In the world of large-scale power generation systems, reliability isn’t just a goal — it’s a necessity. Downtime in commercial and industrial facilities can mean thousands and even millions of dollars lost, a critical disruption to a data center or even life-threatening consequences in a healthcare facility. Yet too often maintenance is an afterthought, addressed only when something goes wrong. Corey Bryant, Planned Equipment Maintenance Sales Director at Cummins, sees this firsthand.

From smart thermostats that adjust your home’s temperature to security apps that let you check your front door from miles away, remote monitoring has become an expectation for modern technology. We can track our cars’ diagnostics from our phones, get alerts when a package arrives and even monitor the health of our appliances in real time. So why wouldn’t we expect the same level of convenience and control over something as critical as a backup power system?

There comes a point when technology can prove less than convenient. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that drivers of passenger cars have grown weary of a growing number of buttons and on-screen options. They want less, not more to deal with when driving down the road. Driver retention survey experts at WorkHound have reported the same for tractor-trailer drivers. They report some in-cab technologies are considered too demanding and chip away at a driver’s time and satisfaction.

Spring is a season of new beginnings, making it the perfect time to give your vehicle’s brake system a fresh start. Just like spring cleaning clears out the clutter, a thorough brake inspection helps address the wear and tear left behind by winter. Cold temperatures, road salt, moisture, and debris all take a toll on brake components, especially in heavy-duty and commercial vehicles. Conducting a full post-winter brake inspection can improve safety, enhance performance, and reduce the risk of unexpected downtime in the busy months ahead.