If you’re in manufacturing, every second of downtime costs money. Machines stop. Orders back up. Workers get stuck waiting. And worst of all — your reputation suffers. While many manufacturers focus heavily on production equipment, the real silent killer is often something less visible: inefficient IT systems.

IT in Manufacturing Isn’t Just Support — It’s the Backbone

Gone are the days when IT was just about email and printing. Today’s manufacturers rely on IT for:

  • Inventory management systems (IMS)
  • Manufacturing execution systems (MES)
  • ERP platforms
  • Production tracking
  • Machine automation and IoT connectivity

If any of these systems go down, the entire production line can come to a grinding halt.

The Hidden Costs of Slow IT

It’s not just about visible downtime. The costs pile up in ways you might not be tracking:

  • Delayed Production: A 5-minute delay per shift from slow logins or system lag adds up to hours of lost output per month.
  • Overtime Pay: To catch up on delayed jobs, you’re often paying workers extra — which eats into margins.
  • Wasted Materials: In-process production interrupted by system errors can lead to scrap or rework.
  • Low Morale: Workers grow frustrated when they can’t do their jobs effectively, leading to higher turnover.
  • Customer Churn: Missed deadlines or poor communication due to IT issues cost you repeat business.

Real Impact: The Numbers Don’t Lie

According to a Deloitte study, unscheduled downtime costs manufacturers $50 billion annually. A key contributor? Poor IT infrastructure and support.

We’ve seen manufacturers lose up to 12 hours a month due to slow response times from their IT provider. That’s a day and a half of lost production every quarter — and thousands of dollars flushed down the drain.

5 Common IT Bottlenecks in Manufacturing

  1. Aging hardware on the shop floor – Old terminals and thin clients struggle with modern software demands.
  2. Weak Wi-Fi – Spotty coverage causes disconnects from cloud-based MES or barcode scanners.
  3. Lack of proactive monitoring – Problems are discovered after they’ve caused damage, not before.
  4. Slow support response – Some IT providers promise fast service but leave you waiting when it matters most.
  5. No cybersecurity plan – Leaving endpoints vulnerable to ransomware, which can lock down entire operations.

The Intelecis Approach: Engineered for Manufacturing

We don’t treat IT like a checkbox — we treat it like an essential part of your production line.

At Intelecis, we:

  • Monitor your systems 24/7 for early signs of failure
  • Respond to emergencies in minutes, not hours
  • Perform proactive maintenance to avoid downtime
  • Secure your endpoints, machines, and servers from threats
  • Customize support for your unique production environment — from Long Beach to Riverside

One of our clients, a precision machining shop in Anaheim, saw a 47% reduction in downtime tickets after switching to our managed IT services.

Don’t Let IT Be the Weakest Link in Your Line

Your machines are only as productive as the systems behind them. Slow IT shouldn’t be the reason your shipments are delayed or your customers are upset.

If you’re experiencing even minor slowdowns, it’s time to take a deeper look. Because in manufacturing, “good enough” IT isn’t good enough anymore.

Ready to Get Ahead of IT Problems?

Schedule your free assessment today.
We’ll uncover what’s slowing your team down,  and show you how to fix it before it costs you another job.