Centrend

ERP Consulting

The Hidden Cost of Manufacturing Downtime: How Smart IT Planning Saves New England Manufacturers Millions

Manufacturing in New England faces unique challenges. From harsh winters that can disrupt operations to the competitive pressure of maintaining efficiency in an increasingly digital world, manufacturers need every advantage they can get. Yet many are unknowingly hemorrhaging money through preventable IT-related downtime. The Real Cost of Downtime in Manufacturing According to recent industry studies, the average manufacturer loses $50,000 per hour during unplanned downtime. For New England manufacturers operating on tight margins, even a few hours of unexpected system failures can devastate quarterly profits. Consider this scenario: Your ERP system crashes during peak production season. Orders can’t be processed, inventory levels become unclear, and your production line grinds to a halt. What started as a “simple” IT issue becomes a company-wide crisis affecting customer relationships and revenue. Why Traditional IT Approaches Fail Manufacturers Many manufacturing companies still operate with reactive IT support – waiting for problems to occur before addressing them. This approach worked decades ago when technology played a smaller role in production, but today’s interconnected manufacturing environment demands a proactive strategy. Common IT vulnerabilities in manufacturing include: The Proactive Manufacturing IT Strategy Smart manufacturers are shifting to proactive IT management that treats technology as a strategic asset rather than a necessary expense. This includes: Predictive Monitoring: Advanced monitoring tools that identify potential failures before they impact production, allowing for scheduled maintenance during planned downtime.Integrated Security: Comprehensive cybersecurity that protects both office networks and production systems without hampering operational efficiency. Scalable Infrastructure: Cloud-based solutions that can grow with your business while providing the reliability manufacturing demands.Disaster Recovery Planning: Robust backup and recovery systems that ensure rapid restoration of critical systems. ROI of Proactive IT in Manufacturing The return on investment for proactive IT management in manufacturing is substantial: Taking Action: Your Next Steps If your manufacturing operation is still relying on reactive IT support, now is the time to evaluate your technology strategy. Start by conducting a comprehensive IT audit that examines your current infrastructure, identifies vulnerabilities, and creates a roadmap for improvement. The cost of inaction far exceeds the investment in proper IT planning. In today’s competitive manufacturing landscape, can you afford not to have technology working as your competitive advantage? Choosing Centrend, Inc. means opting for a partner committed to your business’s success. With our expert team, proactive support, and strategic insights, you can harness the full potential of ERP system while focusing on what you do best—running your business. Contact us today to learn how we can help you transform your IT challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation.

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What Is Bad IT Support Costing Your Business?

In our technology-driven world, efficient IT support is the backbone of any successful business. From ensuring seamless operations to safeguarding sensitive data, reliable IT services are crucial for maintaining productivity and protecting your bottom line. However, not all IT support is created equal, and the cost of settling for subpar services can result in expensive consequences for your business. Bad IT service can negatively affect employee productivity, customer happiness and operational efficiency and quickly eat into your profits. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the hidden costs of bad IT support and how it could be impacting your business in ways you might not have considered. Unresolved Recurring Issues IT issues that aren’t properly resolved are like untreated wounds that fester over time. For example, one person’s poor password habits can become a company-wide issue that later results in an expensive ransomware attack when a hacker finds a weak link. Recurring IT issues also drain company resources. Without addressing the root cause of the issues, the problems will persist, leading to ongoing costs. Sloppy Systems And Processes Your IT team can take tasks off your plate, like getting new employees access to the files, software and programs they need to do their job and revoking access when an employee leaves the company. If the procedures are not followed or outlined properly, your company’s processes will not run as efficiently as they should, costing you time and money, and it could open up big security risks to your company. Unexpected Downtime Operational inefficiencies aside, what’s the cost if you CAN’T do business? Not just the loss of potential sales, but the cost of employees sitting stagnant, staring at the wall and scrolling on their phones while your IT guy is trying to get your network back up. If you have 20 employees at an average pay of $25 an hour and your system is down for three hours, you might as well light $1,500 on fire. Now, what if this is happening one, two, even three or more times a month? Add in the potential loss of sales and fees for emergency IT support, and the total for each outage will quickly add up to a sizable chunk of change you’re letting fall right through your pocket. Security Breaches If a negligent or inexperienced IT professional leaves gaps in your security system, you could be vulnerable to a cyber-attack. There is no limit to what this could cost your business if client data or financial data is leaked, stolen or exploited. Legal fees, fines and downtime from cyber-attacks have put thousands of companies out of business because the owners weren’t able to get out from under them. It is critical to the future of your business that you work with an IT professional who knows what you need to be compliant in your industry and secure from the latest threats. These issues are only the tip of the iceberg. If you’d like us to take a closer look at what you’re getting for what you’re paying, to make sure you’re not exposed to risks and are operating as efficiently as possible, we’re happy to do so. To schedule a free 10-minute discovery call to see how we can get rid of your tech issues once and for all, go to www.centrend.com/contactus or call us at 772-241-8600.

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