As you all know, Information Technology plays a crucial role in modern businesses, providing the tools and infrastructure needed to succeed in an ever-changing landscape. In our long journey, we have noticed that business owners often get confused between IT services and IT consulting while outsourcing tech projects. Each has its own unique characteristics and purposes.
let’s understand the basic difference between services and consulting.
IT services implement solutions and provide expertise to help create and improve business processes. Whereas IT consulting focuses on providing strategic advice on modifying or improving solutions to reach the desired goal.
Let’s take an example
Say ABC retail business has noticed that they are unable to keep track of their current stock in various warehouses. However, they are aware that this case exists since the inventory management system has flaws. Now, consider they have experienced employees, and they know exactly what improvisation needs to be done. To amend these modifications, they may hire an IT service provider to implement the changes in the existing system and provide ongoing technical support to ensure it runs smoothly. The IT service provider will work with the business to understand their requirements, they may also recommend a suitable solution, develop, and maintain the revamped system. This could be an entirely new system as well.

On the other hand, if XYZ retail business is facing the same issue of being unable to keep track of their stock in various warehouses. However, here they are unsure why this case exists. They may or may not have a flawless inventory management system. The business knows that tech enhancement may help them to resolve this case. In this situation, the best fit will be IT Consulting provider rather than IT Service provider. An IT Consulting provider will work with the business to understand their current process, identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement, and provide strategic advice on how to use tech as an enabler. They may recommend modifications to the existing system or suggest a new solution altogether, and then work with the business to implement the changes.

Tech Implementation
If a business needs the best and global standard solution, it is most important to first consult. IT consultants are experts in tech solutions and can help identify the true problem along with the solution. However, if a business team is certain about the problem and the solution, IT services is the best choice.
Below is the difference between IT Service vs IT Consulting
IT Service | IT Consultation |
Usually associated with the implementation of the existing solution. | Focuses on problem statement and the solution associated with it. |
Implementation Cost | Consultation + Implementation Cost |
Comparatively Quick | Time taking, but certain |
May or may not be long term solution. | Long term solution. |
It is important that business understand this to save a lot of time and money when trying to create, enhance or revamp tech.