IT Services for Engineering Firms
in Charlotte, North Carolina
Netsafe Solutions delivers IT services for Charlotte engineering firms — CAD workstation performance, PLM integration, IP protection, ITAR-aware environments. 22-year Microsoft Partner.
Netsafe Solutions provides IT services for Charlotte-area engineering firms — civil, mechanical, electrical, structural, environmental, and multi-discipline consulting firms — from our office at 8510 McAlpine Park Drive, Suite 203. We configure high-performance CAD workstations (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Revit, Civil 3D, Inventor, Creo), manage PLM platforms (SolidWorks PDM, Vault, Arena), deliver 24/7 Black Point Cyber SOC monitoring (endpoints at 16-minute response, M365 tenant at 7-minute response), configure ITAR-aware environments for defense engineering, and protect intellectual property through sensitivity labels, DLP, and documented access controls. Pricing is per-device monthly for support, with each security tool priced individually on a month-to-month basis -- tailored to what your business actually needs. No onboarding fee. We've supported Carolina engineering firms since our founding on November 21, 2003.
Why Engineering IT Is Different
Engineering firms are built on three assets that IT either protects or leaks: intellectual property (designs, drawings, calculations, proprietary methods), CAD performance (engineers cost $100-300/hour; slow workstations waste that time), and collaboration with clients and consultants (most projects involve sharing sensitive design data with other firms, general contractors, and owners).
The IP reality: Engineering designs represent years of R&D investment, licensed proprietary methods, and competitive advantage. A single theft of design files can cost a firm its competitive edge. Engineering firms are actively targeted by nation-state actors (for defense-adjacent projects), competitor-sponsored industrial espionage, and ransomware gangs who know designs have significant ransom value.
The CAD performance reality: Engineers measure IT quality in how fast their workstation opens a 500 MB assembly, how smoothly the GPU handles 3D manipulation, and how quickly file saves complete over the network. A badly provisioned CAD workstation loses 20-30% of engineer productivity. For a firm with 20 engineers at a $150/hour billable rate, that's $600K-900K in annual lost productivity from under-provisioned IT.
The compliance reality: For firms touching federal defense, aerospace, or controlled-technology projects, ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) and EAR (Export Administration Regulations) create strict data handling rules. ITAR data cannot leave US-controlled infrastructure or be accessed by non-US persons without specific licensing. Microsoft 365 GCC High exists specifically for ITAR-compliant cloud collaboration. For defense contractor engineering work, CMMC Level 2 compliance is increasingly required.
Netsafe Solutions configures engineering IT for the specific combination: CAD performance, IP protection, client collaboration without data leakage, and ITAR/CMMC compliance when the project mix requires it.
What Netsafe Solutions Provides for Engineering Firms
CAD Workstation Performance
Generic business-class laptops can't handle production CAD workloads. Netsafe specifies, deploys, and tunes CAD workstations:
- Workstation specification — guidance on CPU (high single-thread performance for CAD), GPU (workstation-class NVIDIA RTX Ada or A-series, not gaming GPUs), RAM (64-128 GB for assembly work), and storage (NVMe for working files, spinning/HDD for archives)
- SolidWorks performance tuning — graphics card certification check, SolidWorks Settings Wizard, RealView/RealTime graphics optimization, large assembly mode configuration
- AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Revit tuning — hardware acceleration enabled, display adapter settings optimized, project file storage on fast network paths
- PTC Creo, Autodesk Inventor, Fusion 360 — application-specific optimization based on how engineers actually use each tool
- Dual-monitor and 3D-mouse integration — SpaceMouse deployment, multi-monitor color calibration for design review work
- Network license server configuration — FlexNet, Autodesk Network License Manager, SolidWorks SolidNetWork License (SNL) configured for high-availability license checkout
Intellectual Property Protection
Engineering designs are the crown jewels. Netsafe protects them:
- Microsoft Purview sensitivity labels — "Design — Confidential" and "Design — Restricted" labels applied to CAD files and project folders
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies — block outbound emails or external shares containing design file extensions (.sldprt, .sldasm, .dwg, .rvt, .ipt, .iam) unless approved with justification
- SharePoint and OneDrive governance — project-specific sites with membership limited to assigned team, external sharing logged and time-limited
- File auditing — who accessed what design file, when, from where — retained for 180+ days
- USB and removable media policies via Intune — block or audit removable media use on design workstations; optional full block on workstations handling controlled designs
- Email attachment DLP — blocks outbound CAD files over 10 MB unless routed through a controlled sharing workflow
- Endpoint DLP via Defender for Endpoint (for firms with higher risk profile) — prevents copy/paste and file operations that would move controlled design data to unmanaged destinations
