Just when you thought load shedding was a thing of the past, the recent rolling blackouts caught you off guard. While ESKOM works to preserve its power supply, millions of people are without power. It is most likely not going to get any better any time soon.
Load shedding disrupts both our personal life and our businesses. Power outages ruin data on computer systems and damage different sensitive and pricey electronics such as televisions and CCTV equipment. Local companies must continue to adjust to load shedding and devise business continuity measures for the foreseeable future. We go over some practical ideas to get you started.
Prepare ahead of time
Your organisation must first prepare for the likelihood of power disruptions caused by loadshedding. There is always the possibility that your merchandise may be spoilt, that a burglar will break in, or that an electrical surge would harm some of your electronics.
Investing in additional security measures, finding ways to keep food cold or frozen, installing surge protection plugs, and storing data are all examples of suitable steps that could lessen risks.
Rent-to-own IT equipment can be installed to keep your data safe and your critical business gadgets protected during loadshedding interruptions.
Plan your work around the load-shedding schedule
One thing we can be thankful for is that Eskom generally sticks to the schedule they provide.
If your landline numbers will be unavailable during load shedding, Microsoft SharePoint, social messaging, and bulk SMS are viable options.
Backup your data regularly to avoid data loss and corruption
During load-shedding, one of the most serious hazards to a company’s operations is data loss and corruption. Ensure that your organisation has a dependable data backup system in place that backs up all data, documents, emails, and software regularly. Additionally, urge employees to save their work before scheduled outages.
Remember that during brownouts, your system may be slower and more sensitive to corruption and data loss, whilst power surges can permanently harm equipment such as servers and VoIP devices. As a result, your ICT and electrical systems must account for such hazards. In brief, aim for three independent backups, at least one of which is off-site.
Invest in alternative energy
The effects of load-shedding can be considerably alleviated with the correct technology on your side. Businesses can reduce downtime and disturbance by investing in a generator, inverter, or uninterruptible power supply (UPS). The best option is usually determined by the kind of your organisation, uptime requirements, and budget.
Prioritise laptops, tablets, battery-powered routers, USB dongles, card machines, and other items that can be utilised when the power goes out when purchasing new business equipment. Purchase numerous power banks for usage in the office by staff. When only a few hours of extra ‘juice’ are required at a time, these can make a significant impact. Portable lamps and rechargeable lights are also useful additions.
If you have the financial means, it may be time to consider investing in solar solutions. Not only will this relieve some of the demand during load shedding, but your company will also benefit from tax breaks and cheaper monthly electricity rates for years to come. If you share space with other firms, you could even consider collaborating to split the initial capital outlay. It also earns you kudos with environmentally aware customers.
Use alternate payment options
In the event of a power outage, accepting payments with independent card machines is an excellent choice.
These devices necessitate sophisticated charging as well as internet connectivity (through hotspots and cellular data). Having one of these on hand is useful for accepting credit card payments even when the power is down.
Many of these low-cost alternatives can help small businesses achieve significant efficiency gains. Load-shedding will not be a concern if you invest in the right technology tools. These solutions are realistic, easy to apply, and could save your company’s life in the event of a power loss.
Add your company to the cloud
Cloud-based solutions could be the key to ensuring that operations run smoothly. Instead of being installed on local devices, cloud-based software allows employees to work from any location with an internet connection.
It is possible to rapidly obtain the most recent information and completed activities. Cloud-based services are more efficient. Regular backups are also no longer required.
Businesses that use pay-as-you-go pricing can significantly minimize capital expenditures for equipment and operating expenses for physical space.
Include flexible working hours
Remote work, in addition to mitigating the consequences of load shedding, increasing traffic, and growing real estate expenses, has become an appealing option for many small businesses.
Working hours can be (fairly) altered, and telecommuting is one alternative. Many people can work from anywhere in the globe using only a laptop and an internet connection. As a result, work can resume as usual.
Additionally, see How to Prepare Your Home Security for Longer Periods of Loadshedding