What does an Information Technology Consultant do?

An Information Technology Consultant, also known as IT Consultant, is responsible for sharing extensive knowledge of Information Technology by providing suggestions and solving issues within the company. Among the duties include installing and maintaining the necessary software and hardware, designing new procedures, overseeing all implementations, and ensuring that all systems are running smoothly, employing methods to secure databases, and providing essential instructions when needed. Furthermore, an Information Technology Consultant needs to coordinate and report to management or supervisors at all times.
Information technology consultant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real information technology consultant resumes:
- Accomplish telecommunication design and installation consulting services on VOIP phone systems.
- Develop functional requirements as well as managed development and quality assurance activities using a full SDLC.
- Ensure adequate security protections for proprietary data and intellectual property; manage and configure firewalls and security posture.
- Lead enterprise-wide virtualization effort, overseeing and completing vendor/hardware qualifications, architecture/design, installation, configuration, migration and documentation.
- Lead disaster recovery exercises, infrastructure hardware/software decommissioning initiatives and redeployment of legacy application retirements/migrations for Fannie Mae (client).
- Assist in deploying PC's and laptops to sales organization as well as updating the OS as necessary per laptop specifications.
- Document high-level processing and data models/flows via the creation and maintenance of VISIO diagrams.
- Provide hardware break/fix/configuration for laptops, desktops, servers, wireless networks and switches.
- Set up home networks including site survey, setup and configuration of router and switches.
- Promote from co-director to CIO, base on performance, leadership and senior staff recommendations.
- Use VISIO to provide 'views' of work to be done when reviewing with users and other technologists.
- Configure LAN, DNS & DHCP service settings, establish network security, back up and recovery procedures.
- Assist customers in migrating from physical to virtual systems as well as migrating from unsupport VMware to the latest version.
- Re-Cover damaged computers, routers, printers, monitors, servers, PBX systems, and laptops from Katrina damage.
- Set up multiple computers to share internet connection, files, printers and network access storage components (NAS).
Information technology consultant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Information Technology Consultants are proficient in Customer Service, Database, and Project Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Information Technology Consultants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 8%
Guaranteed high network availability to meet customer service level agreement requirements in addition to delivering support and performing necessary recovery procedures.
- Database, 8%
Developed Line-of-Business and database applications.
- Project Management, 8%
Advised management on application/infrastructure enhancements required for performance improvements using excellent project management capabilities.
- Cloud, 8%
Recruited to manage the implementation of cloud based computing infrastructure Program Manager - Consultant - focused on architecture design and implementation.
- Troubleshoot, 4%
Provide network/computer system, assessment, recommendation, installation, deployment, troubleshoot and support of various complex Information Technology infrastructures.
- Business Processes, 4%
Gathered business requirements, documented existing business processes and made recommendations on how to improve existing business work flows and processes.
Most information technology consultants use their skills in "customer service," "database," and "project management" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential information technology consultant responsibilities here:
Creativity. The most essential soft skill for an information technology consultant to carry out their responsibilities is creativity. This skill is important for the role because "because analysts are tasked with finding innovative solutions to computer problems, an ability to “think outside the box” is important." Additionally, an information technology consultant resume shows how their duties depend on creativity: "delivered recommendation to company president for erp system to upgrade accounting and inventory management. "
Analytical skills. Another essential skill to perform information technology consultant duties is analytical skills. Information technology consultants responsibilities require that "analysts must interpret complex information from various sources and decide the best way to move forward on a project." Information technology consultants also use analytical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "deployed erp and other business application capability addressing regulatory compliance, supplier risk management, enterprise data and digital assets. "
Communication skills. This is an important skill for information technology consultants to perform their duties. For an example of how information technology consultant responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "analysts work as a go-between with management and the it department and must explain complex issues in a way that both will understand." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an information technology consultant: "engaged in several erp application implementations of medium to large-scale businesses in the telecommunications and heavy equipment manufacturing industries. ".
