uptime
Definition
Uptime refers to the amount of time a service, website, or software system is fully operational and available for use. When you sign a contract with a technology vendor, they will often promise a specific uptime percentage, like 99.9%, which tells you how reliably their service will be running throughout the year.
Example
If your e-commerce website is hosted by a company that guarantees 99.9% uptime, that means they are promising your site will only be down for about 8 hours total over the entire year.
Watch Out
Pay close attention to how your contract defines uptime, because some vendors measure it in ways that exclude scheduled maintenance windows, which can eat into the availability you are actually counting on.
See which terms appear in your contract?
This definition is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with a licensed attorney for legal guidance.