Found at The Shark Tank (Computerworld)
http://www.computerworld.com/departments/opinions/sharktank/0,4885,100382,00.html
The plant foreman comes to this technician with a challenge: He wants a way to display important operational statistics so machine operators can see them at a glance.
"We threw around a few ideas and finally came up with a wall-mounted LED sign, similar to those you might find at airport baggage claims," the tech says. "I shopped around and found a high-bright, three-color, four-line model, 6 feet by 1 foot in size. Perfect for the application, but pricey: $6,000 each."
And because there are three groups of machines, there will have to be three signs, bringing the total price to $18,000. But to the tech's surprise, the signs are approved and installed.
But he is concerned about one thing: The plant's electric power isn't very clean. So he makes sure three battery-backed surge protectors are added to the budget -- cheap insurance for an $18,000 investment.
"Fast-forward a couple of months," says the tech. "The signs are operating fine. The operators use the data from the signs to compete with their fellow operators. Because of the competition, output and the quality of the output have both improved. Everyone's happy."
Then one day the power goes out. Inside this plant, it is dark. Really dark. Almost pitch black -- except for the operators of these machines. They're still happy. They can find their way to the nearest exit.
Why? Because the I.T. department has provided them with an $18,000, battery-backed-up operation stats display, which also happens to serve as an emergency lighting system!