After years of walking through businesses of all shapes and sizes, factory floors and monitoring control
rooms, we know one truth: unexpected IT issues can turn a productive day into chaos in just a matter of
seconds.
A fried server. A ransomware attack. A compliance auditor breathing down your neck.
And the worst part? You thought you were covered… because you had “an IT guy.”
But here’s the truth that most folks won’t tell you:
If your IT support is cheap, reactive, or part-time—you’re probably paying more than you think.
So we want to lay it all out for you. No fluff, no jargon. Just the real numbers behind what proper IT
support should cost—and more importantly, what it should do for your business.
First, Let’s Talk About the Hidden Costs of “Cheap” IT
You know what costs a fortune? Downtime.
If your machines stop running because of a server crash or a network issue, you could be looking at:
- $15,000+ per hour in lost production
- Delayed orders, missed deadlines, and angry customers
- An exhausted in-house IT team putting out fires instead of preventing them
And let’s not even get into what a cyberattack can do. One ransomware hit can shut you down for days
or weeks. We’ve seen it happen.
So when people ask us, “Why does this type of service (IT) cost so much?” We flip the question and ask,
“What’s it going to cost you not to invest in it?”
So… What Should You Expect to Pay?
Alright, here’s the meat and potatoes. This is what good, reliable IT support looks like for a business
within the Tri-State area with 50 to 250 employees:
Basic Managed IT Support (for companies with little-to-no IT staff):
- $125 to $175 per user/month
- Covers 24/7 monitoring, help desk, security updates, basic backup
Full-Service Managed IT (including cybersecurity & compliance help):
- $175 to $250 per user/month
- Adds in ransomware protection, advanced endpoint security, and compliance like CMMC/NIST
Co-Managed IT (you have a small IT team, but need help):
- Flat monthly fee + per user support (~$1,500 to $5,000/month)
- Gives your internal team the backup they need—monitoring, escalation, tools, and projects
Pro Tip: If your MSP isn’t giving you fixed pricing or wants to “bill hourly”… walk away. You need
predictable costs, not surprise invoices.
What Should You Get for That Investment?
Here’s what proper IT support should give you—not someday, but right now:
- No more downtime. Your network gets watched 24/7 so problems are caught before they hurt
production. - Security that actually works. Ransomware? Phishing? They've got it handled.
- Peace of mind with compliance. NIST, CMMC, ITAR? Check, check, and check.
- Clear reports & real people. You always know what’s going on—and who to call if something
breaks.
Bottom line?
If your IT isn’t helping you sleep better at night… it’s not working.
So Is It Worth It?
Let’s do the math, just like our friend (client) over in Newark, NJ did.
Our one client runs a mid-sized aerospace shop. Two IT guys. Government contracts. Legacy ERP system.
Every hour of downtime costs him $18,000.
He brought us in for co-managed support. We helped him:
- Cut downtime by 60%
- Stay compliant (no more audit flags)
- Sleep through the night again
Total cost? About $4,000 a month. Now for this client, that’s a rounding error compared to the costs of
doing nothing.
Final Thought from the Shop Floor
We know IT isn’t glamorous. You don’t see it like a new machine on the floor. But when it breaks, the whole operation feels it.
Good IT support doesn’t just keep your computers working. It keeps production moving, customers happy, and your job safe.
So don’t just ask, “What does it cost?”
Ask: “What’s it costing me not to have this handled?”
Ready to protect your shop floor from IT surprises? Let's chat!
No sales pitch, we promise—just a straightforward look at your current IT setup and how we can help keep your operations running smoothly.
Book your Free IT Assessment
Drop us a line: Info@KRSIT.com
Call us directly: 201.402.1900
We speak your language—whether it be small, or large businesses, manufacturing, machinery, etc. We’ll make IT work for you!