@testbug
I am not an IT guy but I think when you clone the machine and use it as a test environment to install an update, you can't simulate the users activities so you maybe can't be sure how it goes when it's in live..
Most common scenarios you can easily reproduce. But if you lazy even for that - just invite some people for a test.
What I am worried about is the maintenance page. The page is so ugly and unprofessional, why as a supposed serious company don't you install at least a more friendly maintenance page....
And then come to my mind: why do you want a more friendly page when everyone left the office and are not planning on coming back
I think shitty maintenance page is just to save time. Expected downtime was only a couple of hours, so no special page prepared. But when it all turned to shit - they just did not have any time to do it properly.
If they want to jump ship - in my opinion, it would be easier with the typical mode of operation and constant lagging.