What are the value of backup systems? Recently, Beagle Create was tasked with managing an event of significant importance for a long-standing client. The event was held to announce the acquisition of a major company by another, and it needed to run smoothly.
Our role was to transform their office into a fully functional studio setting, providing everything from printed backdrops, stage furniture, lighting, audio, video, and live streaming.
With a £40,000 budget, the client emphasised that the event had to run perfectly and understanding the gravity of the situation they were open to our recommendations for additional precautions.
We strongly suggested redundancy and backup systems to ensure that no matter what happened, the event would continue seamlessly. Our recommended backup system covered power, internet, and key equipment such as laptops and network gear which accounted for roughly 10% of the total budget.
On the day of the event, everything was set up and tested. The client, having been in their office space for years, was confident the environment was stable and familiar. But as with any live event, unexpected challenges can arise. Midway through the event, an unforeseen issue struck—a water leak in the building which seeped into a fuse board, causing the power to trip.
A power failure during a live event could have been disastrous. Fortunately, the client had opted for the backup solution we recommended. The moment the power tripped; our backup system kicked in. Power was immediately switched to our battery backup source, ensuring the audio, and video systems continued running without a glitch. Simultaneously, our internet solution, which was initially hardwired through the venue’s infrastructure, seamlessly switched to the Starlink system we had set up as a backup. The event continued uninterrupted, and to those watching, it was as if nothing had happened at all.
This situation served as a powerful reminder of the importance of redundancy in event production. For around 10% of the total event budget, the larger £40,000 was protected from failure and proved to be the difference between a smooth, professional broadcast and a potentially a show stopper
So, the question we pose to businesses planning events is this: Is 10% too much to ensure everything runs flawlessly? With so much at stake, from brand reputation to financial success, can you afford not to have a safety net in place?
As this event demonstrated, investing in redundancy isn’t just a precaution—it’s a necessity. When it comes to live events, things can and do go wrong. But with the right preparation, those issues can be managed allowing you to focus on delivering your event with confidence.