{"id":1810,"date":"2024-07-15T06:43:12","date_gmt":"2024-07-15T11:43:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/charleston-sc-1165\/?p=1810"},"modified":"2024-07-15T06:43:12","modified_gmt":"2024-07-15T11:43:12","slug":"5-essential-it-support-strategies-for-manufacturers-and-distributors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/charleston-sc-1165\/blog\/5-essential-it-support-strategies-for-manufacturers-and-distributors\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Essential IT Support Strategies for Manufacturers and Distributors"},"content":{"rendered":"

IT support presents unique challenges for manufacturers and distributors. Often, these businesses have limited or no in-house IT staff, and their managed IT service providers (MSPs) may operate in a reactive mode rather than helping them make proactive decisions. This reactive approach can lead to various issues, such as outdated software, lack of responsiveness, and broken EDI solutions, resulting in significant inefficiencies and frustrations.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, it doesn’t have to be this difficult. Whether you’re a manufacturer or a distributor, here are five essential strategies to improve your IT support. These tips will help you find the right IT partner and ensure that your operations run smoothly and efficiently.<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. Find an IT Support Partner Who Offers Comprehensive EDI Services<\/b><\/h3>\n

If your business relies on Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)\u2014and most manufacturers and distributors do\u2014then you face additional challenges when it comes to IT support. Most MSPs don’t handle EDI, which means you need a separate service provider for this critical technology. EDI providers are typically product-focused companies that add services to support customers, but ongoing support may not receive the same level of attention, especially for midmarket customers.<\/span><\/p>\n

This situation leaves many manufacturers and distributors in a tough spot. EDI is essential to operations, but the support from EDI providers can be lacking, and your MSP may not be able to help. The solution is to find an MSP that covers EDI along with other standard IT services.<\/span><\/p>\n

These providers are rare, but they exist. At<\/span> CMIT Charleston<\/span><\/a>, we handle EDI in addition to all standard technologies that fall under IT support. Specifically, we connect deep EDI expertise with the robust service delivery infrastructure of a world-class MSP, ensuring reliable attention to address issues like exceptions, new fields, data mapping, and adding new trading partners.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Find an IT Support Partner Who Offers Simple Monthly Pricing and Unlimited Service Touches<\/b><\/h3>\n

Variable costs are one of the biggest pain points in IT support, particularly for manufacturers and distributors. Providers that bill by ticket count, communication touches, or other factors can lead to unexpectedly large bills. Why can’t your MSP act more like a true partner, taking ownership of your technology support while providing a predictable bill?<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, it’s challenging to find an MSP that offers simple billing. The standard practice is to meter everything and charge by units consumed, similar to an old-school phone plan that charges by the minute.<\/span><\/p>\n

You wouldn’t accept a phone plan that wasn’t unlimited, so why not expect the same from your MSP? For financial stability, find an IT support provider who offers a straightforward monthly price with unlimited service touches.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Find an IT Support Partner Who Offers a Service Guarantee for Cybersecurity Incidents<\/b><\/h3>\n

Billing for services required to recover from a cybersecurity incident is a common practice among MSPs, but it isn’t customer-friendly. When you’re recovering from an incident, the last thing you need is a large, unexpected services bill. Look for an IT support partner who offers an incident response warranty. This type of policy provides guaranteed services to contain and clean up a cyber incident at no additional cost, with certain limitations.<\/span><\/p>\n

If an MSP offers this type of warranty, it\u2019s a strong signal that they stand by their security expertise and are committed to their clients’ peace of mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Find an IT Support Partner Who Doesn\u2019t Charge Extra for Mobile Device Security<\/b><\/h3>\n

Manufacturers and distributors have unique IT support requirements. Whether employees are on the shop floor or on the road, they may need to access internal systems from a mobile device\u2014either their own or one supplied by the company. Both cases present unique security challenges that must be addressed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Without best-practice controls for mobile security, lost or stolen devices can expose sensitive data and systems. To secure mobile devices, we recommend the following, managed in Microsoft Intune:<\/span><\/p>\n