Downtime can be a nightmare for businesses that rely on IT. When servers stop working or when networks go offline, nobody can access their work and everyone is left twiddling their thumbs until the problem is fixed.
Every minute your systems are down, you bleed cash from lost productivity, recovery expenses, and potential revenue. In fact, studies show that downtime can cost companies an average of $9,000 per minute. Plus, you may suffer reputational damage when customers can’t access your applications or services, which severely affects customer loyalty and your bottom line.
To avoid these nightmare scenarios, companies are turning to managed IT services providers (MSPs). These dedicated professionals offer comprehensive solutions to anticipate, mitigate, and address downtime incidents. But before we talk about how MSPs keep your business running smoothly, let’s discuss some of the most common causes of downtime.
What are the causes of downtime?
There are various factors that contribute to system downtime. Some of the most common are:
- Hardware failures – While servers and workstations are built for durability, their components are still prone to wear and tear over time. For instance, a computer’s cooling fans may accumulate dust and debris, causing the system to overheat and crash. Older hardware components may be incompatible with modern software, which can lead to errors or system instability. In extreme cases, the computing load can be so high that it causes the components to burn out. Generally, the older the hardware, the less support it gets from manufacturers and the more likely it is to fail.
- Network problems – Slow and unreliable network connections mean that users can’t access the data and applications they need to function. These issues tend to occur due to excessive network load, lack of internet bandwidth, poorly optimized router placement, configuration errors, or security breaches. In some scenarios, network problems may be entirely the fault of internet service providers or cloud hosting companies.
Software issues – Software bugs, configuration errors, and compatibility issues can bring operations to a screeching halt. This is especially true for businesses that rely on complex software architectures and multiple applications. - Power outages – Power surges or blackouts can be caused by a number of factors such as extreme weather events, overloaded power grids, and short circuits. While most servers have some sort of battery backup or automatic shutdown protocol, prolonged outages may still cause data loss, system crashes, and equipment damage. All this results in IT resources becoming unavailable and operations grinding to a halt.
- Cybersecurity incidents – Cyberattacks, such as distributed denial-of-service attacks, phishing scams, and ransomware, can bring an entire company to its knees. Hackers may access confidential information, corrupt data, or disable systems altogether. This can lead to prolonged downtime and often requires additional recovery costs for restoring data and security protocols.
- Natural disasters – Hurricanes, floods, fires and other natural disasters can cause extensive damage to the IT infrastructure. That means employees can’t access their workstations, networks fail to connect, and software applications become unresponsive. Depending on the severity of the disaster, it may take days or even weeks to restore operations.
How do managed IT services prevent downtime?
MSPs are specialists that offer comprehensive IT solutions and support to businesses for a fixed subscription fee. They’re essentially an outsourced IT department that caters to a client’s specific needs. MSPs are well equipped to tackle downtime because of their wide range of services and solutions, which include:
Proactive maintenance
What sets MSPs apart from any run-of-the-mill computer repair service is their proactive approach to maintenance. They don’t just wait for systems to break down before they take action. Instead, MSPs regularly monitor the entire system for potential issues before these escalate into serious problems.
An MSP monitors various parameters such as server health, hardware conditions, network performance, application functionality, and security protocols. If they detect any anomalies, they take immediate action to diagnose the problem and prevent it from leading to a full-blown downtime incident. Top MSPs will also conduct preventive maintenance activities, such as patching software and operating systems, replacing obsolete hardware, and optimizing internet bandwidth usage to ensure smooth operations.
Round-the-clock support
MSPs can respond and address various IT issues 24/7. Most MSPs offer remote IT support, where technicians can tap into their clients’ systems and fix the problem without having to physically visit the premises. The issue doesn’t necessarily have to be system-related either. An MSPs remote help desk service can provide assistance with a range of IT-related questions or concerns, from setting up new hardware to configuring software applications.
If the technical issue is more nuanced, however, a local MSP can dispatch technicians to the site so they can personally inspect and repair the system. This is particularly useful for dealing with complex hardware issues. It’s important to note that unlike standard repair companies, MSPs don’t just fix surface-level issues. They root out the underlying cause of the problem and provide a comprehensive solution, so businesses never have to experience downtime from the same issue ever again.
Cybersecurity services
The best way to prevent downtime from increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks is to have even stronger cybersecurity measures in place. MSPs can fully protect businesses with a customized defense strategy. This involves an initial vulnerability assessment and penetration test of the existing infrastructure to identify potential security gaps that may lead to a downtime incident.
Based on the company’s vulnerabilities, MSPs will recommend and implement the appropriate security solutions such as next-generation firewalls, two-factor authentication, endpoint protection, end-to-end encryption, and more. First-rate MSPs even offer security awareness training programs to teach staff about avoiding phishing scams, password best practices, and data privacy protocols.
Disaster recovery planning
An MSP’s disaster recovery services start with a comprehensive risk assessment to understand the types of disasters that a company may be exposed to. A company based in Tampa, Florida, for example, would most likely want to know how to prepare their systems and operations for hurricane season. After identifying the disasters a the company is most vulnerable to, the MSP will then identify the company’s mission-critical assets and clearly define which systems to prioritize during downtime incidents.
From there, the MSP will establish a step-by-step guide for what to do before, during, and after a disaster scenario. This includes setting up an emergency response team and contact list, implementing a redundant backup system, outlining data recovery procedures, and establishing communication protocols and alerts for customers. Depending on the company’s location and uptime requirements, disaster recovery strategies may even involve setting up a secondary data center in another location, utilizing cloud solutions to enable emergency remote work, or running operations in an alternative off-site facility. MSPs can then walk the staff through the company’s disaster recovery plans and test its efficacy, so everyone is prepared in case of an actual downtime incident.
IT consulting
MSPs can serve as IT consultants, giving objective feedback and advice on how to optimize IT systems and operations for maximum uptime. They analyze organizations’ operational requirements, evaluate their current systems, and recommend solutions for cost-effectively managing risk. As IT consultants, MSPs can also provide insight into the latest industry trends, recommend best practices for network management, and even suggest new technologies that businesses should consider. This allows companies to stay ahead of the curve in terms of IT performance and security while also reducing their overall downtime risk.
Top MSPs like Dynamic Solutions Group wear many hats when it comes to preventing downtime incidents and maintaining system availability. From providing proactive maintenance and 24/7 support services to deploying tailored cybersecurity solutions and effectively planning for disasters, they have all the tools and expertise to ensure your business is always up and running. Give us a call today to keep downtime out of your company’s equation.
