Software development consulting firms: how to choose your software partner in 2023

Have you found yourself in need of a software consulting partner, but are not sure how to choose them?

No worries, we’re here to help.

We’ll go through the benefits of working with a software development consulting firm, types of services they provide, advice on how to choose a partner, and we’ll finish with a list of top software consulting companies.

Dig in.

What is a software development consulting firm?

Software development consulting firms share their vast experience and knowledge on software development projects with businesses, based on their particular requirements and needs.

In this digital era, most companies turn towards technology. This means their challenges and needs change as they push their strategy in a different, tech-oriented direction.

Businesses in different industries will have to include technology in the way they operate in one way or another. And since the digital landscape is ever-changing, hiring a trusted software consultant to advise can help you keep up in your niche – or fly even higher.

Advantages of hiring a software consulting company

Here are the biggest benefits of working with a software consultant partner:

They can help you with whatever type of software development expertise you need to consult on. Be it software architecture, modernization, project management, or a different area – most software consulting companies cover an immensely wide variety of services.

You get an insight into their vast knowledge and can benefit from years of their experience.

This experience often includes custom software development projects with varying business requirements – possibly, similar to yours.

Their team is hand-picked, so you know they’re highly skilled professionals. When you hire a software development consulting firm, you don’t have to vet each team member yourself.

Types of services offered by software consulting firms

What types of services do they provide?

Software architecture design and assessment

Software architecture is the structure underlying a system, showing how each element will interact with other parts and components. It doesn’t include the implementation details.

Designing or assessing it requires a high level of skill. A software consultant can come up with a solution that checks all the boxes on your requirement list, as well as fits into your business model.

Software project management

Software project management includes project planning and supervising to create a software product. It consists of tasks like allocating resources, assigning tasks, estimating how much time each task will take, monitoring progress, assisting with any unexpected issues – and many others.

If you already have skilled devs on board and aren’t looking for an extension to your team, but just need help keeping it all in check, a software project manager can help. They’ll partner with your team and lead them through the full development process. And you – you’ll be sure it’s all under control, and you’ll cut costs on hiring a full-time software project manager.

Software stack assessment

Many companies don’t reevaluate their software stack often enough. When was the last time you did it? Has it just been the same software for several years now? In many businesses that’s the case.

A software consulting partner who has a deep understanding of the software world and stays up-to-date with industry knowledge and trends can help you assess if it’s time for some changes.

With a reevaluated software stack, your team’s workflow might get easier and faster, which in turn can lead to cutting costs.

Software modernization

If your software hasn’t stood the test of time and doesn’t meet your business’s requirements anymore, you need software modernization.

Software development consulting firms can give your existing legacy system a makeover with new programming languages, frameworks and platforms, so it works smoothly and provides a pleasant user experience.

3 pricing models of software consulting companies

Here are the 3 most common pricing models for software consulting:

Hourly rate model

The software development consulting firm gets paid by the number of hours spent on handling your project. This one’s a popular way to go when estimating a fixed timeline is hard.

Fixed price model

As the name suggests, you pay a fixed fee for the scope of tasks you agreed on. 

If you have a fixed budget, this model might work best for you. Remember, though, that sometimes the needs might change as the partnership develops and you move forward in the project, and additional payments might come up.

Retainer model

In this model, you pay for a set number of hours per month. The software development consultant dedicates a certain amount of hours per month to your project, and you pay them each month in advance.

This model is often used when you’ve already worked with an external partner, trust them cause you’ve seen they bring satisfying results, and want to keep the partnership going.

How to choose the right software development consulting company

It’s tough to choose a software consulting company – there are so many of them, so how do you know which one will work for you? First and foremost, consider these criteria:

Experience and expertise

Are they skilled and experienced in the type of project you’re looking for? Do they work with the technologies that you work with? You might check their employees’ level of experience and domains, too, to see if a company is the right choice for you.

Portfolio and case studies

Take a look at their previous projects and past clients. Read through case studies. Check client reviews. Are there niches like yours? Have they handled similar projects? How much experience do they have with businesses of your size?

A software development consultant has to understand your business process and industry.

