Why Tech Consultants & Integrators Make Great Partners
The expanding technology industry has become increasingly competitive for technology consultants and those providing technology integration. This is particularly true of companies that offer audiovisual, broadcast, electronic security, and telecommunications services. While some specific services may overlap between consultants and integrators, most clients needing technology upgrades or starting a new-build project will significantly benefit from working with both.
By sharing and combining their respective knowledge and experience, technology consultants and integrators can provide better project deliverables, meet a client’s goals and budget, and ensure the project’s success.
To better understand the complementary roles consultants and integrators play, it’s best to clarify their typical responsibilities on a project. For example, technology consultants usually advise clients on various technology options and best practices in overall system design, whereas technology integrators design, install, and maintain the solutions they support. Therefore, it is advisable to bring in consultants early in the process to offer expert advice and technology design from a high-level, comprehensive perspective. Proposed solutions consider a client’s current technology, employee workflows, and future goals. Integrators can then focus on implementing the approved project design and systems.
The Same but Different
Consultants and integrators may provide similar technology design services, particularly those that provide the CAD drawings and supporting documents required for hardware installation. However, consultants tend to specialize in areas of expertise. For example, a consultant may have in-depth knowledge of acoustics, broadcast solutions, low-voltage systems, or wireless planning, while an integrator may have a more general understanding of audiovisual systems. Consultants may also carry more specialized industry certifications to work directly with architects and general contractors.
Partnership Relationships
Two models are commonly used when consultants and integrators work together. First, the Design-Build Model has the consultant and integrator work together as a design-build team. Typically, a consultant or integrator will bring a project forward based on one of them having a direct relationship with the client. The consultant and integrator will partner to complement each other’s areas of expertise and bring the strongest team forward to ensure a successful project for the client.
In a Design-Bid-Build Model, the consultant is often contracted to write the design specifications for the project based on the client’s requirements, and then the project is sent out to bid. The integrator will evaluate their ability to meet the design specs and decide whether to bid on the project. The integrator will implement the design plan and install the specified hardware and software systems if selected. In both working models, consultants can be great team players, especially when an integrator’s design team is busy with other projects and needs extra help or the project requires specific expertise.
Key Tech Consultant Benefit
A key benefit for the client in a consultant-integrator partnership comes from a consultant’s ability to remain manufacturer-independent. Integrators typically have a set line card that lists the best-in-class manufacturers they work with the most. Consultants strive to make recommendations on a broader range of solutions and remain focused on the project’s overall design goals and user experiences.
By sharing and combining their respective knowledge and experience, technology consultants and integrators can provide better project deliverables, meet a client’s goals and budget, and ensure the project’s success.