Understanding the Varying IT Service Delivery Approaches

In today’s digital-oriented world, businesses rely heavily on IT services because technology is essential for modern business operations and growth. Technologies help businesses improve their efficiency, productivity, customer experience, and, hence, profitability. If formerly all ways led to Rome, today all ways lead to IT service providers.

Sigma Technology Group, a privately-owned global technology consulting company with operations in 6 countries, shares today the most popular IT service delivery models and provides insights on how businesses can stay flexible and adapt to changing market conditions at a fast pace. With our extensive experience in IT consulting, we are here to help businesses choose the right delivery model that meets unique needs and brings the expected results.

What are the types of IT services? 

IT services encompass a wide range of offerings designed to help businesses leverage technology to achieve their goals. From time to time, clients may change the service delivery once the needs change, which is very convenient to stay flexible both budget- and efficiency-wise.

Some of the most common types of IT services that we deliver include dedicated teams, cross-functional teams, technology consulting, competence delivery, and outsourcing services, all of which include nearshore delivery and in-house solutions.

IT Service delivery method #1: Dedicated teams 

Dedicated teams typically consist of a group of specialists (same roles, same skills) who work exclusively on a specific project or task for an extended period. This type of team is ideal for companies looking for narrow specialized skills or expertise. Some specific uses of dedicated teams include: 

• Developing or redeveloping custom digital solutions from the ground up for companies without their own IT team. 
• Augmenting existing in-house teams for clients with their own R&D departments. 
• Providing specialized expertise on demand. 
• Scaling up and down the client’s R&D capacity, depending on current needs and scope of tasks.

IT Service delivery method #2: Cross-functional teams 

Cross-functional teams are groups of team members with different areas of expertise or skill sets who come together to work on a specific project. These teams are composed of members from different functional departments. These teams may be both for long-term and short-term assignments. One of Sigma Technology’s unique offers is #YourTeam, an opportunity to get access to specific competence, be it developers, QA, or designers (or all together!). It helps our customers to solve their IT-related issues quickly, without unnecessary paperwork.

The goal of cross-functional teams is to provide the diverse knowledge and expertise of each member to create a more comprehensive and effective solution that addresses the needs of the project at hand. Cross-functional teams are increasingly popular now as they promote collaboration, innovation, and a more holistic approach to problem-solving.

So what are the most popular use cases for cross-functional teams? 

• Product development on a turn-key basis and its further maintenance. This is the most popular reason to leverage cross-functional teams on their projects since there is always scalable access to different competencies at hand. 
• Process improvement: Cross-functional teams can work together to identify inefficiencies in existing processes and develop more efficient workflows for the client’s teams. 
• Cross-functional teams can be used to provide a single-time IT service that addresses complex problems or challenges that require input from multiple areas of the business. 
• Cross-functional teams can help manage change initiatives, ensuring that different parts of the business are aligned and working together towards a common goal. In this case, the team brings the diverse expertise that is lacking from the client’s side. 

IT Service delivery method #3: Consultant delivery 

Consultant delivery is a type of IT service that provides businesses with access to skilled professionals who can help them achieve their goals and join the existing teams. The consultants can work on-site or remotely, depending on the project requirements. The IT service provider takes care of the recruitment, onboarding, training, and management of the consultants or experts, allowing the client to focus on their core business activities.

At Sigma Technology, for example, consultant IT delivery means that clients get access to highly qualified experts in various areas, such as software development, infrastructure management, cloud services, data analytics, or technical writing. Businesses benefit from the flexibility to access a diverse range of skills and expertise, saving time on onboarding and searching for the right competence. This model makes it easy to scale up and down as the project needs it. Shortly, it works like a dedicated team but with a separate individual involved in the project.

IT Service delivery method #4: Outsourcing 

Outsourcing services refer to partnering with external vendors to handle specific IT functions such as maintenance, support, or software development. Outsourcing enables businesses to focus resources elsewhere while still leveraging cutting-edge tech solutions. At Sigma Technology, we provide in-house teams that overtake IT operations, processes, or projects on behalf of a client organization. The clients use a homeshoring model when resources are located in reachable proximity to the customer or nearshore, located within the same time zone. 

Choosing IT outsourcing can be a smart decision for businesses that have certain needs and circumstances. Here are some of the common situations where IT outsourcing can be a good fit:

• Lack of in-house expertise: If a business lacks the necessary expertise to handle a specific project or task, outsourcing to a provider with specialized skills and knowledge can be a good solution. 
• Cost savings: Outsourcing can often be more cost-effective than hiring and training new staff, especially for businesses that need to complete a one-time project or don’t have a continuous need for a certain skill set.
• Scalability: Outsourcing can be a good fit for businesses that need to scale up or down quickly, as they can quickly and easily add or remove resources as needed.
• Time constraints: When a business has a tight deadline to complete a project or task, outsourcing can help ensure that it is completed on time and on budget.
• Access to the latest technology: Outsourcing can provide businesses with access to the latest technology and tools, which can help them stay competitive in their industry.

Conclusions

In conclusion, when it comes to IT service delivery, there are various options available for businesses to choose from depending on their specific needs, resources, and goals. Sigma Technology’s commitment to flexibility ensures that clients can choose the most suitable option based on their specific needs, industry requirements, and budget. This adaptability ensures a tailored approach, enhancing customer satisfaction and delivering successful outcomes. 

In conclusion, Sigma Technology’s flexible approach and diverse range of IT service delivery options enable businesses to find the most suitable solution, whether it be IT outsourcing, cross-functional or dedicated teams, onshoring, or nearshoring. By considering the unique needs of each client, Sigma Technology ensures optimal results and client satisfaction in the ever-evolving landscape of IT services.