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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 Outdated technology causes issues that can snowball into larger obstacles, such as:
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.
This guide is exactly what you need if you:
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.
Effective communication is crucial in running a manufacturing company. However, managing the systems that enable fast-paced communication can be challenging. Managed Communication Services step in when there's difficulty getting ideas across the board.
This service involves the management of your teams' communication channels, from video calling to messaging software to email services. Some MSPs can also act as a third-party helpdesk for clients looking to outsource this aspect of their business.
In the current tech environment, it is no longer a question of "Will my business be attacked?" but "When will my business be attacked?"
With a zero-trust mindset, MSPs offer critical security services such as managed firewalls, intrusion detection, endpoint management, a virtual private network (VPN) set up, and antivirus services. They also implement tried-and-tested cyber security processes to ensure consistent monitoring and protection.
Data analytics is one of the top three services small to medium businesses (SMB) seek from MSPs, as it allows for companies to leverage data for making impactful decisions. Many MSPs are equipped with the tools and services to help you tap into the benefits of effective data analytics.
An MSP offering this type of service can help remotely manage your print operations by providing services to help cut down on many hidden costs. Some of these services include:
Managed Cloud Services are designed for manufacturers that need flexibility and off-site back-ups. Most MSPs provide cost-effective cloud solutions designed with scalability and security in mind.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) lets anyone place phone calls over an internet connection; they've become the most popular telephony solution for businesses. Managed IT Providers often offer Managed VoIP, which builds upon landline capabilities by including features like video conferencing and mobile device integration.
MSPs also specialize in securing all your devices in your network – whether they're desktops or mobile devices. They design processes to keep all devices up-to-date, accessible, and safe for your users.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If you find yourself in any of the following situations, you need Managed IT:
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.
The total cost of your Managed IT plan heavily depends on the number of users in your IT network. Most MSPs charge a monthly fee per user because more users mean more devices to manage, which equals a higher price.
The number of locations directly impacts your MSP's ability to reach your users and provide service. They must ensure their services cover the second (or third) office location. So, the more locations you have, the more computers they need to set up and manage, which will push up the costs.
Having more servers is more expensive. Procurement of onsite servers for your business may also be a separate cost, as server equipment can cost around $5,000-$20,000. The labor in setting up a server is an extra $3,000-$5,000. However, some MSPs provide server renting options, with price ranges $185-$500/month.
Data is complex. For in-house IT, the cost for data storage is different from the cost of protecting it. But most MSPs bundle in data protection with data storage – when they have your data, they need to protect it too. Like users and servers, more data requires more storage and more management, which results in a higher fee.
IT Support Time is how long you and your MSP talk while fixing an IT issue. If you've hired a break-fix company instead of an MSP, you're on an hourly rate. Hourly service time is often $150-$250/hour but can go up or down depending on the company. Managed IT Service Providers include service time in the plan you get with them. Plans for only service time can range from $50-$150/user per month.
Will you be working with the provider to improve your network's security? Are you going to ask them to set up your entire IT infrastructure and manage your devices? Will you need cloud services or VoIP services? Are you on outdated software and need an IT overhaul? Go through the Managed IT plans of each MSP candidate. Each MSP offers different services for each Managed IT plan.
Check customer reviews
Find their service & price list
Look up their certifications
Schedule a meeting
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.