Development & Technology
Strategic advisory for critical technology decisions
Specialized consulting in solution architecture, technology selection, vendor evaluation, technology roadmap, build vs buy decisions. Avoid wrong technology investments with objective expert advisory.
Consulting: the "what" and "how" before the "do"
Technology consulting is specialized strategic advisory to make critical technology decisions: What solution architecture do we need? Do we buy commercial software or develop custom? What technologies to use? Which vendor to choose among 5 options? How to structure our 3-year technology roadmap? These are significant investment decisions where error is costly.
The problem it solves: companies face complex technology decisions without necessary internal expertise. CTO/CIO must decide among 10 options with incomplete information, vendor pressure, and consequences of being wrong (wasted money, lost years, affected operation). Technology consultant provides: specialized expertise, experience in multiple implementations, objectivity (we don't sell specific technology), structured evaluation methodology.
Difference with vendors: Vendors (SAP, Salesforce, Microsoft) sell their solution. Technology consultants we recommend what's best for YOUR specific case, without commercial bias. Difference with development: development executes; consulting defines WHAT to execute and HOW. Frequently sequence is: (1) Consulting defines strategy, (2) Development executes, (3) Support maintains.
When do you need technology consulting?
Significant technology investment under evaluation
Considering $100K+ investment in technology (ERP, CRM, platform). Wrong decision is very costly. You need objective advisory before committing.
Multiple options without clarity on which to choose
5 vendors presented (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, etc.). All promise the same. You don't know how to evaluate objectively or which is best for your case.
Complex project without architecture clarity
Large technology project (digital transformation, new platform) without clarity on technical architecture, technologies to use, implementation approach.
Build vs buy decision without rigorous analysis
Debating whether to develop custom vs buy commercial software. You need objective analysis of TCO (Total Cost of Ownership), risks, pros/cons.
No clear technology roadmap
Multiple technology initiatives without logical sequence. Not clear what to do first, what after, how to prioritize, required budget.
New CTO/CIO needs current landscape evaluation
New technology leader assuming. Needs objective diagnosis of current technology situation, gaps, opportunities, recommendations.
5 technology consulting services
SOLUTION ARCHITECTURE
Complete technical architecture design for project or platform: components, technologies, integrations, infrastructure, security.
- High-level architecture diagram
- Recommended technology stack with justification
- Data architecture
- Security and scalability plan
- Infrastructure cost estimation
TECHNOLOGY SELECTION (BUILD VS BUY)
Rigorous analysis of technology options: commercial software vs custom development comparison, vendor evaluation, TCO analysis.
- Detailed option comparison (evaluation matrix)
- 5-year TCO analysis (Total Cost of Ownership)
- Justified recommendation with pros/cons
- Preliminary implementation plan
VENDOR EVALUATION AND SELECTION
Structured process of technology vendor evaluation: RFP, demos, technical evaluation, contract negotiation.
- Structured RFP (Request for Proposal)
- Evaluation matrix with weighted criteria
- Technical evaluation of proposals
- Vendor recommendation with analysis
- Support in contract negotiation
TECHNOLOGY ROADMAP
2-3 year strategic technology plan: prioritized initiatives, logical sequence, estimated budget, identified quick wins.
- Visual roadmap of initiatives (timeline)
- Prioritization based on impact vs effort
- Estimated budget per initiative
- Identified interdependencies
- Preliminary business case of top initiatives
TECHNOLOGY DIAGNOSIS (IT AUDIT)
Complete evaluation of current technology landscape: applications, infrastructure, security, IT processes, capabilities, gaps.
