Managed Service Providers (MSPs) in Manufacturing: Your Strategic Advantage for 2025 and Beyond

The manufacturing industry is one of the most demanding environments. Any disruption, whether from a system outage, cyberattack, or supply chain delay, directly impacts output, safety, and customer delivery. At the same time, manufacturers are also embracing digital transformation: connecting machines, rolling out IoT platforms, and integrating cloud analytics into daily operations.

This transformation is powerful but also complex. When technology is not aligned properly, it creates workflow constraints, data vulnerabilities, and downtime that can cost millions. That’s where a Managed Service Provider (MSP) steps in. It delivers proactive management, 24/7 monitoring, and strategic alignment between technology and production goals.

A forward-looking MSP ensures technology supports throughput, safety, and compliance, while your teams stay focused on the shop floor and customer commitments.

Why Manufacturing Needs MSPs Today

1. Zero Tolerance for Downtime

Unplanned shutdowns can cost from tens of thousands to millions of dollars per hour. Reliable MSP support ensures monitoring, preventative maintenance, and rapid response so production lines stay operational when it matters most.

2. Cybersecurity

Manufacturing is consistently the most targeted industry for ransomware and cyberattacks, with incidents rising sharply year on year. An MSP with industrial cybersecurity expertise provides layered defences: security operations centres, real-time monitoring, and rapid containment customised to industrial environments.

3. Compliance Pressures Are Escalating

From privacy laws to industry-specific frameworks, regulatory expectations on data and operational resilience continue to grow. Whether it’s securing supplier ecosystems, meeting contractual requirements, or undergoing audits, MSPs provide continuous compliance support without diverting internal teams from production.

4. Talent Shortages and Operational Demands

Skilled IT resources are hard to recruit and retain. MSPs provide access to a team of specialists, from cybersecurity analysts to compliance consultants, at a fraction of the cost of building equivalent internal capability.

Key Benefits of Partnering with MSPs in Manufacturing

1. Predictable IT Costs
   Fixed service models remove surprises, allowing you to budget accurately while avoiding costly emergency fixes.
2. Enhanced Security and Privacy
   Continuous monitoring, encryption, and secure access controls protect sensitive production and customer data against evolving threats.
3. Proactive Maintenance & Reduced Disruptions
   Systems are monitored and maintained before issues impact output, minimising downtime during critical production periods.
4. Scalability to Match Growth
   Whether you are adding new sites or modernising ERP, MSPs scale resources and security to keep pace.
5. Improved Quality and Efficiency
   Stable, well-integrated systems reduce errors, speed up diagnostics, and improve the flow of production data.
6. Specialist Expertise at Hand
   MSP teams bring domain knowledge in compliance and plant-floor technology, saving you the challenge of hiring multiple in-house experts.
7. Audit-ready Compliance
   From risk assessments to audit documentation, MSPs keep your operations aligned with evolving regulations, reducing penalties and reputational risk.

What to Look for in an MSP in 2025

When evaluating partners, manufacturers should prioritise:

• Industry Expertise: Knowledge of production workflows, ERP/MES platforms, and operational technology.
• Strong Cybersecurity Capabilities: Zero-trust frameworks, layered defence, and 24/7 monitoring.
• Compliance-first Approach: Ongoing alignment with local privacy laws, industry standards, and international frameworks.
• Scalability: Ability to support growth, new sites, and new technologies without disruption.
• Proactive Monitoring: Round-the-clock support to prevent downtime and respond to incidents.
• Integration Skills: Seamless integration across IT and vendor ecosystems.
• Transparent Pricing & SLAs: Clear deliverables with no hidden surprises.

Why Exigo Tech Is the Right MSP for Manufacturing

At Exigo Tech, we understand the unique pressure the manufacturing industry faces- tight production schedules, safety-critical systems, and increasing compliance obligations. Our services are built to keep your operations running securely, efficiently, and confidently into the future.

Our Approach

• Industry-aware Solutions: We customise IT strategies to align with compliance requirements, security priorities, and operational demands.
• Proactive Security: Around-the-clock monitoring, threat detection, and rapid response to protect critical assets.
• Compliance Focus: We embed controls and evidence management to support ongoing regulatory obligations.
• Integration-ready: Our team ensures your platforms, applications, and vendor systems connect and perform seamlessly.
• Scalable Services: From single plants to multi-site operations, our solutions adapt to your growth and technology roadmap.

Real-world Proof: How Exigo Tech Supported Rhino Rack

Challenge

Rhino Rack, an Australian-owned designer and manufacturer of vehicle load-carrying solutions, was expanding its global footprint with operations across Australia, New Zealand, and the USA. With this growth came several challenges:

• Increasing concerns over data security and the risk of cyberattacks.
• The need for a reliable, automated backup and recovery system to ensure business continuity.
• Device management and security policy enforcement across a diverse range of employee devices used globally.

Our Solution

Exigo Tech delivered a managed services model customised to Rhino Rack’s evolving technology and security needs. This included:

• Implementing a robust security framework to safeguard sensitive data and prevent potential breaches.
• Deploying comprehensive mobile device management (MDM) and collaboration tools to support secure, flexible work environments.
• Running a targeted phishing awareness campaign to educate staff and strengthen internal cyber resilience.
• Integrating a dependable backup and recovery solution to protect business-critical information.

The Impact

With Exigo Tech as their MSP, Rhino Rack gained:

• Improved cyber awareness: The phishing campaign empowered staff to recognise and respond to threats, reducing risk and reinforcing brand trust.
• Enhanced data protection: Advanced backup solutions ensured data integrity and seamless recovery, supporting uninterrupted operations.
• Streamlined collaboration and device control: M365 and Intune tools enabled secure, productive work from anywhere, boosting efficiency.
• A clear path to digital transformation: Modern IT systems positioned Rhino Rack for scalable growth and a stronger competitive edge.

Recognised Achievements:

Finalist

Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence (WSABE) 2025 (Nonprofit Industry)

Finalist

Microsoft Partner of the Year 2024 (Nonprofit Industry)

Winner

ARN Innovation Awards 2024 (Security Partner)

Finalist

Australian Cyber Awards 2025 (Cloud Service Provider)

Microsoft Specialisations

Azure Infra, Database Migration, Virtual Desktop, Cybersecurity