GCS IT Expertise & The Manufacturing Industry
GCS IT specializes in working with a vast array of industries, from insurance agencies and medical offices, to marketing firms and steel manufacturers. In this article, we’re going to look at how helpful and beneficial it is to have an MSP for your business.
What is a MSP?
A Managed Service Provider is an Information Technology (IT) service provider that manages and assumes responsibility for providing a defined set of services either proactively or as the MSP determines that services are needed.
Manufacturing operations rely on IT Support for a vast array of different processes. When companies have machines doing their work, they rely on other machines in order to control them. IT is part of the processes of production, logistics, supply chain, customer interactions, and more. If it’s a large business, as manufacturing companies usually tend to be, there will likely be either one massive location or multiple locations; either way, the data needs to be available between them. Focusing on working your steel manufacturing gadgets while also ensuring all of the back end critical IT is running effectively is an intimidating task. Taking advantage of Managed IT Services can help your business significantly; let’s look at a couple of examples of just how.
Looking into the Future
As a manufacturing company, why would you outsource any IT function? Easy; because your team spends more time fire fighting than proactively working on the next big project or goal for your business. It’s generally accepted that an IT person spends half their time dealing with printer-related issues, while the next big chunk is spent on Human Error related issues. If you have an IT expert on staff, did you hire them because they were great at fixing printers or rebooting the Wi-Fi? Most likely, not. But-those that understand how IT systems work tend to be targeted at every turn by users who aren’t quite tech savvy. Managed IT Services can include network monitoring for wi-fi or server connectivity issues, or PC monitoring for when the space for data is running low and needs to be upgraded, and much more. With a MSP, your team can get back to focusing on projects that will grow your revenue versus keeping you afloat.
Moving to the Cloud
The cloud is where data processing & saving is happening. If you are resisting it, you probably have a lot of data that needs to be backed up. It’s not just a trend; it’s an even better way to work. However, migrating your data files and applications to the cloud can be time consuming and complex. A managed service provider can ensure your cloud shift is effective and reduce downtime during the transition. If you have a need for File Sharing, using the cloud is a great and efficient option.
Proactive Monitoring & Reporting
When it comes to IT failures or maintenance, are you proactive or reactive? Actively monitoring the state of your IT can enable you to prevent downtime which can save your business money and prevent production delays. Regular maintenance and performance monitoring can also extend the life of your IT equipment. In manufacturing, it’s vital for you to oversee the performance of your production line; not the IT involved in it. A Managed Service Provider can ensure you spend your time managing your production, not worrying about your hardware.
Cyber-Security: Threat Detection & Prevention
In today’s online world, data security breaches are a daily occurrence that is at an all time high as of late; do you have the resources to devote an in-house person to full-time cybersecurity? That’s what today’s business environment demands. A Managed Service Provider can provide up-to-date protection and 24/7/365 detection and remediation of cyber threats.
MSP’s combine highly trained, qualified professionals with the advanced skills and experience to remotely monitor and manage IT infrastructures in the cloud or on a manufacturer’s premises. GCS IT is El Paso’s leading trusted Managed Service Provider; we offer a range of managed services from network monitoring to cloud computing and much more. We have the knowledge and expertise to ensure your IT is there to support your manufacturing operations.