# IT & Automation for Manufacturers Small and mid-sized manufacturers run on a mix of systems that grew up over time: an accounting package in the office, spreadsheets for production planning, a separate tool for inventory, paper job sheets on the shop floor and a network that was extended one cable at a time. Each piece works on its own, but information gets copied by hand between them, and nobody has a clear, current picture of orders, stock and capacity. We help manufacturers tidy up and connect the technology behind the business. That includes designing reliable office and shop-floor networks, separating production equipment from general office traffic, securing accounts and devices, building custom web apps for inventory, job tracking and reporting, and automating the repetitive admin between sales, production, purchasing and accounts. Support is remote, and support hours and response times are set out in your service agreement. We work practically and in stages. We start by mapping how orders, materials and paperwork actually move through your business, fix the problems that cost the most time first, and document everything so your team understands it. We do not sell machinery controls or replace specialist production software; we connect and support the systems around it, and work with your equipment vendors where their systems are involved. ## Challenges - **Spreadsheets holding the business together:** Production schedules, stock counts and purchase orders live in separate spreadsheets that only one or two people understand, so mistakes are easy and handovers are hard. - **Flat, fragile networks:** Office PCs, shop-floor terminals, printers, cameras and connected equipment often share one flat network, so a single fault or infection can affect everything at once. - **Ransomware and downtime risk:** Manufacturers are a common ransomware target because downtime is so costly. Old operating systems, shared logins and untested backups make recovery slow and uncertain. - **No clear view of orders and stock:** Managers spend time chasing updates from the floor and the warehouse because there is no single place showing where each order is and what materials are on hand. ## What we put in place - **Segmented, reliable networks:** Wired and wireless networks designed for the office, shop floor and warehouse, with VLANs separating production equipment, cameras, guests and office systems, plus firewall rules and secure remote access. - **Custom inventory and job-tracking apps:** Web apps built around how you work: stock levels, job status, materials usage and simple reporting, usable on a tablet or PC on the floor and connected to your accounting system where possible. - **Security and tested backups:** Multi-factor authentication, endpoint protection, patching, least-privilege access and automated backups that are restore-tested, so a ransomware incident or hardware failure is recoverable. - **Admin and paperwork automation:** Automated flows for order entry, purchase requests, delivery notes, invoice handoff and status updates, so information is entered once and reaches the people who need it. - **Remote IT support:** Help for office and floor staff with devices, accounts, printers, email and software issues during agreed support hours, with every request logged, tracked and owned by a named person, and coordination with local vendors for on-site hardware work. ## Relevant services - [IT Desk: managed IT services](https://techpitsolutions.systems/msp) - [Network Design & Setup](https://techpitsolutions.systems/services/network-setup): Office networks, Wi-Fi, firewalls and VPNs planned properly, documented clearly and supported after launch. - [Custom Web Apps, ERP & Field Management Systems](https://techpitsolutions.systems/services/custom-web-apps): We build custom web apps, from lightweight ERP systems to field management tools, on a modern stack that you own. - [Workflow Automation](https://techpitsolutions.systems/services/workflow-automation): We connect the apps you already use so leads, approvals, invoices, and notifications move on their own instead of by copy and paste. - [Cybersecurity & Data Protection](https://techpitsolutions.systems/services/cybersecurity): Practical protection for small businesses: MFA, endpoint security, email filtering, backups, staff training and a response plan. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can you work with our existing ERP or production software? Usually, yes. We support the network, devices and accounts around your existing software, and where it has an API, export or integration options, we can connect it to other tools or build reporting on top of it. If it cannot be integrated cleanly, we will tell you plainly and suggest the least disruptive option. ### Do you configure machine controls or PLCs? No. We do not program or configure industrial control systems. What we do is keep that equipment on its own network segment, restrict what can reach it, and secure remote access for your equipment vendors, while they remain responsible for the controls themselves. ### Should we buy an off-the-shelf system or have something built? It depends on how standard your processes are. If an existing product fits well, it is usually the faster and cheaper choice, and we can help set it up and connect it. A custom app makes sense when your workflow is unusual or you only need a focused tool, such as job tracking or stock control, without paying for a full suite. ### How do you handle support for a site we never visit? Most issues, such as accounts, email, software, network configuration and security, can be handled remotely. For physical work like cabling or replacing hardware, we coordinate with a local electrician or hardware supplier and guide them, while we handle the configuration and testing remotely. ### Can you help us recover if we are hit by ransomware? We help with containment, restoring systems from backups and hardening afterwards, and we set up backups and security controls in advance so recovery is possible. For serious incidents you may also need your insurer, a specialist incident response firm or legal counsel, and we work alongside them. --- Source: https://techpitsolutions.systems/industries/manufacturing TechPit Solutions ยท Run by AI, backed by real people. A remote team working with businesses in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Email info.techpit.co@gmail.com, WhatsApp +92 344 3360585. Book a 15-minute call: https://techpitsolutions.systems/contact