How SMBs can Eliminate Downtime during Network Failure

Network failure can occur everywhere, from human error to more strategic attacks. Network failure can shut down. Network connectivity failures can interrupt the ability to effectively conduct business as POS and other network-attached devices go offline. This can result in a loss of sales and the ability to conduct business. 

What are Some Causes of Business Downtime? 

In the modern age, unshakeable internet connectivity is necessary when managing ATMs, food service locations, POS terminals, convenience stores, and shopping malls. It’s expected at this point, and brand reputations will likely require it. You wouldn’t want to be the fine clothier in town who can’t process a transaction due to Wi-Fi issues. How embarrassing.

Cutting the LAN line, coming into contact with faulty equipment, weather tragedies, and human error can likely cause network failure. Downtime can come at a high cost, up to $20,000 daily for medium-sized businesses. Network failure can disrupt an associate's ability to process transactions, track inventory, dispense cash, and realistically perform any other task.

Businesses should learn to augment their original primary connection with a backup connection. Backup lines can be pretty vulnerable since they are typically run on the same poles and lines with similar termination points.

Benefits of Cellular Backup 

Wireless cellular connections are often utilized as backup connectivity points. Both rely less on expensive wireless solutions to enable growth and upgrades with cellular network enhancements. When a wireless system fails, connections automatically fall to a 4G LTE connection, ensuring internet connectivity. 

Cellular Backup provides a sense of reliability by providing broader LTE coverage in erasing any speed discrepancies between wireline and wireless connections. 5G should assist with this as well. 

Better redundancy is almost guaranteed as well. A cellular failover connection, through a separate modem avoids the inherent problem that comes along with shared devices and carriers. This allows you to switch between wireless carriers for greater redundancy and cost management.

There is also a heightened sense of security. The right level of protection is a firewall with the best practice configurations, automated patches, and updates. This further promotes simplicity, meaning replacing your existing router is unnecessary. You could configure and troubleshoot remotely since it would be an out-of-band port. 

The quality and cost of cellular connectivity make it attractive as a backup option. The cost of running wired cable is significant, and landlines are now cost-prohibitive. Cellular technology is driving this shift. 

Out-of-Band Network Management 

When a device is offline, or the network is down, the administrator must be able to shut down any remote equipment. This ensures the network administrator can access a remote site if the WAN or LAN is down. This is enabled via a serial console port that offers a management interface for troubleshooting issues with networking equipment, devices, and servers.

Retail Operational Costs = Reduced 

Overall, Network Failover will make your business more efficient, impacting operating costs enormously. A cellular failover solution can identify and handle a backup connection remotely. Cellular failover keeps your SMB running without losses or perceived downtime.