IT consulting, often known as technology consulting, refers to services designed to assist clients in employing information technology (IT) and digital assets to successfully accomplish their business objectives. The advising and implementation services are both included in the IT consulting segment, although transactional IT operations are not.
Market for technology consulting
Technology and it consulting services are thought to account for $48 billion in the global consulting market, or about 20% of it. Since 2011, the technology consulting industry has grown year over year, with the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) fluctuating between 2.5% and 3.0%. A huge increase in demand for IT consulting services is anticipated in the next years, with growth rising as a result of major technology megatrends like digitisation, analytics, cloud, robots, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Keep in mind that how the market is sized depends heavily on the definitions used for IT consulting. Experts have come to the conclusion that the foundation of a technology consulting project’s scope consists of non-repeatable services. Examples of recurring services that don’t fit the definition of technology consulting include administering outsourced services or maintaining the IT infrastructure (both of which are managed services). But there is still some ambiguity. The market segment for IT consulting is valued at less than a fourth of the whole industry according to ALM Intelligence, the source used by Consultancy.in (see the section ‘Market Segments’ for information).
It is estimated that the size of the IT consulting market would triple if IT implementation, systems integration, and software management were included in the definition. It is estimated that between 40% and 50% of the market is occupied by IT consulting according to other analysts who use a broader definition.
Services in the field of IT
Generally speaking, there are eight main disciplines within the (broader) market for consultancy services related to IT: IT Strategy, IT Architecture, IT Implementation, ERP services, Systems Integration, Data Analytics, IT Security, and Software Management.
IT strategy places a strong emphasis on strategic IT proposals and IT advisory, two services that typically mark the beginning of every IT project. Depending on their complexity, engagements can last anywhere from six weeks to six months, with the normal duration being between two and three months.
Projects that lay the groundwork for future IT work include developing a corporate IT strategy, building a business case for an ERP system, and creating a cybersecurity vision. IT architecture defines the technology framework that supports business activities by examining IT processes and systems.
Architecture services come before any efforts to deploy IT or integrate systems, and projects typically take six to twelve months. Among the consulting services offered are those for creating an enterprise landscape, developing a service-oriented architecture (SOA), and assisting with the outsourcing of architecture operations to a third party.
The designing, implementation, and/or maintenance of ERP systems and modules is what enterprise resource planning (ERP) services help clients with. Choosing an ERP package, redesigning company processes using an ERP template, and implementing products like SAP or Oracle are just a few of the key ideas.
The systems integration domain examines how various computer systems and software programmes may collaborate to make sure that systems function as a coordinated whole. It frequently entails making sure that ERP systems and modules can communicate with other, more specialized applications that are installed on the IT infrastructure.
IT implementation covers all services involved in the planning and execution of technology-driven initiatives, whereas IT security focuses on risk, security, and compliance obligations in the IT landscape.
Software management is the process of organizing and maximizing the acquisition, use, maintenance, deployment, and disposal of software programmes inside a company.
The final emerging field is data analytics, which focuses on methods and technologies that may transform massive volumes of data into insightful knowledge to aid in decision-making. Business intelligence, workforce analytics, customer intelligence, data warehousing (big data), and predictive modeling are typical offerings in this area.
A consultant in IT does what?
Clients use the services of technology consultants to assist them in utilizing information technology to accomplish corporate goals or solve challenges. The task might be strategic (such as coming up with a new IT strategy or IT cyber-security approach), tactical (such as putting in place an ERP system or choosing an IT system), or very operational (such as the development of a mobile application).
Consultants in technology
Over the past ten years, consulting companies have expanded and refined their technology expertise as IT has become a more crucial enabler of business and digital goals. Analysts often distinguish between three different kinds of IT consulting companies: huge global players that specialize in IT, generalist businesses with a distinct IT consulting division, and niche IT companies that concentrate on a particular market or specialty.
