Downtime halts production
A failed server or network switch can idle a whole shift, delay orders and cost far more than the fix.
IT support for manufacturers in Greater Boston
CMIT Solutions of Boston manages the networks, systems and security behind your production lines, ERP and design software, so your operation stays efficient, secure and on schedule.
Every shift coveredMonitoring and help desk run 24/7, including weekends and holidays.
Local office in NewtonServing Boston, Newton, Waltham and nearby towns- 24/7 monitoring and supportNights, weekends and holidays included
- 900+ CMIT IT professionalsA national network behind your local team
What does managed IT for a manufacturer include?
Managed IT for a manufacturer covers 24/7 monitoring, a help desk for every shift, segmentation between office IT and production OT networks, ERP, CAD and PLM support, cybersecurity against ransomware, tested backups, and documentation for requirements such as CMMC, NIST SP 800-171 and ISO 9001. Maintenance is scheduled around production.
When the systems stop, the line stops
Production depends on reliable IT, and manufacturers are among the most targeted industries for ransomware.
Office and floor networks overlap
Flat networks let an infected laptop reach machine controls and shop-floor systems.
Defense work brings CMMC
Suppliers handling controlled unclassified information need NIST SP 800-171 controls and, increasingly, CMMC certification.
Designs are valuable IP
CAD files, specifications and process data are prime targets for theft.
Managed IT built around your production floor
Tailored to how manufacturers actually work: shifts, machines, suppliers and deadlines.
Managed IT for production
Monitoring and maintenance that keeps lines running at full speed.
- 24/7 proactive monitoring
- Patching scheduled around production
- Redundant systems for critical services
IT/OT network segmentation
Keep machine controls connected but out of reach of everyday office threats.
- Segmented networks with managed firewalls
- Secure remote access for vendors
- Monitoring of traffic between zones
ERP, CAD and PLM support
Business and design applications secured, updated and connected to your workflow.
- ERP, CAD and PLM integration and upkeep
- Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
- License tracking and renewals
24/7 help desk
Help when a network, machine interface or software problem threatens production.
- Around-the-clock help desk
- Remote and on-site technicians
- Priority handling for line-down issues
Cybersecurity
Layered defenses against the ransomware that targets manufacturers.
- Managed EDR and 24/7 threat detection
- MFA and secure remote access
- Phishing training for office and floor staff
CMMC and NIST 800-171 readiness
Gap assessments, documentation and controls for defense supply chain work.
- Gap assessment against NIST SP 800-171
- System security plan and POA&M support
- Evidence collection for assessments
IoT, analytics and IT planning
Adopt new technology with clear priorities and measurable results.
- IoT sensor and analytics setup
- Technology roadmap tied to business goals
- Vendor selection and management
Industrial-grade procurement
Equipment sourced to your specifications and lifecycle-managed.
- Industrial hardware sourcing
- Spec checks before purchase
- Lifecycle and refresh planning
Security built into every plan
Every managed IT plan includes these protections, so the basics are covered from day one.
EDREndpoint detection and response on every device- Email securityFiltering for phishing, malware and impersonation
- DNS filteringBlocks malicious and unwanted websites
- Access managementControlled accounts, permissions and directories
- Backup validationBackups checked so restores actually work
- Disaster recovery planA written plan to get you running again
EDREndpoint detection and response on every device
Email securityFiltering for phishing, malware and impersonation
DNS filteringBlocks malicious and unwanted websites
Access managementControlled accounts, permissions and directories
Backup validationBackups checked so restores actually work
Disaster recovery planA written plan to get you running again
The standards your customers and auditors ask about
We turn requirements into specific controls and keep the evidence your customers, prime contractors and auditors expect.
| Standard | What it asks of you | What we put in place |
|---|---|---|
| CMMC 2.0 | Certification of cybersecurity practices for Department of Defense contractors, phasing into contracts from late 2025. | Readiness assessment, remediation and documentation support. |
| NIST SP 800-171 | 110 security requirements for protecting controlled unclassified information. | Gap analysis, SSP and POA&M, technical controls. |
| ISO 9001 / ISO 27001 | Documented processes, and for 27001 an information security management system. | IT policies, access control and change records. |
| ITAR / EAR | Restricting access to controlled technical data. | Access controls, data location and user vetting support. |
| 201 CMR 17.00 | A written information security program for personal information of Massachusetts residents. | WISP and supporting controls. |
Which rules apply depends on your organization. We support your compliance program with technical controls and documentation; we don't provide legal advice.
A practical guide to IT for Massachusetts manufacturers
Manufacturing IT is about keeping lines running while protecting designs and customer data. These are the priorities we work through with plants across the region.
Segment the plant before anything else
Many plants still run office PCs, machine controls and vendor remote access on one flat network. Segmentation creates zones with controlled paths between them, so ransomware on an office laptop can't spread to the production floor. It's the single most effective change most manufacturers can make, and our network management team plans it around scheduled downtime.
Know your recovery time for ERP and production data
Ask how long it would take to restore ERP, CAD vaults and production schedules after a failure. If nobody knows, that is the answer. Tested data backup with documented recovery times turns a guess into a plan, and lets leadership decide which systems deserve faster recovery.
