Bridging the gap in UK manufacturing IT: strategies for a smarter, safer future
By Al Kingsley MBE, Group CEO of NetSupport
UK manufacturing is at a turning point.
As Industry 4.0 reshapes production environments, digital transformation is no longer a future ambition - it’s a present-day necessity. Manufacturers are under pressure to increase efficiency, reduce costs, strengthen security and meet growing expectations around sustainability and customisation.
Unlike many sectors, manufacturing cannot afford friction. Production lines depend on stability. Downtime is expensive. Disruption has real-world consequences.
So how can manufacturers close the IT gap and build a smarter, safer future?
Modernising legacy infrastructure
Many factories still rely on long-standing legacy systems. While often reliable, they can struggle to integrate with newer technologies and data-driven tools.
Scalable infrastructure - including cloud-based and hybrid approaches - allows manufacturers to modernise without ripping out what already works. The goal is not change for the sake of it, but creating systems that can adapt, update and grow alongside the business.
Strengthening an increasingly connected environment
Increased connectivity brings increased risk. The UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025 found that almost half (43%) of businesses experienced a cyber breach in the past year, equating to approximately 612,000 UK businesses.
For manufacturers, the stakes are particularly high. Operational disruption, data loss and reputational damage can all stem from a single vulnerability.
A layered security approach is essential - combining endpoint protection, continuous monitoring and secure remote access. As more support and management tasks happen remotely, safeguards such as ZTNA, 2FA and strong encryption should be non-negotiable.
Building digital confidence on the factory floor
Technology is only as effective as the people using it.
A shortage of digital skills continues to challenge the sector. Investing in targeted training - whether through online learning, in-house workshops or structured upskilling programmes - helps ensure teams can confidently adopt and maximise new tools.
Digital transformation is not just about systems. It is about people.
Reducing downtime through smarter support
Downtime is one of the most significant hidden costs in manufacturing.
As sites expand across multiple locations - and as hybrid working becomes more common in operational and administrative roles - IT teams need fast, secure ways to resolve issues without waiting for physical access.
Cloud-based remote support tools such as 247Connect enable IT teams to deliver immediate assistance wherever devices are located. That means faster resolution, reduced disruption and greater visibility into recurring issues that may be affecting productivity.
Speed matters. But so does control, auditing and security.
From production line to digital lifeline
Future-proofing UK manufacturing is not about chasing every new trend. It is about building resilient infrastructure, embedding security at every layer and ensuring IT teams have the right tools to support complex environments efficiently.
Manufacturers that take a proactive approach to remote management, secure connectivity and workforce enablement will be better placed to compete, innovate and grow. The right combination of secure remote control through solutions such as NetSupport Manager, alongside cloud-based support via 247connect, gives IT teams the visibility and responsiveness modern manufacturing demands.
The opportunity is there. The question is whether the sector moves decisively enough to seize it.
If you’re reviewing your manufacturing IT strategy this year, what’s your biggest challenge right now - legacy systems, skills gaps, security, or something else?