Has your technology setup grown without you really noticing? One day you had an ERP system, a few licenses, and now you’re juggling dozens of apps—MES dashboards, supplier portals, scheduling software, and more.
A recent survey found that small businesses with under 500 employees now use an average of 172 cloud-based tools. Many manufacturers don’t even have a dedicated IT department to keep it all running.
Without a plan, those systems clash, create bottlenecks, and drain money. That’s why manufacturers need a clear IT roadmap to connect business goals with the right technology.
A few years ago, IT was “in the background,” just keeping systems on. Now, IT drives production, quality control, supply chain, compliance, and customer delivery.
Without a roadmap, manufacturers face:
Security gaps that invite cyberattacks.
Wasted spending on unused licenses and redundant systems.
Systems that fail when production scales up.
Customer delays that damage reputation.
The question isn’t whether to create an IT roadmap—it’s how fast you can build one that keeps your production lines, staff, and supply chain aligned.
An IT roadmap is more than a tech checklist—it’s a strategic plan that evolves with your business. Here’s how to create one:
Before talking software, ask:
Do you want to reduce downtime?
Improve supply chain visibility?
Expand into new markets?
Clear goals make it easier to prioritize IT decisions.
Take inventory of your ERP, MES, QMS, and vendor systems. You may find:
Duplicate tools that overlap.
Outdated apps slowing down staff.
Systems nobody uses anymore.
Sometimes training fixes the issue. Other times, it’s time to replace or upgrade.
After the audit, you’ll have a long list of issues. Rank them:
Which ones impact daily operations most?
Which provide the biggest ROI?
Which reduce risk fastest?
Focus on fixes that move the needle in production first.
Look beyond sticker price. Include:
Implementation and training.
Ongoing maintenance and updates.
Downtime during rollout.
Ask: Can we afford not to have this upgrade if downtime costs us customers?
A successful rollout includes:
Clear owners for each step.
Training timelines.
Testing before going live.
Without this, even good tools fail.
Compatibility, support, and long-term reliability matter more than flashy features. Ask for references, check reviews, and see how fast vendors respond before you commit.
Manufacturing needs shift. Markets shift. Tech evolves even faster.
Review your IT roadmap quarterly to measure ROI, spot gaps, and adjust before you fall back into ad-hoc fixes.
Done right, an IT roadmap will:
Cut wasted IT spending by eliminating duplicate systems.
Reduce downtime by ensuring systems integrate properly.
Streamline operations across ERP, MES, and vendor platforms.
Improve customer experience with faster, more reliable processes.
Prepare your plant for growth without tech bottlenecks.
Every day without a roadmap is another day technology could be holding you back.
Q: What is an IT roadmap in manufacturing?
It’s a strategic plan that aligns business goals (like reducing downtime) with the technology and systems that support production.
Q: How often should manufacturers update their IT roadmap?
Quarterly reviews are best. Manufacturing environments and supply chains change quickly.
Q: What’s the biggest risk of not having an IT roadmap?
System sprawl—when overlapping tools create inefficiencies, waste money, and cause downtime.
Q: Does an IT roadmap only apply to large manufacturers?
No. Even small and mid-sized Idaho plants can benefit, especially since many run dozens of disconnected apps without oversight.
Q: How does an IT roadmap reduce costs?
By cutting unused licenses, consolidating systems, and focusing investments where they bring the most value.
At TotalCare IT, we help manufacturers in Boise, Idaho Falls, and across Eastern Idaho:
Audit existing ERP, MES, and IT systems.
Build IT roadmaps that align with business goals.
Eliminate inefficiencies and prepare for growth.
👉 Ready to turn your IT from a patchwork into a growth engine? Schedule a call with TotalCare IT today.
We’ll help you design a roadmap that keeps your factory competitive, efficient, and future-ready.