Dallas IT Services For Your Manufacturing Firm
Manufacturing is a complicated line of work, and it’s only getting more so as it evolves with technology. It comes with a number of fundamental challenges:
- Complicated supply chains
- Rising costs of labor
- Local and offshore competition
- Multi-faceted inventory management considerations
That’s just to name a few.
Many firms like yours have a combination of up to date software programs running side by side with core legacy programs. Your core program is essential but it’s harder to find effective support.
This is in addition to complex supply chains, rising costs and of course, local and offshore competition. One thing you shouldn't have to worry about is your IT systems – managed IT services takes care of them for you.
What Do Managed Dallas IT Services Offer Manufacturing Firms?
1. Simplify IT Budgeting
Traditionally, IT expenses get categorized as capital expenses or CapEx. With managed services, you can move away from a CapEx model to operational expenses or OpEx model, as you are paying month by month and seeing the return right away. Your costs for these services are considered monthly operating expenses like the electric or water bill.
2. Enhance Your Cybersecurity
Your cybersecurity may not be up to snuff. Not because you don’t think it’s important, but because you have other things on your mind.
While technology evolves and data expands, the number of ways your IT network can be compromised increases. A Dallas IT services company can provide security services, advise you on the credentials of vendors, and conduct ongoing risk assessments to identify network vulnerabilities and help keep your network secure.
Furthermore, the expertise and resources you access through your Dallas IT services company will also help with your sales efforts. The larger the business you work with, the more likely it is that they'll need assurances of your cybersecurity capabilities. As a part of their supply chain, you'll no doubt have to enter into business associate agreements where client data is concerned. Your Dallas IT services company offers process, experience, and confidence in this relationship. They can help you demonstrate your security standards and best practices through documentation and testing.
3. Manage Your Compliance
In the past few years, compliance requirements for firms like yours that do business with the government have become more demanding. The DoD relies on external contractors and suppliers like you to carry out a wide range of tasks. Sensitive data is shared with you must be protected. The fact is that inadequate safeguards for this sensitive data may threaten America's National Security and potentially put military members at risk.
The DoD has implemented a basic set of cybersecurity controls through DoD policies and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS). The DFARS rules and clauses apply to the safeguarding of contractor/supplier information systems that process, store or transmit Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). These security controls must be implemented at both the contractor and subcontractor levels based on information security guidance developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-171 "Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Non-federal Information Systems and Organizations."
Compliance is yet another complicated and time-consuming task involved with your IT. Like the rest of it, you could try to manage it on your own, at potentially great risk and expense. On the other hand, you can outsource it to your Dallas IT services company. In doing so, you let them manage your compliance, putting their experience and expertise to work for you.
4. Strategize Your IT
As your firm grows, your IT needs grow as well. If you’re “flying by the seat of your pants”, then do you really think that your IT will keep up with your firm?
It all starts with a plan. Your firm, and the technical infrastructure it relies on have to be ready to grow when needed. This means software, hardware, and anything else you use to get work done.
Keep in mind that new service offerings often come with significant upgrades or new software. Your Dallas IT services can provide the flexibility you need to change your products/services or add new ones when required.
5. Eliminate Old Software
Are you still using the same old line of business software that you’ve been using for years and years?
As dependable as it may be (and let's be honest, mileage varies) software like this has a core flaw – it only works for those who are fluent in it. After all, it’s not that accessible if you’re not familiar with it. Your IT company should be able to help you find a better way. New technologies, such as the cloud, can help you get past old line of business software.
6. Enhance Your Business Continuity
Unless you can quickly recover your data after a power outage or any other type of disaster, your manufacturing firm will face backlogs, missed deadlines and un-loyal customers. To recover your data today means backing it up to a secure, offsite location in the cloud.
The right Dallas IT services company will provide this service so you can retrieve your data from any location where you have an internet connection so your company will be back in operation faster.
Your Backup and Disaster Recovery Plan needs to be customized to your environment, making sure that integrated security policies and procedures are in accordance with your industry standards. This includes training sessions to ensure your employees are comfortable with procedures and that they are communicated to the appropriate personnel.
Don't put off managed IT services any longer – partner with the right IT company in order to gain each and every advantage explored in this article.
