When you already know how beneficial using IT consulting services can be, heading for top consulting companies should only be a matter of time for you. But making a decision to use the services of an IT consultant and choosing the right one are two separate things.
Digital transformation calls for bold but also precise actions, and you need to tread carefully to succeed. Certainly, not every technology consultant is a good partner in this endeavor. The right business solutions are available at your fingertips, but only experienced, full-fledged IT consulting companies are able to find a perfect match for every case and every client.
This article will provide tips on how to choose the right IT consulting firm for your business. It will cover factors to consider, such as the firm's expertise, experience, and reputation, as well as the importance of aligning with your business goals and needs.
Table of contents:
1. IT consultants: who are they and what they do
2. IT consulting services – benefits for businesses
3. How to choose the right IT consulting partner?
4. Choosing an IT consulting firm – wrap up
IT consultants: who are they and what they do
Tackling tech issues precisely is a challenge for many non-tech companies nowadays. IT specialists they hire often can’t see the big picture and are unable to solve complex problems. And that’s where a full-fledged IT consulting company comes to play and makes things very different.
The role of IT consultants, or technology consultants, is to provide consulting services in all areas of information technology. But these specialists are not only professional advisers with industry know-how; they are also people of action who assist companies in executing suggested changes.
In general, tech consultants guide their clients throughout the world of digital trends so that they choose to use not any new technologies or solutions, but the right ones. They help companies solve certain tech problems and reach particular business goals related to IT infrastructure, systems, or tools.
IT consulting services, Codete’s way
Whatever type of IT consulting services you need, you can get them at Codete’s Consulting Department. It comprises 30+ engineers and managers who understand industry-specific issues perfectly. We have profound expertise and vast experience, and we can resolve virtually every issue a client may have.
Through the years, we have worked with companies of all sizes, representing different industries, like automotive, fintech, healthtech, and energy.
There are many ways Codete’s IT consultants help can help your business, including optimizing your infrastructure or code, enhancing your software development process, and preparing a sound IT strategy that covers cost and risk reduction. What’s more, we can verify your digital product idea and plan the resources for its delivery during a product vision workshop.
You can schedule a free, confidential, and noncommittal IT consulting session with Codete’s Consulting Manager to find out more.
IT consulting services – benefits for businesses
There are many reasons why making use of IT consulting agency services can be beneficial for your business, be it big or small. What you should always keep in mind is that tech consulting services are not for large companies only, and SMEs (small and medium enterprises) can gain a lot from them, too.
What are the potential benefits of using services offered by consulting firms, then?
Let’s enumerate some of them:
- getting access to the most recent IT knowledge and state-of-the-art technologies,
- making more informed decisions regarding your company’s tech stack,
- limiting the risk involved with launching new tech products or implementing new technologies,
- cost-effectiveness (hiring external tech consultants is cheaper than having them in-house),
- modernizing the company’s IT infrastructure,
- optimizing IT development processes,
- raising an organization’s cyber security posture,
- saving money in the long run (due to not making costly mistakes and meeting business goals).
Does your company need IT consultants?
There are many instances when making use of IT consulting services can be very beneficial for your company. Some of them include cases when:
- you feel that your company is not ahead of the curve tech-wise,
- you feel overwhelmed by the number and complexity of new technologies and don’t know what to start with to use them, too,
- you want to create an optimal tech stack for your business,
- you don’t know how to find and hire the right IT people for your project,
- you want to make an important decision where tech factors are involved,
- you want to improve your business procedures,
- you are planning a major IT-related investment,
- you are willing to launch a digital product and want to verify its chances to succeed,
- you want your digital assets to be better protected,
- you want to make sure that your business objectives are met,
- you need professional advice – fair assessment, inspiration, or encouragement – regarding any IT-related area.
If you can put your name on any of these statements, you’d better contact an IT consultancy firm – and a good IT business consultant – as soon as possible. They can provide you with broad strategic vision and very down-to-earth advice on specific, even seemingly minor, issues.
How to choose the right IT consulting partner?
However, choosing the right IT consulting company is not a piece of cake, and you shouldn’t treat it as such. You’d better not select an IT consultant hastily, without having much thought about it. Nothing should be left to chance in this regard because the stake is very high. For example, making mistakes in cyber security or IT systems building can cost you a fortune.
But what exactly should you pay attention to? Let’s have a look at the most important factors.
These are:
Experience and expertise
Experience is factor number one to be considered when choosing the right IT consulting company. In this case the more the better – in terms of the number of previous clients, industries, countries, and company sizes they represented. If IT consultants have been there and come across many real-life challenges related to a particular domain they will most probably know how to overcome them. On the other hand, being up-to-date with the latest technology trends is a must, too.
Reliability proofs
To check if the tech person or IT consulting company is right for you, you may ask to see a portfolio that will prove that they can provide a thorough and multifaceted service. You can also perform a Google check for track record, search business platforms like Clutch, and verify online recommendations – as well as personal ones if you happen to know someone using IT consultants’ services.
Team size
A single IT consultant – even a tech rockstar – may not be the best adviser for your company. Versatility pays off in this regard – and a team of professionals who specialize in different tech areas and can shed light on various aspects of your project is way better. They can present many points of view, solutions, skills, and ideas on how to meet your business needs best.
Costs
Yes, you should compare particular offers before choosing one and take cost into account, but you definitely shouldn’t look for bargains and special offers when trying to find a good IT consultant. Unique expertise and vast experience can’t be cheap, and those who have them don’t need to organize sales. What you should pay attention to, however, are payment terms, unforeseen cost handling, or additional hourly fees if costs are not project-based.
Clarity and transparency
You should know what you pay for, and everything must be clear in this regard, not only when it comes to money. Make sure that there are no hidden fees and pricing is transparent. Methodologies, time plans, engaged resources, type of assistance and services have to be listed in the agreement, too. Meeting deadlines is also crucial, and it should be clearly indicated what the consequences will be if that doesn’t happen.
Choosing an IT consulting firm – wrap up
There are many self-proclaimed IT experts or „tech rock stars” in the market, but you definitely shouldn’t knock on any door. You should tread carefully as the decision you are going to take when choosing an IT consultant to help you handle asset and operations management is going to have grave consequences.
Also, there are many services offered by consulting firms, like IT strategy consulting, IT project management consulting, and IT infrastructure or cybersecurity advisory. Obviously, you may not need everything that's on the plate but, on the other hand, you may need a more comprehensive service than you had initially thought.
That’s because the IT consulting process is way more than buying computers for the company and putting them in one network. It’s a multifaceted area – or an interdisciplinary approach – and a skilled guide is needed for you to grasp it fully, make use of all benefits and avoid possible flops that can be very costly.
Emerging technologies change – itself and the digital landscape – lightning-fast, and it’s way more difficult to grasp the tech world today than it was 10 or even 5 years ago. There are many possibilities within the IT environment – but also threats – you may simply not be aware of. And an IT consultant will help you go with the flow smoothly – provided you choose the right one.
Need business strategy consulting or advice on how to choose the best technology for your project? If you want to make sure that you hire the best IT management consultants in the market, don’t hesitate to contact Codete now.
