Unplanned downtime can derail a production schedule, compromise customer relationships, and cost a manufacturer thousands of dollars per hour. Whether caused by network outages, server failures, or ransomware attacks, IT-related interruptions have a ripple effect that extends across operations, supply chains, and revenue.
Managed Service Providers (MSPs) play a critical role in helping manufacturers avoid these costly disruptions. Through proactive monitoring, robust backup solutions, and built-in redundancies, MSPs create resilient IT environments that keep production running—even when unexpected issues arise.
The Real Cost of Downtime
For manufacturers, every minute of halted production represents lost output and labor inefficiencies. According to industry research, the average cost of unplanned downtime can reach up to $260,000 per hour. These losses compound when they impact customer deliveries or force quality control failures.
IT systems often serve as the backbone for production environments—powering ERP platforms, managing inventory, and supporting machine automation. When IT falters, production falters too.
Proactive Monitoring: Catching Issues Before They Disrupt
MSPs use 24/7 system monitoring and real-time alerts to identify and address small problems before they become major disruptions. Whether it’s a failing hard drive, a misconfigured switch, or a software vulnerability, proactive monitoring helps prevent incidents that could escalate into full-blown outages.
This always-on approach extends beyond the server room. MSPs monitor network performance, bandwidth usage, endpoint activity, and more to ensure systems remain healthy and optimized for production demands.
Backup and Recovery: A Safety Net for Data and Systems
When systems fail, speed matters. MSPs implement robust backup strategies tailored to manufacturing environments, ensuring that critical data, configurations, and applications can be recovered quickly.
Key features of MSP-managed backup strategies include:
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Regular and automated backups of key systems and data
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Off-site or cloud-based redundancy to protect against local disasters
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Rapid restore capabilities to minimize downtime during recovery
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Testing protocols to ensure backups function as expected when needed
By treating backup and disaster recovery as essential—not optional—MSPs reduce the operational risk tied to hardware failure, cyberattacks, or accidental data loss.
Network Redundancy: Keeping the Factory Connected
Stable and secure connectivity is the foundation of modern manufacturing. From inventory management to production line automation, most systems rely on constant access to internal networks or the cloud. That’s why network redundancy is essential.
MSPs implement failover strategies using backup internet connections, redundant switches, and alternative routing to prevent single points of failure. If the primary network goes down, operations automatically shift to a backup path—keeping critical systems online and productive.
Additionally, MSPs manage segmentation and security policies to ensure that if one part of the network is affected, it doesn’t take the rest of the facility offline with it.
Aligning IT with Production Priorities
The best MSPs don’t just respond to IT problems—they prevent them. By aligning IT management with production goals, MSPs help manufacturers create more stable, efficient, and secure environments that are prepared for growth and protected from risk.
From planning and implementation to ongoing optimization, MSPs provide the strategic partnership needed to ensure uptime is maximized and disruptions are minimized.
For more insights into how MSPs turn IT challenges into strengths, check out our article in the Indiana Business Journal here.
Every business faces IT challenges, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. Core Managed helps businesses secure their data, scale efficiently, and stay compliant. If you’re struggling with any of the issues discussed in this blog, let’s talk. Give us a call today at 888-890-2673 or contact us here to schedule a chat.