Sofia Spatola
Posted by Computer Solutions on November 3, 2025
Last week, Microsoft Azure (one of the largest cloud platforms in the world) experienced a major outage that disrupted services across the country.
For many veterinary practices that rely on cloud-based systems, this wasn’t just a minor tech hiccup, it was a sudden reminder of how deeply dependent we’ve all become on the internet, and how quickly things can go sideways when those connections fail.
If your clinic is using cloud-based software for scheduling, records, imaging, backups, or payment processing, it’s time to take a closer look at how prepared you are for interruptions.
The Rise of Cloud-Based Veterinary Software
Most clinics have at least some cloud-based software in their tech stack. It could be your practice management platform, a backup service, a client communication tool, or even your Wi-Fi controller.
The benefits are clear:
- Easy access from anywhere
- Lower up-front costs
- No on-site server maintenance
- Automatic updates and remote support
It’s not surprising that so many practices have gone cloud-first.
But as last week’s Azure incident proved, even the most trusted cloud providers aren’t immune to outages.
What Happens When the Cloud Fails
During the Azure outage, some veterinary clinics couldn’t log into their systems. Others experienced slow loading times, syncing issues with imaging software, or frozen payment terminals.
Even clinics not hosted directly on Azure felt the ripple effects. That’s because many third-party tools and integrations are layered on top of these platforms behind the scenes.
That’s what makes a cloud outage response so tricky. You might not even realize your software relies on a major provider until the provider goes down.
What Every Vet Clinic Should Have in Place
You don’t need to give up the cloud. You just need to prepare for the times it isn’t available.
Here’s what we recommend every clinic put in place:
- Print or export your daily schedule every morning
If your PIMS or appointment system goes offline, you’ll still know who’s coming in. - Keep paper intake and consent forms on hand
Make sure your front desk team knows where they are and how to use them if the tablet isn’t working. - Use a backup internet option like a mobile hotspot or cellular failover
Some outages are cloud-based, but others are local. A secondary internet connection can help with both. - Don’t store backups on the same cloud provider
If your main system goes down, you don’t want your backups to go with it. - Have a separate payment method that works offline or on a different network
That way, you’re not losing revenue while your main system is recovering.
What to Ask Your IT Provider
Most cloud software companies won’t offer individual support during a mass outage. That’s where your IT provider comes in, but only if you’re aligned on expectations and plans.
Ask them:
- What cloud-based tools are we relying on today?
- Where is our data hosted and backed up?
- What happens if our cloud platform is down for a full day?
- Do we have any tools that don’t rely on that same system?
- What’s your cloud outage response process, and how fast can you act?
If your IT partner can’t answer these questions, or doesn’t seem concerned, you may want to rethink the support structure you’ve got in place.
Cloud Systems Aren’t the Enemy, Lack of Planning Is
Let’s be clear: cloud platforms aren’t bad. They’re modern, powerful, and in most cases, a huge step forward for veterinary efficiency and scalability.
But they’re not infallible. And without a proper cloud outage response plan, your clinic is at the mercy of outages that you have no control over.
The goal isn’t to avoid the cloud. It’s to use the cloud wisely with layered protection, offline fallback options, and the kind of IT support that knows how to pivot when something breaks.
Stay Calm, Stay Operational
If the Azure outage caused any anxiety for your clinic, don’t beat yourself up. You’re not alone and you’re not stuck.
The solution isn’t to ditch your systems. It’s to work with a partner who can build you a resilient environment that’s ready for whatever comes next.
At Computer Solutions, we help clinics across the US create smart, hybrid tech setups that balance cloud efficiency with local control. And when things go wrong, we’re ready with a tested cloud outage response that puts uptime, safety, and continuity first.
Call 609.514.0100 or visit welinku.com to schedule your free business continuity review.
Let’s make sure the next outage is just a blip, not a breakdown.
If you’d like to learn more about veterinary IT and cybersecurity, check out last week’s blog post here!
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