PLM & PDM IT Infrastructure
Product lifecycle and data management systems anchor engineering operations. Netsafe manages the IT infrastructure around PLM/PDM platforms — server hosting, database maintenance, workstation connectivity, backup, and access control. Platform-specific configuration (workflows, schemas, templates, vault structure) is coordinated with the PLM vendor or your implementation consultant:
- SolidWorks PDM (Standard and Professional) — archive server hosting, SQL Server backend maintenance, client deployment via Intune, replication between offices, backup coordination
- Autodesk Vault (Basic, Workgroup, Professional) — server hosting, Vault Client deployment via Intune, backup coordination
- Arena PLM (cloud) — SSO via Entra ID, user provisioning, access control
- PTC Windchill — on-prem server infrastructure, database maintenance, client deployment
- Siemens Teamcenter — server infrastructure for on-prem or cloud deployments
- Upchain, Propel, OpenBOM — cloud PLM SSO and access configuration
ITAR & Export Control Compliance
For engineering firms handling defense, aerospace, or controlled-technology projects, export control compliance is not optional:
- ITAR-compliant M365 environment — evaluation of whether your project mix requires Microsoft 365 GCC High (for ITAR and DFARS 7012 CUI) or standard M365 with compensating controls
- GCC High migration planning and execution — for firms confirming ITAR scope, we plan and execute migration from commercial M365 to GCC High, including data migration, user re-provisioning, and documentation
- Access control by citizenship status — ITAR requires controlling access to ITAR data based on US person status; we configure Entra ID groups and Conditional Access accordingly
- CUI handling (DFARS 252.204-7012) — for defense supply chain firms, configuration meeting NIST 800-171 controls and CMMC Level 2 alignment
- Export-controlled file identification — Purview sensitivity labels for "ITAR-Controlled" and "EAR-Controlled" content with corresponding DLP policies
- Audit and logging — export-control event logging retained 5+ years as required by ITAR recordkeeping
Client & Consultant Collaboration
Engineering projects require sharing sensitive design data with clients, consultants, and contractors without losing control:
- External file sharing via SharePoint — time-limited share links, authenticated access (no anonymous), watermarking, download blocking for view-only sharing
- Project portals — dedicated SharePoint sites per project with vendor/consultant access scoped to that project only
- Secure large-file transfer — configured workflows for sharing multi-GB design packages without email attachment limits
- Client design review via Teams — secure video collaboration with screen sharing for design reviews, recorded with retention policies
- Bentley ProjectWise, Autodesk BIM 360/ACC integration — project collaboration platforms supported with SSO and access control
Endpoint Security for Engineering Environments
Every engineer workstation, laptop, mobile device, and server runs the managed security stack:
- SentinelOne EDR — behavioral AI catching ransomware (which would encrypt years of design work), lateral movement, credential theft
- Black Point Cyber SOC endpoint monitoring — 16-minute average response when threats are detected
- NinjaOne RMM — patch management across Windows workstations and Linux CAD/simulation servers, software deployment, compliance reporting
- DefensX DNS filtering — blocks malicious domains including known design-theft staging servers
- BitLocker full-disk encryption on every laptop — critical for engineers who travel to client sites with proprietary designs
- Admin rights management — just-in-time admin elevation for CAD operations that require it, without standing local admin privileges
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How We Price Engineering Firms IT
Most MSPs force their entire tool stack on every client regardless of need. Netsafe Solutions builds your stack around what your business actually requires — transparent, itemized, month-to-month on every tool.
Per-Device Support
Monthly per endpoint · Quoted- Unlimited remote helpdesk during business hours
- On-site support available (pre-approved T&M)
- 1-year service agreement — standard MSP practice
Microsoft 365 Licensing
Monthly per mailbox · MSRP rates- Business Basic — $7.20/user/mo
- Business Standard — $15.00/user/mo
- Business Premium — $26.40/user/mo
- Enterprise (E3/E5) — quoted per tenant
- Licensing sourced through Pax8
Security & Management Tools
Each priced individually · Month-to-month · No forced bundles- NinjaOne RMM — monitoring, patch management, remote management, vulnerability scanning
- SentinelOne EDR — AI-powered endpoint detection and response
- Black Point Cyber SOC — 24/7 human-led endpoint + M365 tenant monitoring
- DefensX — DNS filtering and web protection
- Checkpoint Harmony — advanced email security (anti-phishing, anti-BEC)
All M365 pricing reflects current month-to-month Microsoft MSRP. Tool pricing is quoted per customer based on environment size and needs. No onboarding fee — migrations and security hardening are included in the first month’s management fee. Contact us for a custom quote →
Why Charlotte Engineering Firms Choose Netsafe
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you support both SolidWorks and AutoCAD users in the same firm?
