Team Consulting vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS): full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Team Consulting (4.3/5) edges ahead of Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) (4.0/5) overall. Team Consulting is the better choice for Inhalers, injectors and human-factors-heavy devices. Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) is the stronger option for touchscreen user interfaces on medical devices. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Team Consulting vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS): head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Team Consulting | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1986 | 1987 |
| HQ | Ickleton, Cambridge, UK | Waltham, MA, USA |
| Team size | 140–190 | Not published |
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Three decades of medical-only industrial design and human factors, especially for drug delivery | Qt and embedded UI depth applied to regulated device software, including on QNX |
| Pricing model | Time and materials, phased fixed project | Time and materials, fixed project |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | SolidWorks, Mechanical simulation, Usability engineering | Qt, QNX, Embedded Linux |
| Industries served | Drug delivery, Surgical & therapeutic devices, Diagnostics & lab devices | Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices, Industrial, Automotive |
Team Consulting vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS): overview
Team Consulting
Team Consulting began in 1986 as a general product development consultancy started by five former colleagues and has worked mainly in the medical sector since the early 1990s. It is employee-owned and based in a converted barn in Ickleton, near Cambridge, with somewhere between 140 and 190 staff depending on the source. Its best-known work is in inhaled and injectable drug delivery devices, where it combines industrial design, mechanical engineering and human factors.
Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) has worked in software since 1987 and is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, with offices in Sunnyvale and Ottawa. It describes itself as the largest independent source of Qt expertise in North America and runs a dedicated medtech practice for regulated device development (per company website; independently unverifiable). Since 2019 it has partnered with BlackBerry QNX for safety-critical medical work. ICS does not publish its headcount.
Services and capabilities: Team Consulting vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Capability | Team Consulting | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics & PCB design | ✗ | ✗ |
| Firmware & embedded software | ✗ | ✓ |
| SaMD & companion apps | ✗ | ✓ |
| Connected devices & IoT | ✗ | ✗ |
| Industrial design & human factors | ✓ | ✗ |
| Mechanical engineering | ✓ | ✗ |
| Device cybersecurity | ✗ | ✓ |
| Regulatory & QMS support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manufacturing & scale-up | ✗ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: Team Consulting vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Framework / platform | Team Consulting | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded C/C++ | N/A | N/A |
| Embedded Linux | N/A | ✓ |
| RTOS | N/A | N/A |
| BLE | N/A | N/A |
| Cloud (AWS/Azure) | N/A | ✓ |
| IEC 62304 | N/A | ✓ |
| ISO 14971 | N/A | N/A |
| ISO 13485 QMS | ✓ | N/A |
| Qt | N/A | ✓ |
Pricing comparison: Team Consulting vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Criterion | Team Consulting | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Consulting, Fixed project, Time & materials | Fixed project, Time & materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Team Consulting vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Dimension | Team Consulting | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Drug delivery, Surgical & therapeutic devices, Diagnostics & lab devices | Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices, Industrial |
| Best use cases | Designing a dry powder inhaler or autoinjector, Formative and summative usability studies | Designing and coding the touchscreen for a surgical console, Porting device software to Qt 6 on embedded Linux |
| Typical project type | Consulting | Fixed project |
Team Consulting vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS): pros and cons
| Team Consulting | |
|---|---|
| + | Medical and pharma work has been its main business for over 30 years |
| + | Human factors engineering is one of the strongest in the UK for drug delivery |
| + | Employee ownership supports long-term client relationships |
| + | Industrial design quality is high, which matters for patient-handled devices |
| - | Electronics and connected-device software are a smaller part of its work than mechanics and design |
| - | No manufacturing; transfer to a CM is required |
| - | UK rates and location may not suit US startups on tight budgets |
| Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) | |
|---|---|
| + | One of the deepest Qt benches in North America, useful for device GUIs |
| + | QNX partnership for safety-critical medical operating systems |
| + | Also offers device cybersecurity and regulatory support |
| + | Long history and US-based teams |
| - | Medtech is one practice among several industries |
| - | Not a hardware design firm |
| - | Headcount and certifications are not published |
Who should choose Team Consulting?
A typical fit: designing a dry powder inhaler or autoinjector.
Three decades of medical-only industrial design and human factors, especially for drug delivery. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Drug delivery, Surgical & therapeutic devices, Diagnostics & lab devices.
Who should choose Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)?
A typical fit: designing and coding the touchscreen for a surgical console.
Qt and embedded UI depth applied to regulated device software, including on QNX. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices, Industrial, Automotive.
Decision matrix: Team Consulting vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Team Consulting |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Check each company's engagement model |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Team Consulting (Not disclosed) vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
| You need staff augmentation or team extension | Neither; consider alternatives that offer staff aug |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | Both may offer discovery engagements |
Use case fit: Team Consulting vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Use case | Team Consulting fit | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designing a dry powder inhaler or autoinjector | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Formative and summative usability studies | Strong | Limited | Team Consulting |
| Designing and coding the touchscreen for a surgical console | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Porting device software to Qt 6 on embedded Linux | Limited | Strong | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
Verdict: Team Consulting vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
Team Consulting (4.3/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Medical Device Development projects. Three decades of medical-only industrial design and human factors, especially for drug delivery.
Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) (4.0/5) is worth a look if you need porting device software to Qt 6 on embedded Linux. If your situation matches that, Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Team Consulting vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) FAQ
Is Team Consulting better than Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)?
Team Consulting (4.3/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Team Consulting's strongest advantage: medical and pharma work has been its main business for over 30 years. Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)'s strongest advantage: one of the deepest Qt benches in North America, useful for device GUIs.
How do Team Consulting and Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) differ in pricing?
Team Consulting uses time and materials, phased fixed project pricing. Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) uses time and materials, fixed project pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Team Consulting or Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)?
Team Consulting is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each company before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between Team Consulting and Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)?
Team Consulting's primary differentiator is: three decades of medical-only industrial design and human factors, especially for drug delivery. Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)'s primary differentiator is: qt and embedded UI depth applied to regulated device software, including on QNX. They also differ in team size (140–190 vs Not published), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Drug delivery, Surgical & therapeutic devices vs Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.