The Ultimate Guide to Managed IT for Manufacturers

By: Kharmela Mindanao

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As your manufacturing company grows, your technology becomes more crucial to your success. Outdated technology causes issues that can snowball into larger obstacles, such as:  

  • Inventory mismanagement 
  • Inefficient supply chain communication 
  • Lost supplier data and customer leads 
  • Higher IT costs due to frequent repairs 
  • Losing reliable team members and IT technicians 
  • Difficulty growing your company to meet customer demand 

If you want to get ahead of these issues, a third-party professional IT service provider may be the best move for your manufacturing company.  

As a Managed IT Service Provider (MSP) with years of experience in the manufacturing field, Intelligent Technical Solutions (ITS) has compiled a comprehensive guide that lays out everything you need to know before getting IT support services.   

The Ultimate Guide to Managed IT for Manufacturers

Who is This Guide for

This guide is exactly what you need if you:   

  • Want to improve your business's IT infrastructure  
  • Are curious how Managed IT services can help your manufacturing company  
  • Want to shift to a Managed IT model for your company  
  • Need more information before selecting a Managed IT partner  
  • Are growing to the point where outsourcing your IT makes sense  

After going through this page, you won't have to rely on other people to tell you if you need Managed IT. You can make the right choice, for your business.   

What is Managed IT?

Managed IT Services is the delegation of your IT needs to a specialized third-party organization known as Managed IT Service Providers (MSPs). MSPs handle various IT tasks, from day-to-day helpdesk concerns to long-term cybersecurity projects.   

What is Managed IT Services?

What is Managed IT

Types of Managed IT Services

Managed IT Services are bundled together in different Managed IT plans to provide a holistic IT support experience. Each MSP designs unique plans based on their client's needs and often offers the following IT support services:   

Managed Communications Services 

Managed Security 

Data Analytics 

Managed Print Services 

Managed Cloud Infrastructure

Managed VoIP 

Workstation & Mobile Device Management (MDM)

Benefits of Managed IT for Manufacturers


But do manufacturing businesses benefit from Managed IT? Multiple manufacturing companies such as
Emco Gears, Jet Gasket and Seal Co, and Marathon Products Incorporated have partnered with ITS to put Managed IT to the test. They've experienced the following benefits from getting Managed IT: 

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1. Managed IT is a resource-saving partnership.

By getting Managed IT, manufacturers save time and money. You and your team can funnel more of your resources into product and service improvement, instead of worrying about IT systems.

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2. Managed IT provides 24/7 IT support.

Your manufacturing business must have the ability to deal with the unexpected. Due to their utilization of multiple IT personnel, MSPs can provide round-the-clock network monitoring through staff and software monitoring. If you have suppliers in different countries, you can rely on MSPs to get the message to you.

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3. Managed IT makes meeting IT regulatory standards easy.

Following IT security standards has never been easier. An MSP can help you stay compliant with IT guidelines from multiple organizations, with the side benefit of making it easier for you to apply for cybersecurity insurance.

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4. Managed IT gets rid of tech scaling problems.

One of the biggest manufacturing challenges is keeping up with company growth. Managed IT designs your network with scalability and handles the procurement process, so that you don't have to worry about change.

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5. Managed IT empowers companies with top-tier cybersecurity.

An MSP can improve your organization's cybersecurity efforts; they point out vulnerabilities in your network and provide recommendations. Also, they will ensure that your systems are up-to-date and up to current security standards by implementing patches, updating your devices and software, and much more.

Problems That Come with Managed IT for Manufacturers

As with anything your manufacturing business invests in, you it's important to exercise caution. So before you commit to any provider, consider the cons of Managed IT for manufacturers. 

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1. Managed IT can get expensive.

Managed IT costs range from $150-$250/user monthly, depending on your company’s current IT situation. The larger your company, the higher the monthly fee costs. And while you’re getting IT experts and top-of-the-line IT infrastructure with bill, the price can be an obstacle for many small to medium-sized businesses.

