Water, electricity and the Internet are all commodities that we just expect to work when we turn on the switch or tap, but what happens when it doesn’t?

When the Internet is out it could be any number of things:

• ISP or NBN issue.
• On premise hardware issue.
• The weather or an accident knocking out infrastructure.
• Possible cyber security issue.

Whatever the cause, the result is the same: no internet means no access to cloud systems, no email, no booking system, no phones and no remote access.

If you are like most business owners, you have probably got a sneaky feeling that your business would not cope very well if the connection went down for more than a few hours. This article shows what may happen and how you can prepare.

What Actually Will Stop Working?

You might be surprised by how much depends on the Internet as  it is not just website browsing and emails. Here is a list of what can go offline:

1. Email.
2. Web browsing.
3. VoIP phones and cloud phone systems.
4. Cloud-based software such as Office 365, Google Workspace, Xero and your CRM.
5. EFTPOS and online payment gateways.
6. Remote access to files and systems.
7. Team chat apps such as Slack or Microsoft Teams.
8. Social media.
9. Customer booking, service and support portals.
10. Supplier and other ordering systems.
11. Stock or job management systems.

How Long Could You Last Without the Internet?

A short 5 – 10 minute drop, and you will probably be fine.

A few hours, will most like cause some problems.

A full day? This will upset staff and clients and there will be some lost money.

A week? You will be looking at client complaints, upset staff, missed deadlines, and lost sales.

So the question becomes, how do you keep running if the internet does not come back quickly?

Internet Outage Plan

We all know how to prepare for power cuts: emergency lights, surge protection, batteries and backup generators. Businesses need to treat internet outages the same way as they are inevitable.

Preparation is not about doom and gloom, rather it is about having a calm plan ready so you do not scramble around like headless chickens when things go down.

Build Redundancy Into Your Internet Setup

Having only one internet connection is a single point of failure. Here are some things we often set up for clients:

1. A second connection from a different provider: If one fails then the other takes over.
2. A connection using another medium: A 4G / 5G mobile broadband backup or even a Starlink connection protects against wired line failures.

A multiple WAN failover router is also needed so that the failover to the backup link is smooth and doesn’t require manual input.

Keep Important Files Available Offline

Not everything needs to be in the cloud all the time. We can help you identify which files or systems are mission critical and make sure there is a local version available if the internet goes out.

For example:

1. Sync shared folders to a local device.
2. Keep offline backups of templates, spreadsheets and documents.
3. If supported, configure key software to work in “offline mode”.

You will thank yourself later when you can still send an invoice or access your job list during a dropout.

Prep Your Phones for Internet Downtime

If you have switched to cloud-based phones (such as VoIP), they rely completely on your internet connection. Thus during an outage, they won’t ring. That is missed sales, appointments, missed support calls and lots of frustration.

Here are some things you can do:

1. Set up mobile call-forwarding rules in advance.
2. Use auto-attendants that inform callers of the issue and offer alternative contact options.
3. Maintain a small batch of mobile phones or SIM-capable handsets as backup desk phones.

We can help you build these into your existing system so they kick in automatically if needed.

Reconsider “Always Online” Tools

Some business software won’t work at all without an internet connection. If that is the only tool your staff knows how to use, you are out of luck during a blackout.

We often help businesses:

1. Identify which tools absolutely need the internet.
2. Provide local alternatives or hybrid tools.
3. Train staff on “offline workflows” for common jobs.

You might not be able to run your full operation, but you can keep the engine ticking over.

Let Your Team Know What to Do

The best systems in the world will not help if your team does not know what to do when the internet drops out. We can help you build a simple “Internet Outage Playbook” that covers:

1. Who to contact (and how).
2. Which systems to switch to.
3. When to escalate or notify customers.
4. What jobs can continue.
5. What things will not work.

It is about cutting confusion and making sure everyone stays productive, even when the screens go blank.

Do Not Leave It to Chance

We get it: thinking about internet blackouts can feel a bit “worst-case scenario,” but so is losing access to your bookings, sales or customer records for hours (or days).

As your IT service provider (or MSP / TSP), we are here to build a business continuity plan that keeps things running smoothly, even when the internet does not.

Do you want to know how your current setup will hold up? Let us talk. We will help you spot the weak points and build in smart backups so your business keeps running, no matter what happens to your connection.

Need help preparing for an internet outage?

Let us take a look at your current setup and show you how to keep your business connected, even when the internet isn’t. Contact us today before and put in plans before the worst happens.