Business Productivity during a Power Outage
No matter what grid you are on, sooner or later there will probably be a power outage. It could be a few seconds or it could be for a day or more, but when it happens your business may come to a screeching halt. While you could install a generator, this step may seem like overkill for an outage that may just be a few hours a year. All the same, you need to be prepared. So, what’s a company to do?
- While you may not have Internet access when there is no power, you probably have laptops in your office. If they are on the desks and plugged in, their batteries should be full of juice when the power goes out. Just reduce their brightness to minimize battery drain, and you can keep on working for a few hours, which is usually long enough for the power to come back on and business to resume as normal.
- If you store your production servers and data servers at a remote location, they may still have power. While you still probably won’t have that Internet access, you may still be able to have access to your data and applications and be able to work as a team for as long as those laptop batteries hold out. It’s not a fancy system, but it’s a work around that will keep you from shutting down.
- If you really need Internet access to work, try taking the laptops to a coffee shop. They may have free wi-fi, you’ll also get an outlet and you can have a nice drink while you’re getting the job done. After all, even a power outage can have its perks.
- Consider other tasks. In the digital age, one of the most often overlooked benefits of the workplace is the ability to brainstorm and connect with others. Use the downtime as a chance to talk with your employees and tap into the resources not connected to a power source.