Every second of downtime translates to lost revenue. It’s just that simple. Outsourcing IT services and support has emerged as a crucial productivity strategy for manufacturing organisations looking to stay competitive, efficient, and profitable. This blog highlights why you should consider outsourcing your IT services and how it can improve your operations.
Most small to mid-size manufacturing businesses don’t have a fully staffed internal department. Many have an employee who valiantly tries to take on IT management and security tasks in addition to the job they were hired to do. But this arrangement is a stop-gap measure at best and, potentially, a danger to operations.
IT outsourcing involves partnering with a proven, trusted, third-party service provider to handle various IT security and management functions. These partners are known as Managed Service Providers (MSPs).
Your organisation must be aware of two aspects of cybersecurity related to ongoing productivity and profitability. The first is the security of your minute-to-minute operations, and the second is the protection and preservation of your ongoing operations.
IT professionals help protect your operations from zero-hour threats by employing tools and protocols such as:
These measures safeguard against active cybersecurity attacks that can disrupt manufacturing operations, steal sensitive data, or cause costly downtime.
The second aspect of protection for manufacturing organisations relates to your ability to stay operational and productive, even if you are hit with a negative cyber incident. The tools and protocols that your IT partner will put in place now to guard against extended unplanned downtime include:
Backup and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) plan: This includes creating copies of important data and systems, establishing redundancies, and implementing procedures for recovering from a disaster.
Business Continuity Plan (BCP): This outlines how your manufacturing operations will continue during an unforeseen incident or crisis. It may include provisions for remote work, alternative production methods, or temporary facilities.
Unfortunately, the manufacturing sector is often plagued by legacy infrastructure that is outdated, inefficient, or too complex. This scenario can lead to extended downtime during maintenance or systems failures, creating a ripple effect that hinders productivity across the entire operation.
By outsourcing your IT services, you are responsible for managing and maintaining your IT infrastructure to technology experts with experience in streamlining systems for maximum efficiency and reliability. There are ways to help stabilise the uncertainties of legacy systems or upgrade them when possible. Your IT partner will be able to provide the executive-level advice you need to examine the options open to you regarding legacy systems.
An MSP, such as Aura Technology, can manage the operability and security of a wide range of systems within the manufacturing process, including but not limited to:
An IT partner can handle these systems’ setup, maintenance, troubleshooting, and security without requiring your internal employees to invest valuable time and energy in the process.
By outsourcing these crucial tasks to an MSP, manufacturing organisations can be confident that their IT systems are well-maintained, secured by best practices, and up to date. This allows your team to focus on your core operations without worrying about potential downtime or security breaches caused by outdated or malfunctioning technology.
Selecting the right IT service provider is crucial for reaping the benefits of outsourcing. Here are some factors to consider:
Reputation: Look for IT partners with a proven track record and positive client testimonials.
Expertise: Ensure they have experience in the technologies you leverage in your operations.
Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Review their SLAs to determine whether they offer the support and response times you need.
Scalability: Choose a provider that can grow with your business and adapt to your changing needs.
Outsourcing your IT services can improve manufacturing operations by enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and preserving uptime. But uptime and efficiency are only part of the story. Without an IT partner with the expertise to implement cybersecurity best practices, even the most efficient operations are at risk. Don’t wait for IT issues to disrupt your operations.
We at Aura Technology can help. Our IT experts are here to listen to your challenges and discuss your plans for the future. Let’s talk. Contact us today.