Operational downtime involves any situation where your team cannot perform their duties as expected due to technological malfunctions. This can be induced by losing power or an internet connection, IT errors like a frozen computer, or a non-responsive web browser. Downtime in business can result in serious profit loss, and chronic downtime could become very costly if not addressed. Here are some tips for proper technology management and avoiding downtime.

Technology-Induced Downtime

As we mentioned, if your network or devices experience downtime, it can be extraordinarily costly for productivity and result in profit loss. But exactly how costly, you may ask?

Gartner estimates the average cost of IT downtime in the enterprise sector is $5,600 per minute. 98% of enterprises say that just one hour of operational downtime can cost well over $100,000.

While small businesses may not see this massive of a loss, there’s still a hefty percentage of loss that can be experienced from downtime. 

What’s the Problem with Downtime?

So how does something as mundane as IT glitches affect your business this much? Simply put, downtime causes wasted money and resources. Operational downtime completely halts employee productivity, and break-fix IT support companies will charge you a hefty price to fix the issue at a time when your profits have halted. So, you’re stuck paying employees who can’t do their job, and paying an IT company at a time when you’re not making money.

So, how do you go about avoiding downtime? Consider proactive maintenance. 

How to Avoid Downtime

1. Proactive Maintenance

Using proactive management when it comes to IT instead of reactive could save you huge bucks. Work with an IT managed service provider to monitor and keep track of your business technology so malfunctions leading to downtime are much less common.

2. Technology Management 

Keep your software updated at all times to avoid malware and other security vulnerabilities that create downtime-causing situations.

3. Have a Back-Up Plan

Having a comprehensive data backup solution in place is essential to avoiding downtime. BDR backs up data in-house and in the cloud, so you always have access to a copy of your data when you need it most.

To learn more about how you reduce downtime and its accompanying costs, reach out to WheelHouse IT at 954.474.2204.

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