Yes — most multi-discipline engineering firms run both. We configure each engineer's workstation for the primary CAD platform they use, with standardized performance tuning across platforms. License server configurations (FlexNet for Autodesk, SolidNetWork for SolidWorks) coexist on the same network.
We're considering moving from on-prem SolidWorks PDM to cloud. Can you help?
Yes. We manage the IT infrastructure side of PDM migrations — server preparation, database migration, network readiness, workstation reconfiguration, data backup, and cutover scheduling. For platform-specific migration steps (vault structure, workflow remapping, history export), we coordinate with your SolidWorks reseller or PLM vendor's technical team. Migration from on-prem PDM to cloud PLM (Arena, Propel, Upchain) is a larger project — we plan and manage the IT side over typically 6-12 weeks depending on data volume while the vendor handles platform-specific configuration. For firms evaluating 3DEXPERIENCE (SolidWorks' cloud platform), we manage the IT infrastructure for planning and pilot deployment.
Do we need Microsoft 365 GCC High?
Only if your project mix includes ITAR or DFARS 7012 CUI. Most engineering firms don't need GCC High — standard M365 Business Premium with properly configured Conditional Access, DLP, and sensitivity labels meets the needs of most commercial engineering work. For firms that bid on defense projects, touch aerospace controlled technology, or handle export-controlled designs, GCC High is typically required by contract. Netsafe conducts a scoping conversation to determine which applies to your firm before recommending.
What happens to our CAD data if a key engineer leaves?
Documented offboarding same day: Entra ID account disabled, session tokens revoked, PLM/PDM access removed, OneDrive content reassigned to their manager, design files on local workstation sync'd to organizational storage before device wipe. We maintain file-level audit logs so if anything unusual was accessed or exfiltrated before the engineer's departure, we have visibility. For engineers leaving to competitors, this audit trail is often critical for IP protection.
Can our consultants access designs without us losing control?
Yes. SharePoint project sites with consultant access scoped to specific projects, time-limited access tied to contract duration, watermarked documents that can be viewed but not downloaded (for view-only consultants), and detailed access logs showing who viewed what and when. For consultants who need fuller access (multi-week collaborative design work), we configure guest accounts in Entra ID with MFA required and access limited to the specific project's resources.
How does Netsafe handle our network license servers?
We manage the server infrastructure that license managers run on — dedicated servers with high availability, monitoring, patching, and backup. For license manager-specific configuration (FlexNet for Autodesk/PTC, SolidNetWork License for SolidWorks, and others), we coordinate with the software vendor or reseller's technical team. We monitor license server health and checkout patterns, and help coordinate annual renewal logistics with your Autodesk, SolidWorks, or PTC reseller.
We have a lot of large-format printers and plotters. Do you support those?
Yes. Plotters (HP DesignJet, Canon imagePROGRAF, Epson SureColor large-format) integrate with our managed network and get the same secure print configurations as office printers. We handle driver deployment via Intune, network routing, print quota management (if desired), and vendor coordination for hardware service.
Our engineers travel to client sites. Can they access everything securely?
Yes. Entra ID Conditional Access allows remote access with MFA and trusted-device requirements from any location. For accessing on-prem PLM/PDM or large design files over a client's guest wifi, we deploy VPN clients (Meraki Client VPN, Cisco AnyConnect, or similar) with split-tunnel configurations that route design traffic through the encrypted tunnel while letting general internet traffic flow locally. BitLocker full-disk encryption is enforced on all traveling laptops — if a laptop with design files is lost at an airport, the data is unrecoverable without the key. ---
Let’s Talk About Your Engineering Firms IT
Tell us about your environment and what you’re dealing with. We’ll get back within one business day with a straight assessment and a quote. No pressure, no sales pitch.
Or call us directly
(704) 333-0404
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Areas We Serve
Netsafe Solutions provides IT services for engineering firms across 27 cities in North Carolina and South Carolina.
North Carolina: Charlotte, Concord, Huntersville, Matthews, Cornelius, Waxhaw, Gastonia, Kannapolis, Monroe, Mooresville, Salisbury, Statesville, Hickory, Newton, Shelby, Albemarle, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Lexington
South Carolina: Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Columbia, Spartanburg, Lancaster, Chester, York, Gaffney
Netsafe Solutions — IT services for engineering firms in Charlotte since 2003.
8510 McAlpine Park Drive, Suite 203, Charlotte, NC 28211 | (704) 333-0404
Last Updated: April 2026