What IT advisory covers
We look at your situation, the options available, and what they cost to introduce and run. You get a recommendation you can act on, and reasoning you can share with the rest of your management team.
- IT strategy and prioritising digital projects
- Choosing between off-the-shelf systems and custom software
- Integrations and how your systems fit together
- Review of quotes, estimates and deliveries
Off-the-shelf or custom?
We build software, but it isn't always the right answer. If an off-the-shelf system solves the problem better or for less, we'll recommend it. Sometimes the best advice is to wait.
How it works
- 01
First conversation: we hear about the decision you're facing and what matters to you.
- 02
Recommendation: you get a written recommendation with pros, cons and our assessment.
- 03
Next steps: you can put the recommendation into practice yourselves, or we can help with delivery.
Who it's for
Businesses facing an IT decision that want a technical assessment before committing. That includes management teams without an IT background, and IT leads who'd like a second opinion.
Usually not the right fit for: general IT operations, helpdesk or fixed service contracts for computers and networks.
The recommendation is yours, whether or not we're involved afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
Does the first conversation cost anything?
No. The first conversation is free and there's no commitment. We use it to understand what you want to achieve, not to sell you something you don't need.
What happens afterwards?
You get a recommendation and a suggested next step. We tell you what we think is right for you, even if the best next step is to wait or to solve it in-house. You decide where to go from there.
How big are the projects you take on?
Anything from a single integration to a complete system. We split larger projects into phases, so you have something working along the way and can decide on the next phase once you've seen the results of the first.
Do you work with non-technical decision-makers?
Yes, often. Many of the people we work with are owners, directors and operations managers without an IT background. We explain the choices so you can decide, without jargon and without hiding what's uncertain.
What is an IT consultant?
An IT consultant is an external specialist a company brings in for a period instead of hiring, to advise on and carry out IT work such as technology choices, systems, integrations and implementation. At Thenum, the consultants are engineers who both advise and do the work. Businesses usually bring us in when they want to build something new, when they have a goal but not the route to it, or when a project has stalled.
What does an IT consultant do?
An IT consultant turns a business goal into concrete technical decisions and sees them through. In practice that means working with management and internal teams, choosing systems and suppliers, designing architecture and integrations, and doing the implementation, with clear agreements and regular updates along the way.
Do we have to use you for delivery if we get advice from you?
No. You can use the recommendation however you like, including with another supplier. If you'd like us to continue, we'll put together a proposal for the delivery.
Related services
If you need people to do the work, see IT consulting. If something needs building, see software development.