Pricing structure and payment terms

You probably won’t get all that from a website. Software consulting services vary depending on each project and company, so it’s best to ask a potential partner about it directly.

Before you do so, research to find out what the brackets might be on the market, and consider which pricing model would be your preferred one.

Top software development consulting companies

Startup House

Location: Warsaw, Poland

Size: 120+

Founded: 2016

We’re a custom software development and consulting partner for tech-based businesses at all stages of their growth. We’ve completed over 70 projects so far, and we’ve worked with clients from all around the world. 

We believe that projects without passion are incomplete. See our case studies, like this one, to see how we work with our clients.

Accenture

Location: offices all over the world

Size: 10 000+

Founded: 1989

Accenture is a professional services company with capabilities in digital, cloud and security. They operate in more than 40 industries globally. One of their areas of expertise is – yeah, you guessed it – software development consulting. They serve clients in over 120 countries.

Deloitte Consulting

Location: offices all over the world

Size: 11 000+

Founded: 1845

One of the biggest players in the professional services market, Deloitte Consulting offers support and advice in maaany areas, like auditing and assurance, risk management, tax services – and software consulting.

Capgemini

Location: offices all over the world

Size: 360 000+

Founded: 1967

Similarly to other companies on our list, Capgemini offers a broad array of services – among them software development consulting. In their own words, they’re “guided everyday by their purpose of unleashing human energy through technology for an inclusive and sustainable future”.

IBM Global Technology Services

Location: HQ in Armonk, New York, USA

Size: 10 000+

Founded: 1991 (the services division of IBM); 1911 (IBM)

As a division of IBM, IBM Global Technology Services focuses on providing tech consulting of all sorts, as well as helping clients to outsource their work. They consult in areas such as cloud, security, data & analytics, AI, and more.

McKinsey & Company

Location: offices all over the world

Size: 38 000+

Founded: 1926

As one of the best known consulting firms in the world, McKinsey & Company has many divisions that work with clients from various industries and needing to solve different problems. They consult for businesses across the private, public and social sectors.

Designveloper

Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Size: 80+

Founded: 2013

Designveloper offers all kinds of services in software development and consulting. They’ve worked for clients in healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and other industries.

Boston Consulting Group

Location: offices all over the world

Size: 35 000+

Founded: 1963

Among other types of services (and there are many that they offer!), Boston Consulting Group helps their clients in the area of software. As they put it, they “work in a uniquely collaborative model across the firm and throughout all levels of the client organization, fueled by the goal of helping our clients thrive and enabling them to make the world a better place”.

Cognizant Technology Solutions

Location: offices all over the world

Size: 320 000+ 

Founded: 1994

Cognizant Technology Solutions, another global player on our list, offers services in the areas of tech, consulting, digital and operations. They help their clients “modernize technology, reimagine processes and transform experiences”.

KPMG

Location: offices all over the world

Size: 220 000+

Founded: 1987

KPMG (Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler) is a global network of professional firms providing tax, audit and advisory services. Their 15 000+ tech professionals boast a wide variety of specialties, but – as they themselves put it – “they’re all dedicated to just one thing: helping technology leaders succeed by accelerating their transformation efforts”.

Tata Consultancy Services

Location: offices all over the world

Size: 500 000+

Founded: 1968

Tata Consultancy Services is an IT services, consulting and business solutions organization. They’re a purpose-led consultancy business, so if you’re working with them, you can expect to get a transformative business strategy centered on purpose.

Our customized software development solutions

As a custom software development and consulting partner, we deliver a wide set of services. Here are some of them:

• Software development consulting
• Web development
• Mobile development
• Product design
• MVP development
• Quality assurance
• Product management
• Cloud applications

…and more. Check ‘em all here.

Final thoughts

Consulting with an external software development partner who holds deep expertise, experience and is up-to-date with industry trends – one that understands your needs and challenges – can help you optimize processes within your business, and boost its growth.

Are the top software development consulting companies that we’ve listed here ones that might provide you with what you’re looking for?

If you’re thinking of getting in touch with us – please do! We’d love to meet you and talk about your business challenges.