Devoted to purchasing, purchasing agents, and all things related

In every aspect of business, there comes a time when expertise or assistance is needed beyond the capabilities or capacities of the current employees.  The Purchasing field is no different.  Enter the consultants or perhaps the CONSULTANTS.

What's the difference, you ask?  A big one in cost, scope, and objectives.

I have been a consultant, but not a CONSULTANT.  Read on...

I've worked both with consultants and as a consultant (on my own and through an agency.)  Consultants (the non fully capitalized kind) are usually hired on a project or temporary basis (though this can stretch months or even years in some cases) to assist or augment current staff. 

They cost about the same as a regular employee.  Although the hourly rate may be higher, don't forget to factor in that they receive no benefits such as vacation time or insurance and must pay for these out of the hourly rates they earn.  These consultants are often eventually hired as regular employees of the company.  

CONSULTANTS are a different breed and may be quite scary to the regular staff.  They sweep in from out of town en masse hired for big bucks under lucrative contracts with large consulting firms.  (It should be noted that the individuals are not necessarily making huge salaries, but your corporation is paying large amounts to their firms.)  They usually arrive as part of a corporate-wide initiative to overhaul/streamline spending and increase savings dramatically.

Do you have experience with one or both types?