Richard Beukes
IT Consultant for Small Manufacturers | South Africa & Namibia
You don't need a full IT department. You need the right person on call.
Let's TalkAvailable for small and mid-size manufacturers across Southern Africa
IT services that actually fit your business
Whether you run a 15-person workshop, a 200-person plant, or a growing business that's outpaced its IT — I can help. I work with small and mid-size businesses across South Africa and Namibia. My sweet spot is manufacturing, but if your IT is costing you more than it should, we should talk. No Big 4 price tags. Just hands-on expertise that fits your budget.
Fractional CIO for Small Business
You can't afford a full-time CIO, but you still need strategic IT leadership. I build technology roadmaps, evaluate vendors, plan cloud migrations, and provide governance for small manufacturers across Johannesburg, Windhoek, and beyond. Get senior-level expertise without the full-time salary.
From R5,000/monthMicrosoft 365 & Azure for SMEs
End-to-end M365 deployment, Azure infrastructure, security hardening, and license optimization. As an affordable Microsoft 365 consultant for small business in South Africa, I help you eliminate waste and improve productivity. Most small manufacturers waste 40% of their M365 budget on licenses they don't need.
From R950/hourShopfloor Digitization
Still tracking production on paper and spreadsheets? Replace manual processes with real-time dashboards, production tracking, and digital workflows. Built with modern tools like Next.js, React, and SQL Server. Affordable shopfloor digitization designed for small manufacturers who need visibility without enterprise complexity.
Project-basedSmall Business Cybersecurity & POPIA
Affordable vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, POPIA compliance consulting, and security awareness training. As a cybersecurity consultant for small business in South Africa, I protect manufacturers from threats and help you meet compliance requirements without breaking the bank. One breach costs more than years of prevention.
From R950/hourHome & Business Automation
Smart home and smart office setups that actually work. Access control, energy management, camera systems, lighting automation, and network infrastructure. Whether it's your house or your business premises, I design and implement automation that saves time, money, and energy.
Project-basedSoftware & Business Process Automation
Stop paying people to do what software should handle. Power Automate workflows, custom integrations, report automation, invoice processing, stock alerts � if your team is doing it manually and repeatedly, I can automate it. Built for small businesses that need to do more with less.
From R850/hourNumbers that matter
- Built custom shopfloor MES for small manufacturer, replacing paper with real-time dashboards
- Led M365 E3 deployment across 3 countries for mid-size manufacturing client
- Drove ERP evaluation and selection for growing manufacturer across SAP, Oracle, and Odoo platforms
- Former Dimension Data consultant specializing in enterprise virtualization across MEA region
- Work with businesses of all sizes — from 10-employee workshops to 200-person production facilities
- Azure Solutions Architect Expert | CompTIA Security+ | 7x Citrix Certified Professional
How I work with small manufacturers
Discovery Call
We talk about your pain points. No corporate pitch, no pressure. Just 30 minutes to understand your manufacturing business, IT challenges, and budget. Whether you're in Johannesburg, Pretoria, or Windhoek, we can talk.
Assessment
I map your current state and identify quick wins versus strategic moves. You'll get a clear roadmap with realistic timelines and pricing designed for small business budgets. No hidden costs, no upselling.
Execution
Hands-on delivery. I don't just advise, I build and implement. You work directly with me throughout the engagement — no junior consultants, no account managers. Just me, my experience, and your business.
I'm not a consulting firm that sends juniors. When you hire me, you get me. All my experience, all my expertise, focused on solving your manufacturing IT problems — whether you're a 10-person workshop or a 200-employee production facility.
Tech I work with
Cloud & Platform
Development
Security
Infrastructure
Automation
Common questions from small manufacturers
Yes. My services are designed for small manufacturers with 10 to 200 employees across South Africa and Namibia. Hourly rates start at R950, and fractional CIO retainers begin at R5,000 per month — far less than hiring a full-time IT manager. Many small businesses start with a few hours of consulting to fix urgent issues, then scale up as needed.
A fractional CIO gives you strategic IT leadership without the cost of a full-time executive. I build IT roadmaps, evaluate vendors, plan cloud migrations, and provide technology governance. For small manufacturers who don't have an IT department, I become your trusted advisor — helping you make smart technology decisions without the overhead of a full-time hire.
Yes. I work with small and mid-size manufacturers across South Africa and Namibia. While I'm based in Gauteng, I support clients in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Windhoek, and other cities through remote consulting and hybrid on-site engagements.
Small manufacturers have unique IT needs that generic consultants don't understand: shopfloor systems, production tracking, ERP integration, uptime requirements, and tight budgets. Most small SA manufacturers still run on spreadsheets and WhatsApp. I help you digitize operations, improve security, and build systems that actually work for your business — without enterprise prices.
Shopfloor digitization replaces paper-based processes and spreadsheets with real-time digital systems. This includes production tracking dashboards, quality control data capture, operator work instructions, and machine data integration. For small manufacturers, this means better visibility, faster decisions, fewer errors, and the ability to compete with larger players. I build affordable custom solutions tailored to your budget and operations.
Hourly consulting rates start from R950 per hour for hands-on technical work like Microsoft 365 deployment, cybersecurity assessments, or POPIA compliance. Fractional CIO retainers begin at R5,000 per month for ongoing strategic support. Project-based work like shopfloor digitization is quoted individually based on your needs and budget. All pricing is designed to be accessible for small and mid-size businesses.
Ready to upgrade your IT?
Whether you need affordable IT outsourcing, a fractional CIO, or someone to help you move off spreadsheets and WhatsApp, let's start with a conversation. Serving small manufacturers across South Africa and Namibia.