A technology advisor supports SMBs with the selection and implementation of new software.
But what exactly can you expect from a tech advisor? How do you find the right one for your business? And how do you know when it’s time to hire one?
Read this quick guide if your business is considering implementing new software.
What is a Technology Advisor?
A tech advisor (also known as a software consultant or technology consultant) is an expert who advises on selecting, implementing, and managing tech stacks and new software programs.
Tech advisors have extensive experience with specific software and usually specialize in different programs. So it’s important to find the right specialist for your needs.
The right tech advisor will help you overcome challenges and improve your internal processes. They can help you save hours of research and thousands in failed ERP implementations.
What Does a Tech Advisor Do?
Different tech advisors provide different levels of service, which is why it’s so important to find the right one for your business.
If you’re unsure whether a tech advisor is the right expert for your needs, here’s everything they can help with.
1. Expert Advice on Software Choices
There are hundreds of software options on the market for every aspect of business. Are you confident you know enough about software to choose the best tools for your business’s needs?
A professional tech advisor will assess your business, identify pain points and bottlenecks, and recommend the best solutions.
No need for hours of research or implementing software that never quite works how you need it to. Just effective solutions that help your business grow.
2. Software Implementation
So, you’ve chosen new software for your business. Do you have the resources and team members to implement it effectively? Do you know how to train your staff and maximize every feature?
A professional tech advisor will support software implementation, staff training, and teething problems.
They will also show your team how to use every feature effectively, making sure you get the most out of your new investment.
3. Software Updates and Security
Your tech advisor can also take on the roles of risk management, software updates, and security.
The last thing you want is software that lags due to missed updates, or that opens your system to threats like spyware or hackers.
Having a dedicated tech advisor gives you peace of mind that your data and clients will be safe throughout the software update process.
4. System Efficiency Updates
Perhaps you don’t need a new tech stack, but you don’t feel like you’re getting the most out of your current software processes.
A tech advisor can review your tech stack and show you exactly where to make changes, tweaks, and updates to improve workflow efficiency.
5. Customize Software Systems
Creating full bespoke software systems can help unique business processes run more smoothly. However, they cost a fortune to build, and scaling becomes a problem.
Instead of building a bespoke software system, a tech advisor can show you how to create a customized tech stack that gives you all the functionality you need.
By combining the right software, you’ll get a fully bespoke solution that can more easily scale with your business as it grows. That’s hard to achieve without the help of a professional tech consultant.
What Do Tech Advisors Cost?
The average rate of a professional tech advisor is $100-$250 per hour. However, costs vary widely depending on the level of service you need.
At StackPlan, we know how disappointing it can be to find the perfect consultant only to find they are out of your budget.
To combat this, our tech advisory directory allows you to filter by budget so you can shortlist consultants within your tech budget.
Why do SMBs Need Tech Advice?
Plenty of software programs are self-implementable, and many come with implementation teams. So, why invest in tech advisory?
Research by the Boston Consulting Group found that a staggering 70% of software implementations fail. From delayed timelines and ballooning budgets to migration headaches and resistance to change, a lot can go wrong.
SMBs can’t afford to self-implement new software if they’re dedicated to long-term success.
If you want to beat the statistics, hiring a tech advisor is the best way to reduce your risk of an implementation failure.
When Should You Hire a Tech Advisor?
If you are 100% happy with your software stack and confident it can grow with your business and support your goals, you don’t need a tech advisor.
But when is that ever the case?
If you can relate to any of the following statements, investing in a software advisor should be a priority on your technology roadmap:
- Our software licenses are about to run out, and we want to upgrade.
- We’ve outgrown our current software but are unsure how to improve it.
- We’re experiencing significant bottlenecks with our software that are causing delays.
- We don’t feel like we’re getting the most we can out of our current software stack.
- We feel like a custom technology stack would make our business more profitable.
- We simply want someone to review our current processes and tell us where to improve.
How to Find the Best Tech Advisor
If you’re convinced and ready to talk to a tech advisor, the next step is to find the right one.
You need a software advisor who is familiar with your industry, experienced with the type of software you need, and within your budget.
The traditional route of finding such a unicorn looked like this:
- Conduct Google searches to find the websites of relevant tech advisors and use their contact forms to set up meetings.
- Troll LinkedIn looking for high-profile consultants within your industry.
- Asking for recommendations from business colleagues who have already been through a software update.
- Using generic freelancer sites to find gems among the crowds of unqualified consultants.
Fortunately, finding a qualified, experienced, helpful tech consultant is much more streamlined with StackPlan.
We have a dedicated database filled with vetted, top-ranked technical advisors to execute your software integration and implementation projects.
Check out our technical advisors’ directory here.
Tech Advisors: The Bottom Line
If you’re an SMB considering updating, refreshing, or reviewing your tech stack, a tech advisor will be invaluable.
Whether you need advice on efficiency, support through an upgrade, or expert assistance with software management, a tech consultant is the first step.
If you’re an eCommerce business owner, head to the next guide for helpful tips on choosing the best eCommerce software for your brand.
