IT consulting differs markedly from a fix-as-you-go arrangement and a fully managed IT service. Although many businesses prefer to go the fully managed route, there are numerous benefits of the IT consulting model for your business; five of these are presented below.
- It can run alongside a managed IT service
IT consulting for a specific reason on the business can be brought in alongside an ongoing IT service contract. It can be for as short or long as the project lasts, and the scope can be determined by you or in consultation with the provider. The process is akin to outsourcing a specific business issue to a firm of specialists.
- Can be used on an ad hoc basis
You only bring the consultants in when you need them for a specific service, keeping costs low, using them on a project-by-project basis. If you know your IT needs are not too demanding or you have some IT background, this may be the route you chose. It allows you to manage any small problems that might arise and only bring in a consultant when there are bigger fixes required.
- You can build capacity for IT in house
The consulting process allows your staff to work alongside professionals in the field for the period of the consultation. They will then have to implement, monitor, and run the system once the consultants leave. These staff will thus grow in IT, tech knowledge, and confidence, allowing the basic tech issues related to any new systems to be dealt with in-house.
- The consultant will identify, strategize, and solve the problem
The specific problem or issue is dealt with from end to end. Online Computers are professional examples of such end-to-end consulting services. When a specific problem is diagnosed in the business, the aim of the consultant will be to develop a solution and the tech tools required to implement the fix. The manner in which this cycle can work is a means to bring about continuous improvement in the business. As soon as a problem is identified, workarounds are developed with business systems and processes to overcome the problem, and staff trained to manage these workarounds without the consultant.
- Core business continues while a fix is theorized and implemented
You can dedicate outside man-hours to solving an issue while the core business continues with your internal manpower. If you find the right consulting company, you could negotiate for IT services to be provided outside of your own working hours. This means you don’t have any down-time, and they are able to tackle IT issues without having to work around your staff. Thus improving time and resource management.
The route you choose to go as a business will depend on the needs of the business. Costs will also be a key determining factor so ensure that you shop around and only go with those who have a good reputation and clear history of success in the aspect that you are looking to improve in your own business. Be sure of the issue that you want solving, or at least ensure that there is a detailed discovery period before a consultant is hired so that you end up with the right fix.