Pros and Cons of IT Consulting Services

If you’re running a business that requires utilizing software and programming, you might have considered consulting with experts. Is it worth the investment? The quick answer is that with a proven IT expert behind your project, you can ensure you navigate the complexities of technology effectively. Otherwise, there is a risk of wasting time and money on something that doesn’t work for you.

What are the other pros and cons of hiring an IT consultant, and how can you choose the right IT consulting services? This article gets you covered.

What is an information technology consultancy?

An IT consultant is a professional in the technology field who assists businesses in choosing software, ensures technology updates, and provides recommendations about new technologies. This person can assess companies’ computer systems, such as data, analytics, and cybersecurity. Typically, IT consultants have computer science or software engineering degrees and a proven track record of successfully delivered projects.

Why you need IT consultants

How do you know if you need IT services and consulting for your business?

Here are the most common situations that require consultancy.

1. You’re launching a startup: If you aim to create a technology business, the assistance of an IT consultant in your niche is crucial, since they can help you plan and leverage cutting-edge technologies tailored to your objectives.
2. You want to update your technology product: If you haven’t updated your product for quite some time and want a fresh look at it, contacting a consultant would be a smart choice. Their advice will give you a new perspective and let you properly update your technology product.
3. You plan to expand your product functionality: Opt for assistance from an IT consultant if you’re willing to make changes to your IT infrastructure, scale your business, and improve its functionality.
4. You’re preparing for a sale: IT consultancy helps you maximize the technology value of your product to prepare it for a sale or IPO.
5. You face intense competition in the market: If you need to win the competition when your market niche is too crowded, look for an IT consultant to stand out with technology benefits.
6. You want to migrate your data: If you're going to migrate your data from one system to another, get the assistance of an IT consultant. This will eliminate the risk of data loss and downtime.
7. Your project is under cyberattack: In case of data security issues, hurry up and hire an IT consultant to conduct security audits and eliminate safety vulnerabilities.
8. You face other technical problems you can’t overcome: If you have no explanation for your current issues, it makes sense to ask for help from an IT specialist. They will conduct a comprehensive audit to identify the problem.

Pros and cons of consulting

What are the pros you gain out of IT consultancy?

• Valuable expertise: An experienced consultant is someone who worked in many IT fields and gained a deep understanding of market trends, technologies, and the most common technical issues. This expertise is your key to a fast and efficient solution.
• Flexibility: You don’t necessarily have to hire a consultant on a long-term basis. Instead, you can leverage their expertise until it is no longer relevant to your project. Once the problem is solved, you’re free to move forward without any further obligation.
• Cost-efficiency: Thanks to IT consultants, you can significantly reduce your operational costs. This will not only pay off the consultancy cost but also save your budget in the long run.

Are there any cons you should consider?

• Extra expenses: Consultancy requires spending additional money that's not always included in your yearly budget. Typically, an external consultant firm charges per hour. The final cost depends on the complexity of your project.
• Uncertainty: Hiring an external consultant involves a degree of risk, since you cannot be certain about the results. To ensure the effectiveness of the services, thoroughly explore the consultant’s previous experience and portfolio.

How to choose a reliable IT consultant

You can choose an in-house consultant, a dedicated consultancy team, or an outsource specialist. In either case, ask your potential consultant for examples of their work, their typical workflow, and metrics for evaluating the project. Also, check out the reviews and make sure that your candidate has a good reputation in the industry. Another critical factor is their familiarity with your specific field. You can expect a higher efficiency degree if they have prior experience in your area.

Which is better, to hire an in-house specialist or to opt for an external consultant? It depends on your project. Suppose you have many issues to solve or are planning a long-term project with plenty of subprojects. In that case, you may need an internal consultant or a dedicated technical team with proven expertise, such as DigitalSuits. On the other hand, if you just need an initial assessment of your project or a plan for technical improvements, you may benefit from an external outsourcing consultant.

In addition, we recommend that you conduct an internal analysis first before bringing in the external specialist. This will save consultants time and, therefore, reduce your final consultancy cost.

How to set a task for consulting

There are two sides to a task for IT consultants: technical and financial. In other words, you should define the technology result you want to achieve and the budget you’re ready to spend on it.

For example, you might wish to determine a technology stack that best suits your project objectives, scalability plan, and budget. Another example is when you want a consultant to find weaknesses in your project and plan further improvements or prepare a list of technologies for solving a specific problem. You can even request to evaluate your employees' technical skills and expertise and plan improvements.

To wrap up

The pros and cons of IT consulting greatly depend on how well you’re prepared to opt for this kind of service. First of all, you need to clearly define your goals and objectives you want to achieve/overcome with the help of an expert. Get prepared for extra expenses; however, expect to pay them off in the long run. To ensure efficiency, don’t hesitate to request samples of the consultant's previous works and other proof of their expertise in your field. Consider choosing from a number of options, such as an in-house consultant, a dedicated consultant team, or an outsourced specialist. In either case, make sure that they have the methodology and proper tools for solving your tasks. To set a task for IT consulting, conduct your internal research to understand your current situation better and formulate a task in line with your needs and budget. Once you’ve chosen a reliable specialist and are prepared to set a task, let professionals help your business succeed.