Does anyone know of a database of IT Consultants?

[srebbe64]

I need a decent IT consultant for a few months to assist me in the future direction of our IT Dep't. As such, are there any databases / directories / associations out there which list such organisations / individuals?

[rich1231]

srebbe64 said:

I need a decent IT consultant for a few months to assist me in the future direction of our IT Dep't. As such, are there any databases / directories / associations out there which list such organisations / individuals?

Erm no

Not any worthwhile ones.

[Pot Bellied Fool]

You could try looking through www.pciq.co.uk & www.itprofessionals.co.uk

Although Rich is right, these may give you some ideas although you'll have to sort the wheat from the chaff as there's all sorts in both of those from one-man bands to bigger outfits.

If you can find a smaller outfit (or one-man band) you'll probably get a better service than the big IT Consultancies who'll simply want to bang you onto a managed services scheme.

The problem is of course, finding a smaller one that does actually know what they're talking about so ask around your local area for recommendations...

What makes good Support Bod does not always make a good Strategist and nobody knows what makes a good programmer

[Don]

Steve.

I have been a database professional and IT consultant all my working life. What do you need? Happy to help. If you just want an informal chat to get your ideas together I'm happy to do that. No charge, mate! If there's an opportunity to help you further and do some business that's great...

[rich1231]

Don said:

Steve.

I have been a database professional and IT consultant all my working life. What do you need? Happy to help. If you just want an informal chat to get your ideas together I'm happy to do that. No charge, mate! If there's an opportunity to help you further and do some business that's great...

Not sure the OP is asking for a DBA type... more of an IT/Business advisor.

His database ref was asking if there was a list of competent individuals...

[Don]

rich1231 said:

Don said:

Steve.

I have been a database professional and IT consultant all my working life. What do you need? Happy to help. If you just want an informal chat to get your ideas together I'm happy to do that. No charge, mate! If there's an opportunity to help you further and do some business that's great...

Not sure the OP is asking for a DBA type... more of an IT/Business advisor.

His database ref was asking if there was a list of competent individuals...

Ahah! I'm competent at IT, Rich, but I should probably brush up on reading PH posts thoroughly....

[srebbe64]

Basically we employ about 150 people in four offices, including one international (New York). Our IT Dep't is just four people and I think we may need to look at the whole structure of it. Because it's IT (and I'm a fully fledged technophobe) I'd like some independent advice as to how the dep't should develop. In the meantime, we also have a CRM requirement and I thought I might kill two birds, so to speak. So what I'm after (I think) is an advisor for a day or two a week for, say, six months who will:

1) Undertake an audit of our IT Dep't to assess capabilities, training requirements and staffing levels;

2) To advise us on our CRM requirements;

3) To advise us on our general IT infrastructure;

Don, as you know you live just a few hundred yards from me so there would be no harm in having a cuppa and a chat one evening.

I've had a look through the links posted above and I have found a couple of companies that look potentially suitable and they've been on the phone to me this morning. So thanks for those links.

[drivin_me_nuts]

srebbe64 said:

Basically we employ about 150 people in four offices, including one international (New York). Our IT Dep't is just four people and I think we may need to look at the whole structure of it. Because it's IT (and I'm a fully fledged technophobe) I'd like some independent advice as to how the dep't should develop. In the meantime, we also have a CRM requirement and I thought I might kill two birds, so to speak. So what I'm after (I think) is an advisor for a day or two a week for, say, six months who will:

1) Undertake an audit of our IT Dep't to assess capabilities, training requirements and staffing levels;

2) To advise us on our CRM requirements;

3) To advise us on our general IT infrastructure;

Don, as you know you live just a few hundred yards from me so there would be no harm in having a cuppa and a chat one evening.

I've had a look through the links posted above and I have found a couple of companies that look potentially suitable and they've been on the phone to me this morning. So thanks for those links.

Consider contacting SAP. They have a very powerful CRM solution and also have a Business Analysis service. Worth an initial call and contact.

[VEX]

My brother is a director in a small company that develop CRM and Ordering systems for SME's. The have build a very good CRM system and do a lot on the Sun platform.

