How Long Would Your Business Survive Without IT?

Understanding the Impact of Downtime on Your Business

Last week, I fell down the vibe coding rabbit hole. It was an intriguing experience. Vibe coding is when you don’t actually know how to code but describe what you want, and AI fulfills that need.

It’s “coding by feel,” not syntax. And it’s going to change everything.

Creating the MSP Calculator

I wanted to build something simple yet valuable. My project was an MSP calculator. This calculator could help business decision-makers understand the impact of downtime. Here's what ChatGPT and I created.

Disclaimer:

This calculator is provided for informational and illustrative purposes only. The results are based on industry averages and simplified assumptions and should not be considered a substitute for a professional risk assessment or cybersecurity audit. Actual downtime costs and recovery times may vary significantly based on your specific environment. Use at your own discretion.

How I Made the Calculator: Discovering the Process

Here are the prompts that helped me create this useful tool. Generating this calculator took less than 4 minutes!

Prompt 1: Start with the Idea

“I want to create a simple but impressive calculator or quiz that’s useful to business owners. Something related to IT, cybersecurity, or operations — with sliders or dynamic inputs. Any ideas?”

AI provided five excellent concepts. I chose the “Downtime Survival Calculator.”

Prompt 2: Ground it in Real Data

“Let’s go with the Downtime Survival Calculator. But I want all variables to be based on real studies, industry averages, or expert sources. Can you provide estimates and references for downtime cost, recovery time, and related metrics?”

It provided relevant figures, like:

• $8,000/hour average SMB downtime

• Cyberattacks cause outages that are 2–3 times longer

• Backup testing and failover systems can greatly reduce risk

  
  

Prompt 3: Build the Tool

“Now give me a first version of the calculator in HTML and JavaScript…”

In under sixty seconds, I received a fully functional tool in plain HTML, complete with inputs and a survivability score.

Prompt 4: Make it User-Friendly

“Let’s clean up the appearance and add explanation text so people understand each variable.”

The AI enhanced the layout, provided help text, and clarified the sources for each input.

Prompt 5: Add Realism and Depth

“What about different causes of downtime? Like a cyberattack versus a power outage?”

AI included a dropdown for severity multipliers and adjusted the output accordingly.

The Surprising Outcome

Creating a calculator like this would typically take:

• A human coder: Approximately 4–6 hours

• A freelancer: Between $300 and $800

• A software team: Maybe a day or two

  
  

I completed it in under 3 minutes using natural language! I don’t know JavaScript or develop apps, but I do know how to ask questions effectively and refine answers.

Final Thoughts on Adaptability

This change isn't just about showcasing a fun tool (though you’re welcome to use it). It’s about understanding how rapidly our world is changing. Tools that used to be premium products are now accessible as prompts.

If you run a business — particularly one that relies on technology — your ability to adapt to this new reality is your true survivability score.

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Disclaimer

The information contained in this communication is intended for limited use for informational purposes only. It is not considered professional advice; instead, it is general information that may or may not apply to specific situations. Each case is unique and should be evaluated on its own by a professional qualified to provide advice specifically intended to protect your individual situation. Kosh is not liable for improper use of this information.