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Data Center System Downtime: Causes, costs and strategies

Written by Dasha Bushmakin | Oct 3, 2013

What are the key causes to networks being down? How do downtimes affect companies and what are some key strategies that companies should implement?

As much as 75% of downtime is the result of some sort of human error. Here are a few reasons why people may make mistakes:

* In a rush, tired.

* Lack of planning - layout, poor labeling.

* Taking a shortcut.

* Lack of training.

How are businesses impacted with downtime:

* Corporate image.

* Loss of customers.

* Morale is affected.

* People's lives at risk.

Ways to prevent:

* Adequate funding levels for operating expenses

* Document - the point of failure, what broke, what needs to be fixed, how it should be fixed and the final result.

* Facilities and computing maintenance program for each piece of equipment.

* Investigation protocol in place - determine the root cause and steps to take in the short and long term.

* Stable environment creates a stable workflow for both staff and data.

* Staff training program.

Read The causes and costs of data center system downtime: Advisory Board Q&A from Tech Target