Are internet outages a wake-up call for B2B eCommerce platforms?

Internet outages serve as a sharp reminder of the vulnerability of online operations and the interrelated nature of various software in the current day, which is dependent on digital connectivity.

The recent ‘global internet outage,’ which affected businesses and activities worldwide, highlights the importance of having a flexible and dynamic framework that enables B2B eCommerce platforms and other businesses to quickly adapt to unforeseen disruptions, which are likely to become more common in the future.

Such disruptions can have a significant impact on revenue, customer satisfaction, and brand reputation for B2B eCommerce systems.

While internet outages can have a detrimental impact on conglomerates around the globe, this is especially true for businesses with high reliance on their IT infrastructure, as exemplified by the case of eCommerce giant Amazon.

An hour of internet disruption can cost Amazon a staggering $65,614,155 in combined losses. Whereas a 24-hour power outage could lead to an estimated loss of $1,574,739,726.

Microsoft outage

The recent global internet outage on July 18, caused by the disruption of Microsoft’s Windows operating system, following cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike’s software update, resulted in widespread disruptions to computer systems across businesses and public services around the world, including airlines, banks and hospitals.

According to Microsoft, around 8.5 million Windows devices were affected by the outage, with Delta Airlines cancelling around 5,000 flights, resulting in a loss of $500m.

On the other hand, the global outage will serve as a reminder for IT service providers, driving market development across the key facets of innovation, demand and relevance.

To ensure resilience and smooth operations in the face of any disruptions, it is crucial for businesses to review their digital infrastructures and implement a variety of cutting-edge resilient technologies.

In the current context, many suppliers are currently adopting technology to satisfy client requests and acknowledge the importance of the shift toward digital purchases. According to a research, around 64 per cent of new age B2B buyers prefer digital channels over conventional ones and at least 50 per cent of their suppliers currently use a B2B eCommerce solution.

Is your platform prepared enough in the face of such challenges?

Preventing and responding to a ‘global internet outage’ require proactive approaches. B2B eCommerce platforms must prioritise innovation to create more robust and resilient systems. The outage also demands for the fundamental rethinking of the design and management of digital infrastructures.

Consequently, knowing how to use the right cutting-edge technology plays a key role in the future. Edge computing reduces reliance on a single centralised data centre by decentralising data processing to edge devices. This enhances company resilience and guarantees that operations continue autonomously even in case where central infrastructure is compromised. Furthermore, innovative AI tools can assist significantly in predictive maintenance, anomaly detection and proactive risk management in procurement. It can help companies foresee challenges and problems, mitigate these issues, as well as make informed decisions through a thorough analysis of extensive amounts of data in real-time.

The need of having offline capabilities, in addition to enhancing digital resilience, has been further emphasised by the recent global internet outage incident. Businesses should develop offline capabilities to guarantee that operations continue even in the absence of internet connectivity, diversify communication methods to maintain connectivity and employ multi-cloud solutions to avoid single points of failure.

Strong cybersecurity measures are also essential for preventing data breaches and guaranteeing continuous and uninterrupted business operations. Furthermore, increased investments in IT infrastructure are necessary to facilitate the adoption of these cutting-edge technologies. To address any disruptions and ensure that B2B eCommerce platforms continue to be robust and flexible, continuous research and development are also essential.

Furthermore, employees need to be trained and equipped with advanced abilities to handle and utilise technologies efficiently with a focus on digital literacy, cybersecurity and creative procurement methods.

Additionally, to create industry standards and best practices, robust cooperation between eCommerce platforms, technology suppliers and regulatory agencies is crucial. By combining resources and knowledge, partnerships can create powerful systems and guarantee that the ecosystem is well-prepared to face any challenge that may arise in the future.

The recent internet outage must be considered as catalyst for transformation in the B2B eCommerce industry, rather than a setback. By embracing innovation and adapting to new technologies, enterprises can create optimal systems that guarantee uninterrupted operations even when faced with unanticipated interruptions, thereby positioning companies for long-term success.

The author, Piyush Malviya, is vice president and head of Moglix, MEA.

Read: World’s ‘biggest IT fail’ in numbers: Billions lost, millions of devices impacted, thousands of flights hit