See the full list of information technology consultant skills
The three companies that hire the most information technology consultants are:
- Guidehouse601 information technology consultants jobs
- Oracle66 information technology consultants jobs
- Hoffmann-LA Roche Inc59 information technology consultants jobs
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Information technology consultant vs. Systems consultant
A systems consultant is responsible for advising on the design, plan, and installation of information technology systems for clients. You will analyze data of an organization, determine the requirements of an information system, and define project objectives. Other duties include providing recommendations on the appropriate software, hardware, and systems, designing and installing new software, and organizing and conducting training for end-users. You will also be responsible for preparing test plans and test scripts needed for system testing.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between information technology consultants and systems consultant. For instance, information technology consultant responsibilities require skills such as "customer service," "database," "cloud," and "business processes." Whereas a systems consultant is skilled in "infrastructure," "c++," "azure," and "java." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Systems consultants tend to make the most money working in the internet industry, where they earn an average salary of $108,853. In contrast, information technology consultants make the biggest average salary, $99,092, in the finance industry.systems consultants tend to reach similar levels of education than information technology consultants. In fact, systems consultants are 1.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Information technology consultant vs. Information engineer
An information engineer is responsible for monitoring the efficiency of computer systems and network infrastructure, performing configuration to boost the optimal performance of the technology systems. Information engineers assist end-users in resolving network issues, identifying the source of inconsistencies, and create resolution reports for reference to avoid reoccurrence. They also design new network systems according to business needs and client specifications, running multiple diagnostic tests to ensure effectiveness before the release of final deliverables. An information engineer should have excellent technical skills, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real information technology consultant resumes. While information technology consultant responsibilities can utilize skills like "database," "project management," "cloud," and "business processes," information engineers use skills like "java," "san," "azure," and "data analysis."
Information engineers earn a higher average salary than information technology consultants. But information engineers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $107,435. Additionally, information technology consultants earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $99,092 annually.In general, information engineers achieve similar levels of education than information technology consultants. They're 1.6% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Information Technology Consultants in the next 3-5 years?
Dean, Professor, New York Institute of Technology
-We will be witnessing a more widespread commercial deployment of 5G in 2020. With the implementation of the Standalone 5G devices based on the 3gpp release 16, we should be seeing the more robust mobile broadband deployment of 5G, wider availability of 5G smartphones, and a push towards an all 5G Network in select urban areas around the world.
-Significant growth in AI-based technologies, from face recognition and voice recognition to business intelligence and market predictions. As machines and deep learning algorithms get integrated into many applications, many industries will undergo substantial changes. AI systems will continue to interact with our phones; cars will interpret and analyze their surroundings and intelligently drive themselves. Online vendors will monitor our browsing habits, and Google decides what kind of search results to give us, based on who it thinks we are.
Information technology consultant vs. Network consultant
Network consultants are information technology (IT) professionals who are responsible for designing, setting up, and maintaining computer networks for an organization or at a client location. These consultants are required to meet with the manager of an organization and network engineers to discuss their networking requirements. By supervising a team of IT professionals, these consultants must administer technical issues and fix infrastructure issues onsite. Network consultants must also maintain documentation for IT infrastructure as well as coordinate network documentation with account managers.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from information technology consultant resumes include skills like "customer service," "database," "cloud," and "business processes," whereas a network consultant is more likely to list skills in "appeals," "firewall," "switches," and "network hardware. "
Network consultants earn the highest salary when working in the manufacturing industry, where they receive an average salary of $89,811. Comparatively, information technology consultants have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $99,092.Most network consultants achieve a similar degree level compared to information technology consultants. For example, they're 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Information technology consultant vs. Information technology supervisor, information technology
An information technology supervisor of information technology is primarily in charge of overseeing a company's IT operations, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. It is their duty to spearhead projects, set goals and objectives, coordinate staff, manage budgets and timelines, perform installations and upgrades, and develop strategies to optimize operations. They must remain knowledgeable of the latest technologies, liaise with external parties, and produce progress reports. Furthermore, as a supervisor, it is essential to monitor the performance of the IT teams, all while enforcing the company's policies and regulations.
Types of information technology consultant
Updated January 8, 2025