Why You Should Only Hire Experienced and Certified IT Consultants

What is an IT Consultant?

An IT consultant provides advice and guidance to businesses on how to best utilise their digital technology effectively. Consulting is a broader term that encompasses a range of services based on your business’s specific needs.

These services can include designing and implementing new technological systems, securing, and repairing existing systems, troubleshooting, and resolving technological issues, as well as providing advice on best practices for integrating technology into your business.

IT consultants come from a wide range of backgrounds and expertise. They are industry experts who have experience working with businesses of all sizes and in all industries. They can help you identify areas within your business that could benefit from the use of technology. They can also provide guidance on which technology is appropriate for your business needs and how to best utilise it.

Benefits of Hiring an Experienced and Certified IT Consultant

Hiring an experienced and certified IT consultant can provide many benefits for your business processes. These benefits can help improve operational efficiency and lead to cost savings. By working with an IT consultant, you can benefit from their expertise, allowing you to focus on running your business while they take on the responsibility of managing your company’s digital technology.

There are many ways that hiring an IT consultant can benefit your business. Here are some of the top benefits you can expect:

• Improved Efficiency
  With a certified and experienced IT expert, your business can gain an edge in efficiency that may otherwise be impossible to achieve. Technology can help streamline your business processes and increase productivity, but it can also create inefficiencies. Consulting with an IT expert can help identify areas of inefficiency and give you advice on how to fix them.
• Increased Security
  When it comes to security, there is no such thing as too much. Your company’s sensitive data is one of your most valuable assets and needs to be protected at all costs. IT experts can help you secure your systems by offering best practices, leveraging their expert knowledge of the latest technological trends and innovations.
• Improved ROI
  When you invest in technology, you are making an investment in the future of your business. You want that investment to pay off, but it won’t if your technology isn’t up to par.

Working with an IT consultant can help you select technology that will maximize your investment and provide the highest ROI possible. IT consultants can also help you optimize the use of your technology so that you get the most out of every dollar spent.

Why it's so important to find the right partner

Today, hundreds of IT service providers are doing business around Western Australia.  The question is that how you will be able to identify a genuine and reputed company?  Here are recommendations on what to look out for.

Expertise & Experience

Look for IT professionals that have been in the IT industry for a long time.  They are exposed to the industry trends and have resolved vast amounts of IT related issues.  They can identify issues faster and more effectively.

Most IT professionals charge a high hourly rate, so you want to make sure you are getting the expertise that you are paying for.  So, beware of extremely low hourly rates.  They are usually ‘fresh’ IT consultants looking to get into the industry.  Due to their lack of knowledge and experience, they will be spending more time figuring it out rather than resolving the problem and it could cost you a lot more money.

Therefore, not all the companies provide such attractive facilities by employing certified technicians, who have gained expertise by working in this field for years. To make a profit from the business, many IT services businesses send fresher and non-certified persons to fix their client’s problem.

Qualifications

Ensure the IT professional you are hiring is qualified.  The IT industry is not regulated so it’s quite easy for someone to ‘pretend’ to be a professional.  Check whether they have industry qualifications from leading vendors such as Microsoft.  Not all qualifications are equal though.  There are specialise areas of expertise.  Look whether they attended TAFE or University.  These courses take are few years and require dedication to finish.

They also need the right skill set.  A computer science graduate is particularly good at programming but is not usually an expert on small business computer systems.  They may not understand the business workflow, their everyday database system, servers, and networks.  Where a system engineer will be more qualified to resolve IT related issues of a business.

An IT professional is also always improving their knowledge and skills.  Technology never stands still.

Trust & Reputation

Data security has never been more important in today’s modern computing.  Governments around the world are introducing privacy and data protection acts.  This is to protect the consumer and the business.

A company or an IT professional must have good values to ensure confidentiality is upheld with the utmost importance.  An experienced IT professional depends on trust as it affects their credibility.

Reputation can sometimes speak louder than experience. You want to make sure you’re working with a reputable and certified consultant who has a proven record of accomplishment of success.  Check the work that has been done and customer reviews to get a better understanding.

Important Areas of Focus for IT Consultants

When you work with an IT consultant, you can rest assured that they will come with a comprehensive plan that addresses all the key areas of focus for IT experts. Here are some of the key areas that you can expect your IT consultants to tackle:

• Business AnalysisAn IT consultant can help you better understand your business by analysing your current computer systems and their processes. They can provide insight into what technology you need, how to best utilise it, and how it can improve your business processes.
• Business ArchitectureYour business architecture refers to the design of your technology. IT consultants can help you create a blueprint of your technology and make recommendations for how to best design, implement, and manage it.
• Technology StrategyYour technology strategy is the path you choose for your IT systems. An IT consultant can help you create a strategy that supports your business goals and objectives.

Common IT Consulting Services

There are many different types of IT consulting services that you can expect from an IT consultant. These common services can help improve your business in many ways. Here are a few of the most common services offered by IT consultants:

IT Infrastructure Assessment and Optimisation

The first step in any effective IT consulting engagement is to assess and optimise the existing IT infrastructure. This involves a thorough review of the current technology systems and processes to identify areas for improvement and optimization.

