A reliable internet connection is the backbone of modern business operations, enabling seamless communication, efficient workflow, and access to vital online resources. This can be said for virtually any business of any size in any industry. From cloud-based software to client interactions and e-commerce platforms, the internet supports nearly every aspect of a company’s daily activities.
And when connectivity falters, so does productivity. In a competitive market, even brief disruptions can lead to missed opportunities, frustrated customers, and lost revenue. In one article published to FastCasual.com, the analysis of the true cost of internet outages to restaurants, as one industry example, reveals some alarming consequences.
One way to ensure your business experiences 100 percent uptime and zero business interruption is by investing in a backup internet such as Vivant’s SmartCONNECT™. Backup internet is a secondary internet connection that automatically kicks in when your primary connection fails. It ensures business continuity, preventing disruptions caused by outages.
Why Is Backup Internet Important?
- Eliminates Downtime— Keeps your business online, avoiding lost revenue and productivity.
- Ensures Seamless Operations— Critical for businesses reliant on cloud-based systems, POS, and VoIP.
- Protects Customer Experience— Prevents service disruptions that could frustrate customers.
- Reduces Financial Loss— Every minute of downtime costs money. Backup internet minimizes those losses.
- Strengthens Security— A failsafe connection ensures security systems, including cameras and alarms, remain operational.
How Does SmartCONNECT Backup Internet Work?
- When there is an outage on your primary internet service, the SmartCONNECT backup internet solution automatically switches your primary connection to a secondary connection. It happens in a matter of seconds, and business operators never know that it even happened!
- The customer support team at Vivant will monitor the primary internet connection to see when it is restored. They also notify the business operator that they are connected through the backup internet service.
- Once the primary internet connection is restored, the SmartCONNECT system monitors the restored connection for five minutes. This will indicate that the connection is healthy and safe to switch back to the primary connection again, minimizing data usage from the secondary service.
What is the Difference Between Backup Internet and SD-WAN?
Backup internet like SmartCONNECT is a redundancy strategy that is reactive; in other words, it kicks in when the primary connection fails). For most small and medium-sized businesses, a basic failover solution like SmartCONNECT backup internet will be sufficient.
SD-WAN on the other hand is proactive. It functions like a smart traffic management system that optimizes and balances multiple internet connections (including backup internet) in real time. It can:
- Automatically prioritize critical applications for performance.
- Load balance across multiple connections for reliability.
- Enhance security by encrypting traffic and applying policies.
SD-WAN may be suitable for more complex operations. It does require at least two active connections, a more intricate configuration, and greater IT experience.
What Industries Benefit from SmartCONNECT?
For industries like restaurants, healthcare, dealerships (automotive, boats, RVs, motorcycles, and professional services (attorneys, tax accountants, insurance agencies) that rely heavily on VoIP and internet connectivity, 100% uptime isn’t optional—it’s essential. A reliable backup internet solution ensures you’re always connected, no matter what.
Restaurants: Think about the consequences to a restaurant if the internet goes down.
- Cloud-based POS systems won’t operate without the internet.
- Payment cards cannot be processed for online or in-person orders.
- Revenue is lost when customers cannot place orders or are turned away.
- VoIP phone service also goes down, preventing phone orders; more lost revenue.
Jeff Collier, the Operations Support Analyst for Premium Loaves, operator of 88 Jimmy John’s franchises, puts it in perspective when he says, “When you consider that 30—50% of our business comes from online orders, if the internet goes down, we could lose a half day’s worth of sales. On a $1.5M/year store, that’s thousands of dollars.”
Learn more about how critical SmartCONNECT backup internet is to Premium Loaves.
Medical Offices: Internet outages at healthcare facilities could impact patient care.
- Internet and phone outages cause problems with scheduling, patient communications, and billing.
- Medical staff is not able to access patient history and other critical information.
- Medical staff is not able to access Emergency Medical Records (EMR).
- Office staff misses calls from patients, other physicians, and pharmacies.
The success story about Gateway Diagnostics illustrates how SmartCONNECT solved these issues.
Dealerships: Consider the losses to dealerships if an internet connection is lost during a deal.
- Payment cards cannot be processed for car sales.
- Financing cannot be completed so deals can’t be closed.
- You miss opportunities to buy cars at online auctions, compromising your inventory.
- VoIP commercial phone service also goes down, resulting in lost leads, inability to schedule service appointments, interruption of outbound sales and follow-up, and more.
Kian Motors in Dallas, Texas recognizes the importance of SmartCONNECT. Read their story.
Professional Services: For many professional services, you must be accessible to your clients when they need you. If an internet disruption disconnects you from your clients at a critical moment–during tax season, while preparing for litigation, after a car accident–there could be trouble.
- Internet and phone outages cause problems with scheduling, client communications, and billing.
- Staff and professionals are not able to access client records.
- Preparation for time-sensitive milestones, like court dates and tax deadlines, is compromised.
- VoIP commercial phone service also goes down, resulting in lost new business or critical client communications.
Caddo provides office space to professional services. Learn why backup internet like SmartCONNECT is critical in their buildings.
With SmartCONNECT backup internet by Vivant, staying online is never a gamble. Whether it’s a service outage or unexpected network failure, business operators benefit from a seamless safety net that keeps the business running without missing a beat. No more scrambling for solutions or losing revenue due to downtime—just reliable, automatic failover.
Because at the end of the day, staying connected shouldn’t be a concern—it should be a guarantee.
