ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Service level agreement

A Service Level Agreement (SLA) is kind of like a promise between two people, and it's usually about a service that one person is gonna provide for another person. So, let's say you go to a restaurant with your parents.

The waiter comes to your table and takes your order for food. When the food arrives, the waiter promised you that the food is cooked correctly, is tasty, and brought to your table on time.

Now, imagine that the restaurant made a promise to your parents. They committed to providing your parents with a specific level of service or performance that includes things like fast service, good quality food, clean environment, and friendly service.

This promise or commitment by the restaurant is called a Service Level Agreement or SLA. It's like saying, "Hey, we promise that we'll give you this particular service, and we'll make sure everything goes smoothly."

In the business world, SLAs are important because they establish a trust relationship between companies and their customers. They ensure that both parties understand what they will receive and that the standards are met at all times.

For example, a company providing internet service to customers might have an SLA that promises certain levels of speed, uptime, and customer support. If any of these levels fall below what was agreed upon, the company is responsible for compensating customers or making up for the loss in service.

In conclusion, an SLA is like a legal agreement or promise that defines the level of service that one party or company is expected to provide to another, and it's essential to ensure that services are of high quality and delivered on time to maintain customer satisfaction.