Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I really need outside help for an IT project?

How do I find the right IT consultant for my business?

Do I really need outside help for an IT project?

It depends on the complexity of the IT project your organization would want to embark on. First, if you have an MIS, EDP, or IT department, can your IT staff work full time on this new project without being interrupted frequently by their existing responsibilities? Do they have sufficient experience developing such projects? If it's a small project, it's possible you can do it. But for projects that can stretch for several months or years, it would be better to hire somebody to do it for you. Now, if you don't have any IT staff, the more reason you should ask for outside help.

For a very long time, companies that specialize in developing IT solutions have been assisting businesses around the world. These companies already have full-time specialists in its staff designing and implementing high-impact IT solutions for businesses like yours. It will be less expensive (and therefore more efficient) to avail of the services of a qualified company already staffed with specialists such as systems analysts, database designers, programmers, testers, and technical writers than to hire all of these specialists yourself.

How do I find the right IT consultant for my business?

There are key questions you need to have answered to increase your chances of making a wise selection, and it’s a good idea to ask them in this order:

1. Do they understand my business? It’s not necessary that they have worked on the same specific industry you're currently in. It's enough that they demonstrate sufficient understanding on the nature of your business. For example, if you operate a chain of hardware stores, don’t focus on whether the IT solutions provider has already developed for another hardware store chain. If they have in-depth experience working on, say, small retail businesses with multiple stores, then you can still feel safe with them.

   When in doubt, don't hesitate to test them. Present to them some of the problems that you need fixed. If they don't impress you much with their answers, call in the next candidate.

   Just a little warning: some of these techie-wannabes tend to overwhelm you with hi-tech language and buzzwords that even they can't decipher. They think they can get away with it perhaps because most of the time they do. Don't let them.

2. Are they the right size for my budget? If you're a small business looking for a big IT consulting company to help you, chances are, your account will likely end up either being neglected or being turned over to those with little or no experience. Big IT consultants just can’t make money working with small businesses.

   One way to gauge if an IT supplier will give you their full attention and support is to ask them how many clients they have who spend approximately in the range of your projected budget. If all their accounts are much bigger, beware. If yours will be their biggest account, that can be a plus for you.

3. How good are they? If they’re good, you bet they’ll be proud of it and show you their previous works. Pay careful attention to those examples that are closely relevant to your business. Focus on the functionalities, not the flashy screens and interfaces. Ask them to demonstrate the features that they claim to have in their work especially those that you find relevant for you.

   You may also want to call up their clients to confirm the IT consultant’s role and contribution to the success of the projects.

   One way to test their skill and creativity is to commission a small project. Just don't expect it to be free. Pay them to do it. IT consultants can’t afford to give away what they do for a living any more than you can.

   Another mark of good IT consultants is responsiveness. Your phone calls should be returned within hours and they should clearly show an enthusiasm for helping you.

4. Do you like them? Often, relationships break down because people don’t like the people they’re working with. In the same way, if you can't stand the people who would be creating the IT solution for you, don’t hire them. Look for somebody else.

   Remember, your IT consultant are your partners for your success. Treat them well. Trust them. Don't withold relevant or important information from them. If you do, they won’t be able to do a good job for you.