Managed IT Services for Manufacturing Firms
Investing in the right type of IT support can make all the difference for manufacturing firms. Do you know what you’re missing out on?
Why Are Managed Services The Best Model For Manufacturing IT Support?
Your manufacturing firm has a lot of moving parts. And if yours is like most, you increasingly rely on technology to keep the lines moving.
While you may rely on in-house techs to fix the small things, this talent is getting hard to find and hard to keep. It’s for this reason (and many more listed below) that Managed IT Services are by far the best option for manufacturing firms.
Today's manufacturing environment is changing faster than it did during the Industrial Revolution. And with information technology changing just as fast, your firm faces increasing challenges because of the increased pace.
You don't have time to worry about IT efficiency, reliability, and security. And as in-house IT talent is hard to find, you must find a Managed IT Services company you can rely on so you can concentrate on your business.
What Do Managed IT Services Offer Manufacturing Firms?
A capable Managed IT Services company will be able to deliver a range of vital services and solutions, including:
Consolidation and Optimization
The right Managed IT Services company will work to analyze and resolve any inefficiencies in your existing IT infrastructure to optimize its performance.
Continuous Monitoring and Maintenance of Your IT System
Managed IT Services remotely monitor your network and computer systems to ensure they are running at peak performance. And they can mitigate any risks and block them before they cause a breach or downtime.
Most issues should be addressed remotely by Managed IT Services. When they can't, they will send a tech to your site who is designated to serve your manufacturing firm, understands the flow of data within your firm and who understands your business needs.
IT Budgetary Controls
A Managed IT Services company will work with your leadership to establish budgeting and cost-control processes when implementing IT service, support, and equipment-procurement strategies. The goal is to give you the best-running technology without unnecessary expenditures or expensive downtime.
Cybersecurity
With today's sophisticated hacking threats, you face more risks than ever. The right Managed IT Services firm can conduct a vulnerability assessment to determine your level of risk, if gaps exist in your IT security profile, provide up-to-date solutions, monitor the environment, and train your employees to recognize phishing email attempts that contain malware and computer viruses.
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
Unless you can quickly recover your data after a power outage or other disaster, your manufacturing firm will face backlogs and missed deadlines. To recover your data today means backing it up to a secure, offsite location in the Cloud.
The right Managed IT Services company will provide this service so you can retrieve your data from any location where you have an internet connection. Your Backup and Disaster Recovery Plan can be customized and will ensure integrated security policies and procedures in your corporate culture.
This can include training sessions to ensure your employees are comfortable with procedures and that they are communicated to all key personnel.
Data and Voice Communications
Data communications such as email and voice communications can be enhanced with cloud services such as Hosted Email Services and Hosted Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) Systems.
Both ensure your business continuity if the power goes out or other disasters occur. Hosted Email enhances security, and VoIP Business Phone Systems can save you money and ensure you stay connected no matter what while ensuring your business can operate during a disaster.
Virtualization Services
The right Managed IT Services company can provide virtual servers, desktops, storage devices, applications, computer networking resources, and the expertise to operate it. These allow you to simplify your technology, promote efficiency and reduce IT costs.
Identity and Access Management
The right Managed IT Services company will set up a customized system to ensure only authorized personnel can access your proprietary and confidential data. This will help you comply with any industry or regulatory privacy requirements you must meet as part of your client’s requirements.
Cloud Computing
Today's manufacturing businesses can benefit from hosted cloud solutions that provide scalable access to applications and computing resources.
Software as a Service (such as Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Azure) relies on cloud computing to deliver applications to multiple users in any location where they have an internet connection. This can be more cost-effective and accessible compared to desktop applications. It also provides scalability as you purchase a license on a per-user basis and without a capital outlay.
You can add "seats" as your business grows or reduce them if you must scale back in slow times. Plus, it provides the ability for your authorized employees to collaborate on projects whether they're onsite or offsite.
Mobile Device Management
When employees use their own computing devices at work, they must be used in a secure fashion, and you need to understand where your data is. Mobile Device Management (MDM) from the right Managed IT Services company will ensure your workforce uses their devices in a secure and controlled manner.
It’s simple to remotely locate, wipe or lock a stolen device, remove only your business data from a personal device, and perform enforced encryption policies and dynamic security features that keep your information safe. This also prevents your workers from leaving your employment with proprietary or other confidential data.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
The right Managed IT Services company can help you set up and deploy management software for all aspects of your manufacturing operations. This includes things like product planning, marketing, inventory management, shipping, invoicing, accounts receivables and payables, and more.