Their biggest client, Brake Bros, has just served a cancellation notice on them as they are moving everything to PC's. So I am sure they will be looking for other stuff bespoke or off the shelf. They could support you all the way through the process if you wanted.

let me know if your interested

V.

[Don]

srebbe64 said:

Don, as you know you live just a few hundred yards from me so there would be no harm in having a cuppa and a chat one evening.

Happy to provide a "sanity check" or just a "sounding board" if you like! We don't do CRM software ourselves...so I'm no expert at that. I know a thing or two about systems generally, though, and can usually see what's going to work and what isn't.

[bga]

drivin_me_nuts said:

srebbe64 said:

Basically we employ about 150 people in four offices, including one international (New York). Our IT Dep't is just four people and I think we may need to look at the whole structure of it. Because it's IT (and I'm a fully fledged technophobe) I'd like some independent advice as to how the dep't should develop. In the meantime, we also have a CRM requirement and I thought I might kill two birds, so to speak. So what I'm after (I think) is an advisor for a day or two a week for, say, six months who will:

1) Undertake an audit of our IT Dep't to assess capabilities, training requirements and staffing levels;

2) To advise us on our CRM requirements;

3) To advise us on our general IT infrastructure;

Don, as you know you live just a few hundred yards from me so there would be no harm in having a cuppa and a chat one evening.

I've had a look through the links posted above and I have found a couple of companies that look potentially suitable and they've been on the phone to me this morning. So thanks for those links.

Consider contacting SAP. They have a very powerful CRM solution and also have a Business Analysis service. Worth an initial call and contact.

Bit of a sledgehammer to crack a walnut to be honest, SAP CRM is a beast & then you are only getting benefit from it if you integrate it with their ERP offering.

[andyuk911]

Why don't you employ me?

I will be able to steer/lead your IT dept to fully support the business as it grows.

[Jubal]

I recommend these guys for CRM: www.gapconsulting.co.uk

[ukvoyager.info]

www.cambridgenetwork.co.uk

[fade2grey]

Yup, having been on both sides of the fence, it's very difficult to cut the wheat from the chaff I'm afraid. Personally I think that 99% of the recruitment agents out there aren't doing the industry any favours either.

Anyway, I've pm'd you - let me know if you need anything else.

Cheers,
alex

[Skodaku]

No to the original question but is a "Database of IT Consultants" now a valid collective thingy ?

[fade2grey]

the BCS is also a good place to start for getting someone of a known level.

[roadsweeper]

Hi Steve

I believe my company may be able to help you here. We're one of the most recommended companies on PH and have extensive consultancy experience in the areas you mention, particularly IT strategy and CRM.

I personally am a former 'Big Five' consultant and have worked in the UK and Europe with the likes of De Beers, Barclays, United Utilities, Fortis Banque and EDF Energy. I've also taught on business consultancy courses in the US. As the co-founder of Cantarus I also have experience of running my own company - an important skill I think is often missing from IT consultants.

I'll drop you an email via PH. I hope I'm not too late - I broke my leg and ankle at the weekend so haven't checked-in to PH for a while!

Cheers,

Lee.

[hornetrider]

drivin_me_nuts said:

Consider contacting SAP. They have a very powerful CRM solution and also have a Business Analysis service. Worth an initial call and contact.

You should also consider sticking pins in your eyes and chewing off your own arm.

Apologies for the OT post, SAP is the spawn of the devil in my eyes!

[bga]

hornetrider said:

drivin_me_nuts said:

Consider contacting SAP. They have a very powerful CRM solution and also have a Business Analysis service. Worth an initial call and contact.

You should also consider sticking pins in your eyes and chewing off your own arm.

Apologies for the OT post, SAP is the spawn of the devil in my eyes!

SAP are fine if you absolutely don't give them a call on a whim. You need to know how they work before you get any sense out of them. They have some absolutely top class people and some great software for some applications but more often than not it is non-SAP employees that cause troubles. SAP CRM is not one of those great pieces of software though...