Most US small businesses still unprotected against power outages

Six months after the August Blackout of 2003, 62 percent of America's nearly 23 million small businesses have no backup power supply and remain vulnerable to crippling electrical outages, according to a survey released yesterday.

The 2004 Small Business Power Poll, commissioned by Emerson, also reveals that small businesses see the need for protection - 75 percent say electrical power outages are a threat to their business - but only one in five feels very prepared to deal with an outage.

Eighty percent of small businesses experienced at least one power outage last year; 25 percent experienced three or more outages, according to the survey. Of those experiencing power outages, 29 percent were without power for at least eight hours during the longest outage; 19 percent were without power for at least 16 hours.

Importantly, however, the survey shows that the majority of small businesses (58 percent) are now interested in acquiring backup power technologies traditionally used by large businesses, citing that backup power would not only protect them, but also create a competitive advantage. Chief among power outage fears are losing valuable computer data, records and research.

Emerson, a leader in reliable power technologies, has seen a growing interest in emergency and standby power systems from small and home businesses since the August Blackout.

•Date: 19th February 2004 •Region: N.America •Type: Article •Topic: Power man.
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