What is Uptime / SLA?
The Short Answer
Uptime / SLA explained simply
Uptime is simply the amount of time a system, like a website or software, is running and available. It's usually shown as a percentage, like "99.9% uptime." The higher the percentage, the more reliable the system.
An SLA, or Service Level Agreement, is a formal promise between a service provider and a customer. It spells out the minimum uptime the provider guarantees. If they don't meet that promise, there are often penalties or credits for the customer. Think of it as a contract for reliability.
Real-World Example
Website Hosting Uptime
Imagine a web hosting company promises 99.9% uptime in their SLA. This means your website should be available almost all the time. If your site goes down for more than a certain amount of time in a month, as defined by the SLA, the hosting company might owe you a credit on your bill.
Why this matters
For buyers, high uptime means the business they're buying is reliable and less likely to lose customers due to outages. A strong SLA shows the seller is committed to quality and has systems in place to ensure continuous service. This makes the business more valuable and reduces risk.
When looking at a business with a strong online presence, always ask about their uptime history and any existing SLAs. It tells you a lot about their operational stability and customer satisfaction.
When looking at a business with a strong online presence, always ask about their uptime history and any existing SLAs. It tells you a lot about their operational stability and customer satisfaction.
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