IT infrastructure assessment typically involves a team of experts reviewing the network architecture, hardware, software, security protocols, and other components of the IT environment. This process helps to identify areas of inefficiency, security vulnerabilities, and other issues that may be hindering the performance of the IT system.

Once the assessment is complete, the consulting team will provide recommendations for improving the IT infrastructure, such as upgrading hardware, implementing new software solutions, or enhancing security protocols. These recommendations will be tailored to the specific needs and goals of the business and will help to optimize the IT environment for maximum performance and efficiency.

Cybersecurity Consulting and Solutions

Cybersecurity is a critical concern for businesses of all sizes and industries. With cyber attacks becoming increasingly common and sophisticated, it is essential to have robust security measures in place to protect sensitive data and systems.

Cybersecurity consulting services can help businesses identify and mitigate security risks, implement best practices for data protection, and develop effective incident response plans. Consulting teams may also provide ongoing monitoring and management of cybersecurity systems to ensure that they remain up-to-date and effective.

In addition to consulting services, IT consultants may also offer cybersecurity solutions such as firewalls, antivirus software, and intrusion detection systems. These solutions can help to prevent cyber attacks and protect against data breaches and can be tailored to the specific needs of the business.

Cloud Computing Consulting and Migration

Cloud computing has revolutionised the way businesses store, process, and share data. With the cloud, businesses can access powerful computing resources and storage capacity without the need for expensive hardware or on-premise infrastructure.

Cloud computing consulting services can help businesses assess their current IT environment and determine the best cloud strategy for their needs. This may involve a review of existing applications and software, as well as an analysis of potential cost savings and scalability benefits.

Once the cloud strategy has been determined, IT consultants can help businesses migrate their data and applications to the cloud. This may involve a phased approach, with some applications and data being moved first, followed by others over time. The consulting team will work closely with the business to ensure a smooth transition and minimal disruption to operations.

Data Management and Analytics Consulting

Data is a valuable asset for businesses, providing insights into customer behavior, market trends, and other key metrics. However, managing and analyzing large volumes of data can be a complex and time-consuming process.

Data management and analytics consulting services can help businesses make the most of their data by streamlining processes and implementing effective analytics tools. This may involve a review of existing data management systems, as well as an analysis of data quality and consistency.

Consulting teams may also provide guidance on data governance and compliance, helping businesses ensure that their data practices are in line with industry regulations and best practices. With effective data management and analytics, businesses can derive valuable insights and make informed decisions to drive growth and success.

IT Project Management and Implementation

Implementing new technology solutions can be a complex and challenging process, requiring careful planning, execution, and management. IT consulting firms can provide project management and implementation services to help businesses successfully deploy new systems and technologies.

This may involve working with vendors and other stakeholders to develop project timelines, budgets, and deliverables. The consulting team will oversee the implementation process, ensuring that all components are integrated and functioning properly. They may also provide training and support to end-users to ensure a smooth transition to the new system.

Effective IT project management and implementation can help businesses achieve their technology goals with minimal disruption and maximum ROI.

Custom Software Development Services

Off-the-shelf software solutions may not always meet the specific needs and requirements of a business. In these cases, custom software development services can provide a tailored solution that meets the unique needs of the business.

Custom software development typically involves a team of experts working closely with the business to understand their specific requirements and develop a solution that meets those needs. This may involve developing new software from scratch, or customizing existing software to meet specific requirements.

The consulting team will oversee the development process, ensuring that the software is delivered on time and within budget. They may also provide ongoing support and maintenance to ensure that the software remains up-to-date and effective.

Custom software development can provide businesses with a competitive advantage by delivering a solution that is tailored to their specific needs and requirements.

It's not just IT skills alone

An experienced professional always utilises the latest technology applicable to the business requirement. To save time and provide instant support, many IT Professionals and companies are providing solutions by remotely accessing their client’s computer through the internet.  Other qualities to look for is:

• CommunicationStrong communication is essential between your business and your IT consultant. The more open you are about your goals, challenges, and priorities, the more likely your consultant is to achieve success.
• Ability to explain in Plain EnglishEven though it’s beyond your understanding, the IT professional must be able to explain solutions and issues.
• Resource ManagementA successful IT strategy starts with the management of resources. Your consultant should be able to demonstrate an understanding of available resources and how they can best be used to achieve the desired outcome.
• Risk ManagementNo technology is risk-free. By managing risk, you can reduce the likelihood of experiencing negative outcomes. A good IT consultant will be able to help you identify potential risks and develop a strategy for minimizing those risks.
• Customer ServiceA IT professional must have people skills.  The stereotype of a ‘nerd’ usually rings true.  An IT professional who possesses both customer service skills and IT expertise is the one to look out for.

Conclusion

In today’s technology driven world, IT consulting has become a critical component of business growth and success. With the right IT consulting services, businesses can optimise their IT infrastructure, enhance cybersecurity, leverage cloud computing, manage data effectively, implement new technology solutions, and develop custom software to meet unique needs.

Having an inexperienced IT consultant(s) can cause you more problems and money.  It’s not worth the risk.  Ensure you take the time and effort to research the IT consulting business before entrusting your data and computer system.