MSP Rankings · Manufacturing · San Antonio

Best MSPs for Manufacturing in San Antonio (2026)

Kate Larsen, IT Research Analyst · Last updated: June 15, 2026 · No paid placements
Uprite Services ranks #1 among MSPs for manufacturing in San Antonio with a 9.3/10 Trust Score, on the strength of six consecutive Channel Futures MSP 501 appearances and documented OT/IT support for production environments. 7tech (8.3/10) is the strongest option for CMMC-adjacent manufacturers near Joint Base San Antonio, and Centre Technologies (7.9/10) brings the deepest enterprise toolset for mid-market plants. Every provider was scored on the same six-factor itreviews.co Trust Score. No provider paid for placement.

Quick Picks

  • Best Overall: Uprite Services
  • Best for CMMC & Defense Supply Chain: 7tech
  • Best for Mid-Market Manufacturing: Centre Technologies
  • Best for Multi-Site Texas Operations: Aldridge
  • Best for Longevity & Stability: CustomIS

San Antonio’s manufacturing sector isn’t slowing down. Over 1,600 manufacturers operate across the region, supporting more than 61,000 jobs and a $10 billion GDP contribution as of late 2024. Toyota’s $541 million investment, JCB’s $500 million production facility launching in 2026, and International Motors’ presence on the South Side all signal one thing: this city builds things. And the IT behind those operations can’t be an afterthought.

Manufacturers don’t need the same IT as a law firm or an accounting practice. Production floors run on OT networks. SCADA systems don’t tolerate unplanned patches. Compliance requirements (NIST 800-171, CMMC, ITAR) hit harder when you’re part of a defense supply chain. And downtime on a production line costs more per minute than downtime in a cubicle.

So who’s actually equipped to handle that? This list ranks the 7 best managed IT providers for manufacturing IT support in San Antonio based on itreviews.co’s independent Trust Score methodology. Every score reflects verified review data, third-party awards, documented specialization, years in operation, local presence, and service breadth. Nobody bought their spot.


How We Ranked the Best MSPs for Manufacturing in San Antonio

Six factors, fixed weights, zero exceptions. Every MSP on this list was scored using the same Trust Score model regardless of size, marketing budget, or reputation: verified client reviews (35%), industry awards (20%), years in business (15%), physical presence (10%), industry specialization (10%), and service breadth (10%). Review counts are scaled logarithmically, so the jump from 0 to 10 reviews matters more than the jump from 80 to 200.

Trust Score Factors — Manufacturing MSP Rankings (San Antonio)

35%
Verified ReviewsRatings and review counts from Clutch (15%, verified through phone interviews with real clients), Google (12%, the universal baseline), and Cloudtango (3%, an IT-specific signal). Volume is scored logarithmically. Missing platforms trigger weight penalties, not redistribution.
20%
Industry AwardsIndependently published recognition: Channel Futures MSP 501, CRN MSP 500, Inc. 5000, and Cloudtango MSP Select. Self-described “award-winning” without a named, verifiable award doesn’t count.
15%
Years in BusinessOperational maturity, triangulated across company websites, LinkedIn, and domain records. Conflicts default to the most conservative verifiable figure.
10%
Physical PresenceWhether the provider actually operates in San Antonio with local engineers and a verified Google Maps listing. A virtual office or checkbox service area scores differently than a real team on the ground.
10%
Industry SpecializationDocumented manufacturing expertise: dedicated vertical pages, named compliance certifications (NIST, CMMC, ISO 27001), published case studies, and real OT/IT integration evidence. A bullet point that says “we serve manufacturing” with nothing behind it doesn’t score well.
10%
Service BreadthFull-stack capability: helpdesk, network monitoring, endpoint management, cybersecurity (EDR/MDR), cloud, backup/DR, and strategic planning (vCIO). Premium differentiators like vCISO, pen testing, and SIEM/SOC push scores higher.

