IT Consulting vs SAP BW Consulting

How Is IT Consulting Distinct From SAP BW Consulting?

Table of Contents

SAP BW Projects vs IT Projects

When you deal with a SAP project, you will quickly learn that it is generally a Business Project, not an IT project, or so SAP will tell you.  Is that true, or is it simply an IT Consulting project in disguise?  I would say that it is a bit of both, but that if you wanted to compare an IT Consulting Project to a SAP BW Project, you would come up with the following list of similarities and differences.

 

Similarities

Differences

Both involve computers.

SAP BW generally involves both IT and a deep knowledge of how a business process works.  A Rock Star SAP BW Consultant will come to understand a business process end-to-end and be able to make improvement recommendations to the business process based on knowledge gained from numerous industries.

Both have a variety of highly evolved, very formulaic implementation methodologies. Lean, Agile, ASAP, Iterative, Waterfall, etc.,

Business Intelligence projects generally do not actually have highly fixed requirements in terms of reporting when they are initiated.  However, these types of projects, almost by definition, have evolving requirements

May range from an embedded system project to a stand-alone project like building Facebook.

Almost always focused on delivering analytics to drive decision making.  Sometimes also part of SCM, CRM and Business Planning processes, but still primarily from an analytic stand-point.

 

A list that compared and contrasted all the differences between IT Consulting and SAP BW in general might go on for a very long time.  However, my point with this blog was to focus on how SAP BW Consulting is more of a business project than you typically find with an IT Consulting project.

 

How SAP Professional Services Solutions Help You Increase Profits

What is an Information Technology Project Then?

An information technology project is a specific undertaking that involves the use of technology to achieve a business objective. These projects typically involve the collection and analysis of large amounts of data, or what is commonly referred to as Big Data. To make sense of this data, artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies are often employed. Unlike traditional IT consulting projects, information technology projects focus on delivering analytics to drive decision-making. It is essential for these projects to have a solid business case that demonstrates their value, using one of the Business Case methodologies. Without a formal process to subject IT projects to, companies risk wasting resources on projects that don't deliver tangible business benefits.

 

Impact of Cloud Computing on IT Consulting

The emergence of cloud computing has had a significant impact on IT consulting. With the ability to store and access data from anywhere, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) have become increasingly popular in the business world. For example, a business could use VR and AR to create a virtual store for customers to shop in, even if they are not physically present. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities for IT consulting, as businesses look to implement these technologies to enhance their customer experience. However, with the vast amounts of data generated by these technologies, it is essential for businesses to have a solid business intelligence strategy in place to make sense of it all. As such, IT consulting firms must be well-versed in business intelligence to help their clients maximize the potential of these new technologies.

 

Emerging Technologies Driving Digital Transformation

The world of IT consulting is constantly evolving, and emerging technologies are driving digital transformation like never before. With the rise of Big Data, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing, businesses must be prepared to adapt to new technologies or risk falling behind their competitors. For IT consulting firms, this means staying up-to-date with the latest trends and being proficient in a variety of technologies. The impact of these emerging technologies is particularly evident in the world of business intelligence, where the ability to collect, store, and analyze vast amounts of data is critical to success. As businesses look to implement new technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality to enhance their customer experience, IT consulting firms must be ready to provide the necessary expertise and support to help their clients maximize the potential of these cutting-edge tools.

 

New Role of IT Consulting Firm

The role of an IT consulting firm has evolved with the rise of emerging technologies and the impact of cloud computing. Business intelligence projects are now focused on delivering analytics to drive decision making, and IT consulting firms must be well-versed in business intelligence to help their clients maximize the potential of new technologies.

 

Business Case Driven IT Projects

 

However, it is essential for these projects to have a solid business case that demonstrates their value, using one of the Business Case methodologies. Without a formal process to subject IT projects to, companies risk wasting resources on projects that don't deliver tangible business benefits. The new role of an IT consulting firm is to ensure that IT expenditures have a solid value case and to keep up-to-date with the latest trends and be proficient in a variety of technologies, helping businesses adapt to new technologies and enhance their customer experience.