Prepare early for CMMC
Suppliers handling controlled unclassified information need NIST SP 800-171 controls in place and documented before an assessment, and remediation can take months. Start with a gap assessment, then build your system security plan and a realistic plan of action. Our compliance services and IT guidance help prioritize the controls that matter most. Firms that design products for defense work often face the same requirements, as our engineering IT page explains.
Buy hardware for the environment
Dust, heat and vibration shorten the life of office-grade equipment on the shop floor. Our IT procurement team sources industrial-rated switches, PCs and access points and tracks their lifecycle so replacements are planned. For multi-site operations, we manage every plant and warehouse to one standard, which also supports logistics and distribution sites you may operate.
Questions to ask before choosing an IT provider
Ask whether the provider has segmented production networks before, how they schedule changes around shifts and shutdowns, and how they manage vendor remote access to machines. Ask how they would prepare you for a CMMC assessment and what evidence they keep. Ask for recovery time estimates for your ERP. Specific, confident answers show real manufacturing experience. Our IT support desk covers every shift, and our managed IT plans include the monitoring and documentation plants need.
From first walk-through to fully managed, without stopping the line
We work around live production. Every change is scheduled for off-hours or planned shutdowns.
- Walk the plant, the office network and everything in between
- Complimentary IT and OT risk assessment
- Close gaps and segment control systems
- Monitoring, help desk and planning as you grow
- Documentation for customer and auditor questionnaires
Local IT support that knows the shop floor
Locally owned and operated in Newton, MA
We support manufacturers across Massachusetts, from job shops to multi-site operations. We understand shifts, planned shutdowns and what a line-down call means.
You get a named local team that learns your people and systems, backed by more than 900 CMIT IT professionals nationwide. We serve Boston, Newton, Waltham, Allston, Brighton, Brookline, Weston, Watertown, Needham, Wellesley and Burlington.
- 275 Grove Street, Ste 2-400, Newton, MA 02466
- (617) 657-1075
How we start with manufacturers
No disruption to production at any stage.
Walk the plant
We see the shop floor, office network and the systems in between.
Assessment
IT and OT risks ranked by impact on production.
Stabilize and segment
Close gaps and separate control systems from the office network.
Manage and improve
24/7 monitoring, help desk and quarterly planning.
Can you support factory floor and control systems?
Yes. We manage the network that connects office IT and production OT, segmenting machine controls and shop-floor systems so they stay connected but protected. We work alongside your equipment vendors rather than replacing their support for the machines themselves.
How do you secure industrial networks?
We segment office and production networks with managed firewalls, restrict and log vendor remote access, monitor traffic between zones and protect endpoints with EDR. That way an infected office laptop cannot reach machine controls.
Can you help us prepare for CMMC?
Yes. We run a gap assessment against NIST SP 800-171, help build your system security plan and plan of action, put the technical controls in place and organize evidence. Certification itself is performed by an authorized third-party assessor.
Do you support ERP, CAD and PLM systems?
Yes. We keep ERP, CAD and PLM applications updated, backed up and integrated with the rest of your environment, manage licensing, and make sure workstations and storage are sized for large design files.
How do you prevent production downtime?
We monitor systems 24/7, schedule maintenance for off-hours or planned shutdowns, build in redundancy for critical services and keep tested backups so recovery time is a known number rather than a guess.
Do you handle multi-site manufacturing operations?
Yes. We apply one standard across plants, warehouses and offices, with central monitoring and consistent security, so every site is managed the same way.
How fast do you respond to line-down issues?
Issues that stop production go straight to the front of the queue, with remote work starting immediately and a technician on site when hands are needed. Response commitments are written into your service agreement.
What happens during the free IT assessment?
We review your network, devices, backups, Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace setup and security controls, then give you a written summary of risks ranked by business impact and a clear list of what to fix first. There is no cost and no obligation, and for manufacturers we include the compliance requirements that usually apply to you.
Can you work alongside our in-house IT person?
Yes. Many clients keep an internal IT person and use us to extend their team. We can take on monitoring, security, backups, after-hours coverage or specific projects, so your internal staff can focus on the work that needs someone on site every day.
Is support available on nights, weekends and holidays?
Yes. Systems are monitored 24/7, and you can reach our support desk at any time of day, including nights, weekends and holidays. Urgent issues are handled immediately, and our local team comes on site when a problem needs hands-on work.
Which areas of Greater Boston do you serve?
Our office is at 275 Grove Street in Newton. We support organizations in Boston, Newton, Waltham, Allston, Brighton, Brookline, Weston, Watertown, Needham, Wellesley and Burlington, plus surrounding communities. Remote support covers every location, and on-site visits are scheduled when hardware or a site survey requires it.
Keep production moving with IT that never clocks out
Contact CMIT Solutions of Boston for a consultation about your plant, your systems and your security.
- Review of your network, devices, backups and security
- Risks ranked by their impact on your day-to-day operations
- Compliance requirements that apply to you
- A written plan for what to fix first
Prefer to talk?(617) 657-1075
Visit us275 Grove Street, Ste 2-400, Newton, MA 02466