Honest weaknesses appear for every provider, including #1. No provider paid for placement, and no provider submitted its own data. Read the full methodology →


San Antonio Manufacturing MSP Comparison at a Glance

ProviderScoreBest ForKey StrengthLocationNotable Limitation
Uprite Services9.3/10Overall manufacturing IT6x MSP 501, OT/IT documentation, published pricingSan Antonio (HQ)10–300 user sweet spot; not enterprise-scale
7tech8.3/10CMMC / defense supply chainCMMC certification services, ThreatLocker Gold x3San Antonio (HQ)Smaller team; complex multi-site environments less suited
Centre Technologies7.9/10Mid-market plantsMSP 501 #155, ERP (Dynamics 365), Azure/AWSHouston HQ, SA officeNo published Clutch reviews; SA is a branch office
Aldridge6.6/10Multi-site TX manufacturers40+ years, co-managed IT model, multiple TX officesHouston HQ, SA officeLow review visibility; manufacturing not a dedicated vertical
Evolution Technologies6.4/10SA-based SOC-first operationsCRN 2026 MSP 500, 24/7 SOC, 8+ regulated verticalsSan Antonio (HQ)Younger firm; manufacturing specialization not explicitly documented
High Touch Technologies6.3/10Software-driven manufacturersManufacturing core vertical, 40+ year company, Microsoft P-SellerWichita HQ, SA officeHQ outside Texas; thin public review profile
CustomIS6.0/10Legacy IT and ERP modernization37 years, dedicated manufacturing IT page, ERP consultingArlington HQ, SA service areaNo industry awards confirmed; limited online review presence

The Top 7 MSPs for Manufacturing in San Antonio

1
The Benchmark for Manufacturing IT in San Antonio
9.3
out of 10
Trust Score

Score Breakdown

Reviews (35%)8.8
Awards (20%)10.0
Years in Business (15%)10.0
Physical Presence (10%)10.0
Specialization (10%)8.0
Service Breadth (10%)9.0
Uprite Services managed IT for manufacturing in San Antonio homepage

Uprite doesn’t just claim manufacturing experience. They’ve published content on SCADA security, OT/IT integration, and cybersecurity insurance compliance for production environments. Combined with six consecutive MSP 501 appearances and a verified 4.9 Google rating, no other San Antonio MSP matches this combination of credentials and documentation for the manufacturing vertical.

Key Strengths

  • Six consecutive years on the Channel Futures MSP 501, a globally competitive annual ranking of managed IT providers. That’s not an entry — that’s a pattern
  • Published manufacturing-specific content covering OT network security, SCADA system protection, and cybersecurity insurance compliance for production companies. Most MSPs put “manufacturing” on a checkbox; Uprite put it on a page with actual substance
  • Google rating of 4.9 across 100+ reviews and a 5.0 Clutch rating with 11 verified client interviews. The Clutch reviews matter most because they’re conducted by phone with real clients
  • 120-day satisfaction guarantee written into every contract. Published flat-rate pricing starting at $128/user/month — manufacturers running tight margins appreciate knowing the number before signing
  • Founded in 1999 with over 25 years of Texas operations. San Antonio HQ with local engineers available for on-site support when a production-floor issue can’t wait for remote troubleshooting

Limitations

  • Built for 10–300 user environments. Manufacturers with 500+ endpoints across multiple states will likely need a larger-footprint provider or a co-managed arrangement
  • Primary footprint is San Antonio and Houston with Dallas coverage. Heavy on-site support outside Texas metro areas should be confirmed before signing
  • Published pricing transparency is a strength for buyers, but manufacturers shopping purely on the lowest possible per-user rate will find cheaper options

Best For

San Antonio manufacturers with 10–300 users who need a fully accountable IT partner with real manufacturing documentation, compliance depth (NIST, HIPAA, SOC 2), and a guarantee written into the contract.

Not Ideal For

Enterprise manufacturers with 500+ users needing multi-state on-site depth, or operations that don’t need compliance support and just want the cheapest help desk ticket.

