System Integrators vs IT Consultants

How Using the Right Kind of Help Will Skyrocket Your Business

Are you looking for a way to customise your tech and operations? Do you need to make sure there is a way to efficiently complete tasks instead of wasting time? No more incomprehensible explanations for technology that makes no sense. There are two ways to help you solve this problem. Either use system integrators or IT consultants.

The general purpose of a system integrator is to use all of your current technology in a way that is cohesive and comprehensible. An IT consultant does something very similar, but with an expert opinion and a human eye. Depending on the situation, either of these options is viable.

ERP System Integration

There are several types of system integrations out there, two of which are ERP and CRM system integration.

ERP system integrations are, in essence, organisational systems. It keeps all contact information, customers, names, dates, addresses, sales, stocks, and every other item under the sun categorised and filed away. Without an ERP integration system, it can get pretty sticky as you try to wade through all that paperwork and find relevant information. However, even if you do own and use an ERP integration system but do not have it synced with your other tech such as eCommerce, that can cause serious confusion.

An un-synced ERP system means that it does not have the updated information that all your other tech has, which means a lot of double-checking mistake making. An ERP functions across multiple departments (unlike its counterpart CRM). That is why it is so vital for the ERP to link with the rest of your programs. ERP systems - when synced - can release a load of stress and confusion from a business.

CRM System Integration

CRM system integrations are similar to their ERP counterparts. They streamline the work process and information transfer. However, the main difference between the two is that ERPs deal with several departments, whereas CRMs focus on sales and profits.

A CRM handles a lot of the same information as an ERP does (such as customer information and sales). However, the goal of using this information is to raise sales and profits. How does a CRM do that? It analyses your customers and their likelihood of converting and buying from you. For instance, if a potential customer downloads something from your website, the CRM may send an automatic follow-up questionnaire concerning what they downloaded. It may even send them a special offer. Either way, the CRM is on the lookout to attract people who have an interest in what you are doing.

Benefits of System Integrators

Now you know how ERP and CRM work, but how does a system integrator make your business-as-a-whole better? First of all, a system integrator takes away the menial, time-consuming tasks that some poor secretary used to do to fritter away the time. Trying to match up paperwork and project a course of action based on that information is a waste of time, at least if there's a better, faster way to get that job done.

Not only does a system integrator reduce the time and energy put into organising and analysing information, but it also cuts down on costs. The system integration is not expensive, in and of itself. The only price you pay is for the other programs that the system is integrating. Now, that can get expensive if you use high quality or costly programs. It can also be economical if you choose your systems wisely and stick to more cost-effective ones.

IT Consultants

An IT consultant has a very similar job as a system integrator. Their main goal is to encourage your company to grow and thrive both in the workplace and in the marketplace. However, the method used is very different from a system integrator. While a system integrator aims to slowly increase your business through analysis, a consultant is usually there to fix a single problem (or a few pinpoint problems).

If you have a solid understanding of your company's financial standing, what its strengths and weaknesses are, and what the potential problems are, a consultant could help you better.

Very often, business owners or managers find themselves facing down a problem they are well-aware of but are at a loss as to how to deal with it. Consultants can give that outside perspective, which may allow them to accurately cure your problem.

IT Consultant Benefits

One of the perks of hiring a consultant is they are an expert in their field. If you are struggling with IT either due to a lack of understanding or old tech, a specialist will understand how to help. Not only do you get a third-party view of your situation and expert advice, but you also pay less than you would for hiring on a new employee. That is well worth it if you are dealing with a one-time-fix situation.

If you end up liking the consultant who helped you solve your problem, keeping him/her on call as a "frequent flyer" would not be amiss. Your employees have gotten to know them, and they are a known, reliable source. Now you know who to call when the next IT issue crops up.

Conclusion

Are you looking for a system integrator or IT consultant in your area? Finding an excellent system integrator or IT consultant in Singapore is very doable. It is important to be aware of the price of something but also remember its quality and service as well. You can't go wrong if you always look for consultants that care about the people they serve.