Technology Consulting & Advisory

When it comes to the world of consulting, IT Consulting and Technology Consulting are two terms that are often used interchangeably. However, there are some key differences that set them apart.

Capability Roadmaps

 

IT Consulting projects typically involve the use of technology to achieve a specific business objective, such as the collection and analysis of large amounts of data. On the other hand, Technology Consulting projects often focus on developing IT infrastructure and technology capabilities roadmaps to improve a company's current state.  This usually means that IT Consultants are involved in creating a map of the existing infrastructure, mapping it against core business functions and identifying key pain points that must addressed in the new technology road map.

 

Deep Business Process Knowledge

 

While both involve computers and related digital technology and have highly evolved implementation methodologies, Technology Consulting often requires a deep knowledge of how a business process works to make improvement recommendations.

 

Staying Up-To-Date is Critical

 

With the emergence of cloud computing and the rise of emerging technologies like Big Data and artificial intelligence, IT consulting firms must stay up-to-date with the latest trends and be proficient in a variety of technologies to help their clients maximize the potential of these cutting-edge tools. Whether you're working on an IT or Technology Consulting project, it is essential to have a solid business case that demonstrates their value and to keep up-to-date with the latest trends to help businesses adapt to new technologies and enhance their customer experience.

Establishing a Technology Budget

Consulting firms play an essential role in developing technology budgets and supporting future-state IT infrastructure. They use technology roadmaps to align business goals with IT capabilities and identify key pain points in the existing infrastructure. By establishing a solid business case, consulting firms ensure that IT projects deliver tangible business benefits and maximize the potential of emerging technologies like Big Data and artificial intelligence. Consulting firms also prepare RFPs and conduct software selections to support the IT infrastructure's future state, making sure that the technology solutions align with the business needs. With the rise of emerging technologies, staying up-to-date is critical, and consulting firms must be proficient in a variety of technologies to help businesses adapt to new technologies and enhance their customer experience.

Reaching Your Target Audience

An IT consultant can play a crucial role in helping a business create an IT system that effectively reaches its target audience. By implementing the right IT system, a business can generate more leads and close more sales. An ERP system, such as SAP, is typically an essential part of the technology stack, along with Hubspot and CRM. With a deep understanding of a company's business process, an IT consultant can make improvement recommendations based on knowledge gained from various industries.

 

Does Your IT Project Have a Value Case

This does not mean that an IT Consulting project should not or is not done for solid business reasons.   In fact, the smart CIO makes sure that any IT expenditure has a solid value case these days, using one of the Business Case methodologies.  But, we have a found a surprising number of companies that don’t actually have a formal business case process they subject IT projects to!

 

 

Click me

 

 

Comments are always welcome and don't forget to share!

 

More reading:

Leverage SAP BW to Increase Supply Chain Inventory Accuracy

 

Download SAP BW Mindmap

Learn what SAP Business Warehouse is and what it does in under five minutes

Get this Mindmap

Lonnie D. Ayers, PMP

About the Author: Lonnie Ayers is a Hubspot Certified Inbound Marketing consultant, with additional certifications in Hubspot Content Optimization, Hubspot Contextual Marketing, and is a Hubspot Certified Partner. Specialized in demand generation and sales execution, especially in the SAP, Oracle and Microsoft Partner space, he has unique insight into the tough challenges Service Providers face with generating leads and closing sales using the latest digital tools. With 15 years of SAP Program Management experience, and dozens of complex sales engagements under his belt, he helps partners develop and communicate their unique sales proposition. Frequently sought as a public speaker in various events, he is available for both inhouse engagements and remote coaching.
Balanced Scorecard Consultant

He also recently released a book "How to Dominate Any Market - Turbocharging Your Digital Marketing and Sales Results", which is available on Amazon.

View All Articles by Lonnie D. Ayers, PMP

The SAP Blog

Subscribe to our blog and receive SAP BW Updates, demand generation, inbound marketing, sales enablement, technology and revenue generation insights and ideas delivered right to your email.