1. Providing external, objective advice. An outside consultant can provide advice on how to proceed with various technological changes, upgrades and other choices that affect a small business and its daily operations. A good outside Technology Consultant does not bring to the table any bias or preference that may be seen with inside staff that may have personal reasons to cling to a given technology.2. Offering specialized expertise. Outside Technology Consultants are trained to provide specialized expertise that may not be available within one’s own organization. Hiring an outside consultant gives access to his or her specialties without the costs involved with training in-house staff to perform the same duties.3. Working as temporary staff. Small businesses often have temporary, one-time project needs that do not require hiring staff on a full-time basis. Hiring outside Technology Consultants for project work is typically more cost-effective than hiring permanent staff that may be underutilized in the future.4. Outsourcing all or part of a company’s IT needs. Some companies may not have the budget nor the desire to hire in-house staff to provide for their IT needs. Outside Technology Consultants can make recommendations as to what can or cannot be outsourced; said consultants may also perform the services they recommend for outsourcing. For many businesses, outsourcing IT services allows them to focus on their core competencies instead of wasting time and effort on yet another infrastructure issue better suited to specialists.In general, Technology Consultants are responsible for providing business, advisory and technical skills to small business owners and managers. When seeking a Technology Consultant, it is important to determine whether or not those being interviewed posses not only technical skills but the ability to communicate technical knowledge to small business decision makers that may not have the same technical vocabulary. It is vital that the

meeting with clients to determine requirements;working with clients to define the scope of a project;planning timescales and the resources needed;clarifying a client's system specifications, understanding their work practices and the nature of their business;travelling to customer sites;liaising with staff at all levels of a client organisation;defining software, hardware and network requirements;analysing IT requirements within companies and giving independent and objective advice on the use of IT;developing agreed solutions and implementing new systems;presenting solutions in written or oral reports;helping clients with change-management activities;purchasing systems where appropriate;designing, testing, installing and monitoring new systems;preparing documentation and presenting progress reports to customers;organising training for users and other consultants;being involved in sales and support, and where appropriate, maintaining contact with client organisations;identifying potential clients and building and maintaining contacts.