What’s the True Cost of a Critical Business System Outage?

Key Takeaways

Critical business systems, such as ERP, are essential for operational efficiency and competitive advantage, but they carry significant risks that can disrupt operations.

A three-step approach to risk management includes understanding risk tolerance, conducting a system management health check, and engaging in a comprehensive system health check to identify and mitigate existing risks.

Manufacturers should adopt a proactive and strategic approach to system management, moving beyond basic maintenance to ensure long-term resilience and alignment with business strategy.

In today’s fast-paced business environment, the reliance on critical business systems such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is paramount for maintaining operational efficiency and competitive advantage. However, the document highlights the often-overlooked risks associated with these systems, emphasizing the potential for significant disruptions due to system outages. The paper, authored by Jonathon Butler, Vice President of Business Consulting, delves into the true cost of such outages, not just in terms of immediate financial losses but also in the broader context of customer satisfaction, brand reputation, and long-term business strategy.

The document outlines a three-step approach to managing these risks, starting with understanding a company’s risk tolerance, followed by a system management health check, and culminating in a comprehensive system health check engagement. This engagement, offered by QAD, aims to uncover existing risks, identify the gap between current systems and business strategy, and provide actionable insights for improving system health and resilience.

The findings underscore the importance of proactive system management and strategic IT investments. Manufacturers are encouraged to move beyond the “keeping the lights on” mentality and embrace a more forward-thinking approach to maintaining and upgrading their business systems. The document concludes with a call to action for companies to authorize a complete system management health check, understand existing risks, and make informed decisions to safeguard their business operations and strategic goals.

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