An IT consultant is your partner in managing and optimising the technology your business relies on every day.
In this blog, we’ll go into detail on what an IT consultant is, explore their key roles and responsibilities, and highlight the benefits of bringing an IT consultant on board—using our own experience as IT consultants at Ratcliff IT.
What is an IT Consultant: Definition
An IT consultant is a technology expert who helps businesses find, implement, and optimise the right IT solutions to meet their goals. Their focus is offering strategic advice, improving systems, and making sure your technology supports your business operation
How IT Consultants Differ from Permanent Hires
One of the key differences between IT consultants and permanent IT hires is the level of expertise consultants bring. While an in-house IT team is deeply familiar with your company’s existing systems and day-to-day operations, an IT consulting firm provides specialist knowledge, strategic insight, and an external perspective that can be invaluable for growth and innovation.
What Do IT Consultants Do?
Typically, IT consultants start by assessing your current IT systems to identify what’s working well and where improvements are needed.
They offer strategic advice tailored to your business goals, helping you solve business challenges like inefficiencies or outdated processes. From there, they implement innovative technology solutions designed to boost performance, improve productivity, and future-proof your business.
Some of their other key tasks involve:
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Improving Cyber Security: Identifying potential risks, putting reliable security measures in place, and making sure everything meets the latest standards.
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Implementing Changes: Supporting your business through major upgrades or shifts and ensuring successful implementation with minimal downtime.
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Providing Technical Support: Offering hands-on help with troubleshooting and maintenance, as well as training your team in new systems.
Key Skills of IT Consultants
IT consultants have a wide range of knowledge that helps businesses get the most out of their technology. Some of the key areas they specialise in include:
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Network Design and Management: A deep understanding of how to create secure, reliable networks and optimise performance to keep your business connected.
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Data Backup and Disaster Recovery: Expertise in the best practices for safeguarding data, along with skills to develop working recovery strategies in the event of data loss or system failures.
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IT Infrastructure Planning and Project Management: The skills to design and recommend the most effective mix of hardware, software, and systems that support business growth, operational efficiency, and long-term scalability.
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Presentation Skills: The ability to explain complicated IT strategies and solutions in a clear, accessible way, giving stakeholders confidence in how technology supports business objectives.
Types Of IT Consultants
IT consultants come in many forms, each offering specialised knowledge to help businesses make the most of their technology. Depending on your needs—whether it’s strengthening security, improving systems, or managing data—there’s a consultant with the right technical expertise to guide you. Here are some of the most common types:
Cyber Security Consultants
Cyber security consultants focus on protecting your business from digital threats. They assess your current security measures, identify weaknesses, and recommend ways to strengthen your defences. This can include improving password policies, training staff on security best practices, ensuring your business complies with industry regulations, and setting up advanced cyber security measures like threat detection. They can also help you to achieve certifications like Cyber Essentials which demonstrate your commitment to cyber security to both customers and business partners.
Cloud Computing Consultants
Cloud computing consultants help businesses move their systems and data to online platforms, making it easier to access files, software, and tools from anywhere. They often handle the entire process—from selecting the right cloud platform to managing the migration—so businesses can focus on operations without worrying about technical challenges.
Software Development and Integration Consultants
Software development and integration consultants specialise in creating and connecting software that fits your business needs. They can develop custom applications or tweak existing ones to improve how your business operates. They also ensure different software tools work together seamlessly, so your systems run smoothly without unnecessary delays or glitches.
Managed Service Providers (MSPs)
Managed Service Providers (MSPs) offer a broad range of IT support, from maintaining day-to-day operations to providing strategic advice on all of the above. Some MSPs have in-house technology consultants who focus on long-term IT planning, while others bring in external consultants to help shape their clients’ technology strategies. They provide end-to-end support, handling everything from day-to-day troubleshooting to high-level strategic planning. This makes them an ideal choice for businesses looking for ongoing IT management paired with expert guidance, ensuring technology stays aligned with long-term goals while resolving issues efficiently.
When Should You Hire an IT Consultant?
No matter your size or industry, every business can benefit from expert IT guidance. Here are some key questions to consider:
Is Your Technology Supporting Your Business Goals?
Even if your systems seem to be running fine, there’s often room for improvement. Are there tasks that take longer than they should? Are you spending more on IT than necessary? An IT consulting firm can review your current setup, spot inefficiencies, and recommend ways to improve business processes, automate tasks, and get better results from your technology.
Are You Concerned About Cyber Security?
Every business needs strong cyber security measures. Cyber threats like hacking, phishing, and data breaches don’t just target large corporations—small and medium-sized businesses are at risk too. An IT consultant can assess your current security, identify any weak points, and put the right protections in place to keep your data, systems, and reputation safe.
Are You Thinking About Moving Your Systems to the Cloud?
Are you considering moving your files and systems to the cloud for easier access and better flexibility? Cloud solutions can help your business become more efficient and adaptable, but making the transition isn’t always straightforward. An IT consultant can guide you through the process, recommend the best solutions for your needs, and ensure your data stays secure and accessible from anywhere.
