill" can be overwhelming!

It pays to 'go the extra mile' and buy the best equipment to
support the efforts of your business.

Ralph Moore, editor of the FREE Eagle Flyer Newsletter,
Provides "Motivational, Marketing and How To Technology
Tips That Can Multiply Your Business Online".
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