Working in IT can be stressful. 
You’re relying on your technical knowledge and keeping tabs on an industry that continues to change.
Once a solution is outdated or inadequate, you also need to coordinate new implementations that still work with the rest of your IT environment.
But you need to avoid downtime, too. In today’s business environment, if something stops working with IT, productivity stops or is significantly hampered until you fix it.
That’s a lot of responsibility to carry. Thankfully, you don’t have to do it alone.
IT consulting companies, like The KR Group, can provide a lifeline when you need an extra hand.
We’ve helped companies with all sorts of projects and services to alleviate some of the pressure, so they can focus on supporting your business through technology.
Each business has unique needs, but we’ve found that the most common reasons IT departments engage an IT consulting company include:
- Purchasing solutions through the channel model
- Having inadequate time
- Looking for external expertise
- Needing training or knowledge transfer
- Wanting cybersecurity consulting
It’s always a good idea to check if your prospective IT consulting company can help you with the above needs. Assuming they do, you’ll find the IT consultant will help alleviate the stress you have regarding IT management.
You Can Only Buy Certain Solutions Through an IT Consultant
The most obvious reason you’ll want to engage an IT consulting company is to purchase solutions only available through the channel model.
Some IT manufacturers, including Cisco, don’t sell directly to customers. Instead, they rely on value-added resellers (VARs) to distribute products.
If you search Google for the specific solution, you’ll likely find some vendor selling it online, but you’re not benefiting from the full services of a VAR.
When you work with a VAR that also has consulting services, you’ll receive personalized service. First, the VAR will take the time to understand what goals you’re looking to achieve with new solutions. Then, they’ll take that information and make a recommendation based on your budget, current environment, and longevity of the solution.
In addition to purchasing solutions, you can also request service support to help implement your new technology. You can ask for as much or as little help as you need.
IT Consulting Companies Help When Time Is Short
By contracting with an IT consultant for their services, you’ll also see significant time savings.
At the beginning of a project, they can give you accurate information about shipment times or delays.
Of course, they’ll also help you design the specific solution you’re working on. Bring additional resources and knowledge to the project allows you to move from planning to implementation faster.
Take a phone system, for example. This is a project most IT managers only oversee once or twice in their careers. However, in a single year, IT consulting companies may help dozens of businesses with the same project.
IT Consultants Offer External Expertise
Another common reason businesses work with an IT consulting company is to gain access to the expertise they don’t have internally. 
This can be a lengthy contract for access to expertise, such as managed or co-managed IT services and managed IT security services.
Or, it could be for an in-depth that requires specific, high-level knowledge.
For example, implementing a new phone system requires you to understand the nitty-gritty of VOIP solutions. If you don’t already know how to do this, you may spend months just learning and getting comfortable with the process.
You’ll undoubtedly have a better understanding of VOIP phones if you go through that process. However, consider how many times you’ll need that knowledge compared to the amount of time it took to gain the competency.
Frequently, working with an IT consultant makes much more sense timewise. As a bonus, they’ve likely done the same type of work dozens of times before.
Even if you have the expertise, you may still want to work with an IT consultant to find an external perspective with the same level of knowledge.
You Can Take Advantage of Training
A good IT consulting company will allow you to assist with the actual deployment if you think that would benefit your IT department’s ability to maintain the new solution.
And even if you don’t have the time or desire to be a part of the deployment, an IT consultant will still transfer knowledge regarding the maintenance of the new system.
This includes any training necessary to make you and the IT department feel comfortable taking over the new technology.
Additionally, they can help you train your users if the new implementation requires it.
IT Consultants Give You The Most Current Security Information
Cybersecurity is a significant reason IT departments consider working with an IT consulting company.
Solutions and best practices are continually evolving to address the latest cybersecurity threats.
As an internal IT department with a long list of duties and responsibilities, there’s limited time to stay up to date on how to keep your environment secure.
However, the risk of not having adequate cybersecurity protection is
Many IT consulting companies, including The KR Group, have security consulting services to protect your business from the latest threats.
Working With an IT Consulting Company
Whether you need a specific solution, an extra hand when time is low, or expertise you don’t have internally, and IT consulting companies offer you the resources you need.
You can also use them for training, knowledge transfer, cybersecurity consulting.
Are you thinking this sounds like a relationship you want to have?
The first step is to find a local consultant that meets your needs. If you’re in West Michigan, we hope The KR Group is on your list of prospective IT consulting companies.
You can check out more about our IT consulting services in the following articles:
- IT Consulting Rate for 2021
- Top 5 Benefits of Working with an IT Consulting Company
- How Long a Security Risk Assessment Lasts [Steps & Timeline]
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