Keep calm and cloud connect your UPS

The retail store of 2025 doesn’t look much like the store of 2015—and it certainly does not operate like one. What used to be a simple collection of POS (point-of-sale) terminals and security cameras is now a complex digital ecosystem of self-service kiosks, handheld devices, digital signage and edge servers orchestrated to deliver seamless customer experiences.

As retail undergoes this rapid digital transformation, the foundational systems that support these technologies are being forced to evolve also. One piece of infrastructure that has long been overlooked is now more critical than ever, the front-of-store uninterruptable power supply (UPS).

Traditional front-of-store UPS systems have always played a vital role in keeping equipment online during power interruptions. But historically they’ve been largely reactive in nature. Their job was to step in after something went wrong, providing brief backup power. And for years, small front-of-store UPS systems were notoriously difficult to manage. With no network connectivity, no remote visibility and no reporting capabilities, they often operated in the background—until they didn’t. Too often they would fail silently and without warning, taking down critical devices and even entire store networks at the worst possible moments.

In today’s store environment, downtime not only affects registers in the front of store but can also impact kiosks, sensors and cameras. In the connected store era, reacting after a failure is too late, a single minute of downtime can disrupt the checkout process, interrupt digital signage or take edge devices offline—eroding revenue, operational efficiency and customer trust.

A legacy mentality: front-of store UPS was not considered “critical infrastructure.” In the past, smaller UPS systems in the checkout lanes or under the counters were treated as simple safety nets, cheap standalone batteries meant to keep a POS terminal alive for a few minutes if the lights flickered. They weren’t considered IT assets, and they certainly were not connected to any broader monitoring platform.

Meanwhile the “real” UPS units—those in the back office protecting servers and networking equipment—were connected to SNMP based management cards because they were seen as part of the infrastructure stack. This divide created a blind spot that persists today: critical edge devices at the front of store are too often still running on unmanaged and unmonitored power.

Because front-of-store UPS devices are typically smaller and less expensive, many retailers have assumed they are less important to manage. But in a modern retail environment that assumption no longer holds true. The reality is that front of store devices have become just as mission critical as the network closet or back of store.

Another reason retailers historically ignored front-of-store UPS monitoring was simple: the technology wasn’t there. Adding remote monitoring to dozens of small devices meant installing costly network cards, configuring network access for each one and ongoing firmware upgrades.

Cloud-connected UPS solutions change that. They ship with built-in connectivity and require minimal setup. Once online they securely report health, status and event data to a cloud dashboard—no SNMP traps, no VPNs, no complicated infrastructure. What was once a hassle is now turnkey.

Cloud connected UPS systems Bring the front-of-store into focus. Treat every UPS in the store, not just the ones in the back office, as part of the connected infrastructure stack. As digital transformation pushes intelligence and connectivity all the way to the edge, UPS systems strategy must evolve from reactive and isolated to proactive and integrated.

They give retailers the ability to anticipate issues before they occur, manage power across thousands of distributed sites from a single console and ensure that every edge device stays online and protected.

Eaton’s Cloud Connected UPS: A smart backbone for front-of- store POS resilience

This is where Eaton’s Cloud Connected UPS solutions step in as a game-changer for modern retail. Designed with the realities of today’s connected store in mind, Eaton’s UPS systems bring intelligence, visibility and control to the very edge of the retail environment—right where transactions happen.

For front-of-store POS systems, Eaton’s Cloud Connected UPSs offer more than just backup power, they deliver operational assurance. These systems are equipped with built-in connectivity that allows IT teams to monitor power health, battery status and environmental conditions in real time across thousands of locations. This means potential issues can be identified and resolved before they impact checkout lanes, self-service kiosks or mobile POS devices.

By integrating seamlessly with Eaton’s Cloud platform, these UPSs become part of a broader ecosystem of intelligent power management. Retailers gain centralized visibility and control and receive alerts all from a single pane of glass.

In an era where every second of uptime counts, Eaton’s Cloud Connected UPSs ensure that front-of-store systems remain resilient, responsive, and ready—no matter what. They transform the UPS from a passive backup device into an active participant in the store’s digital infrastructure, helping retailers deliver uninterrupted service and protect revenue at the edge.

The Time to Act is Now

As the front of the store becomes more intelligent, more connected and more critical to the customer experience, the infrastructure supporting it must keep pace. Eaton’s Cloud Connected UPS solutions offer a simple, scalable way to bring visibility, control and resilience to the very edge of your retail operations.

If you're a retail technology leader looking to future-proof your stores, now is the time to rethink how you manage power at the front of store. Don’t wait for the next outage to expose a blind spot—take a proactive step today. Connect with your IT and facilities teams and explore how cloud-connected power solutions can help you deliver the always-on experience your customers expect.

Let’s bring the front of store into focus—together.