IT consultants are becoming more and more important

Like the renowned Handelsblatt reports that the German economy is likely to shrink in 2023. The editorial team is referring to two of the leading economic institutes which, in addition to the shortage of skilled workers and the continuing high inflation, are still Germany's digital transformation progressing too slowly identified as the perpetrator.

Although are Now around 95 percent of the population more or less regularly online, but in the international country ranking for digital competitiveness, Germany was significantly down to 19th place on the best list in 2022.

Places 1 to 5 were occupied by:

• denmark
• the USA
• swedes
• singapore

and

• Switzerland

How is Germany doing in terms of its digital transformation compared to the EU? With its degree of digitization, Germany is only in the middle of the ranking of EU states. The Scandinavian countries, in particular Denmark and Finland, are leading here (as of 2022). The number of patent applications in the area of digitization is also increasing in Germany and stood at over 47,000 patents in 2022. According to experts, however, the pace of digitization in German authorities and companies is still not enough.

What does digital transformation mean?

that Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection sees digitization as an issue “that affects us all.” Denn Only sustainable conditions can maintain prosperity in Germany. Therefore, a so-called Digital summit Launched on November 20 and 21, 2023 in Jena goes on to a new round.

More than 1000 participants from politics, science and business, but also citizens from the middle of society, want to discuss their practical experiences and solutions for digital transformation.

This includes Germany and primarily the SMEs face multiple challenges. These include:

• One as before Too low prioritization of digitization in management from companies
• lack of interest and lack of expertise within your own workforce
• toward slow internet connections
• outdated hardware and software

but also

• The Shortage of skilled workers, especially in the IT sector

Well trained IT consultantswho provide companies with permanent support or at least advise them in the form of projects, are therefore indispensable as a booster for Germany's digital transformation. A nearshoring or implementation partner based in Germany is often the better choice compared to outsourcing IT consulting.

Why does it make sense to develop new strategies and systems within Germany?

As is well known, various countries such as India have consulting firms with excellently trained IT specialists and state-of-the-art hardware. Consultants of this type are able to use their strengths, particularly when it comes to international projects.

When it comes to questions about cybersecurity or even while looking for a new CRM solution, however, play primarily German IT specialists show off their strengths. Because the can, if necessary, be on site for the entire duration of the project.

Staff training within the respective company is also held in German. There are no socio-cultural hurdles and, in addition, IT consultants and companies are in the same time zone.

That is why there is also a nearshoring, speak Eastern European IT consultants and implementation partners, who have a high willingness to travel, should be considered as external service providers.

An overview of the role of an IT consultant

As part of comprehensive IT consulting, the current status of the company's own hardware and software must first be checked. It is only in the next step that proposals for system expansions and desirable implementations, for example in the context of cybersecurity, are pending. This is because practical experience shows that the IT systems of many companies are still vulnerable to hacking attacks of all kinds.

It is not only large corporations and public institutions that are affected. Auch Private networks and small or medium-sized businesses are hacked over and over again. As part of a cyber attack, the attackers encrypt the data of the attacked computers and release it again after payment of a ransom.

Countless requests that overwhelm a server until it breaks down are also not uncommon. Experts such as the MDS Group therefore have, in addition to generalists, experts with special expertise in their team. Thanks to concentrated expertise, emergencies such as system crashes or cyber attacks can be combated promptly and effectively.

After all, everyone is Failure of the company's own IT department linked to costs and image losses.

What technical skills and knowledge do good IT consultants have?

In addition to specialist knowledge and a degree, good IT consultants have excellent communication skills And a high resilience to stress. After all, many activities take place under time pressure and often employees or even management have to be convinced of desirable system adjustments first.

Last but not least, the necessary training required to implement new software, for example in the area of marketing or customer management, requires didactic skills. Specialized knowledge in the areas of computer science and IT alone is therefore not enough.

By the way, the IT consultant in Germany is not one of the protected job titles. Therefore, people who have relevant professional experience in the IT sector can also offer their external services under this label.

A first conclusion

The services of an IT consultant can also be provided without an academic degree. Many freelancers in Germany are taking advantage of this opportunity. There are also excellently trained specialists in countries outside Europe who, with complex competencies and excellent technical equipment, can be considered as external service providers.

The The advantage of agencies such as the MDS Group consists of employees with paying customers in the worst case On site promptly are. In addition, a larger team always includes specialists who help the contracting company search for powerful software, for example in the CRM sector, a extensive expert knowledge and therefore the best possible solution be able to offer.

How does the implementation of new software work?

Profound knowledge alone is not enough when upgrading the system to new software, for example in the area of CRM solutions. Rather, advising customers requires Knowledge of various industries and their working methods. Because this is the only way to use the new software Make work processes more effective and the CRM tool can be optimally adapted to the size and workflow of the supported company.

In addition, IT consultants work at the interface between managers and employees and must convince both sides of the system change. Only then do the actual implementation and initial test runs take place.

In doing so, the Importing data from previous solution How also Workforce training represent further important measures as part of the restructuring of an existing software solution.

Last but not least, it usually makes sense, especially for medium-sized companies and large corporations, if only individual departments are initially converted to the new system solution. It consulting is therefore also related to didactic skills and methodological competencies asked.

Brilliant job prospects for computer scientists and IT consultants

Anyone with a degree in computer science in their pocket often asks themselves where their future career will lead. As employers come Medical technology companies, financial sector and automotive considered, but also government agencies such as Cybersecurity Centers as well as intelligence agencies are potential employers.

Companies for App and game development as well as IT consulting agencies We are desperately looking for well-trained specialists.

The job of a computer scientist or IT consultant is also financially interesting. Vacancies are often advertised on relevant portals with an annual salary of between 42,000 and 60,000 euros.

How do companies find suitable IT consultants and implementation partners?

Despite the high fees of the IT industry, many companies still find it difficult to select suitable freelancers and IT consultants. Because just Managing directors from outside the industry often find it difficult to assess the actual expertise of agencies and freelancers.

It is therefore helpful to ask whether professional certifications, for example from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Auch testimonials about successfully managed projects, such as the conversion to a new CRM solution, create trust between client and external IT consultant. Because anyone who has ever converted operational information systems in a related industry and as certified IT consultant applies, should also be successful in your own company.

Tackle digital transformation together

In fact, Germany's digital transformation requires efforts in all areas and from all parties involved. The IT consultant is just as much in demand here as the companies themselves. This is because they must recognize that automated processes, such as in customer management, lead to a more efficient workflow and also generate higher sales, at least in the long term.

Product quality also increases when companies are well positioned digitally. Die digital transformation is decisive Therefore also about whether companies are successful in international competition.

Even in the everyday lives of private consumers, digitization is constantly gaining ground. More and more German citizens are buying or booking online. Since the Corona pandemic, video conferences have become an integral part of everyday business life, and some products, such as the Deutschlandticket, are only available as a digital solution.

Last but not least, the cashless payment transactions to. But then politicians are also in demand. Because people of all income groups and especially companies need Access to powerful and affordable devices as well as a stable and fast Internet.

Measures such as the digital summit are therefore only a first, albeit important step.

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