Services

Managed ITCybersecurity (EDR/MDR)CloudBackup & DRCompliance-as-a-ServicevCIONetwork MonitoringOn-Site Support

Industries

ManufacturingHealthcareFinancial ServicesLegalConstructionLogisticsOil & Gas

Why They Rank #1

The Trust Score math is clear. Uprite holds the strongest verified review profile in the market, the longest consecutive MSP 501 streak of any San Antonio provider, and the only published body of manufacturing-specific IT content with real OT/IT substance. For a manufacturing buyer in San Antonio, nobody else on this list puts that combination on the table simultaneously.

Disclosure: itreviews.co has a media-contact relationship with Uprite Services. This relationship does not affect scoring. Uprite earned its position through the Trust Score model, which every provider on this list was scored against identically.

2
CMMC-First for Defense-Adjacent Manufacturers
8.3
out of 10
Trust Score

Score Breakdown

Reviews (35%)8.9
Awards (20%)9.0
Years in Business (15%)6.0
Physical Presence (10%)10.0
Specialization (10%)7.0
Service Breadth (10%)8.0
7tech cybersecurity and CMMC services for manufacturers in San Antonio homepage

Formerly Juern Technology, 7tech rebranded in 2024 to signal a deliberate pivot toward cybersecurity. For manufacturers in San Antonio’s defense supply chain near Joint Base San Antonio, that focus matters.

Key Strengths

  • CMMC certification services purpose-built for DoD supply chain businesses. Published IT-OT network segmentation guidance, patch automation, and disaster recovery design for manufacturing environments. That’s documented capability, not a landing page
  • Google 5.0 rating across 74 reviews and Clutch 5.0 with 6 verified reviews. Clean scores
  • Inc. 5000 four consecutive years (#1921 in 2021, #4336 in 2025). Channel Futures MSP 501 ranked #325 globally, two consecutive years. ThreatLocker Gold Partner three consecutive years
  • 3-minute-or-less average help desk response time, with same-day ticket resolution on 80%+ of support requests. For a production floor where every minute counts, that number matters

Limitations

  • Founded in 2012. Fourteen years is respectable, but it’s half the operational history of the longest-tenured firms on this list. Manufacturers who weight stability heavily should factor that in
  • Smaller team. Complex multi-site manufacturing environments or operations with 300+ users may stretch capacity. Ask about scale before committing
  • The cybersecurity-forward rebrand is a strength for CMMC buyers, but general-purpose managed IT buyers wanting broad depth (ERP, cloud migration, HaaS) may find less there than with a Centre or Uprite

Best For

Manufacturers with 15–150 users tied to the defense supply chain near JBSA who need CMMC compliance, cybersecurity depth, and fast local response.

Not Ideal For

Large-scale manufacturers needing ERP integration, multi-state coverage, or broad service breadth beyond cybersecurity and core managed IT.

Services

CMMC Certification ServicesManaged CybersecurityIT/OT SegmentationPatch AutomationDisaster RecoveryManaged IT

Industries

ManufacturingDefense Supply ChainDoD Contractors

Why They Rank #2

7tech’s review scores are the highest on this list. The CMMC specialization fills a specific and growing need in San Antonio’s defense-manufacturing corridor. The trade-off is shorter operating history and a narrower service stack than #1 and #3.

3
Enterprise Toolset for Growing Manufacturers
7.9
out of 10
Trust Score

Score Breakdown

Reviews (35%)6.6
Awards (20%)9.0
Years in Business (15%)9.0
Physical Presence (10%)7.0
Specialization (10%)8.0
Service Breadth (10%)9.0
Centre Technologies managed IT services in San Antonio homepage

Centre brings the deepest enterprise-grade technology stack of any provider on this list. Azure, AWS, Dynamics 365 Business Central, and Hardware-as-a-Service all under one roof.