Is Your Business Growing?
As your business expands, your technology needs to grow with it. Are you adding more staff, opening new locations, or dealing with increased workloads? Technology consulting can help you scale your systems, ensuring they’re ready to support your growth without causing delays, downtime, or unnecessary expenses.
Are You Introducing New Technology?
Whether you’re upgrading introducing new software or launching a major IT project, having an expert by your side can make all the difference. IT strategy consultants help you choose the right solution for your technology projects, manage the setup, and ensure everything runs smoothly. This saves time, reduces costs, and ensures your new technology supports your business goals without unnecessary disruptions.
Benefits of Hiring an IT Consultant
Hiring an IT consultant brings a range of benefits that can significantly improve how your business operates. From providing expert guidance to improving efficiency and security, IT consultants are a valuable asset for businesses of all sizes.
Cost-Effectiveness vs. Permanent Hiring
Hiring permanent staff comes with significant costs—recruitment, salaries, benefits, training, and even office space and equipment. With an IT consultant, you get access to top-level expertise without the overheads.
This approach is particularly beneficial for SMEs that don’t require a full-time IT department but still need consistent, expert support.
For a detailed comparison of IT services and IT consulting options, visit our guide on IT services vs IT consulting.
Access to Specialised Expertise
IT consulting companies offer extensive experience across various industries and technologies, bringing proven expertise to every project.
Whether your business is transitioning to remote work or implementing new software, an IT consultant ensures a smooth, hassle-free process with minimal disruption. Having successfully handled similar projects before, they know best practices, potential challenges, and the most effective solutions, helping you avoid costly mistakes and achieve the best possible outcome.
Objective, Unbiased Advice
IT consultants offer objective, unbiased advice. If you’ve been using the same outdated software for years simply because it’s familiar, a consultant can evaluate whether it’s still the right fit. They’ll suggest modern, cost-effective alternatives that improve your business operations, ensuring you’re always working with the best tools for the job.
Keeping Up with Technological Trends
Staying on top of the latest technology trends can be challenging, especially when you’re focused on running your business. IT consultants make this easy by keeping you informed about new developments and helping you adopt the tools that will benefit your business the most.
Whether it’s implementing the latest cyber security measures, adopting cloud-based solutions, or exploring automation, consultants ensure your business doesn’t fall behind.
Final Thoughts: Is an IT Consultant Right for Your Business?
Where does your business stand today? Are your systems holding you back instead of driving you forward? Are you struggling to keep up with rapid changes in technology or unsure how to scale your IT to support business growth? Maybe cyber security concerns are becoming a growing distraction.
If any of this sounds familiar, it’s time to consider the strategic value an IT consultant can bring to your business.
Ratcliff IT: Your Expert Consulting Partners
With over 20 years of experience, we’ve helped businesses across various industries grow by transforming their technology into a strategic asset. As a Managed Services Provider, we’re committed to understanding the unique challenges and opportunities within your organisation and providing clear, actionable advice that delivers real results.
We strive for excellence in every project, deliver on our promises, and approach every challenge with a can-do attitude.
Expect no jargon—just clear, professional advice that makes sense to you and your team. We’ll develop an IT roadmap for your business, optimise your systems, and ensure your technology is not just supporting your business but driving it forward.
Find out how our IT consultancy works.
Frequently Asked Questions
We've gone through some common questions on IT consultants below.
What is an Example of IT Consulting?
An example of IT consulting would be an IT consultant coming in to assist an accounting firm struggling with slow, outdated systems and growing cybersecurity concerns. The consultant reviews their setup, recommends a cloud-based solution for secure, remote access, and upgrades their cyber security measures to protect sensitive client data. This results in improved efficiency, stronger security, and a system that supports the firm’s growth.
What's Included in IT Consulting Services?
IT consulting services cover a wide range of support, from strategic advice on technology investments to hands-on system improvements, cyber security planning, and cloud solutions. The exact services vary based on your business needs, ensuring that technology aligns with your goals.
For a detailed overview, take a look at our blog post: What IT Consulting Services Include.
Note: Please ensure the above links to the "What Do IT Consulting Services Include" blog post once live.
How Much Do IT Consulting Services Cost?
The cost of IT consulting services depends on how they are charged. Hourly rates typically range from £50 to £300, depending on the consultant’s expertise and the complexity of the project. However, many businesses find that a monthly fee with a Managed Services Provider provides a more predictable and cost-effective solution. This means you get more than just one-off consulting—you gain proactive IT management that keeps your business secure, efficient, and future-proofed.
For a full breakdown of IT consulting costs and what to expect, read our blog post: How Much Do IT Consultancy Services Cost?
Note: Please ensure the above links to the "How Much Do IT Consultancy Services Cost" blog post once live.
At Ratcliff IT, we provide tailored quotes based on your exact needs, ensuring you pay for the services that matter to your business. To see how our services can fit your business and budget, check out our Pricing Guide.
Carrie Fulton
Published on 10th March 2025