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2. Managed IT is optimized for offsite IT support.

If you prefer permanent onsite IT support, Managed IT may not be for you. MSPs have streamlined their process for fast problem resolution and heavily utilize offsite support with specialized programs. While most MSPs still offer onsite services, sending someone onsite isn’t the first action MSPs take.

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3. Managed IT requires an onboarding period.

Your MSP needs to onboard your manufacturing business, and this can take some time. You have to factor in, at most, twelve weeks of onboarding before you can get the full service of Managed IT.

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4. Managed IT requires a lot of trust in your MSP.

It’s crucial to partner with the right MSP for your company because you’re entrusting your entire IT department to them. Choosing the right MSP requires thorough research and evaluation.

When Do You Need Managed IT?

If you find yourself in any of the following situations, you need Managed IT:

  • You have difficulty finding and retaining team members for your IT department.
  • You have a distributed workforce in multiple locations.
  • You have around 20 employees and are continuing to grow.
  • You have IT projects that you need to finish but can't do due to lack of staff.
  • Your resources are stretched too thin and can't accommodate your tech needs.
  • You have urgent regulatory requirements but don't know where to start.
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But not every business needs to get Managed IT. If your business fits most of these situations, you may be better off with another IT service like Co-managed IT or Break-fix IT.  

  • You prefer onsite support and an in-house IT department.
  • You want to keep IT costs flexible and don’t want to pay a fixed rate.
  • You have less than 20 employees and are at a stable company size.
  • You are starting your business and stabilizing your company process.
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How Much Does Managed IT for Manufacturing Businesses Cost?

Each company will spend a different amount on Managed IT. But a good range for Managed IT is $125-$250/user monthly, depending on the factors outline below.

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How to Choose a Managed IT Service Provider for Your Manufacturing Company

Once you've made the decision to partner with an MSP, it's vital that you find one that can meet your needs as a manufacturer. So before signing that contract, here are some tips to find the best MSP for you.   
  • Check customer reviews

  • Find their service & price list

  • Look up their certifications

  • Schedule a meeting

Check customer reviews

The first thing you need to check is other customers' experiences with the company. Good reviews from various people are a sign of a company doing things right. If there are other manufacturing businesses partnered up with your potential MSP, then you can ask them for their experience.   

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Find their service & price list

Do they offer the services you need at a price point you can agree to? By checking this immediately, you can easily remove or add a company to your list of potential partners.   

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Look up their certifications

One of an MSP's primary benefits is the availability of experienced and qualified IT professionals. By checking what their staff can do, you can evaluate if their claims can be backed up by their staff.   

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Schedule a meeting

Prepare a list of questions and set up a meeting with your MSP. If possible, try to visit your MSP's office or at least have a video conference with the team involved in providing support for your company. This allows you to see their work environment and verify their expertise. 

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Ready to Get Managed IT for Your Manufacturing Company?

Managed IT services disburdens you from IT responsibilities and pushes your manufacturing company forward. You and your team can focus on product innovation and creating a smoother assembly and distribution line.  

It's crucial to identify your company's needs and find the right provider. Because we only want the best for our clients, ITS makes sure that we are a good fit for your business before we enter a partnership with you.

To know if we're the right fit for your manufacturing business, schedule a meeting with us or fill out our form for a free tech assessment.

Schedule a Meeting Get a Free Network Assessment

Woodworker and company management shaking hands

Ready to Get Managed IT for Your Manufacturing Company?

Managed IT services disburdens you from IT responsibilities and pushes your manufacturing company forward. You and your team can focus on product innovation and creating a smoother assembly and distribution line.  

It's crucial to identify your company's needs and find the right provider. Because we only want the best for our clients, ITS makes sure that we are a good fit for your business before we enter a partnership with you.

To know if we're the right fit for your manufacturing business, schedule a meeting with us or fill out our form for a free tech assessment.

Schedule a Meeting Get a Free Network Assessment