What to Look for in a Software Consultant

Getting the right software to power your business is crucial. But how do you go about finding the right software consultant to address your needs? When it comes to finding the right tools for maximising efficiency, software consultants need more than just a great team of developers behind them.

Let’s take a look at what your software specialists need so they can provide the right solutions for your unique business.

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Communication and reliability

Firstly, communication is essential. There is always a debate around software development, namely whether you should outsource overseas. While this can be a cheaper option, you don’t always get the communication and reliability you would from a local provider.

When embarking on a software development project, you want regular updates and communication. It may seem like a small thing, but having a great interpersonal relationship with your software experts makes the process much easier.

Clear evidence of their skills

Obviously, great communication isn’t enough to make a project successful. Clearly understand what you’re looking for, and find people who can demonstrate their expertise. If you want custom CRM development, ask your consultants what large projects they’ve done before. For website development, ask for links to previous work.

If you’re lucky, you’ll find a software development company who are skilled in a wide range of services. But if that’s not the case, you must ensure they are highly skilled in the specific job you’re hiring them for.

Strong focus on understanding your business

All good software consultants should want to know all about your business. When you’re looking for real business improvement, generic solutions won’t always work. When you first meet with a consultant, they should be asking a lot of questions about your operations. They should also indicate a desire to do a thorough analysis of how your business operates.

This should include looking at all your current software systems, because that’s how they will find efficiencies. Without understanding the ins and outs of your business, software consultants are unlikely to deliver the best solutions.

A software consultant should offer custom solutions

There are plenty of great off-the-shelf software solutions out there, and consultants should have experience in the best ones. However, in some situations these generic software packages just don’t suit the intricacies of your business. That’s where custom software development comes in.

Custom solutions can be tailored to streamline all of your operations in a way that off-the-shelf products can’t. However, the great thing is, third-party software can usually be integrated into your custom software. This means you get the best of both worlds. An experienced software consultant will understand which programs are best, and how to integrate them efficiently.

Looking for a dynamic software consultant?

Here at Human Pixel, we connect the technical and human parts of business. From website and software development through to CRM consulting, we look for agile solutions that truly meet your needs. Contact us today, and let’s talk about how we can deliver real business solutions.

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