Introduction
IT consulting refers to the process of advising a business of how best they utilize information technology to meet their business objectives effectively. This practice has become so common in the current global world. Most small but medium-size organizations are increasingly consulting certain independent IT firms since they may not be able to build by themselves. This question requires critical comparison and contrast between the different systems of IT techniques used by different IT consulting firms. Different firms adopt different managerial styles. This is true because many firms are driven by different professionals who possess different academic and technical background qualifications. The organizational structure also has a part to play, rigid and bureaucratic organizations tend to be more static and strict when it comes to information sharing such that when they are developing software the lower-level managers are not actually involved. (Schwerzler, 2000)
Braley vs. CMC
These are two organizations, which use two different IT techniques. In the first place, Braley recognizes the fact that there is no need for RFP. To them they believe that organization needs to understand the nature, capability, and structure of a firm in order to develop a new system and that RFP is therefore not a must. While the CMC believes in the use of a proposal when considering a selection of a new computer system. They believe the use of a proposal is cost saving as well as time. (Schwerzler, 2000)
Braley on the other side proposes that when an organization is considering developing a new system there needs to be high user involvement. This will make the employees involved to understand the system and thus promote a culture of maximum participation. On the other side, CMC excludes the end-users and thus complicates the process by making the end-users not understand the basics. The use of the system will be limited to specific people in the organization. This is discouraging especially in a growing organization where employees are would want to sharpen their skills. (Schwerzler, 2000)
Again on the other hand Braley believes in a theory of developing an integrated system that will try to incorporate the human behavior and institutions requirements for now and in the future. CMC insists on traditional systems which have been used over and over again. This makes Braley more flexible and convenient. This is because the current global world is dynamic and that organizations should be better equipped to handle any changes that come with opportunities. (Adler, 2009)This can only be achieved when there is room for flexibility.
Braley also believes in signing valid and well-written contracts before they consider extending their services to a firm. It suggests that genuinely written contracts are core for business consulting. While CMC believes that vendors are evaluated based on the proposal. (Adler, 2009)
The two companies use the same expensive software and are focusing on the output of the system. It should be remembered that developing a new system for an organization requires heavy capital investment. They again tend to value their clients in the same way, give much attention to addressing the issues to clients. I think this because it’s a tradition in business to protect your clients more than anything. Several consulting firms use these links in or order to make these systems more users friendly. (Adler, 2009)
Conclusion
IT consulting is important in the modern economic world as a small businesses may not be able to develop their own systems. However, care should be taken to ensure that a system developed is actually compatible with the organizational structure and that its user friendly to all employees.
List of References
Adler, L (2009) Avoid Managerial Misfits and other Great ways to Reduced Turnover. Web.
Schwerzler, D (2000) Family Business Friends. Web.