Supply chain shortages may last through 2023. Will your business?

Broadband providers have seen an influx of funding to provide internet service to rural areas from Federal and State programs. This is welcome news since the pandemic has brought to light that the need for broadband to be in rural communities is just as important as large metro areas to support the new remote workforce.??

However, it’s no secret that supply chain shortages have had a large impact on the ability to provide critical broadband services to these rural markets. The ongoing COVID pandemic, shifting demand, and lack of shipping containers, among other challenges, have led to months-long delivery delays and extensive shortages. And, unfortunately, industry analysts are now expecting these shortages to continue well into 2023.

Ongoing shortages of chips, components, and other critical hardware can lead to disaster for businesses, especially unprepared Broadband providers that require intensive infrastructure and continual uptime. Are you prepared??

Here are some steps to help you:???

1. Optimize your networks for longevity now. Analyze what and where the expected growth will be in your network over the next 5-7 years. Begin planning now for that anticipated growth - including making any necessary hardware upgrades, and identifying the team you’ll need to support your operations.?
2. Identify any weakness in your network. A thoughtful network audit can identify any weak spots or potential issues in your network, as well as any dependencies on hard-to-source hardware. Identifying those opportunities for improvements now, and implementing critical changes, can help avoid significant downtime.
3. Plan for the worst. Supply chain shortages should now be a part of any business continuity or disaster planning. Ensure your IT teams will have the operational support they need to continue running your network if, or when, a critical piece of hardware does fail.?

Don’t know where to start or need help taking these steps? Reach out to our team - we’re ready to help!?

https://www.7sigma.com/