In the Brabant region of the Netherlands—a global hub for advanced manufacturing—IT reliability is not just a convenience; it is the backbone of production. Libra ICT, an IT services provider led by Commercial Director Bart Veldhuis, has become a trusted partner for manufacturers who demand precision, security, and uninterrupted operations.

Leading with a Mission: Personalized IT for Manufacturing

Veldhuis brings a rare combination of engineering and IT expertise to Libra ICT. Originally trained as a mechanical engineer, Veldhuis transitioned into IT over three decades ago and later moved into sales and leadership roles. His engineering background gives him an intimate understanding of manufacturing processes, enabling him to design IT solutions that align perfectly with operational realities.

Today, Veldhuis leads with a clear mission: to provide personalized, high-quality IT services that minimize downtime and maximize productivity for manufacturing clients. “We operate in one of Europe’s most innovative regions, serving manufacturing companies that produce everything from niche components for ASML machines to high-volume industrial products. These businesses rely on highly specialized IT environments that differ significantly from those in other sectors.”

While many industries have embraced cloud computing, manufacturing firms keep critical engineering data and machine controls on-site to ensure real-time responsiveness. “This on-premises dependency creates unique challenges that require deep technical expertise and a proactive approach to IT management,” Veldhuis explained.

The Challenge: Fragmented Tools and Rising Complexity

For manufacturing companies, downtime is not an option. With 24/7 production lines, even brief IT disruptions can halt operations and jeopardize delivery schedules. The convergence of IT and OT systems, legacy equipment, and rising security threats add complexity, while the adoption of AI and advanced analytics demands more sophisticated IT support. IT has shifted from a support function to a critical enabler of business continuity and growth. 

As Veldhuis explains: “It used to be a lot of paperwork, little IT, and now it’s heavily dependent on IT. When something goes wrong, they can maybe run for another half hour or an hour and then it stops, and that means now we need to focus more on security.” 

This reality became the catalyst for Libra ICT’s evolution to ConnectWise Asio, a unified platform delivering automation, real-time visibility, and advanced security—ensuring manufacturers remain operational, secure, and ready for the future.

Embracing the Asio Platform for Unified Visibility and Automation

Before adopting the ConnectWise Asio platform, Libra ICT relied on a patchwork of disconnected tools that created inefficiencies and limited visibility. Technicians had to navigate multiple platforms to troubleshoot issues and slowing response times. 

By consolidating tools into a single, integrated platform, Libra ICT gained unprecedented visibility and control. Veldhuis explains: “Now [with Asio] we have a suite of integrated ConnectWise products, which saves us a lot of time and gives us insight into both our customers’ IT environments and our own financial data.” Technicians can now access historical data instantly, enabling faster troubleshooting and reducing the need for on-site visits. As Veldhuis notes: “The time to resolution has dropped significantly—from every two days to half a day (+75% improvement)—because we have more data at our fingertips.”

Security Powered by ConnectWise Asio: Continuous Monitoring and Rapid Response

Libra ICT’s security framework is built on the ConnectWise Asio platform, leveraging integrated SOC and SIEM capabilities for continuous monitoring, rapid incident response, and proactive risk mitigation in manufacturing environments. “There’s always something that doesn’t belong—maybe an external engineer’s laptop or a student’s device. We need to catch it and isolate it immediately.”

This vigilance has prevented potentially catastrophic incidents, including one memorable case where Libra ICT detected an infected laptop brought in by a mechanic. Initially, the client dismissed the warning, but further investigation revealed their entire network was compromised. Veldhuis recalls: “We ended up finding a hacker in their system. If we hadn’t caught it early, it could have shut down production for days.” The financial implications of such an event are staggering. In manufacturing, according to Veldhuis, “downtime can cost up to $100,000 per day,” making early detection and rapid response essential.

Streamlining Third-Party Patch Management

Managing patches for third-party applications has historically been time-consuming and resource-intensive. Previously, IT teams had access to only a few dozen applications, requiring manual updates across individual workstations. With the introduction of an expanded catalog featuring over 7,000 applications, the process has transformed.

“We can now patch third-party products centrally, eliminating the need for hands-on updates at each device,” said Veldhuis. On average, this improvement saves 15–30 minutes per system per month. For a site with 200 PCs, that equates to approximately 50 hours saved every month—time that can be redirected to higher-value tasks.

Compliance is also simplified. For businesses with cyber insurance requirements, proving monthly patching is now automated and effortless, reducing risk and administrative overhead. “The expanded catalog of over 7,000 applications has been a game-changer. We no longer have to touch every workstation, and we’re saving roughly 50 hours a month on patching.”