AI strategy, custom software, and the judgment to know when to use neither.
SM Consulting helps community banks and regulated North Dakota businesses navigate AI, modernize critical systems, and build the custom tools that off-the-shelf software can’t deliver. Based in Bismarck. 20+ years of getting it right.
our services
Strategy from people who actually ship.
Most technology consultants stop at the PowerPoint. We’ve built and launched real software — including a production mobile app with on-device AI that identifies hundreds of fish species, fully offline, with no user tracking. When we tell a client whether an AI initiative will work, it’s because we’ve built one. When we recommend a custom application over an off-the-shelf product, it’s because we know exactly what that build looks like, what it costs, and we can do the work ourselves.
That kind of grounded judgment is rare in this market. It’s why SM Consulting is the trusted advisor for community banks, regulated businesses, and growing organizations across North Dakota — the clients who can’t afford to bet wrong on technology, and don’t have time for vendors who oversell.
Make It Easy
We Make Complex IT Problems… Simple
AI Strategy & Implementation
Cut through the hype. We help you identify where AI actually moves the needle for your business, evaluate vendor pitches with a clear eye, and implement what makes sense — including custom or on-device AI for regulated environments where data can’t leave your walls.
Custom Application Development
When off-the-shelf doesn’t fit, we build. Web apps, mobile apps, desktop tools, internal systems, and data integrations — designed for your workflow and built to last. We ship production-grade software, not prototypes.
vCIO & IT Strategy
You don’t need a full-time CIO, but you need someone thinking strategically about your technology. We’re that person — IT roadmap, vendor management, policy, and big-picture decisions — while your team handles the day-to-day.
Audit Review & Cyber Liability
Compliance audits and cyber insurance negotiations require a human in the room. We’re the trusted second opinion who reads the fine print, challenges the assumptions, and makes sure your business isn’t paying for protection it doesn’t have.
Recent Work
Strategy that ships.
Mobile App / On-Device AI
Elevated Fishing
A consumer mobile app with on-device AI species identification — 639 fish species, all 50 states, fully offline, zero tracking. Designed and shipped from concept to production launch.
Desktop App / Data Analysis
Legislative Data Platform
A custom desktop application aggregating and cross-referencing state and national legislative data with intelligent caching, cross-session vote analysis, and AI-assisted summaries. Built for North Dakota policy research.
Banking / IT Strategy
Community Bank IT Roadmap
Multi-year IT strategy and cybersecurity framework for a North Dakota community bank, including vendor consolidation, audit remediation, and ongoing vCIO oversight. Anonymized client.
Our Mission
Helping North Dakota Build with Technology
Technology consulting in 2026 isn’t about deploying yesterday’s software — it’s about choosing the right tools, integrating them well, and building the missing pieces. SM Consulting helps North Dakota businesses do all three.
SM Consulting has been an invaluable partner in shaping and guiding our IT strategy. They understand the nuances of our business and crafted a tailored, forward-thinking IT roadmap that aligns seamlessly with our goals. Our IT operations have never been so streamlined and efficient. Thank you, SM Consulting!
Happy Clients
Bringing security and peace of mind is our mission.
In the intricate world of cyber security, having SM Consulting by our side gave us the confidence and security we sought. Their comprehensive cybersecurity planning approach, from analyzing our existing infrastructure to implementing a robust security framework, fortified our defenses against cyber threats. Their expertise and ability to communicate and simplify cyber security is unmatched, making them the ideal choice for any business prioritizing security.