2023 is the digital age where remote work attracts the most talented people, and location no longer defines a team.
Nowhere is that truer than in the world of software development. Software outsourcing is becoming an increasingly popular strategy for successful companies to adopt for product development. Look at Google, Amazon, or Facebook.
What does this approach look like? Companies that adopt software outsourcing develop a symbiotic relationship with their in-house development teams. We have an in-house team working on our own components. An outsourced team supports them. Pay high salaries for high-impact work and outsource the rest to free up your in-house engineers. This approach leverages the strengths of both in-house and outsourcing to create a scalable model.
(See the pros and cons of i.For n-house development, see our analysis here. )
There are other ways to take advantage of software outsourcing beyond what Big Dogs does today. So how can companies effectively outsource software development? This overview explains what outsourcing is and when you should consider outsourcing.
What is software outsourcing?
Software outsourcing is the process of contracting software developers to work within a customer’s scope of work. These developers are contractors, not employees. That is, 1099 instead of W-2. Software outsourcing is becoming an increasingly popular strategy that companies use to build their development teams.
From early-stage start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, they outsource their software development needs in some way, whether the entire team or ancillary parts.
When should you outsource software development?
Let’s tackle the elephant in the room first. Outsourcing is not a black-box solution. Software outsourcing isn’t for everyone, nor is it for everything. Companies that fail to outsource are those that approach the problem as a single solution. The reality is software outsourcing is an incredibly effective tool when delivered properly. However, if used incorrectly, it can have serious consequences.
There are a few general approaches to outline when to consider outsourcing software. The most effective companies outsource, but remember that they do so with a strategy.
Cost reduction
The most common reason teams outsource software is to save money. If we look at the global economy, we can effectively arbitrage local dollars by working with developers in regions with weaker economies. In this way, even if you pay a large wage in your home currency, it still works as a lower salary than you would pay in your home country.
Flexibility
Given the nature of contractual relationships, flexibility is a big draw for outsourcing. Outsourcing does not mean hiring in-house. So it’s not a contractual long-term relationship that’s hard to let go of. There is a cost to dismissing an employee, but there is no cost to dismissing a contractor. As a company, you can engage freelancers or agencies to work on a single project or backlog of tasks. Scale your resources up or down as needed. As a client, you have the flexibility to make the roadmap your own and adapt it frequently to meet your company’s needs.
niche expertise
A recent and regular draw to outsourcing is tapping into niche expertise. Many companies these days are looking to get into Web-3 or AR/VR technology. If your company is looking to leverage these new technologies to complement your business rather than as a core part of your business, it may be more cost-effective to contract individual experts than to build an expensive in-house team. can be higher.
Replenishment of staff
This is the secret sauce and how Big Dogs, which I mentioned earlier, approaches software outsourcing. Recruiting an in-house team is a way to speed up the development cycle. Instead of continuing to hire employees (expensive and timely), you can supplement your team. Let your in-house developers work on what they find interesting and outsource the rest. This allows companies to scale incredibly efficiently while maintaining operational fluidity and flexibility. Did you miss your sales goals? Downsize your support team. Got a big contract? Scale up your supplemental team. You don’t have to worry about the hiring infrastructure you have to manage throughout this process.
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So how do you get started?
Well, it totally depends on where you are as a company and which strategy best suits your business goals. please give me. Is there any point in using this tool? Or is it harmful to use it now and better to take advantage of it later? Is it worth it?
When considering software outsourcing, you’ll want to consult an expert to help you determine the best strategy. For example, Aloha I pledge to get to know you as a business first to determine if it makes sense to outsource.
Make sure you put enough time and energy into putting together the best strategies to set your development team up for success, regardless of the path.