Key Strengths

  • MSP 501 three times (ranked #155 in 2025, a meaningful jump from #388 the prior year). CRN Fast Growth 150 three times. CRN 2026 MSP 500 Pioneer 250. Cloudtango 2026 US Select. A stack of independent recognition across multiple bodies
  • Manufacturing and recycling clients documented through testimonials. An operations manager at a recycling and manufacturing company is quoted on their SA service page
  • Google 4.8 rating with approximately 45 reviews in San Antonio. Strong for a multi-office firm where reviews scatter across locations
  • 200+ employees across Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and Tulsa. Main Street Capital-backed since 2019, which funded expansion into SA and Oklahoma via acquisitions

Limitations

  • Zero published Clutch reviews. The Clutch profile exists but sits empty. For a 200+ person firm with MSP 501 recognition, that’s a gap in third-party verification, and the Trust Score penalizes it
  • Houston is HQ. San Antonio is a branch office reached through acquisition. Buyers should confirm the depth of the local SA engineering team before assuming same-day on-site response
  • No published pricing. Manufacturers who value upfront cost transparency before a sales conversation will find less here than with Uprite

Best For

Mid-market manufacturers (50–500 users) who need ERP integration (Dynamics 365), cloud infrastructure (Azure/AWS), and a technology partner that scales with acquisitions and multi-site growth.

Not Ideal For

Small manufacturers under 20 users looking for simple flat-rate managed IT without the enterprise overhead, or buyers who weight published Clutch verification heavily.

Services

Managed ITAzure / AWS CloudERP (Dynamics 365 Business Central)Hardware-as-a-ServiceCybersecurity

Industries

ManufacturingRecyclingMid-Market Enterprise

Why They Rank #3

Centre’s award stack and service breadth are among the strongest in this market. The Clutch gap and branch-office SA presence hold the score below providers with deeper local roots and stronger review profiles.

4
Four Decades of Texas IT
6.6
out of 10
Trust Score

Score Breakdown

Reviews (35%)5.7
Awards (20%)6.0
Years in Business (15%)10.0
Physical Presence (10%)6.0
Specialization (10%)5.0
Service Breadth (10%)8.0
Aldridge managed IT services San Antonio office homepage

Forty-two years. That’s how long Aldridge has been in the IT business. The company has grown through acquisitions (Serenity Systems, IS Support Inc., Harding Group services division) and now covers Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Seattle.

Key Strengths

  • 42 years in operation. That kind of longevity in IT services is rare. Manufacturers who value stability and vendor continuity should weight this heavily
  • MSP 501 ranked #419. Microsoft partnership with long-standing credentials. Co-managed IT model available for manufacturers with existing internal IT staff
  • Manufacturing, construction, professional services, and oil and gas documented as served industries across their Texas operations. Multi-city footprint supports manufacturers with facilities in more than one Texas metro

Limitations

  • Clutch profile exists with zero published reviews. Google review presence in San Antonio is thin (around 7 reviews). For a 40+ year firm, the public review footprint doesn’t match the operating history
  • Houston-headquartered. San Antonio is one of several offices. Local engineering depth in SA should be confirmed during evaluation
  • Manufacturing isn’t surfaced as a dedicated vertical with its own page or case studies. It’s mentioned alongside other industries

Best For

Manufacturers with operations in multiple Texas cities who need a stable, long-tenured provider with co-managed IT capabilities and a broad geographic footprint.

Not Ideal For

Manufacturers who prioritize strong published review profiles or need deep, documented manufacturing-specific expertise (OT/IT, SCADA, CMMC).

Services

Managed ITCo-Managed ITMicrosoft CloudCybersecurityIT Strategy

Industries

ManufacturingConstructionProfessional ServicesOil & Gas

Why They Rank #4

The operating history is hard to argue with. But the thin review profile and undocumented manufacturing specialization hold the score below providers who’ve invested more in public credibility signals.

