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The internet outage is a stark reminder of the fragility of online operations and the interconnectedness of modern software that relies on digital connectivity.
The recent “global internet outage” that affected businesses and activities around the world highlights the importance of having a flexible, dynamic framework that enables B2B e-commerce platforms and other businesses to quickly respond to unexpected disruptions that are expected to occur more frequently in the future.
Such disruptions can have a significant impact on a B2B e-commerce system’s revenue, customer satisfaction, and brand reputation.
Internet outages can have a detrimental effect on conglomerates across the globe, especially those that are highly dependent on IT infrastructure, as exemplified in the case of e-commerce giant Amazon.
A one-hour internet outage could cost Amazon a staggering total loss of $65,614,155, while a 24-hour outage could lead to an estimated loss of $1,574,739,726.
Microsoft outage
The global internet outage on July 18 was caused by a fault in Microsoft’s Windows operating system following a software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, and led to widespread disruptions to computer systems for businesses and public services around the world, including airlines, banks and hospitals.
According to Microsoft, the outage affected about 8.5 million Windows devices, and Delta Airlines canceled about 5,000 flights, causing losses of $500 million.
Meanwhile, the global bottlenecks will serve as a wake-up call for IT service providers and drive market development across key dimensions of innovation, demand and relevance.
To ensure resilience and smooth business operations in the face of any disruptions, it is important for businesses to rethink their digital infrastructure and implement a range of cutting-edge, resilient technologies.
Many suppliers are now embracing technology to meet customer demands and realizing the importance of the shift to digital purchasing. Research shows that around 64% of new generation B2B buyers prefer digital channels over traditional channels, and at least 50% of suppliers are currently using B2B e-commerce solutions.
Is your platform well prepared to meet these challenges?
Prevention and response “Global Internet outage” A proactive approach is needed. B2B e-commerce platforms must prioritize innovation to build more robust and resilient systems. The obstacles also require a fundamental rethinking of how digital infrastructure is designed and managed.
Therefore, knowing how to use the right cutting edge technology will play a key role in the future. Edge Computing Distributing data processing to edge devices reduces dependency on a single centralized data center. This makes your business more resilient and ensures that operations can continue autonomously even if the central infrastructure is compromised. In addition, innovative AI Tools It contributes greatly to predictive maintenance, anomaly detection and proactive risk management in procurement, helping businesses foresee challenges and issues, mitigate those issues and make informed decisions by thoroughly analyzing huge amounts of data in real time.
In addition to strengthening digital resilience, the need for offline capabilities was further highlighted by the recent global internet outage: businesses must develop offline capabilities to ensure operations continue even in the absence of internet connectivity, diversify communication methods to stay connected, and adopt multi-cloud solutions to avoid single points of failure.
Strong cybersecurity measures are also essential to prevent data breaches and ensure continuous, uninterrupted business operations. Additionally, increased investments in IT infrastructure are required to facilitate the adoption of these cutting-edge technologies. Ongoing research and development is also essential to address any disruptions and ensure B2B e-commerce platforms remain robust and flexible.
Additionally, employees need to be trained and equipped with advanced capabilities to handle and leverage technology efficiently, with a focus on digital literacy, cybersecurity and creative procurement methods.
Additionally, strong collaboration between e-commerce platforms, technology suppliers, and regulators is essential to create industry standards and best practices. By combining resources and knowledge, partnerships can build a strong system to ensure the ecosystem is well-equipped to face any challenges that may arise in the future.
The recent internet outages should be seen as a catalyst for change for the B2B e-commerce industry, not a roadblock. By embracing innovation and adapting to new technologies, businesses can set themselves up for long-term success by creating optimal systems that ensure uninterrupted operations even in the face of unexpected disruptions.
Author Piyush Malviya is Vice President and Head, Moglix, MEA.
Read: The world’s biggest IT failures in numbers: Billions of dollars lost, millions of devices affected, thousands of flights canceled
