June 29, 2025
There's a saying I've always liked: "Buy cheap, buy twice." On the shop floor, it's easy to see—dodgy tools, knock-off parts, bargain-bin sensors. They break when you need them most. Turns out, IT's no different.
At first glance, a budget managed IT service might look alright. Decent monthly fee. Some support. Maybe a bit of antivirus chucked in for good measure. But behind the smoke and mirrors? Hidden fees, weak protection, and corner-cutting that leaves you wide open.
Over the years, I've looked under the bonnet of dozens of IT contracts for local manufacturers—and five red flags crop up again and again. If any of these sound familiar, it might be time to rethink who's looking after your tech.
1. Security So Basic, It's Barely There
A slap of antivirus isn't cybersecurity. Not when you've got CAD files, ERP systems, and machine controllers relying on secure uptime.
But that's exactly what budget MSPs do: install a basic tool and tick the box. No two-factor authentication. No threat detection. No training for your team. No backup if something slips through.
Worse still, if you're bidding for aerospace or MOD contracts, this could kill your chances. Most insurers now demand proper cybersecurity controls before they'll pay out. We've seen firms denied coverage—after an attack—because their MSP hadn't done the groundwork.
2. Backups That Don't Actually Cover Everything
Think your data's safe in Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace? Think again. Those systems aren't built for long-term recovery.
Low-cost IT providers often skip backups for cloud apps, CRMs, and production platforms altogether. Some don't even use immutable backups—essential for meeting ISO and Cyber Essentials+ standards.
Ask your provider: what exactly are we backing up? And what's missing?
3. Cheap Monthly Fee, Expensive Surprises
Here's a classic: "affordable" IT packages that suddenly sting you for on-site visits, out-of-hours support, or emergency fixes.
That might work in an office. But not on a 24/7 production line.
You end up second-guessing every call for help, watching downtime pile up because you don't want another invoice. In the end, those delays cost more than the extra fees.
4. "Not Our Problem" Support
Struggling with your SCADA system, a dodgy router, or a downed VoIP line? Some providers will shrug and say, "Not our remit."
Even worse—they'll charge you just to talk to your other vendors. If the device isn't on their list, it's your problem.
A good MSP will act like your tech partner. That means liaising with your other suppliers and keeping the whole network running—whether it's a PLC or a printer in the admin office.
5. No Strategy, Just Fixes
You wouldn't trust your factory's future to a one-man-band with a spanner. So why hand your entire IT setup to a junior tech with no plan?
With budget MSPs, you get ticket-takers, not advisors.
What you should be getting:
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A dedicated account manager who helps build your IT roadmap
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Regular check-ins on security, compliance, and backup
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Planning around your budget and your goals
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A partner who sees the bigger picture—not just the next ticket
If It Feels Too Good To Be True...
Here's the thing: most firms don't realise how exposed they are until something breaks—a ransomware lockout, an ISO compliance fail, or a full system crash.
And by then, it's too late.
If your gut says something's off with your IT, trust it. Let us have a no-pressure look at your setup. We'll check what's missing, explain it in plain English, and help you see where the real risks lie.
Book your free review today. No jargon. No nonsense. Just straight answers from folks who understand how tech meets the factory floor.