What if the Internet goes down?

However, if the practice’s Internet access is interrupted it can cause an inconvenience. And certainly vendors who depend upon a revenue stream generated by client-server software are quick to make Internet access their war cry. This paper will quantify Internet access uptime as well as proffer simple, cost-effective access backups.

How often does the Internet really go down?

No one set number can answer this question. Many variables play into this issue, such as geography, service provider, cable quality and integrity, type of service, hardware conditions, weather, etc. While you may experience one or two disruptions annually your neighbor may not experience any at all.

Remember that the Internet is a utility and subject to all the same hazards as your electrical, phone, water, and sewer connections. Fortunately, like any utility, when your Internet connection goes down trucks are rolling to fix the issue (something that doesn’t necessarily happen when the server in your practice fails).

The right question to ask, instead, is: “How many disruptions are acceptable to you?” Industry experts say that during any given year one or two disruptions, due to weather, a cut cable, or infrastructure failure, is probably a common experience. Disruption can last for a few hours or, in very rare cases, as long as a day or two.

If your practice is experiencing more than two or three disruptions annually, industry experts suggest you should ask your current Internet provider to take a closer look at the service they’re offering you. Many times a provider can identify pitfalls in your office or in their own equipment that will correct the problem. Sadly, many Internet providers will only take action if you express your dissatisfaction.

If your current Internet provider isn’t providing quality service, then you should shop around for a different solution. Despite our being one or two decades into Internet technology, some parts of the country are still hampered by sub-par Internet connectivity. Even satellite-based providers may not be able to provide satisfactory service in some areas, but that’s rare. In most cases some meaningful research into the matter will yield additional options for the practice to consider. For example, a doctor practicing in a rural area was only aware of one Internet provider in his community. However, after his office manager made some phone calls and spoke with other small businesses in the area they learned of an alternate provider.

In most areas Internet connectivity is just as or more reliable than the practice’s electrical source. If you were to ask yourself “what do I do if the electricity goes down?” you may find peace of mind in knowing you have a generator or an uninterruptible power supply to cover short or erratic power supply. Similarly there are easy ways to back up your primary Internet access that will deliver the same confidence you have in your other utilities.

Utilize your local dental integrator to help you evaluate available options. Contact the Dental Integrator Association for the name of a qualified integrator near you.

At least three options are immediately available to the practice that to protect against an unexpected Internet service disruption:

Redundant Internet service providers

In most areas of the country it is possible to use two different vendors to provide your practice with Internet connectivity. The premise of this plan is that if one provider experiences an interruption then the other vendor will be able to provide a workable connection. Many dental integrators recommend this option because it retains the security and bandwidth to which the practice is accustomed.

There are some downsides to this route. First, is the cost. If you’re paying one vendor $50 to $100 per month for service you can plan on paying the second vendor the same amount. If you feel the added comfort of knowing you’re purchasing the granddaddy plan then everyone’s happy.

Another variation to this option is to coordinate with neighboring businesses and have a plan in place to share Internet access if your connection is disrupted.

Mobile-based hotspots

Within the past year wireless carriers have been introducing mobile hotspots that provide an instant wireless connection to the Internet. Nearby computers and other wireless devices can then connect to the wireless signal to access the Internet. A hotspot is basically a cell phone that only transmits data, not voice. These devices are small; they’ll easily fit into a pocket.

The upload and download speed of these devices is fast enough for you to continue to manage a typical practice without really noticing a slowdown. Obviously, if you have many computers connected to the hotspot you’ll see a decrease in performance.

You can expect to pay $40 to $70 per month for a decent mobile hotspot with an unlimited data plan. It’s not much less than a contracting with another Internet service provider, but still cheaper. A hotspot makes sense for practices with only one Internet service provider from which to choose in the first place.

Smartphone tether

If you use a smartphone, such as an Apple iPhone, Droid, Blackberry or other similar device, you can connect to the Internet by connecting your phone to your computer using a cable. You’ll then be able to access the Internet. Your mobile wireless provider as well as other companies, such as Tether (www.tether.com) can provide you with more information. Depending upon the plan you have with your mobile wireless provider, additional data fees may apply when you are tethered to your phone.

As with all backup plans, there are some advantages and disadvantages to this option. The clear advantage is cost. Because you’re already paying for a mobile phone, connecting it to your computer will cost you nothing more or a little more (depending upon your wireless plan). Upload and download speeds on 3G will be acceptable if your primary Internet connection is down for only a short time. You should be able to schedule, chart, bill, and view reports with acceptable performance; keep in mind that performance is based upon your phone and mobile wireless provider. Your experience may be similar, better, or not as good.

The disadvantage is that you can only tether one computer to a phone at the same time. You will most likely have more than one computer in your office, so this plan may only be satisfactory for short disruptions to your Internet connection.

Conclusion

Certainly, the Internet, like any other utility, can be disrupted; however, in reality, in most areas of the country, practices can rely upon a dependable connection and not worry any more about their Internet connection than they do about their electrical connection.

It is of worth to note that this concern — what to do if the Internet goes down — is something every practice asks themselves when they switch to cloud-based computing. Most will say that after time they find their concerns were either without merit or greatly exaggerated.

Cloud-based computing is rapidly replacing client-server software as the de facto standard in many industries. Software application providers are re-tooling their development teams to include engineers that have the necessary skill set to write cloud-based applications. Additionally, most software companies would be foolish not to provide a cloud-based version of a new application.

Microsoft, Adobe, Sun and many other large software companies recognized long ago that the technology river was jumping its banks and beginning to flow away from the server and to the cloud. As a result, you’ll find that these companies offer Web-based versions of their popular software.

Obviously, the Achilles Heel of Web-based applications is the availability and dependability of a fast Internet connection. Every dental practice that moves to the cloud should be sure to incorporate an Internet connection backup plan, such as what has already been discussed.

In an effort to stem the flow of customers moving from client-server software to the cloud, some software companies are quick to say, “What if the Internet goes down?” — a self-serving question with the intent to create fear in the mind of doctors who wonder if the cloud is for them. The question is relevant, but upon further examination you may find that disruptions to the Internet in your practice may be small in number and easily planned for by using a readily available backup connection.

About Curve Dental

Curve Dental is a dental software company that delivers practice management solutions via the Web. Its customers can schedule, invoice, manage recall, manage insurance, chart and much more using only a browser and Internet connection. If you can bank, shop and book a vacation online, why can’t you manage your practice on-line? When it comes to Web-based dental software, Curve Dental leads the way with simple technology and impeccable customer service.