5
SOC-First and CRN-Recognized
6.4
out of 10
Trust Score

Score Breakdown

Reviews (35%)6.5
Awards (20%)6.0
Years in Business (15%)6.0
Physical Presence (10%)9.0
Specialization (10%)4.0
Service Breadth (10%)7.0
Evolution Technologies IT services San Antonio homepage

Evolution Technologies earned a spot on CRN’s 2026 MSP 500 Pioneer 250 list. For a San Antonio-headquartered firm focused on SMBs, that’s a meaningful credential.

Key Strengths

  • CRN 2026 MSP 500 Pioneer 250. Independent third-party recognition focused on providers serving SMBs
  • 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC) monitoring with layered cybersecurity: pen testing, vulnerability scanning, and SIEM. For manufacturers facing ransomware threats on production networks, a real SOC is not optional
  • SA-headquartered since approximately 2012. BBB-accredited. Serves 8+ regulated industry verticals. Barrett Jaguar listed as an automotive client, demonstrating production-environment familiarity

Limitations

  • No Clutch profile. No Cloudtango presence. Google review data is limited. The public review footprint is significantly thinner than the top three
  • Manufacturing isn’t broken out as a dedicated service vertical with its own page, case studies, or compliance framework documentation. The specialization evidence is indirect
  • Approximately 14 years in operation. Solid, but younger than most others on this list

Best For

Small manufacturers (10–50 users) in San Antonio who prioritize 24/7 SOC monitoring and want a local, HQ’d-in-SA provider without the overhead of a multi-state firm.

Not Ideal For

Manufacturers needing documented CMMC compliance support, ERP integration, or OT/IT-specific expertise.

Services

Managed IT24/7 SOCPen TestingVulnerability ScanningSIEMCybersecurity

Industries

ManufacturingAutomotive8+ Regulated Verticals

Why They Rank #5

The CRN recognition and SOC capability are genuine differentiators. The thin review profile and limited manufacturing-specific documentation prevent a higher score.

6
Manufacturing on Every Profile Page
6.3
out of 10
Trust Score

Score Breakdown

Reviews (35%)6.0
Awards (20%)4.0
Years in Business (15%)10.0
Physical Presence (10%)6.0
Specialization (10%)6.0
Service Breadth (10%)7.0
High Touch Technologies IT solutions San Antonio homepage

Manufacturing shows up as a core vertical on High Touch’s website, their LinkedIn page, and their Cloudtango profile. That kind of consistency across platforms usually means it’s real, not a recent addition to chase a keyword.

Key Strengths

  • 40+ year operating history. Manufacturing is listed as a key vertical strength across LinkedIn, company pages, and the Cloudtango profile
  • Microsoft P-Seller, the highest attainable partner status within Microsoft’s ecosystem. NOC and SOC capabilities. Software development in-house, which is unusual for an MSP
  • Six office locations: Wichita (HQ), San Antonio, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, and Corpus Christi. 126 employees. Serves clients nationwide

Limitations

  • Wichita, Kansas headquarters. The San Antonio office has operated since 2015, but the center of gravity is in the Midwest. Manufacturers who value a Texas-headquartered provider should consider this
  • No Clutch profile. Google review presence in San Antonio is minimal. No MSP-specific awards (MSP 501, CRN MSP 500) were confirmed in research
  • The Cloudtango profile lists more services than verticals. Manufacturing is stated as a strength, but dedicated manufacturing IT content (OT security, SCADA, compliance frameworks) wasn’t found during research

Best For

Software-dependent manufacturers who need custom software development alongside managed IT and want a company with decades of operating history across multiple industries.

Not Ideal For

Manufacturers who prioritize local San Antonio roots, strong public review profiles, or MSP-specific industry recognition.

Services

Managed ITNOC / SOCSoftware DevelopmentMicrosoft (P-Seller)Cloud

Industries

ManufacturingMulti-IndustryNationwide

Why They Rank #6

The P-Seller credential is rare. The review gap is not. Out-of-state HQ and the absence of MSP-specific awards constrain the score despite real company longevity.

