The Three IT Challenges Generic MSPs Can't Handle
Construction companies have three IT challenges that separate specialized providers from generic ones:
- Job site connectivity — providing reliable network access for field teams without permanent infrastructure
- Construction software support — Procore, Bluebeam, Sage 300 CRE, Primavera P6, and estimating platforms have unique infrastructure needs
- Cyber insurance and bonding requirements — underwriters and bonding companies are increasingly requiring documented security controls as a condition of coverage
A generic MSP will handle your office laptops fine. They will not know how to design a mesh network for a 30-acre job site or configure Procore integrations with your accounting system.
Construction Software: What Your MSP Needs to Know
| Platform | Category | IT Requirements |
|---|
| Procore | Project Management | Cloud-based but requires reliable field connectivity; mobile device management for field iPads/tablets; SSO integration |
| Bluebeam Revu | PDF Markup & Collaboration | License management; Studio session connectivity; file server access for large drawing sets |
| Primavera P6 | Scheduling | Oracle database backend; server sizing for large project schedules |
| Sage 300 CRE / Sage Intacct | Accounting / ERP | SQL Server management; remote access for field PMs and superintendents |
| PlanSwift / STACK / Bluebeam | Estimating | Large file handling; screen resolution requirements for drawing review |
| Autodesk Construction Cloud / BIM 360 | BIM & Drawings | High-bandwidth for large model files; VPN access for field review |
Job Site Connectivity: The Hardest Problem in Construction IT
Permanent internet infrastructure doesn't exist on construction sites. Field teams need connectivity for Procore, RFI responses, drawing access, time tracking, and increasingly video surveillance. The options:
- Commercial LTE/5G routers (Cradlepoint, Peplink, Digi) — fastest to deploy, best for smaller sites or early phases before permanent internet
- Temporary fiber drops — appropriate for large projects longer than 12 months; requires ISP coordination and may have lead times
- Mesh Wi-Fi networks — for larger sites requiring coverage across multiple areas; can extend from a central LTE connection
- Starlink for construction — increasingly viable for remote sites; latency improvements have made it usable for most construction applications
What this looks like in practice
A general contractor with a 14-month commercial project needed coverage across a 40-acre site for 85 field workers using Procore and daily video surveillance uploads. Solution: two Cradlepoint routers with commercial 5G SIMs providing primary connectivity, a Ubiquiti mesh network covering the site in three segments, and a local NAS for offline Bluebeam file access. Total cost: ~$800/month in cellular plus one-time hardware and setup. Compare that to weeks of lost productivity from field workers driving back to the trailer to upload RFI responses.
Cyber Insurance and Bonding Requirements
This is the fastest-changing part of construction IT. Bonding companies and general contractors — especially those working on public projects — are increasingly requiring evidence of cybersecurity controls as a condition of bonding or subcontract award. Cyber insurance underwriters are requiring specific controls before offering coverage.
Controls that underwriters most commonly require for construction companies:
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) on email and remote access
- Endpoint detection and response (EDR) on all company devices
- Offsite or cloud backups with tested restore procedures
- A documented incident response plan (even a simple one)
- Employee phishing awareness training (documented)
- Privileged access management — IT admin accounts separate from daily-use accounts
Construction companies without these controls in place often find they can't get cyber coverage, or are quoted rates 3–5x higher than competitors who have implemented them. Your MSP should be able to complete a cyber insurance questionnaire on your behalf and document your current control posture.
Data Backup for Construction: What You're Actually Protecting
Construction companies don't always think about data backup the way other industries do, but the data at risk is significant:
- Project drawings, specifications, and submittals (often gigabytes per project)
- Subcontractor contracts, change orders, and lien waivers (legally critical)
- Certified payroll records (required for public work)
- Owner correspondence and RFI logs (your protection in disputes)
- Financial records and job cost data
For construction companies using Procore, backup of the Procore environment is handled by Procore. But local accounting data (Sage, QuickBooks), estimating data, and office systems need separate backup. A construction MSP will account for your full data landscape — not just the servers.
What to Ask When Evaluating a Construction MSP
- How many construction companies do you currently support? What sizes?
- Have you configured Procore, Bluebeam, and Sage CRE in a production environment?
- How do you handle job site connectivity — what solutions have you deployed?
- Can you help complete a cyber insurance questionnaire? Do you have experience with construction company insurance requirements?
- What's your process for field device support (tablets, ruggedized laptops)?
- Do you have after-hours coverage for project-critical issues?
Pricing: Construction IT Support Costs
Construction IT support typically runs $120–$185 per user per month for office and field staff. Additional costs to plan for:
- Job site connectivity: $400–$1,500/month per active site depending on connectivity method
- Field device management: $15–$25/device/month for MDM on field tablets
- Cyber insurance compliance buildout: $5,000–$20,000 as a one-time project for most small-to-mid GCs
Frequently Asked Questions
What IT systems do construction companies typically use?
The most common platforms are Procore (project management), Bluebeam Revu (PDF markup), Primavera P6 (scheduling), PlanSwift or STACK (estimating), Sage 300 CRE (accounting), and Autodesk Construction Cloud. An MSP that supports construction companies should have configured at least Procore and one estimating/accounting platform in production environments.
How do construction companies handle IT for job sites?
Field connectivity options include commercial LTE/5G routers (Cradlepoint, Peplink), temporary fiber drops for large long-duration projects, mesh Wi-Fi networks, and Starlink for remote sites. A construction IT specialist designs for intermittent connectivity and offline work modes rather than assuming reliable internet.
Do construction companies need cyber insurance and does IT affect their rates?
Cyber insurance is increasingly required by bonding companies and general contractors. Most underwriters require MFA, EDR, offsite backups, and a basic incident response plan. Construction companies without these controls either can't get coverage or pay significantly higher premiums. Your MSP should be able to document your control posture for underwriters.