Load-shedding is becoming a regular occurrence in SA and cloud computing can offer significant cost and reliability advantages for businesses and minimise the impact of blackouts.
This is according to Tracey Newman, SMB lead at Microsoft SA, who notes cloud-based services have become imperative to the survival of the small- and medium-sized businesses that cannot afford to adopt green solutions and expensive uninterruptible power supply (UPS).
"With cloud storage, there is no need to have expensive UPS running the company's server during load-shedding times. Data is stored online and can be accessed from anywhere, anytime and using any device with a modern Web browser."
This means the cloud can offer significant cost and reliability advantages for businesses relying on UPS power during power outages, says Newman.
The organisation's crucial business data remains accessible during power outages, since employees only need a connection to the Internet a using 3G dongle or even a smartphone acting as a WiFi hotspot, she continues.
Newman points out cloud computing provides flexibility for employees who are authorised to be productive for their company from anywhere.
Cloud-based services also make it possible for staff to work from home, where they can use voice over Internet protocol capabilities - enabling them to answer calls and attend meetings, says Newman.
Companies that are expanding quickly can use these services to instigate a telecommute programme for employees who do not need to be office-bound all day to reduce office space costs as well as the impact of power outages, she adds.
The added benefit of initiatives like these is an improvement in employee retention since workers have the flexibility to work from anywhere.
With load-shedding a reality for the foreseeable future, companies need to have clear strategies and systems in place to deal with this challenge, says Michael Davies, CEO of ContinuitySA.
"We know that load-shedding is going to occur and in order to put mitigation strategies in place, we first need to understand what the implications are."
Now is a good time for organisations to update their business continuity plans to assess the impact of load-shedding and weigh up what the risk appetite is, says Davies.
Businesses have started taking on other methods of powering systems, such as solar power, to reduce the impact of load-shedding and storing information into the cloud, he adds.
"We don't have an option - we all have to understand what this power crisis means for our individual businesses and take the appropriate action," says Davies, adding reviewing business continuity plans is a good way to start.
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