How to: choose a computer network system consultant
Network consultants can reduce costs, add value

Boston Business Journal by Keith Regan

 

 

December 19, 2008 – Nearly every business experiences growing pains, especially when it comes to upgrading and adding new information technology. As a business accumulates hardware and software, it often comes to a point where it needs outside helping pulling it all together.


There was a time when computer-network consulting was exclusively a luxury among large enterprises, but today even small businesses can find a range of networking consulting services to help them maximize the value of their technology assets.

 

"If you look at the polls that try to capture the current thoughts of the C-level executives out there, it is all about getting more out of their systems,” said Robert Kish, vice president at IT consulting and tax firm Vitale Caturano Ltd. in Charlestown. “In this economy, businesses want to mine the data they have and pursue strategic initiatives that IT needs to be involved with."

 

Doing that work in-house often means having “three-quarters of a network guy, half a database architect and part of a security guy,” Kish added “That’s why outsourcing models are so attractive — they give access to all those different skill sets.”

 

Many consultants offer strategic input in conjunction with managed service options, which often involves businesses turning over their entire IT operations to a third party. For a fixed price, that can secure needed technologies and end-user support to keep a business running.

 

Brett Jaffe, the president of IT4 Inc. in Woburn, said the rise of virtualization has meant that businesses no longer need to be as tied to a single hardware platform as in the past. “With the right help, a business can get out of the capital expense mentality and into a more operational model that focuses on what’s important to that business,” Jaffe said.

 

A good consulting firm will start by getting a sense of what a business needs to be competitive. “It’s a much more proactive and strategic viewpoint — it’s saying, how can I do what we do more efficiently through the use of technology.”

 

While some value-added resellers and computer equipment makers are offering more consulting services, some businesses may prefer a vendor-neutral firm.


Meanwhile, firms that offer other services to businesses have entered the consulting and managed services space. In 2006, Framingham-based Staples, Inc. purchased Thrive Networks Inc. of Concord, which offers a range of managed IT services.


“Businesses are looking to reduce costs wherever they can, but unfortunately, computers and servers don’t realize we’re in a recession,” said Jim Lippie, the president of Thrive Networks. “Those machines still need to be properly maintained.”

 

Though the economy has focused attention more on cost, both Jaffe and Lippie recommended that businesses start by finding a trusted, reputable provider — and then work with that company to cut costs.


“Find a company that has a good reputation for service first and then ask them to look for ways to reduce costs,” Lippie said. “Making the decision on cost first can just add headaches and more cost down the road.”

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About Staples
Staples, the world’s largest office products company, is committed to making it easy for customers to buy a wide range of office products, including supplies, technology, furniture, and business services. With $27 billion in sales, Staples serves businesses of all sizes and consumers in 27 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. In July 2008, Staples acquired Corporate Express, one of the world’s leading suppliers of office products to businesses and institutions. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and is headquartered outside Boston. More information about Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com.