
A manufacturing-ready IT provider should demonstrate expertise in ERP stability, CAD file protection, production network segmentation, backup restore testing, and uptime planning. A simple test: ask for their recommended RTO/RPO targets for your ERP and how often they perform restore tests (monthly/quarterly). If answers are vague, risk is high.
The Manufacturing MSP Scorecard (7 Questions)
- ERP Competence
- What ERP environments do you support?
- How do you protect ERP uptime?
- CAD / Engineering Data Protection
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- How do you secure CAD repositories from ransomware?
- How do you implement least privilege?
- Production vs Office Segmentation
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- Do you segment production networks from office endpoints?
- How do you handle vendor access safely?
- Backup Testing (Not Just Backups)
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- How often do you restore-test backups?
- Can you show restore logs?
- Security + Insurance Alignment
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- Can you map controls to cyber insurance requirements?
- What evidence do you provide?
- Roadmap + Budgeting
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- Do you provide a 12–24 month roadmap?
- How do you phase upgrades to avoid disruption?
- Response Readiness
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- What is your incident response process?
- What’s your typical response time and escalation path?
The 3 Red Flags That Indicate “Office IT Only”
- They can’t explain ERP RTO/RPO in numbers
- They don’t do restore tests (or “only when needed”)
- They recommend flat networks or share admin credentials
What “Good” Looks Like (Minimum Standards)
MFA for all users + admin accounts
- EDR on endpoints and servers
- Segmentation (office/production/server zone)
- Monthly spot restores + quarterly full restore tests
- Documented incident response process
- Roadmap planning for lifecycle and compliance
Illustrative Scenario: Using the Scorecard to Compare MSPs
A 70-employee metal fabrication company was comparing MSPs after repeated outages. Their current provider couldn’t show restore logs or define ERP recovery targets, and the network design offered little containment.
After a structured program:
- The manufacturing MSP scorecard was used to evaluate gaps objectively
- Restore testing and evidence logging were made non-negotiable requirements
- Office/production/server segmentation was planned to reduce blast radius
- A 12–24 month roadmap aligned upgrades with production schedules
Result: fewer emergencies and a clearer standard for what “manufacturing-ready IT” means.
Trust Signals
- ERP/CAD experience
- Shop-floor-friendly segmentation
- Restore testing and DR evidence
- Insurance-ready documentation
Use the Manufacturing MSP Scorecard (Free 30-Min Review)
Choosing an MSP isn’t about who answers tickets fastest. It’s who can keep ERP/CAD running and prove recovery when things go wrong.
Book a 30-minute call with Fothion today and we’ll:
- walk through the manufacturing MSP scorecard using your current provider’s approach
- flag high-risk gaps (restore testing, segmentation, admin/MFA, ERP/CAD protection)
- give you a clear “must-have” checklist for switching or renegotiating