7
The Deepest Manufacturing Sub-Vertical Documentation on This List
6.0
out of 10
Trust Score

Score Breakdown

Reviews (35%)5.7
Awards (20%)2.0
Years in Business (15%)10.0
Physical Presence (10%)6.0
Specialization (10%)7.0
Service Breadth (10%)8.0
CustomIS manufacturing IT support San Antonio homepage

Most MSPs put “manufacturing” on a checkbox. CustomIS built an entire page around it, broken down by sub-vertical: automotive, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, electronics. That’s more sub-vertical depth than any other provider here.

Key Strengths

  • 37 years in operation since 1989. Dedicated manufacturing and logistics IT page with sub-vertical breakdowns by manufacturing type — automotive, pharmaceutical, food and beverage — not just “we serve manufacturing”
  • ERP consulting services (Microsoft Dynamics partner) plus managed AI services and RPA automation. Manufacturers modernizing legacy systems will find more technology-forward capability here than the age of the company might suggest
  • Multi-Texas presence: Arlington (HQ), San Antonio, Austin, Houston, DFW, Fort Worth, Irving, Plano. 24/7 tech support

Limitations

  • No confirmed industry awards (MSP 501, CRN, Inc. 5000, Cloudtango MSP Select). For a 37-year firm, the absence of third-party recognition from MSP industry bodies is a significant gap in the Trust Score
  • No Clutch presence. Google review visibility is limited. The review factor score is the lowest on this list
  • Arlington HQ. San Antonio is a service area, not a dedicated office. On-site response times should be confirmed during evaluation

Best For

Manufacturers who need ERP modernization (Dynamics 365), AI readiness consulting, or RPA automation alongside managed IT, and who value decades of Texas-specific experience over industry award validation.

Not Ideal For

Manufacturers who weight third-party awards, published review profiles, or a dedicated San Antonio office as primary evaluation criteria.

Services

Managed ITERP Consulting (Dynamics 365)Managed AIRPA Automation24/7 Support

Industries

Manufacturing (Automotive, Pharma, Food & Bev, Electronics)Logistics

Why They Rank #7

CustomIS has the deepest manufacturing sub-vertical documentation and the second-longest operating history on this list. But the absence of confirmed industry awards and the thin public review profile put it at the bottom of the Trust Score rankings. That’s the methodology working as designed: it rewards publicly verifiable credibility signals, not just tenure.


How to Choose an MSP for Manufacturing in San Antonio

Match the provider to your plant’s actual compliance, scale, and uptime requirements. Everything else is secondary. Three questions separate the right choice from an expensive wrong one.

What compliance frameworks apply to you? If you’re in the defense supply chain, CMMC is non-negotiable, and 7tech was purpose-built for that. If you’re in food production or pharma, NIST 800-171 and FDA-adjacent documentation matter. If you don’t know your compliance posture, that’s the first conversation to have with any MSP you’re evaluating.

Do you run OT networks alongside standard IT? Manufacturers with SCADA systems, PLCs, or production-floor equipment connected to any network need an MSP that understands the air gap between operational technology and information technology. Ask specifically whether they’ve segmented OT and IT networks for other manufacturing clients. If the answer is vague, keep looking. Uprite and 7tech have both published content on OT/IT convergence.

How many users, and in how many locations? A 30-person single-site operation has different needs than a 200-person manufacturer with facilities in San Antonio and Houston. Uprite’s sweet spot is 10–300 users in Texas metros. Centre scales higher and across more cities. Aldridge covers the broadest Texas geography. Match the provider’s footprint to your actual operations.

Budget reality for San Antonio manufacturers: managed IT typically runs $100–$200 per user per month depending on compliance requirements, endpoint count, and whether you need co-managed or fully outsourced support. Uprite publishes pricing starting at $128/user/month; most others require a conversation. The cheapest option almost always excludes cybersecurity, backup monitoring, or compliance management — that’s where problems start for manufacturers.