- Application and infrastructure inventory
- Current architecture evaluation
- Gap and risk identification
- Prioritized recommendations
- Modernization roadmap
Technology consulting methodology
DISCOVERY
Interviews with key stakeholders (CTO, business leaders, IT), Review of existing documentation, Understanding of business context and objectives, Scope and success criteria definition, Identification of constraints (budget, timing, policies)
ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION
Deep research of options/technologies, Best practices benchmarking, Detailed technical analysis, Financial analysis (TCO, ROI), Risk evaluation, Development of options/alternatives
RECOMMENDATIONS
Synthesis of analysis into actionable recommendations, Option prioritization, Implementation roadmap development, Recommendation business case, Executive presentation preparation
PRESENTATION AND SUPPORT
Presentation to leadership/board, Q&A and refinement based on feedback, Support in decision making, (Optional) Support in RFP or vendor negotiation, (Optional) Accompaniment in implementation
DISCOVERY
Interviews with key stakeholders (CTO, business leaders, IT), Review of existing documentation, Understanding of business context and objectives, Scope and success criteria definition, Identification of constraints (budget, timing, policies)
ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION
Deep research of options/technologies, Best practices benchmarking, Detailed technical analysis, Financial analysis (TCO, ROI), Risk evaluation, Development of options/alternatives
RECOMMENDATIONS
Synthesis of analysis into actionable recommendations, Option prioritization, Implementation roadmap development, Recommendation business case, Executive presentation preparation
PRESENTATION AND SUPPORT
Presentation to leadership/board, Q&A and refinement based on feedback, Support in decision making, (Optional) Support in RFP or vendor negotiation, (Optional) Accompaniment in implementation
TOTAL DURATION: 4-8 weeks typically
What's included
Analysis and Research
- Deep research of technologies/options
- Best practices benchmarking
- Detailed technical analysis
- Vendor capability evaluation
- Reference analysis (success/failure cases)
Financial Evaluation
- TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) 5 years
- ROI and payback period analysis
- Cost comparison between options
- Identified hidden costs
- Financial risk analysis
Recommendations
- Objectively evaluated options
- Evidence-justified recommendation
- Pros/cons of each alternative
- Preliminary implementation plan
- Execution roadmap
Documentation
- Complete consulting document
- Executive summary
- Executive presentation
- Evaluation matrices
- Business cases
Benefits
Objectivity (we don't sell specific technology)
15+ years experience in solution architecture
Wrong investments ($100K-$500K wasted)
Decisions that would take 6 months in 6 weeks
Data-based analysis, not opinions
Consulting typically pays for itself avoiding 1 error
Independent consultant vs technology vendor?
| Aspect | Independent Consultant (Alternative) | Technology Vendor (SAP, Salesforce, etc) |
|---|---|---|
| Objectivity | High (we don't sell specific technology) | Low (they sell THEIR solution) |
| Options evaluated | Multiple (5-10 options) | Only theirs |
| TCO analysis | Rigorous and impartial | Optimistic (minimizes hidden costs) |
| Recommendation | Best for your case | Their product (always) |
| Conflict of interest | None | High (commission per sale) |
| Multi-vendor expertise | Yes (experience with all) | No (only their product) |
When to use independent consultant:
- Significant investment
- Multiple viable options
- You need objectivity without commercial bias
- Critical decision where error is very costly
When to trust vendor:
- You already decided specific technology
- You only need implementation, not decision
- Vendor has monopoly in your industry (no alternatives)
Frequently Asked Questions
Depends on scope and complexity: Point consulting (solution architecture, evaluation of 2-3 options): $10K-$25K. Complete consulting (exhaustive evaluation of 5+ options, RFP, TCO, recommendations): $25K-$60K. Strategic consulting (3-year technology roadmap, complete diagnosis, enterprise architecture): $40K-$100K+. Typically consulting is 5-15% of value of technology investment you're evaluating.
Both models: (1) Consulting only: We recommend, client executes with chosen vendor or internally. (2) Consulting + implementation: We recommend AND execute with our development team. Model 2 is common when recommendation is custom development or complex integration. Alternative advantage: We are consultants WHO ALSO develop, so recommendations are technically viable (consultants who don't develop sometimes recommend things impossible to execute).
We don't have commercial alliances with technology vendors (SAP, Salesforce, Microsoft, Oracle). We don't earn commissions for recommending specific provider. Our model: We charge for consulting, period. Recommendation is purely based on objective analysis of what's best for your case. Critical difference: Many "consultancies" are actually resellers of specific technology (e.g.: SAP partner). We are not. If we recommend SAP it's because analysis says it's best option, not because we earn commission.
Recommendation is not mandate. We present objective analysis with evidence, pros/cons of options, and justified recommendation. Client always decides. If you choose different option for strategic/political reasons we didn't consider, that's fine. Important: Decision is informed (you know trade-offs) vs blind decision. Experience: 85% of clients follow recommendation because analysis is rigorous, 15% choose differently for factors they prioritize differently (e.g.: existing relationship with vendor, corporate policy).
Consulting significantly reduces risk but doesn't guarantee. We guarantee: (1) Rigorous analysis with proven methodology, (2) Technically viable recommendation, (3) Correctly calculated TCO. We DON'T guarantee: implementation success (depends on vendor/implementing team), user adoption (change management), business context doesn't change. Analogy: Architect guarantees technically sound plans, doesn't guarantee builder executes perfectly. However, success probability with consulting vs without it: 3X greater.
BEFORE committing investment. Correct sequence: (1) You identify need (e.g.: "we need ERP"), (2) You hire consulting to evaluate options, (3) You decide based on analysis, (4) You hire implementation with chosen vendor or Alternative. Common error: Hiring consulting AFTER already having bought technology ("help us implement this SAP we bought"). There consultancy has hands tied - decision already made. Optimal moment: When you know WHAT you need but don't know HOW (technology, approach, vendor).
Do you need advisory for critical technology decision?
Free initial 30-minute consultation. We understand your situation and determine if technology consulting is appropriate.