The computer system at work is down. It could be a simple database error, or you business could be the victim of a DDoS attack. The tech team is estimating that it will take anywhere between three minutes and three days to resolve the situation and get the system back up and running. Meanwhile, customers still are calling or at the front door. Far too many businesses rely solely on tech to run their company and end up being rendered powerless by a computer outage – effectively having to close shop until the system is back up.
Immediate effects are obvious; loss of business and customers looking to buy or order while your system was inoperable. Long term effects may be less apparent. Companies that aren’t prepared for a computer outage often watch their customers turn to competitors, giving them an opportunity to earn their business moving forward. By preparing for the inevitable tech glitch, your business can stay productive and avoid substantial losses down the line.
One of the most common examples of this can be seen in restaurants. Have you ever been out for lunch or dinner when a restaurant computer system has gone down? Most are unable to function – neither the servers or kitchen staff are sure how to organize, expedite food effectively or add up order totals. This is common for many businesses, but there are two things that you can do to prepare for a computer outage at work.
Planning and Supplies
Each business will require a different plan to be put in place for their particular needs – but training staff for a computer outage before one happens is the most important step to avoiding loss of business during this period. We suggest putting plans in writing and reviewing on an annual basis or as needed with new hires to make sure everyone is prepared. Of course, employees will need the right supplies to compensate for the computer outage as well.
Your business should have custom printed carbonless forms on hand to take down customer information, provide receipts and issue invoices as needed. Depending on how you interact with customers, you may want to order loose carbonless forms with your business logo or go with NCR forms in a book to keep them all in one place. These forms will contain the same information that would have been input into the computer system and will provide both customer and business with a record of the transaction.
Turning a Negative into a Positive
By being prepared for a computer outage at work, you can turn a potentially negative situation into a positive one for your customers. Instead of turning away business because orders can’t be processed, you’re able to show your clients that you prepared for the worst – making you more reliable and trustworthy. We hope your computer system never goes down again, and hope that this article has helped you prepare for the worst in case it happens.