Whichever provider you shortlist, ask specifically about IT/OT boundary experience and request a named manufacturing client who’ll take a reference call. You can also browse all IT providers in San Antonio to compare every provider’s Trust Score side by side.


Uprite Services leads this list with a 9.3/10 Trust Score, and the gap to #2 isn’t close. Six consecutive MSP 501 appearances, the strongest verified review profile in the market, and the only San Antonio MSP publishing real manufacturing IT content (OT security, SCADA, production-environment compliance). For most manufacturers in San Antonio, that’s the provider to evaluate first.

If CMMC compliance drives your IT decisions, 7tech at #2 is purpose-built for defense-adjacent manufacturers near Joint Base San Antonio. If you’re a mid-market operation that needs ERP integration and cloud infrastructure at enterprise scale, Centre Technologies at #3 has the deepest technology stack.

Every score on this list reflects the same methodology, the same weights, and the same data sources. Browse all IT providers in San Antonio to compare scores side by side, or read our national guide to the best MSPs for manufacturing.

Manufacturing MSPs (national) →

Trust Score Breakdown

Full sub-scores for all six factors across every provider on this list. Factor weights: Reviews 35%, Awards 20%, Years 15%, Physical Presence 10%, Specialization 10%, Service Breadth 10%.

ProviderReviews
35%
Awards
20%
Years
15%
Presence
10%
Spec.
10%
Breadth
10%
Score
Uprite Services8.810.010.010.08.09.09.3/10
7tech8.99.06.010.07.08.08.3/10
Centre Technologies6.69.09.07.08.09.07.9/10
Aldridge5.76.010.06.05.08.06.6/10
Evolution Technologies6.56.06.09.04.07.06.4/10
High Touch Technologies6.04.010.06.06.07.06.3/10
CustomIS5.72.010.06.07.08.06.0/10

What San Antonio Manufacturers Ask Before Choosing an MSP

They keep your production network running and your data safe so you can focus on making things. That means 24/7 monitoring, patching, endpoint protection, backup, disaster recovery, compliance documentation, and help desk support. For manufacturers specifically, it also means understanding that your production floor and your office network aren’t the same thing and shouldn’t be treated as the same thing.
$100 to $200 per user per month is the realistic range. Lower-end pricing usually excludes cybersecurity, compliance support, and backup monitoring. Uprite publishes flat-rate pricing starting at $128/user/month. Most other providers in this market require a discovery call before quoting. Get the full scope in writing before comparing numbers.
Not all. But if you’re in the Department of Defense supply chain or handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), it’s coming for you. The DoD has been rolling out CMMC 2.0 requirements for defense contractors and subcontractors. San Antonio’s proximity to JBSA means a higher-than-average concentration of manufacturers touched by these requirements. 7tech and Uprite both offer CMMC-related services on this list.
Some can. Not all. The critical question is whether they’ve actually segmented OT and IT networks before, or whether they’re treating your SCADA system like another office PC. Uprite and 7tech have both published content on OT/IT convergence for manufacturing environments. Ask any MSP you’re evaluating to describe a specific engagement where they managed both environments. If they can’t, that’s your answer.
Fully managed means the MSP is your entire IT department. Co-managed means you have internal IT staff and the MSP fills gaps: cybersecurity, compliance, project work, or after-hours monitoring. Aldridge and Centre both offer co-managed models. The right choice depends on whether you already have capable internal IT. Don’t pay for fully managed if you have a strong internal team that just needs specific backup.
Ask for client references in manufacturing specifically, not just “regulated industries.” Ask about average response times, not promised SLAs. Ask what’s included at the quoted price and what costs extra. Ask how they handle onboarding and what happens in the first 90 days. And ask about their last cybersecurity incident response for a client. If they can’t answer any of those, that tells you everything.