Unexpected network or system outages are unusual but inevitable. Even industry giants experience painful downtime. While the total cost may differ for each company, the expense of downtime is a critical factor that business owners must consider, particularly when justifying the investment in quality IT support.

Did you know that for SMBs, average downtime costs range from $137 to $427 per minute? Despite the small number, it can be the end of the road. In reality, downtime costs continue to rise. Numerous factors contribute to network downtime or slow internet speeds, hampering basic business operations. Even a brief outage could span several days or weeks for small businesses without a large IT department.

A few hours of POS downtime can result in losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales and causing customer dissatisfaction.Your Salesforce, SAP, Microsoft Office 365, or Zendesk accounts are not safe from downtime even when your enterprise is up on the cloud. It's no wonder Gartner estimates the cost of unplanned downtime to be around $5,600 per minute.

In this article, we will explore the common causes of downtime and how network assessment services can help prevent these costly interruptions.

Common Causes of Unplanned Downtime

Understanding the common causes of unplanned downtime can help businesses take proactive measures to minimize disruptions. Here are some key factors that often contribute to unexpected network outages:

• Organization Size – Larger organizations with complex infrastructures may experience more significant disruptions compared to smaller businesses due to the sheer volume of interconnected systems. A multinational corporation may have a vast network of servers, databases, and user endpoints, where a single point of failure could cascade into widespread downtime. Conversely, smaller organizations may lack the extensive IT resources to quickly address issues, leading to prolonged downtime.
• Human Error – Human error, whether accidental or due to negligence, is a leading cause of unplanned downtime. Simple mistakes such as unintentionally deleting data, accidentally unplugging a cable, deviating from standard protocols can result in significant disruptions and costs. In 2017, a major airline experienced a massive IT outage due to a technician accidentally cutting a power supply cable. This resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of flights and significant financial losses.
• Device Misconfiguration – Device misconfiguration is another common cause of unplanned downtime. Incorrect settings on routers, firewalls, or switches can lead to network outages or security vulnerabilities. A real-life example occurred in 2022 when a large telecom company experienced a widespread outage due to a misconfigured router, disrupting service for millions of customers. Configuration errors can create security gaps in a network making it vulnerable to cyberattacks.
• Bugs and Software Issues – Software bugs and glitches can lead to unexpected downtime. These issues might arise from coding errors, incompatibility between software versions, or unforeseen interactions between different systems. Just a few weeks ago, a major global IT outage grounded flights, impacted banks, and disrupted businesses worldwide, causing costly delays and computer crashes.
• Cybersecurity Threats – Cybersecurity threats, such as ransomware attacks and phishing, pose significant risks to network stability and cause extensive downtime. Malicious actors can exploit vulnerabilities in your network, infiltrate systems, and gain access to sensitive data. These attacks could result in substantial financial losses, reputational damage, and operational disruptions.
• Natural Disasters and Power Outages – Natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and fires can damage your IT infrastructure and result in prolonged downtime. These events can disrupt power supplies, damage data centers, and cut communication lines, severely impacting business operations.

Advantages of Network Assessment Services to Save You from Costly Downtime

Early Detection of Interference

Network assessments can identify and mitigate interference issues, particularly in shared office spaces where neighboring companies may impact your network performance. Conducting spectrum analysis and implementing frequency management strategies can reduce interference, allowing for a stable and reliable network performance even in multi-tenant buildings.

Optimized Resource Allocation

For businesses with limited staff or technical expertise, network assessments grant a clear roadmap for resource allocation, helping manage multiple sites efficiently. Utilizing centralized network management tools and automated monitoring systems can ease the burden on limited staff. This allows for effective oversight and management of multiple locations.

Bridging the Engineering Experience Gap

Network assessments bring expert insights to businesses lacking in-house engineering know-how, especially in fields like RF technology. Partnering with a network assessment service can deliver access to experienced RF engineers. These experts can design and implement robust network solutions, overcoming the shortage of in-house expertise.

Supporting a Diverse Range of Devices

Assessments make sure your network can support both the latest end-user devices and legacy system, accommodating varying equipment without compromising performance. Developing a comprehensive device compatibility matrix and implementing scalable network infrastructure allows for seamless integration of both new and legacy devices, guaranteeing all users are supported effectively.

Enhanced Disaster Recovery Planning

Assessments provide valuable data that can boost your disaster recovery plans. This can result in quick recovery and minimal downtime in the event of a failure. Conducting regular disaster recovery drills based on assessments ensures your team can respond swiftly, minimizing downtime and data loss during incidents.

Securing Your Network’s Future with Proactive Assessments 

Prioritizing a strong and reliable network is necessary if you want to avoid costly downtime. Network assessment services render the groundwork for maximizing operational efficiencies and enhancing resilience against outside interference. These services not only optimize your business’s network infrastructure, but also give you seamless, reliable communication.

For Wi-Fi networks and beyond, AI-driven insights can enhance network performance, predict potential failures, and automate routine maintenance tasks. WZC Networking is committed to educating clients on effectively integrating AI into their network strategy, ensuring they stay ahead of the curve.

WZC specializes in designing Wi-Fi solutions and presenting comprehensive post-validation and post-site survey services. Our clients, who subscribe to our managed services, benefit from this meticulous approach. We don’t just guess or replace old access points; we conduct thorough documentation and confirm coverage after installation. Present accurate and reliable reports to your leadership team, demonstrating the effectiveness of your network infrastructure.

Ready to upgrade your network’s performance and reliability? Learn more about how WZC Networking can help your business network to run smoothly.